Holy & Acceptable: Bulletproofing your life (part 1)

In this first part of Bulletproofing your life we will be taking a look at how Jesus cleans out the Temple, in Matthew. We will find that He confront the sin in our life and that He will let us know what is leading us down the wrong path of life.

D-NOW 2013 (THEOS:Expose on God)

I know that it is a little bit late but I have finally updated our D-Now Bible Study that we did a few weeks ago. Remember that this study was about learning more about who God is.

The Eternal God





The Love of God

Stand Your Ground (Week 5)

Lifeguard

1.      What are you afraid of in your life?

2.      Who/what comforts you when you are afraid?

3.      Who carries the burden when you are afraid or worried?

4.      Have you ever felt completely alone?

5.      When you feel alone, what do you do? If you never feel alone, how do you think you would handle the feeling of loneliness?

Read: Psalms 68:19-20

Verse 19: Praise be to the Lord to God our Savior who daily bears our burdens. Verse 20: Our God is a God who saves from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

·         God saves us, just like he takes away our stress; he carries our worries and fears.

·         In a sense God is a lifeguard. (The Great Lifeguard)

·         God watches us every moment of everyday

Read: Psalms 121:5

Verse 5: The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand

·         Even when you feel alone…

o   You are NEVER alone.

·         Let’s take a look back at the lifeguard analogy….

6.      What are some of the duties a lifeguard has to preform?

·         The differences between an ordinary lifeguard and The Great Lifeguard are….

Lifeguard

·        There only for a few hours

·        Rescues drowning people

·        Puts personal safety on the line to save people

The Great Lifeguard

·         There every moment

·         Rescues body and soul

·         God sent Jesus to die, so we could have eternal life.

·         “When there was no way to save our drowning souls, God sent Jesus to rescue us from eternal death” (Stand Your Ground 14).

Read: 1 Peter 2:24 and John 3:16

Verse 24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

John 3:16

Verse: 16 For God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

7.      What do these two passages mean to you?

·         Now, that we associate God as The Great Lifeguard, let’s take a look back at Psalms 68:20.

8.      Now, what does this verse mean to you?

·         While answering number 8 remember that God is like a life guard

·         God made the ultimate sacrifice for us in Jesus!

9.      When you have those “low days” or moments and you feel like you are drowning who should you turn to?

·         That’s right, we should turn to God!

·         You need to know that Jesus is our rescue and salvation.

·         He is always watching and guarding….

o   You are never alone

·         Now, that we know Jesus Saves, excuse the song title, let’s move on to conquering our fears.

Read: Isaiah 41:9-11

Verse 9: I took you from the ends of the earth; from its farthest corners I called you. I said, You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Verse 10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Verse 11: All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.

·         Everyone is afraid of something, it is basic human nature.

·         The important thing that Isaiah is trying to remind us is that God is always with us and he will always protect us.

·         Just like I said earlier, God is The Great Lifeguard. He is always guarding us.

·         He will never leave.

Read: Hebrews 13:6

Verse 6: So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

10.  What is this verse trying to tell us?

·         His power is greater than anything

11.  What memories do you have that cause you to be afraid?

·         Whatever your memories are, think about them as you read through Isaiah 41:9-11 and Hebrews 13:6

·         God’s power and strength are great.

·         They are far greater than anything on or under the earth, or inside us.

·         The next time you are tempted to give into your fears…

o   Remember, God will uphold you with his righteous hand

o   Also, he is your helper

o   He will strengthen and protect you.

·         He will be with you ALWAYS….

·         So there is no need to be afraid or feel alone

·         God watches over you and me

He is THE GREAT LIFEGUARD

Disciple Now 2013 (THEOS: An Expose on God)

These are the Bible Studies that we participated in on Friday 2-15-13 for our Disciple Now weekend. During the course of this Bible Study we learned about the different characteristics of God and how we can use them to know God better. The ultimate goal for this weekend was to learn how to have an intimate relationship with God. As well as to truly know who God is. So the order for which you should listen is (Introduction, The Names of God, Sovereignty of God, and the Holiness of God. A second blog will be posted tomorrow 2-16-13 and that blog will be the conclusion of our Bible Study and D-Now Weekend. Hopefully, you will know more about God by listening to what the Bible says about who God is.


Introduction to the "THEOS" Bible Study





The Names of God





The Sovereignty of God





The Holiness of God





Keep and eye out for part 2 of our Disciple Now 2013 Bible Study, which should appear tomorrow sometime. Also, do not hesitate to leave comments we would love for you to ask question if you are confused about something or just have something nice to say. You might also have something to contribute to where these Bible Studies might have left off.

Holy & Acceptable: How to be a person people want to be with (part 2)

Remember that in this session we are strictly discussing the kinds of people that God wants to be with. This is can be very difficult in the world that influences us to be a certain way. Remember that God is Holy and thus we should strive to be holy like Him. This is what this session is all about. Listen to the bible study of the second part of the session 4.

Stand Your Ground (Week 4)

I Do!

·         I know this might be a subject most guys, as teenagers, wouldn’t necessarily want to talk about. However, it is something everyone will deal with, so I just ask you to keep an open mind.

1.      Do you ever think about what is going to happen in the future?

2.      Do any of you think about one day getting married and starting a family?

3.      What qualities do you, or will you look for in a boyfriend/girlfriend?

·         Even though you may think about the future, God already has a plan and knows what is going to happen.

Read: Matthew 7: 7-8

Verse 7 “Ask and it will be given to you seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Verse 8 “For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

4.      What does this reading selection mean to you?

5.      Do you think a person is ever too young to think about the idea of marriage? Or do you believe everyone can think about marriage?

·         As I have already said, God has a plan for you and that includes the person you will end up with.

·         Look back at your answers for question 3:

6.      Do you believe, as Christians, we should be looking for people who have certain qualities? If yes, what are those qualities?

·         According to Stand Your Ground, “As Christians there are certain qualities essential to a God-pleasing relationship” (114).

·         I believe this as well, we should be looking for someone who brings out the best in us as a person, but also as a Christian.

7.      Are any of the qualities listed in question 6 some of the ones you listed in question 3?

·         If not, that is fine. However, it is something you need to start thinking about, or when you start dating, pay attention to the qualities we listed and try to find someone that matches those qualities.

·         The best way to do this is by praying, just like it says in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you.”

·         God wants us to be happy and to keep growing in him. Don’t worry, when the time comes, he’ll put the right person in your path.

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14

Verse 14 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

·         It may seem like a long time before you start seriously considering marriage, and hopefully it is, but just like with everything else, it will come sooner than you think.

·         As I have said God has the perfect person for you, and it could be a neighbor, friend, or classmate.

·         Only God knows the answer!

·         “You can start praying for them, right now! Hope that they remain pure in the Son, That their journey in faith has just now begun. You can do nothing but wait, hope, and pray, God will show you the one who will stay” (Stand Your Ground 115).

·         God is the way, and even though right now you may not care or you don’t have a clue, who you are going to end up with….

·         “He’ll make you certain before you say, I do” (Stand Your Ground 115)

·         Before we finish this lesson, I would like to share with you one of my favorite Bible verses. It keeps me on track when looking for my “soul mate” as Stand your Ground calls our future someone’s.

Read: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Verse 4 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” Verse 5 “it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Verse 6 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” Verse 7 “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

·        As you are looking, or once you start looking for a boyfriend/girlfriend, keep 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 in your mind.  Those verses, along with God, will help you decide if you have found the right person.

Holy & Acceptable: How to be a person people want to be with (Part 1)

This is the next part in our study about being Holy & Acceptable for God. Today we began to learn about how we need to be a person that people want to be with, the ultimate goal of this session is to plan our personal convictions, as well as to show that we are Christians through all aspects of our lives.

Holy & Acceptable: Mental Floss (part 2)

This is the second part of session 3.





Between You and God

1. When did the Bible come to mean more to you than just another book?

2. The Word of God is essential in preparing to win over temptation. What is your plan for putting the Word into your life? Long-range plan, Plan for this year, Daily Actions, Memorization.

3. Recall the first verse of Scripture you memorized. How has it helped you?

4. What verse or passage of Scripture best defines your life purpose?

5. If you spent six hours a day practicing tennis, and one hour a wekk practicing golf, which would you most likely be better at? If you spent six hours a day watching movies and TV, and on hour a week reading the Bible, which one would be winning the battle for your mind?

6. What decisions should you make before going to a party where alchol and drugs will be available (hint: Look at Genesis 39:2-10 and Daniel 1:8)

7. What are some of the prevalent temptations for you on the college campus?

8. Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 and trust the Lord to bring it to mind when you face temptation. Quote it to yourself as your surf the Net, rent a video, or persue a magazine.

Holy and Acceptable: Mental Floss (part 1)

In this Holy and Acceptable study we are going to learn about cleaning out our minds in what is called Mental Floss. This is the first part of a two part study in about cleaning out our minds.

Holy & Acceptable: Seeds of Self Destruction (part 2)

This is the second part of session 2 of our bible study.






Between You and God


1. Recall a recent example in your life when you really sensed the planting of "seeds of self-destruction in one or more of the following areas: pride, Independence, Overconfidence, Control, Money, Power, Lust, False sense of sprituality.

2. What ambition in your life hruts you more that it helps?

3. In what area of your life do you constantly delude yourself?


4. Some may reason that since, Jesus said that lusting is committing adultry in the heart (Matt. 5:28), it wouldn't be any worse to go "all the way." How would you responde to such reasoning?

5. How would you lovingly deal with a Christian who honestly does not see any wrong in a homosexual relationship?







Any of these question if you want to discuss them, leave a comment and I will help walk them through you. We can not build a pure and Holy temple alone.

Holy & Acceptable: Seeds of Self Destruction (part 1)

This is session 2 of our study into becoming Holy & Acceptable to God, this session is entitled the Seeds of Self Destruction. You can find our bible study guides in our Youth room, in a folder marked past Bible Studies. When I post the second part there will be questions to which you should answer between you and God.