So it's been awhile

It's been awhile since Alison and I have been at youth group. We've been learning how to be parents. Hopefully starting next calendar year we'll be back more regularly.

"4th Week" September 6th

We played ultimate frisbee, crazy uno, and had some prayer time.

Youth Group Lesson from Monday August 23rd

Youth Group Lesson Notes

8-23-2004

Order:

1. Food

2. Fellowship/Games

3. Prayer

4. Reading

5. Lesson

Singleness, Marriage, Divorce, Separation, and Remarriage

Introduction

Read celebrity marriages quotes.

Let's read chapter 7 to ourselves again this week. Pray first and ask God to teach you something new, for insight into his word.

I have a lot of questions tonight to help us define what the Bible teaches about marriage, divorce, separation, and remarriage.

First of all what impression do you get on singleness from reading this passage?

It seems that Paul has a high view of the single lifestyle. There are not many other passages that deal with the topic of singleness at all. Paul seems to prefer and encourage singleness in this passage. Why does he do that do you think?

T or F – According to our passage marriage is a good thing.

T or F – According to our passage it is sinful to get a divorce.

T or F – According to our passage it is ok for a married couple to separate.

According to our passage, is it better to be married or unmarried?

Who invented marriage?

What does the Bible teach on marriage?

What does the Bible teach on divorce?

What are some other passages we can look at?

Should a believer and an unbeliever get married?

Should a believer and an unbeliever already married stay together?

How many of you have/had divorced or separated parents?

How does your behavior affect the condition of your parents' marriage?

We live by the Bible. It is our source for truth. The world has not foundation for life. They believe whatever makes them feel good about themselves and often times their beliefs are wrong. You will have friends and family members who do not believe what the Bible says about marriage, divorce, etc., and it is our job to teach them, not merely by what we say, but by our own relationships and how we respect the institution of marriage.

Youth Group Lesson from Monday August 1st

Youth Group – MNF

08/01/04

Order:

1. Game – Taboo

2. Prayer

3. Lesson

4. Fellowship

Introductory Questions:

1. What is your favorite commercial?

2. True or False: Haste makes waste.

3. Interact: “Love God and do what you like.” --Augustine

Passage: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Read passage

The Corinthians were told by their culture that the physical body did not matter. It had no spiritual or moral consequences. It was after all merely physical. The true man resided within him, in his spirit.

“All things are lawful” is a quote of someone. The Corinthians took this as a license to practice immorality of all sorts. “Food is for the stomach and the stomach for foods” is a quote that was also used for practicing all sorts of immoralities.

What does our culture teach people about sex and how does that line up with what the Bible teaches?

What is specifically regarded as sexually immoral? What generally is regarded as sexually immoral?

What are we supposed to do about it?

If you are running from sexual immorality, where are you when it happens?

How can we specifically run from sexual immorality in our own lives?

God designed our bodies for pleasure. When we enjoy those things he has created us to enjoy within the limits he set, it gives him great glory. He even designed us for sexual pleasure between one man and one woman. Sexual unity portrays a picture of the intimate relationship between Christ and His church. When we sin sexually we are disgracing the name of the Lord Jesus to the entire world.

Glorify God with your body. It's not “no, no, no” but “yes” glorify God with your body.

Youth Group Lesson from Monday July 18th

Youth Group - MNF

7-18-2004

Order:

1. Food and Fellowship

2. Prayer

3. Lesson

4. Game

Introductory Questions:

1. What are some things you collect and why.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Let's read it together.

What's coming up...

We're going to be getting into so more difficult passages over the next couple of weeks. Has anyone here ever play the game taboo? Do you know what the word taboo means? It means “don't say it.” Cultures and sub-cultures develop their own taboo. Our particular culture doesn't mind talking about the topics we'll be discussing, but for some reason our sub-culture, the church, has made sex and sexual immorality taboo. I see this as unfortunate.

First though we're going to see how God sees us as believers in Jesus Christ. So let's look at our passage.

Paul says that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God and we shouldn't be deceived. Is this true? Who are the unrighteous?

So if I commit fornication I will not inherit the kingdom of God?

What if I tell a lie, will I inherit the kingdom of God?

Paul is saying this is what the Unrighteous do, not the Righteous. Don't act like them because that's not who you are anymore. Such were some of you, but now you're washed, sanctified, and justified.

Paul is getting back to the basics when he starts talking about the kingdom of God. When Paul deals with the kingdom he is talking about the ABC's of Christianity. The Corinthians are still stuck on the basics and haven't moved on to maturity.

The Corinthians were so broad-minded (and proud of it) and immature that they thought it was ok to commit the sins listed here: sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, stealing, etc.

Why do you think the Corinthians thought it was ok to commit these kind of sins?

Immaturity, forgot what they were saved from, lost their love for Jesus, and their culture.

The Corinthians lived in an immoral culture. Their culture was full of sexual immorality. At the top of the hill in their city was a temple to the Greek goddess Aphrodite who was the goddess of love. Every night the 1000 temple priestesses went down into the city to prostitute themselves in the name of religion. In the city there was also the temple to Apollo, the Greek god of music, song, and poetry. Apollo was the ideal form of male beauty. There were many statues of nude men and boys as well as young boys of the temple who were available as prostitutes for the men of the city. Corinth was also a port city. With a port comes lots of sailors who were probably full of all sorts of immoralities: drunkenness, foul language, and fornication.

Read Quote from page 92-93 on Emporer Nero.

How about our culture?

Adultery and fornication is rampant in our society. Pre-marital and extra-marital sex is displayed and encouraged on the TV. Pornography is readily available to all through many mediums such as TV, movies, magazines, and the Internet. Immodesty and sensuality is all over the tv sitcoms, movies, the mall, and at school, sometimes even at church. Idolatry is rampant at MTV. All those musicians glorified as idols because they can dance and sing. Stealing and lying are prevalent in the work place. Drunkenness is encouraged through the commercials by promising a good time without consequences and everybody is good-looking. Homosexual marriage is creeping into the united states. Homosexuality which was once taboo, became something you could joke about, until now it is accepted as normal at school, tv, and in our families.

“AND SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU.” Hallelujah for our salvation. I don't know how many of you have been involved with any of these type of activities, but we have been saved if you have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.

People who are involved in sexual immorality find it really difficult to stop what they are doing. People who are in the homosexual lifestyle find it very difficult to get out. People who are given to drunkenness find it difficult to stop drinking. But God does save people from all sin and gives us the power to overcome these vices that have us in their grip.

So don't go back. Some of you were these type, don't go back.

Paul reminds us who we are in Christ:

We were washed-Jesus' blood washed away all of our dirtiness and sins 1 John 1:9

We were sanctified-We have been set apart by God and for God. Eph. 1:13-14

We were justified-We have been declared not guilty, we have been acquitted by God the judge of the universe. Romans 3:23-26 ex OJ Simpson

These are all in the past tense. All of this is done and can't be undone. Once you've been washed by Jesus blood, sanctified by God, and justified by God, you can't go back. So don't live like it.

No Youth Group

It seems like we haven't had youth group in like a month or so. Does anybody even remember what book we're studying? Next week we have Evan's surprise birthday party and then the following week we'll have to jump back into our study.

We're having a boy

Alison and I are having a baby boy. We just found out today. More at my boy's wiki.

Youth Group Lesson from June 6th

Review Notes

June 6, 2004

Passage 1 Corinthians 1-5

Introductory Questions

If you had one wish, what would you wish for?

I want to be a ___________ when I grow up?

What are some things you’ve learned from our study of 1 Corinthians so far?

About the letter

Author: Paul

Recipients: the 1 Corinthians and the rest of us

Type: Letter(s) of response

Theme: Christian Maturity and Unity

Theme verse: 1 Corinthians 1:10

Chapter 1: Introduction to the letter, divisions, and wisdom

• Paul sees the church as God sees it: blameless and pure.

• Then Paul rebukes them for their divisions.

• Paul writes at length about the wisdom of this world versus the wisdom of God.

• What kind of divisions were there? Divisions of doctrine?

• How does the wisdom of this world compare to the wisdom of God? vs.25

Describe the Corinthians view of Paul/themselves/God.

Chapter 2: Paul Preaches the Wisdom of Christ Crucified

• Paul purposefully speaks plainly so that the power of God the Holy Spirit convicts and convinces the Corinthians.

• The wisdom of God is foolishness to the natural man.

Whose job is it to convince an unbeliever when you’re witnessing (evangelizing)?

Chapter 3: Carnal Corinthians, the field, the building, and the temple

• What is carnal?

• What is the opposite of carnal?

• Give an example of what a carnal Christian would do?

Tell me about the field, the building, and the temple?

Who is the planter, water(er), builder?

Who is the field, building, temple?

Chapter 4: Stewards and Stewardesses of God’s Resources

Have you been a good steward?

Chapter 5: Church Discipline and Excommunication

Vs. 12 – Whose job is it?

Solutions to prevent church discipline:

1. Genuine Fellowship

2. Stay in the word and in prayer

3. Nip it in the bud

Vs. 11 who do you associate with? What is idolatry?

Your Questions?

What’s next??

Christian law suits and sexual purity and other guidelines.

Youth Group Lesson from May 24th

Study Notes

Date May 24, 2004

Passage 1 Corinthians 5

Introductory Questions

What are some things you don’t like about church or the Church?

What are some sins you think the church doesn’t deal with well?

Should sinners be allowed to come to church?

Reading the Passage

1 Corinthians 5

Verses 1-6 – Immorality Among You

Immorality – the word is porneia, recognize that word?

“The word came to mean, by consistent New Testament usage, any sexual behaviour which transgresses the Christian norm, i.e. all premarital, extramarital and unnatural sexual intercourse.” –Prior

So there was immorality going on in the church. Who was the culprit? What in the world is going on this church and who was to blame? Who gets the greatest judgment?

a. man having immoral relations with his step mom

b. the Corinthian church not just not doing anything about it, but bragging about it

What should the Corinthian church do? Church discipline: Excommunicate.

Excommunicate from Dictionary.com

1. To deprive of the right of church membership by ecclesiastical authority.

2. To exclude by or as if by decree from membership or participation in a group.

Ex – meaning out

Communicate – meaning to commune, fellowship,

What does it mean to excommunicate? Should you talk with them, hang out with them, eat dinner with them?

What sins are worthy of excommunication?

How ought it to be done? Matthew 18:15-20

How long do you excommunicate a person?

What does repentance mean?

Repent from Dictionary.com:

1. To feel pain, sorrow, or regret, for what one has done or omitted to do.

First she relents With pity; of that pity then repents. --Dryden.

2. To change the mind, or the course of conduct, on account of regret or dissatisfaction.

Lest, peradventure, the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt. --Ex. xiii. 17.

3. (Theol.) To be sorry for sin as morally evil, and to seek forgiveness; to cease to love and practice sin.

Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish. --Luke xii. 3.

Read Exodus 13:17 on repentance.

How many of you have seen church discipline and/or excommunication take place?

What do you think keeps churches from practicing church discipline?

a. pride

b. lack of fellowship

c. minimizing sin

If the church does not practice church discipline what does that do to the testimony of the local church? The universal church? of Jesus?

Whose job is it to execute church discipline?

Is church discipline necessary?

Application

Support the church and its work. Submit to the discipline of the church if you find yourself walking down that path.

Repent daily.

Stay in close fellowship with other believers. Be active in engaging your brothers and sisters in Christ so that the fellowship is genuine, and also that you have a relationship strong enough that you can confront them.

What's next?

I wanted to get some feed back from y'all about the coming lessons. I wanted to know what you think, but maybe I'll just have to wait until we get there.

See My Post.

P.S. Blogs rule.

Youth Group Lesson from May 17th

Study Notes

Date May 17, 2004

Passage 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Introductory Questions

Name some ways that you are just like your dad.

Who is your favorite teacher ever and why (school, church, etc.)?

How have you been a good steward this week? Write it down on the back side of 1 Corinthians 4 page.

Reading the Passage

1 Corinthians 4:14-21

Verse 14-16 Paul their spiritual father.

Verse 14 – “shame you” – we’re jumping into the passage in a context. What did Paul write that could be shaming the Corinthians.

Verse 14 – “my beloved children” – why does he call them his beloved children?

Verse 15 – “ten thousand teachers” – does he really mean 10,000 teachers at the Corinthian church? Is this the first megachurch?

Question: Is everything in the Bible true?

Why does Paul say 10,000 teachers? What was so big in the Corinthian church? I’ve told you before: gifts of speech.

Question: Is Paul claiming authority in verses 14-16 because he is their spiritual father?

What does Christ Jesus mean?

What is a/the gospel?

Greek euangellion.

Eu – good, true

Angellion – message

Angel = messenger

Eutopia vs. utopia

Children are like their father. Examples: I tell jokes just like my Dad does. So if you think I’m not funny, my Dad will bore you.

You will naturally become like the people you spend your time with. Choose wisely.

Paul said follow me. The Corinthians have not seen Jesus in the flesh, and most likely did not have any of the New Testament yet, so Paul was their example of Jesus.

Like Paul, we should be living examples worthy of saying, “Follow me as I follow Christ,” whether that be at home, church, school, teams, etc.

Verses 17-21 Paul tells of his visit, if the Lord wills.

Verse 17 What is Timothy’s job?

How will he remind the Corinthians of Paul’s ways in Christ?

Verse 18 Did the Corinthians like Paul?

Verse 19 “if the Lord wills” – where have you heard that before?

James 4:13-15

Verse 21 Paul gives them a harsh warning: the spanky stick or gentleness. Which would you prefer?

More Stewardship

Tomorrow night at youth group we will be talking more about being stewards. We will also learn about how to be more like our Dad, our heavely Dad.

Can playing video games glorify God?

Hey here's a question for you: can playing video games be glorifying to God?

Being Good Stewards

1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."

So what does it mean to be a good steward? Who's a steward, and what do they do? What do I need to be a good steward of today?

I know we just talked about it so I wanted to remind us today to think about it.

WPC Youth First Real Blog

Good morning to you all. Most of you are probably in school by now. I sure hope so; you better not still be in bed at 9:00. So what's happening today?

Youth Group Lesson from May 10th

Study Notes

Date May 10, 2004

Passage 1 Corinthians 4

Introductory Questions

What makes you different from other people? Talents, birth marks, etc.

What comes to your mind when you hear the word steward or stewardess?

What is something that you’ve already learned during our study of 1 Corinthians?

Reading the Passage

1 Corinthians 4

Verses 1-6

So what is a steward in verses one and two?

stew·ard (strd, sty-)
n.

1. One who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs.

2. One who is in charge of the household affairs of a large estate, club, hotel, or resort.

3. A ship's officer who is in charge of provisions and dining arrangements.

4. An attendant on a ship or airplane.

5. An official who supervises or helps to manage an event.

6. A shop steward.

7. A wine steward.

Paul says he is a steward, and that stewards must be found faithful.

What does it mean to be faithful?

Firm in adherence to promises, oaths, contracts, treaties, or other engagements.

A faithful steward is one who handles his master’s goods and property well. You may have heard of the parable of stewards that Jesus told.

Paul says that it doesn’t matter what the Corinthians say, or even what he says. Paul knows he has a clear conscience, but only the Lord can be the true judge. So don’t judge me early Paul says. The Corinthians were judging Paul and saying that he fell short.

Verse 7-13 – Paul reminds them of their responsibilities as stewards of their gifts.

Anybody know what a satire is?

Irony, sarcasm, or caustic wit used to attack or expose folly, vice, or stupidity.

These Corinthians think that they are gifted, rich, etc. because of their own hard work. Paul tells them no; you received all these things. So then why boast like they’re yours when they are gifts and you are a steward. Then he uses some mockery to prove his point.

Verse 14-16 Paul their spiritual father.

Verses 17-21 Paul tells of his visit, if the Lord wills.

Youth Group Lesson from April 19th

Study Notes

Date April 19, 2004

Passage 1 Corinthians 2

Introduction

List spiritual people on the board

What is spam? Show picture. Read email.

The book of 1 Corinthians is a letter from Paul. The letter is written in response to two things:

1. Chloe’s report 1:11 – Paul’s response 1:12-6:20

2. The Corinthians letter 7:1 – Paul’s response 7-15

How do I know? Read 1 Corinthians 7:1

Paul hears from Chloe that there are divisions in the Corinthian church. He responds with rebuke and instruction. Paul then gets around to answering the Corinthian email… I mean letter. He then proceeds to answer their questions.

Last week we learned how the wisdom of man compared (or does not compare) with the wisdom of God. This week find out why Paul was led to write about wisdom. Why do you think he wrote about wisdom in chapter 1?

Let’s read together 2:1-4. So what is Paul’s reason for talking wisdom? Let’s read it again.

Let’s keep reading 5-16.

So what is Paul’s reason for writing about wisdom?

Quote from Alison’s Bible

“The Corinthian church had an unhealthy regard for rhetorical display. Paul will focus attention on what true wisdom is (1:18-2:16; 3:18-23). In this verse he reminds the Corinthians that the power of his own preaching did not depend on such skills (2:1-5).”

New Geneva Study Bible – footnote from 1:17

The Corinthians were disappointed in Paul, perhaps even ashamed. He was “intelligent” or wise enough to speak with great words and arguments. They were basically discrediting him even though he had brought them the gospel.

Could Paul have used great flowery words and wise arguments? Why didn’t Paul preach the gospel with great arguments and fancy speak?

What mystery is Paul talking about in verse 7?

Why would the rulers have not crucified the Lord of glory according to verse 8?

Who is the Lord of glory? What is glory?

Dictionary.com defines glory as – great honor, praise, or distinction accorded by common consent; renown

Jason’s Greek from college – the root of the word glory is the word “heavy” – what does that mean?

According to verses 9-12 can we know the things God has planned?

Verses 9-12 tell us that no one can know the plans God has for those who love him, but that we do know because God has given us his Spirit.

So these things God has planned we (Paul) communicate not with the wisdom of man, but with spiritual words of wisdom.

According to verse 14 who is the natural man and can he understand the things of God?

Verse 16 we have the mind of Christ.

Application

Respect and honor your Christian leaders. The Corinthians were disrespecting Paul who had taught them the Gospel.

We have the mind of Christ by his spirit, the Holy Spirit. He teaches us things that the world can’t understand on their own. It is the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to convince unbelievers of the truth. Our task is to live out the truth in front of them so that they can be exposed to the truth that the Holy Spirit can use to convince, convict, and convert them.

Youth Group Lesson from April 12th

Study Notes

4/12/2004

Passage: 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

Introductory Questions

What is a paradox? Tell us one.

What are some characteristics of the early church?

What are some characteristics of the medieval church?

What are some characteristics of the church today?

Reading

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 1:17-31

So what is Paul, the human author, talking about?

What is the keyword in this passage?

Word count:

Wisdom – 12 times

Foolishness – 6 times

The Corinthians have a problem here: what do you think it is? It will be difficult; you will have to dig deep and read between the lines to figurew out what it is.

Pride. They think they are something because they can argue, debate, and speak wisely.

We saw last week that Paul was already beginning his rebuke, and he will continue his rebuke for most of the book. The church of the Corinthians believe they have arrived spiritually.

Here are some manifestations of their pride:

• Divisions 1:10-15

• Sexual sin 5-7

• Lawsuits against believers 6

• Causing weaker brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble 8

• Idolatry 10

• Abuse of spiritual gifts 12-14

• Denial of the bodily resurrection 15

According to our passage how does the wisdom of man compare to the wisdom of God?

According to verse 18, how can an unbeliever possibly understand the message of the cross of Jesus Christ when it is foolishness to them? Answer Holy Spirit

What does that mean when we evangelize the lost?

They will not be won over by our well sounding arguments. Only the Holy Spirit can woo them to Himself. It is His work to draw people; and we must be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. 1 Peter 3:15

Why would God choose the foolish things, the weak things, the base things to preach His gospel to put to shame the wise, mighty, etc?

Answer vs. 29, 31

So who is it all about?

Application

What does that mean for us today?