youthESource Unplugged volume 10 by LCMS Youth Ministry

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the Gathering edition The youthESource exists to provide Jesus-centered resources for those at work with youth in the Lutheran congregation and beyond. youthESource unPlugged is published by the Office of National Mission, Youth Ministry of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. Stay in Touch with youthESource: For feedback, submission guidelines and queries, contact the editor by sending an email to youthESource@gmail.com. Visit youthESource online at: www.youthESource.com Follow youthESource: www.twitter.com/youthESource www.facebook.com/youthESource Mailing Address: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod youthESource for Youth Ministry 1333 South Kirkwood Road Saint Louis, MO 63122 Phone: 314.996.1155

We Serve ¹ù¹ù¹ We Worship ¹ù¹ù¹ We Gather ¹ù¹ù¹ We Pray f LCMSYouthMinistry u @lcmsyouth

#thisis MYchurch

The LCMS Youth Ministry Office is: Rev. Mark Kiessling, Director of LCMS Youth Ministry; LCMS Youth Gathering Program Director Jim Lohman, DCE, Associate Director – Servant Events/Gathering Arrangements Krista Miller, Associate Director – Gathering Registrar/Operations Amy Gray, Media and Publications Project Coordinator Julianna Shults, Program Manager, Young Adult Corps Renee Lorenz, Administrative Assistant Contracted Resource Personnel: Sherrah Behrens, youthESource Editor Jessica Bordeleau, LYF Consultant © 2016 The Office of National Mission, Youth Ministry of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Contents

Taking the Gathering Home

Identity

Word One: Redeemed by God

The Identity Expo

Navigating the Choppy Waters of Identity in Middle School

Humility is a Big Deal

In Christ Alone We Find True Humility

Spiritual Practices: Service

Community

Word One: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Up with the Church?

The Habit of Meeting Together

Community in Christ: Something Different

In Christ I Stand

A Study of Philippians

Find it at youthESource.com

Taking the

GATHERING

HOME by Rachael Beckmeyer

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Imagine this: It is the week after the LCMS Youth Gathering. It was an amazing week filled with so many mountain top experiences. You just need to continue the conversation. Here is the problem: You have absolutely no clue how to manage it. What do you do? What do you say? Which individuals need to hear about this amazing experience? We have all been there. As a youth leader myself, I’ve struggled with those exact questions. But guess what? There are so many simple things you, as a youth leader, can do to extend the Gathering and bring it home to your entire youth group and even your home church.

RESOURCES FOR YOU

youthESource unplugged This magazine you’re holding is full of resources chosen for the sole purpose of helping you extend the Gathering. Most of these resources are not directly related to the Gathering, but do expand on the subthemes. Gathering Bible Studies youthESource.com/tag/study-in-christalone Find studies related to the themes of the Gathering. Also look for the postGathering Bible study, coming soon. NYG Adult Leaders Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/ NYGadultleaders Your fellow adult leaders are a great resource! Check in after the Gathering to see what others are doing. youthESource.com The youthESource website has several studies, skits, devotions and more related to the theme of the Gathering. Bringing the Gathering Home Webinar youthESource.com/youth-ministrywebinars Watch this webinar to find some tips on making the Gathering not only a fiveday event, but also a springboard for local, ongoing ministry taking place in your congregation.

The big thing to remember is it does not take huge acts to bring the Gathering back to your home church and extend those experiences. There are many awesome Bible studies that have been released by the Gathering office that you can easily use with your entire youth group. Using these Bible studies, you can bring the themes of the Gathering to other individuals who were not able to attend. One thing our youth have already done is teach Sunday School one Sunday. We used the major sub-themes of the Gathering (Identity, Humility and Community) and created activities for elementary school-aged children. We wanted to involve them because they are the future of the high school youth group as well as the Church. In thinking about all the things that are possible to extend the Gathering, I reached out to the Gathering Adult Leader Group on Facebook. I asked them what they do, and the answers were as varied and unique as each church. However, the commonality between every response is, “say thanks.” Yes, the Gathering is for the youth of the LCMS but without the congregation’s support, these youth would never be able to attend. Host a thank-you dinner, icecream social or even breakfast. Create a video with pictures and movies that you can show those who supported you. Write thankyou cards to supporters. Another great resource is youthESource.com! The website is absolutely loaded with great resources. From Bible studies to skits and devotions, the youthESource can help youth and leaders dive deeper into the main theme and sub-themes of the Gathering. No matter what you do or what route you take, make sure you let your youth speak to what impacted them the most during their time at the Gathering. Have you ever heard the phrase, “The best witness is a personal witness”? Let your youth extend the talk. Get them together with other youth, members of your congregation, family or even friends. Let them talk about the event and share their personal mountain top experience. You will be surprised to see what a simple conversation can do. In my church’s case, it got someone who was leery of attending the 2016 Gathering to sign up. Another youth, who had attended the 2013 Gathering, was so excited to share what Christ did for her that it got the former excited at the possibilities. What does this all mean for you? Don’t stress about what you can do to bring everything full circle and extend the Gathering. It’s an experience of a lifetime. Use the resources from both the Gathering office and youthESource.com to bring the message home. Talk with your youth about what they want to do. But, most importantly, say thank-you. Thank your church, your families and your friends. Above all else, thank the Lord that you were blessed to be part of something so monumental in your youth’s lives. After all, that is the whole reason we go to the Gathering! To praise and honor the Lord Jesus Christ. Published at youthESource.com in July 2016 Rachael Beckmeyer attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and received a Master’s of Education from Concordia University Portland. She has attended LCMS Youth Gatherings as a participant, Young Adult Volunteer and Adult Leader. She teaches at Sylvan and serves as youth leader at her church, where she is rebuilding the youth program from the ground up. youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 3

Identity by Brent Howard

1 Peter 2:9 Who am I? A student? A worker? A member of a family? A leader in the church? Am I defined by what I have accomplished? Or am I defined by my mistakes? The world tells us what we should be. Advertisers tells us what we should like. It is common for middle school and high school students to try on different personas in asking, “Who am I?” We compare ourselves to others. What if we don’t measure up? What if we are rejected? No doubt about it, it’s easy to lose sight of who we are. When this happens, we also lose sight of our purpose and direction, which leads down a dark road of discouragement and despair. In his first letter, Peter encourages the churches as they battle a corrupt culture. He begins by reminding them of their identity in Christ: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9a). 4| www.youthESource.com

Chosen! A royal priesthood! A holy nation! Christ’s own possession! Peter speaks so emphatically and concretely precisely because it's a struggle for us to believe that Christ has done all this, even for us! But He has died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (3:18). He has given you an appeal for a good conscience before God in Holy Baptism, which now saves you (3:21). He has called you out of darkness, out of sin and death, into His marvelous light! These powerful words give us a clear picture of who we are in Christ…alone! It doesn’t matter what we’ve done or what the world or our culture or other people say or think about believers in Christ. We are His! Peter didn’t stop with reminding his readers (and us!) of their identity. He continued by giving them a clear purpose and direction: “that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness

into His marvelous light.” We are His chosen people and He wants us to share with others that Christ is our Savior. He has called us out of the darkness of sin and death by His suffering, death and resurrection, and into His marvelous light! Reflect: When in the past have you struggled with who you are? How are you assured of your identity in Christ? What is one way you can remind someone of their identity in Christ? Who in your life needs to hear about how Jesus Christ calls them out of darkness into His marvelous light? Lord, you know the times I question who I am. Help me, by the hearing of Your precious Gospel, be remembering my Baptism, to know that I am Yours. Remind me how You called me out of darkness through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Give me the words to say to those around me who question their identity and purpose. Help me to share Jesus’ love, mercy and grace with them. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Word One Bible Study: Redeemed by god

by Steve Breitbarth

Text: 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 OBJECTIVE Participants will gain a greater appreciation of who they are and how Jesus has richly blessed them. MATERIALS NEEDED Bibles Markers Pencils/pens

Newsprint Index Cards

GROUP GUIDELINES Form groups of 8-12 people. Choose as leader a person who has recently received public recognition for a personal accomplishment. BUILDING COMMUNITY 1. Have each person write on an index card three things they like about themselves. 2. On another index card, write three things that the person would like to change about themselves. 3. Collect the cards and keep the two stacks separate. 4. Without trying to identify the author of the card, randomly select cards and write what it says on the newsprint. Develop two separate lists of personal likes and personal dislikes. LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. Focus on verses 7-10. 1. What problem was Paul faced with? 2. What did Paul do to handle the problem? 3. Did Paul’s problem disappear? 4. What did Paul do to cope with his present situation? 5. Discuss a time in which you may have felt weak or inadequate. 6. In what ways can the words of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 be a strength for you when you are feeling weak or inadequate? REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED 1. On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest), how do you feel about yourself at this moment? 2. On that same scale, how does Jesus feel about you as a redeemed child of God? 3. Share with the group some talent or ability that you have which is being used, or can be used, to the glory of God. CLOSING The group should form a circle and join hands. The leader will begin the prayer and close the prayer with each person in turn thanking God for a talent or gift that they have received from God. Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 9, 1996. Updated for youthESource.com in June 2015.

about word one bible studies

Word One Bible Studies are a collection of studies based on the Lectionary. This series includes a study for every Sunday of the church year and for some festivals, allowing you to explore with youth the same texts that are heard in worship on Sunday morning. Word One Bible Studies provide relational, group Bible studies in which participants have the opportunity to learn from each other. As participants move into the Word, they are encouraged to build relationships; to examine priorities, values and beliefs and to publicly share how God is present in their world.

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The Identity Expo Casting about for an identity that “works” during the teen years is terribly hard. Wouldn’t it be easier if identities could be bought and sold across counter tops? If being all you could be only meant purchasing a few items at the big Identity Expo? The characters in this skit try to do just that, and in the process learn that the “basic must haves” of anyone’s identity come free. Themes: Acceptance, Calling, Identity, Seeking God Text: Matthew 5:13a “You are the salt of the earth.” Setting: Expo with booths. Note: Easy setup. Use pretend booths and have characters travel to each booth. You may want to use a real Bible in the end. They will have to imagine they are in a large convention center with lots of people and all the fanfare of an expo! Characters: Jonathan & Katie. 6| www.youthESource.com

by Jeffrey Kunze

Jonathan & Katie walking into the expo… Jonathan: Well, here we are! The Identity Expo! Katie: Look at all these people! Jonathan: Look at all these booths! I wonder if they have anything new this year. Katie: They always do, Jon. So many things to see and choose… Jonathan: Right! But you can only be one thing, Katie, remember? Someone bumps into the two. Katie: Excuse us. Jonathan: Sorry about that. Oh, thanks! Katie: What’s that? Jonathan: Just a flyer. It says (reading), “The One & Only A-1 POPULAR BOOTH! Get everything you need to make YOURSELF POPULAR this year! Want to feel like you’re it? Want to fit with the crowd that has it all? This is YOUR YEAR!” And then there’s this fine print that says, “Don’t forget to ask about our special merchandise!” Katie: I wonder what that is? Jonathan: Who knows? Want to go there first? Katie: I don’t think so. See that line?! It’s always crowded over there.

Jonathan: I guess that’s why they call it the popular booth. It would be nice to see what makes you popular this year, though. Katie: That line is going to take FOREVER. Let’s see what else is here. Walking a little further. Katie: Look, Jonathan! You could go to the Athletic Booth! Jonathan: I’m not really that athletic. Katie: Who cares! All you need to do is look like an athlete. Look at those Letter Jackets! Jonathan: Don’t you have to actually earn a letter in a sport or something? Katie: Not here, Johnny boy! You can buy your letter! What do you think? Jon the Jock! Jonathan: How about Katie the Cheerleader! Pick up some pom-poms and you’re it!

Walking up to the booth. Katie: Maybe they’re closed. Looks deserted. Jonathan: What’s this? A Bible and a note? Katie: What’s the name of this booth? Jonathan: It doesn’t say. But this note says “Make this your first and last stop at the expo. Your identity comes from God alone. HE HAS MADE YOU SALT!” Katie: Nothing to sell here? Jonathan: Nope. There’s a passage marked, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine,’ Isaiah 43:1.” (Closing the Bible.) I guess this really is the best place to start. What really matters is what God says you are, anyway.

Both laughing and starting to walk again.

Katie: Let’s go. Let’s just be who we are. God will take care of the rest!

Jonathan: Katie, wait! Let me ask them something at this Athletic Booth. I see it says “Ask about the ‘special’ merchandise” – just like at the Popular Booth.

Jonathan: You’re right. (Starting to walk back.) I wouldn’t mind taking another look at that Star Wars case…

Jonathan goes over to the Athletic Booth and pretends to talk to someone and comes right back.

Katie: For real?

Katie: What is it? Jonathan: He said it depends on the booth, but generally it’s body or mind enhancing drugs. He said all the booths, except for one, decided to carry “special merchandise” this year. Katie: You have to be kidding me! I thought that stuff was banned! Jonathan: Not any more. Walking a little further. Jonathan: Oh, there you go! This is your booth! The Geek Booth! Katie: Pleeeese! Hey, you can get a Star Wars case for your phone! Wow! Why not be a geek this year? Hey! And you can sell papers and grades and make a little cash!

Jonathan: Just kidding. Just kidding. Published at youthESource.com in 2005, updated May 2016

September

Rev. Jeff Kunze is Senior Pastor to Christ Lutheran Church and Education Center in Overland Park, Kansas, alongside an exceptional team of leaders, volunteers and a strong missionheart congregation! Jeff and his wife, Cindy, live in Olathe, Kansas, and are proud parents of three daughters.

Jonathan: Yeah, right! I don’t think so. (Both looking around.) I just don’t know, Katie. I know I want to BE SOMETHING! I don’t want to just disappear at school like I did last year. Katie: Hey, I think I heard that crowd had a booth this year, too. Both look around some more. Jonathan: I don’t see it. Katie: Hmmm, me, neither. Walking a little further then pointing. Katie: Now what’s this? What kind of booth is this? Jonathan: Not many people around… Katie: From here it doesn’t look they have much stuff. Jonathan: Let’s check it out. youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 7

navigating the choppy waters Let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we? I want you to think back to fifth grade. That’s right, all the way back to when you were about ten or eleven. What was it like back when dinosaurs walked the earth? Just kidding. I couldn’t resist. I work with middle schoolers, after all—you have to expect dumb jokes from me once in a while. When you were ten years old, though, what was your identity? Chances are good that when you were that age, you wrapped your entire identity into one neat package: “I’m a soccer player” or “I’m a ballerina” or “I’m an artist.” Maybe you hadn’t quite latched onto something yet, and your answer would be a bit more vague: “I was a leader, in the form of a bully” or “I felt alone all the time, and spent my hours reading books.” Jump forward a year. Did your identity change in sixth grade? What about seventh grade? And eighth grade? Let me give you a little glimpse of how my own identity evolved through the years of middle school. In fifth grade, my identity was “smart kid.” In sixth grade it was “class president.” In seventh grade it was “athlete,” and in eighth grade it was “fashion queen.” So, my identity wavered between my intellect, my talents, my athletic ability and my hobbies all in the course of four years. That’s a bit daunting to realize as an adult, this many years later. It’s no wonder that I vividly remember feeling utterly lost in understanding who I was back then. I suspect most of you can relate, when you remember your own awkward pre-teen years. As we know, it’s already challenging to work your way through middle school. Kids tackle their changing bodies and growing minds along with grueling activity schedules and a bevy of temptations to indulge in. Add to that mix the fact that most students are desperately trying to find their identity during these tumultuous few years, and it’s easy to see why so many kids latch onto the first thing they stumble across: Hockey. Choir. Alcohol. A boyfriend or girlfriend. How can we help our kids navigate the choppy waters of identity? We walk a fine line as youth leaders, parents and older siblings, since we’ve been through the struggles before and want to help our kids succeed. But we can’t do it for them. We vacillate between giving advice and simply listening, and that’s normal. But I think our best bet in helping our students travel down this road to discovering their identity is two-fold: we can offer a variety of things to experience, and we can impress on them one basic message that their identity is not based on what they do, but rather on who they are in God’s eyes. In offering a variety of different things to experience, we give our young teens the ability to broaden their horizons, discover new talents and joys, and learn more about themselves. I think we can easily build this into all of our ministries and lives. Expose your kids to different Bibles stories, drawing from the Old and New Testaments. Teach them about different heroes and historical figures from all different eras. Allow them to try a variety of prayer techniques. Offer different service projects with different organizations regularly.

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of Identity in middle school by Cassie Moore

Even when you’re spending time with small groups of students, you can help broaden their world by taking them to new places. In my free time, I’ve taken kids to Thai and sushi restaurants, old churches and cathedrals around our city, art and science museums, as well as symphony orchestras and musicals downtown. When we’re setting up mission trips and serving opportunities, I’m on the look-out for new ways to expose our kids to all sorts of different things. Our middle schoolers have worshipped in inner-city churches of different races, worked side-by-side with homeless people, prayer-walked down tiny city streets, cleaned up houses for wealthy widows, worked with children of all ages, and been to several different states and worked with several churches on various service projects. Some of our students had never left their home state before, and nothing delighted me more than seeing them discover an eye-opening truth about themselves while doing something they’d never been exposed to before. Even more importantly, though, is the message that their identity is not based on what they do, but on who they are in God’s eyes. I think it makes a difference in our student’s lives when they constantly hear that they are treasured, adored, blessed, redeemed and have a future to hope for, through the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf. As 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Our culture today feeds us the lie that our merit is based only on what we can produce. We’re expected to yield results, whether it’s our physical bodies looking their leanest, or our brains producing one spreadsheet after another. As adults, we battle this lie on a daily basis. Sometimes, however, I think we fail to see how the lie has trickled down to our middle schoolers. It’s of the utmost importance that we constantly remind these kids, in the midst of their personal identity crisis, that they are God’s dear and beloved children, and that their identity is not based on what they can produce, but what they are—and they are so special to our Heavenly Father that He gave up His perfect Son for them for the forgiveness of their sins when they do fall short. Through the Holy Spirit, they will be empowered to navigate the choppy waters of life, knowing and believing that they are forgiven and renewed for the next step of life. And that’s a story that is way more interesting than your story about seeing dinosaurs walk around when you were in middle school. Published at youthESource.com in October 2011 Cassie Moore is a writer, speaker, and Christian educator living in St. Petersburg, Florida. She grew up in Illinois and Minnesota, earned her degree from Concordia University in Irvine, California, and has served students in six states over the last decade. Read her book, Authentic Youth Ministry, from Concordia Publishing House.

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humility by Brent Howard

Philippians 2:3-11 Selfies are all the rage. How many have you taken? How many are you in? How many have you posted on social media websites? Truth is, most of us have taken a selfie or two with our smartphone. Why do we take photos of ourselves? I would guess that most of us like to see ourselves in pictures or just like to share who we are with or where we are. It seems innocent enough. And, it’s not just smartphones that allow us to take selfies; digital cameras and video cameras have provided this capability for some time now. In fact, the tendency for human beings to focus on ourselves has been around since Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden! When we focus on ourselves, our eyes are looking inward. When we are tuned in to yours truly, we miss what is going on beyond self. Since our focus is on us, we don’t see others or their needs. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul turns this 10| www.youthESource.com

inward focus upside down. Even though he is in prison, his eyes are not on his situation but on serving others: “In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:3b-7). Instead of self-focus, Paul points directly to Jesus and His humility shown to us on the cross: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (2:8). Jesus Christ gave His life that you and I would have life. So God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name—Jesus, for He saves His

people from their sins (Matthew 1:21)—that at His name, “every knee should bow...and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.” Let us be humbled before this great name, to confess our sins and be forgiven, and also, being renewed in His mind, to give our lives for our neighbors—especially to lead them to confess with us that this Jesus Christ is Lord. Reflect: How is my focus turning inward right now? What has Christ done for me, to make me look at Him? Looking to Him, what can I do this week to serve my neighbors? Jesus, turn my eyes toward You to see how You became obedient to the death of the cross to give me true life by the forgiveness of my sins, how You have redeemed me to be Your own. Help me to see Your face and boldly confess Your name to others. Help me to see the needs of others and serve them willingly and lovingly. In Your name I pray, Amen!

In Christ Alone We Find True Humility

by Sarah R. Larson

Key Scripture: Philippians 2:3; Luke 6:46 - 49; John 13:1 - 17 Pre-Lesson Group Discussion Question: How are you an echo? What do you think this means? Characters: WISE BUILDER FOOLISH BUILDER Main Point: The Rock, Jesus Christ, promises through His Word and Sacraments that He is the perfect example of humility, love and sacrifice. We are not. We imitate Him because of our great love for Him, but we need Him to be the source of humility, the source of love and the source of the saving grace that we share with others. He has promised to be this for us, and has promised eternally to be our Rock. Praise be to God! The wise builder has been building his/her simple, practical home on solid rock, while the foolish builder has crafted an elaborate, and expensive, home on a beach. The WISE BUILDER and FOOLISH BUILDER are putting the finishing touches on their front porches. They pound nails into boards, both wiping their brows with their arms. They are exhausted and have been working very hard for a long time.

WISE BUILDER (to himself/herself as he/she works, encouraging himself/ herself): “His oath, His covenant and blood support me in the raging flood. When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” The WISE BUILDER pounds a final nail, proudly. The FOOLISH BUILDER looks over, disgusted. He’s/she’s weary of work, and weary of his/her neighbor. WISE BUILDER (cheerfully, to the FOOLISH BUILDER): “All other ground is sinking sand.” FOOLISH BUILDER (annoyed): Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I hear ya! Stop saying those words! It’s an old song! The WISE BUILDER chuckles. FOOLISH BUILDER (continued, offended): Are you laughing at me? WISE BUILDER (humored): Of course not. FOOLISH BUILDER: I don’t believe you. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I don’t believe you. The WISE BUILDER smiles, good naturedly. FOOLISH BUILDER (continued, defensive): I know you think it was stupid to build this house on sand. I know you think I did a horrible job on the foundation after it caved in the last time, and you don’t even like the color of my house. The WISE BUILDER opens a bottle of water. WISE BUILDER: I didn’t say that. FOOLISH BUILDER (struggling to pound a nail into a board): You were thinking it. (Sighing, defensive) And anyway, your house isn’t any sort of million-dollar mansion. I’m not too humble to say that my house is a whole lot more beautiful than yours. WISE BUILDER (gazing at his/her own house thoughtfully): I don’t know... FOOLISH BUILDER: And, let me tell you…(indicating house) when this baby is finished, it’ll be the prettiest, most luxurious top-notch home in the state. Maybe even in the country. What do you think? WISE BUILDER (in agreement): Yes. It might just be one of the prettiest. youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 11

FOOLISH BUILDER (grinning): You see? WISE BUILDER (bluntly): But I wouldn’t live in it. FOOLISH BUILDER (demanding): What? WISE BUILDER: You built the thing on sand! FOOLISH BUILDER: It was easier! And anyway, what happened to your house? The outside of it looks disgraceful. I’m not even going to ask to see the inside. WISE BUILDER: I know. But, I was too busy making the structure sound. I had very little time to make it pretty. (Suddenly remembering something) Oh, but I do have a surprise. You gotta see this. The WISE BUILDER hurries into his/her house and comes back with a beautiful chair. FOOLISH BUILDER (jealous): Where’d you get that? WISE BUILDER (proudly): I might not have anything fancy, but I saved what I could to buy a beautiful chair for my new front porch. See? The WISE BUILDER carefully positions the chair and settles into it with a peaceful sigh. WISE BUILDER (continued): Rest. This is what I’m talking about. FOOLISH BUILDER: Rest? That porch is hot and dusty. (Sighing dramatically) But, you go ahead and sit there as long as you’d like. I’m gonna rest in my new swimming pool overlooking the sands of the beach. WISE BUILDER: Friend… FOOLISH BUILDER (pounding away): Yeah? WISE BUILDER (confidant): My sturdy foundation, and the peace that comes with it, is all the rest I need. And I’m gonna sit and think about that while I rest on my hot and dusty porch. And listen...you are more than welcome to sit with me. In fact, you are more than welcome to move your house over here. The Rock has plenty of sturdy room. FOOLISH BUILDER (laughing loudly, pounding on a nail): Whatever you say! Ow! The FOOLISH BUILDER sucks his/her finger. WISE BUILDER (chuckling): I will tell you this... FOOLISH BUILDER (in pain): Yes? WISE BUILDER: Even if you never, ever listen to a word I say...I am downright proud to be your neighbor. The FOOLISH BUILDER stops working. FOOLISH BUILDER (surprised): Really? WISE BUILDER: Yes. You’re a good friend. I don’t like watching the mistakes you make. It makes me sad, because you’re a good friend. I care about you. I don’t want your house to slide into the ocean in the middle of a hurricane. FOOLISH BUILDER (hesitant): Thanks. I guess I am glad to know that you care. And... WISE BUILDER (concerned): What’s the matter? FOOLISH BUILDER (slowly): It’s just that...I get a little lonely thinking about living in this big, new house by myself...with all of its fancy things...even with its spectacular, million-dollar view of the ocean. WISE BUILDER (surprised, thoughtful): Hm. (BEAT) Wait a minute, you didn’t pay a million dollars for the sandlot! FOOLISH BUILDER: That...is none of your business. WISE BUILDER: Ok. Then, are you disappointed in the choices you’ve made? Because I can tell you’re second-guessing yourself already. There’s no shame in admitting that you’ve made a mistake. (BEAT) Actually, there is...but repentance is necessary. And grace is real. 12| www.youthESource.com

FOOLISH BUILDER (laughing cynically): If I am disappointed in the choices I’ve made, I wouldn’t tell you about that. No way. The FOOLISH BUILDER pounds the nail one last time and stretches, exhausted. WISE BUILDER: You should take a break. FOOLISH BUILDER (sighing wearily): I am getting a little worn out. WISE BUILDER: Sit down. Rest. FOOLISH BUILDER: I can’t. WISE BUILDER: Why? The FOOLISH BUILDER begins to chuckle, helpless. FOOLISH BUILDER (sheepish): Because I spent so much money on the house that I didn’t have any money left to buy furniture. The WISE BUILDER laughs and the FOOLISH BUILDER shakes his/her head, amazed with himself/herself. The WISE BUILDER grows serious and thoughtful. He/she finally stands and moves the chair to the FOOLISH BUILDER’S porch. FOOLISH BUILDER (continued, astonished): What are you doing? WISE BUILDER: You need the rest, like me. FOOLISH BUILDER: But, this is yours! WISE BUILDER: It’s ok. FOOLISH BUILDER: But… WISE BUILDER: Really. It’s all right. (BEAT) Anyway, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) Right? FOOLISH BUILDER (amazed): I don’t know. The WISE BUILDER motions to the chair. WISE BUILDER: Please. The FOOLISH BUILDER sits in the chair, humbled. FOOLISH BUILDER: This is nice. WISE BUILDER: I’m glad. FOOLISH BUILDER (hesitant): Will you say it again? WISE BUILDER: Say what? FOOLISH BUILDER: Those words. From the beginning. Say them again. They seem to...I don’t know, fit with this chair somehow. (BEAT, rolling eyes) I can’t even believe I’m saying this. The WISE BUILDER smiles and nods. WISE BUILDER: “His oath, His covenant and blood support me in the raging flood; when every earthly prop gives way (indicates chair), He then is all my hope and stay. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.” The WISE BUILDER hands the FOOLISH BUILDER a bottle of water. WISE BUILDER (assuredly): “All other ground is sinking sand.” This is part of a series of five skits, with discussion questions, that can be found at youthESource.com in July 2016. Sarah Larson is a writer, director and film producer from Buda, Texas. She currently works with Redeemer’s Song Ministries, a theater and film ministry located in her hometown of Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

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hUMILITY IS A bIG dEAL

by Jay Reed

The point of this lesson is to see that Here’s your mission: Discover why HUMILITY is such a big deal to God. (And humility is actually a by-product of why it should be a big deal to us as His people.) faith. It comes from trusting God, who has given us salvation in Jesus Starter: Share a time in your life when you were humbled. Why did it happen Christ and continues to give us every and what did you learn from it? good thing we need. It’s a big deal to God because the humble heart Read Luke 14:7-11. is able to receive His gifts while the 1. What’s the danger of picking the best seat for yourself? (v.8-9) When are you tempted to do that in your life? (You get booted to the lowest seat proud heart spurns His gifts for a self at the table, humiliated before the very people you tried to impress.) righteous confidence. 2. What’s the benefit, according to Jesus, of picking the lower seat? (v.10) What might this look like for you? (Someone else moves you to a higher seat and everyone there will take notice.) 3. Jesus uses this parable to make a spiritual point. What’s that point? (v.11) What do you think it means to “exalt” yourself? How about “humble” yourself? (The point Jesus makes is that if we humble ourselves before God, He will lift us up. God knows our lives and has a plan for them [Psalm 139:16] and we can trust Him for our good.) Jesus uses the same closing line in Luke 18:9-14. 1. How does the Pharisee “exalt” himself before God? (v.11-12) How do people “exalt” themselves like that today? (Self justification, trying to prove that they’re not bad people. Explain all the good things they do, without listing the bad. Encourage students to share their thoughts on how people their age do this.) 2. How does the tax collector “humble” himself before God? (v.13) Do you ever feel like the tax collector? (He realizes he has nothing to boast 14| www.youthESource.com

about before God. Encourage discussion about how our lives aren’t perfect, especially before a holy God and how, based on their own merits, they have much in common with the tax collector.) Why is humility so important to God? Spiritually proud people believe they can do everything on their own and point to their own achievements to prove they’re good enough before God. They want to say, “Look what I’ve earned!” Spiritually humble people realize they can’t do it on their own and they need God’s help. They are open to His gift. Take a look at Romans 6:23. 1. What wages do the proud earn? 2. What gift do the humble receive? Humility comes from remembering that God is God, and we are not. It comes from gratefully remembering that we have received the greatest gift of salvation and life in Jesus Christ, and whatever else we need, God will also provide for us. Therefore, in light of God’s love and promise, we can be humble before others, trusting God will “exalt” us, or bless us, in His own time and in His own way. Take a look at 1 Peter 5:5-7. 1. According to Peter, why can you take the lower seat and humble yourself? (v.7) (Because He cares for you—He’s got your back, so you can cover others’.) 2. As you think about all you have in Jesus Christ, how does that help you to be humble? 3. What are some times when it is challenging for you to be humble ...at home? ...with your friends? ...before God? 4. What are some ways this week you might apply what you have learned? 5. So, summing it all up, why is HUMILITY so big of a deal to God (and us)? Published at youthESource.com in July 2016 Jay Reed was baptized into the promises of God at age 22 and through 16 years of DCE ministry and 13 years of Pastoral ministry, continues to discover God’s grace as simply amazing. He loves to write, run marathons (in 8 states on the way to 50) and hang out with his wife, 5 kids and 11 grandkids, 5 goats, 16 sheep and 18 chickens at home on the Legacy Ranch in Elk Grove, California.

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#thisis MYchurch youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 15

Spiritual Practices: Service

by Benjamin Vineyard

This is the kind of fast day I’m after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. (Isaiah 58:6-7, The Message) “The risen Christ beckons us to the ministry of the towel. Such a ministry, flowing out of the inner recesses of the heart, is life and joy and peace.” Richard Foster, The Celebration of Discipline. What do we really want to see happen in the lives of our youth? I believe what we’re aiming for, what God is sending us into the ministry to strive for, is to help youth (and even the adults in our ministries) become more alive, more aware of God and God in action. This alive-ness is the freedom Jesus speaks about in John chapter eight; it’s what Paul details in Galatians five with the Fruit of the Spirit. The greater question might be, “How do we become more alive or more aware?” Maybe it’s better put, “How is God at work within and around us to cause us to see Himself, His grace and His purposes more clearly?” Scriptures reveal several lifestyle patterns that God brought people into and worked into their souls. Through these practices, God cultivates the soil of the soul, removes the rocks and thorns and enables His Seed of Life to grow within. The center of this action is God—God acting, God speaking, God causing. We simply find ourselves invited for the journey of God on the move. We are somehow passive and strangely active at the same time as God renovates who we are. This all occurs within our baptismal identity and calling. We are God’s chosen, clothed-in-Christ people, and He’s not going to leave us in some kind of static state—He’s going to renovate every corner of our sin-tainted lives and show us how to really live the abundant life Jesus came to bring to us (John 10:10). One of these renovation patterns or practices is an attitude of service. I want to emphasize the word “attitude,” and I’m going to quote a bunch of Richard Foster to show why. In The Celebration of Discipline, Foster writes a fantastic section that I find very helpful in a world where youth ministry seems to always be asking for the next big trip, the next distant mission activity or the next adventure. Now, these things are very beautiful pieces of ministry and have tremendous effect on the souls of our youth. But, I’m going to ask the question I started with: What do we really want to see happen in the lives of our youth? Here’s Foster contrasting self righteous service and true service: Self-righteous service comes through human effort. It calculates immense amounts of energy calculating and scheming how to render the service…. True service comes from a relationship with the divine Other deep inside. Self-righteous service is impressed with the “big deal.” It is concerned to make impressive gains on ecclesiastical scoreboards. It enjoys serving, especially when the service is titanic. True service finds it almost impossible to distinguish the small from the large service. 16| www.youthESource.com

Self-righteous service requires external rewards…. True service rests contented in hiddenness. It does not fear the lights and blare of attention, but it does not seek them either. Self-righteous service is highly concerned about the results. It eagerly waits to see if the person served will reciprocate in kind. It becomes bitter when the results fall below expectations. True service is free of the need to f LCMSServantEvents calculate results. It delights only in the service. lcms.org/servantevents It can serve enemies as freely as friends. Self-righteous service picks and chooses whom to serve…. True service is indiscriminate in its ministry. I think we can see a strong thread of truth in Foster’s writing. What I’m also seeing is a call to move from seeing service just as a mission trip of some kind. Instead, I’m hearing an invitation to be attentive to needs around us in a very local, very personal kind of way. Again, this is more of an attitude than an action alone. It’s a God-grown and cultivated freedom to be attentive to the needs of others. This, I believe, is what we’d all like to see in the lives of our youth. This is true freedom. This is true life. The aspect of being a servant also resonates with two of the four “aspects of strong youth” written about in Kenda Creasy Dean’s Almost Christian. She writes that these aspects are: 1.) a creed to believe; 2.) a community to belong to; 3.) a call to live out and 4.) a hope to hold on to. A servant attitude, awareness and lifestyle touches on each of these, really, but mostly so with living out a calling to be agents of God’s love and to embrace a hope in a God who deeply cares and is sending us out to express such a resurrectionstyle care. So then, how do we become a people who grow in and through service? How do we help our youth walk a servant lifestyle? I believe it’s rooted in a posture of prayer, of slowing down long enough to be attentive and to intentionally be on the look-out for needs around us. This takes an immersion in the story of Jesus in the Gospels. It’s here we’ll really start to recognize what kinds of servant opportunities we might become attentive to. It’s here God will show us how to slow down, permeate our days in conversation with God our Father. It’s here Jesus’ pattern of being with people can be seen and then imitated. May God guide our steps and remind us that we are His beloved children through the waters of Baptism. May He continue to renovate who we are so that we can experience the freedom of life that Jesus came to free us into, now and forever. May we see that in learning to serve, God is freeing us to understand that humility is the way of life, our way isn’t always the best way, and that through availability and vulnerability God cultivates a field of peace within our souls, by His grace. And [Jesus] said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39 ESV)

I Want to

Serve

• My World • My Community • My Church • My Neighbor

#thisis MYchurch Published at youthESource.com in September 2010. Visit the website to find an accompanying Bible study. Benjamin Vineyard serves as a vicar and minister of disciple formation at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission and Shawnee, Kansas. He and his family have joined with friends to live in intentional Christian community.

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community by Brent Howard

Philippians 1:3-5 I love receiving thank-you notes. In fact, I have a file folder filled with thank-you notes from parents, youth, co-workers and congregation members. I am grateful they took the time to encourage me in this way. Philippians is known as a missionary thank-you letter. Paul is specific in his appreciation for the Philippian congregation and their partnership in the Gospel. Even when Paul could not be with them, they continued to work together to share the Gospel. They had different gifts, talents and abilities, but God brought them together for a common purpose: to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ in homes, workplaces, communities and the world. They encountered two main challenges: false teachers spread many conflicting messages; and believers, including Paul, were beaten and imprisoned. By God’s

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power, the church continued in ministry together. Even in suffering, the Philippians understood and taught that we are saved by faith in Christ alone and not in anything we do ourselves. Paul knew that God would continue His work in the Philippian congregation, although he was not able to be with them. Just as Paul equipped the Philippians, the church equips God’s people for work in His kingdom, even in the challenges of a culture that teaches that we can save ourselves by our own actions. Later in his ministry, Paul expressed his appreciation for the way the Philippian church worked together to share the Good News of Jesus Christ: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians

1:3-5). May God bless you as you work with others in this incredible partnership! Reflect: What challenges to sharing the Gospel are present in your congregation? In your community? How can you encourage others with Paul’s words in Philippians 1? Lord, thank You for claiming me as Your child and making me part of the Body of Christ. Thank You for the gift of faith in Christ. Thank You for including me in partnership with others to share the Gospel. Help me to find ways to encourage and include others in this partnership. In Jesus name, Amen!

Word One Bible Study: What’s Up with the Church?

by David Reimann

Text: Ezekiel 17:22-24 OBJECTIVES Participants will: 1. Understand and appreciate the Church as a living, growing, Godcreated place which serves people with the Good News. 2. Understand the purpose and mission of the church. 3. Take an active role in their church. MATERIALS NEEDED Bibles Luther’s Small Catechism Newsprint Post-it Notes Paper cups Markers Potting soil Seedling from nursery or greenhouse GROUP GUIDELINES Divide into small groups of 6-8 people. The person whose birthday is closest to June 14 will lead the group. The leader should encourage participation from all the members of the group, and move the discussion process along. COMMUNITY BUILDING 1. Which is your favorite room in your church building? If you could decorate it any way that you wanted, what would you do? 2. Who is the person you admire most in your church? What qualities does that person have that you would like to have in your own life? LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD 1. Provide a cup, potting soil and a tree seedling to each person. Add water. Watch it grow! You’ll be waiting for a long time to see anything happen. What makes a plant grow? How is the Church like a plant? 2. Read Ezekiel 17:22-24. Who is speaking? Who is the shoot? What/where is the mountain? Who are the branches? (Read John 15:5 for help in answering the questions.) The promised Messiah would come and establish His kingdom—the Church—where His love and forgiveness are proclaimed and shared. 3. Read the Second Petition from Luther’s Small Catechism. God’s kingdom comes to people through people who are led by the Holy Spirit to live out and share the news that we are saved by the undeserved love and mercy of God through faith in Jesus Christ. When we pray “Thy Kingdom come,” we’re asking that the gospel be shared with everyone so that they are assured of salvation. This is what the kingdom, the Church, is to be about. 4. Read the following and answer what each tells about the mission and work of the Church: John 8:31 Colossians 3:16-17 Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19-20 Matthew 25:31-46 On newsprint, list as many “ministries” that your church carries out (Sunday School, VBS, altar guild, parent’s day out, ushering, website, etc.). List them under the categories of “Spiritual Growth,” “Outreach” and “Christian Love, Care & Concern.” (You may have some items in all three categories.) If you could add one new opportunity for ministry at your church, what would it be?

5. Very often, young people are not readily welcomed to serve on church boards or committees. Write your name on five Post-It notes and place your name on the five ministries you might like to work on. In your small group, share the reasons why you placed your name where you did. Others in the group may offer affirmation or question the choices of the individual sharing. Choose one ministry (take the Post-It note off and write down what that ministry is) that you will actually become involved in and covenant with your group to follow through on this. Christ is the head of the Church, and we are the members who offer the cooling, protecting shade of the Gospel and share the fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) of this Good News with others. REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED The Church is… The best thing my church does is… Christ made me different. I can make a difference by… CLOSING As a group project, develop a plan with a landscape architect to create a place where your seedling can be planted on your church grounds. Read Psalm 1:1-3. Close with a prayer that focuses on the blessing the Church is to you, and how you can be a blessing to the Church. Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 12, 1999. Updated for youthESource.com in June 2015.

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The Habit of Meeting Together

by Brandon Metcalf

And let us consider how to stir up one another What if youth ministry could be more like this? What if we to love and good works, not neglecting to meet could have an experience of meeting together that youth just together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging want to continue meeting together because they miss each one another, and all the more as you see the Day other and the support that they get from their church family? drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25) This really isn’t too far-fetched of an idea, as many youth groups Every Thursday around 11:00 a.m., I can strive to be a second family, and I really think that is a noble expect an interruption in my time at the office. At goal that we should strive for. But even more than just youth around that time, a group of ladies will be walking ministry, what if our congregations could be more like this? through the hallways, talking and laughing along What if we could have an experience of meeting together that the way. It really is a pleasant interruption to see members just want to continue meeting together because the friendships that exist between these women. they miss each other and the support that they get from their They started out meeting for a 12-week program, church family? That sounds like a great church to be at! In fact, and just continued meeting after the 12 weeks it sounds a lot like the early church described in Acts. were done. These women had grown deep in Instead of getting stuck in routines of regular meetings, their relationships with one another and wanted programs and services, let’s focus on the people we get to to continue supporting each other every week. I walk through life with at those meetings, programs and services. wish more groups that met in our church felt that At meetings, let’s pour into people instead of just poring same way. over numbers. At our programs, let’s talk with people about It’s really easy for church workers to begin themselves instead of gossiping about others. After our worship to loathe meetings and regular programming, services, let’s move our conversations past the standard “How even weekly worship. It’s easy to see things as are you? Good,” line of dialogue. We are already gathered a “waste of my time,” or boring because it’s the around the Word of God, focusing on the grace given to us in same every week or just “one more thing” on the Christ Jesus, so let’s use that time to also pour God’s love into to-do list. When we as leaders lose that sense of one another. Let us come together at church, where Jesus community with those we’re serving, even in our meets with us to forgive our sins, strengthen our faith and to meetings, then it’s likely that the rest of the group confirm and support the community of faith in which we serve. will follow suit. Our lives of faith, our fellowship and our service to one another I had an opportunity in January to head flow from our crucified and risen Savior who gives His gifts to us back to campus for our DCE intern mid- as He meets us in His Word and Sacraments. year conference. It was great to see all the Let us embody Hebrews 10:24-25 in our youth groups, board other interns and to meet together and share meetings, worship services, small groups, voters meetings, experiences and encouragement. I really Bible classes and any other time we get together: “And let us enjoyed the collaboration that happened and consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, just the camaraderie that we had through our not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but shared experiences as interns. After the couple encouraging one another, and all the more as you seethe Day days of the conference were over, almost all the drawing near.” goodbyes I had with the other interns included a sincere commitment to staying in contact with Published at youthESource.com in March 2014. each other. The experience of meeting together and supporting one another was such a great Brandon lives in Lake Ozark, Missouri, with his experience that we wanted to keep it going after wonderful wife, Dana. He serves as Director the conference was done, just like those ladies of Christian Education at Christ the King that meet at my church on Thursdays. Lutheran Church with a focus on children, youth and family ministries. He especially loves teaching, speaking and using stories to help others learn about God, find their value in Him and realize that nothing can satisfy them outside of Christ.

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Community in Christ: Something Different Series Overview Our youth are in lots of different communities, ranging from sports teams to families to their fourth period algebra class. Community in Christ can and should look and feel different from their other communities. But does it? This series aims to give a picture of community as Christ intends it and to assist a group or class in developing it. This is an ideal study to help your group develop a philosophy of how they want to “be together.” This could be a great series to do for back to school or another time of year when it seems the group needs to connect. These lessons are designed to be used as a large group lesson followed by breakout groups. If you have a smaller group or don’t have the luxury of other trusted leaders who let you break up, feel free to keep the group together for the whole lesson. This is part one of a three-part series. Download the rest of the series at www.youthESource.com. Lesson Focus Community in Christ is unique among the many communities of which we are a part. 22| www.youthESource.com

by Leah Abel

Opening Activity Spend 10-20 minutes doing something together at the start of each Community lesson. For many students doing together can be a more effective way of connecting than talking together. Choose one or two of these games. Scrambled Legs (15-20 min)—Divide students into teams (groups of 5-10). Each group forms a circle, facing out. Then everyone’s knees/ankles are tied to their partners’ on either side of them. The object of the game is to shuffle around the room as a ring and collect strips of cloth that are hung from the ceiling, walls, and so on. Each group will have a different color or strip for their team. The first team to collect all strips of its color and deposit them in a centrally located bucket wins. Pudding Pictionary—This game works just like traditional Pictionary with one exception. Instead of drawing with a pencil on paper, groups use a tray or cookie sheet with pudding on it to draw their pictures in. One variation is to have two or more teams trying to complete a list of 10 items to be guessed at the same time. The first team to guess all 10 items first wins. Lesson Warm Up: My Many Communities GATHER: Have students gather in groups of 3-5. (If you did teams for the games above you could simply use the same groups.) Provide each team with a piece of paper and a pen for each person. SAY: Each of us is a part of many different groups or communities. Each person in your group is going to attempt to come up with a list of as many of the communities that they are in as possible. These groups or communities can be your third period art class, the group you always eat lunch with, your soccer team or even this youth group. They must be real teams or groups that you are a part of on a regular basis. The team with the most legitimate groups wins! You have two minutes…ready, set, go! TIP: If you have a group of 10 or less students, don't divide into smaller groups, just do this as an individual activity and discuss the lists. SHARE: After two minutes are up, have teams count up how many they have; the team that believes they have the longest list should share theirs with the whole room. (Have each person hold on to their list as they will be utilizing it toward the end of the lesson.)

ASK: How is Christian community different from all these other communities? Gathering connection: If your group attended the LCMS Youth Gathering in summer of 2016, this was the key question of the night as we considered community. Encourage them to share things they remember and learned there. Tip: Are they stuck? Completely silent? Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and see if that helps get the juices flowing. Potential answers: Perhaps more diverse (ages, variety of interests and talents, ethnicities, etc.); You didn’t choose these people—you were gathered together; designed to rely on one another and serve together, not just exist together. The invisible church has us connected across time zones, even if we’ve never met. ASK: If we are honest, Christian community doesn’t always look as different from other communities as it should. How should Christian community be different? (Record the group’s answers where everyone can see.) Potential Answers: forgiving, welcoming, accepting, loving, include servicing together, praying together, etc.) Tip: Are they stuck? Completely silent? Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 and see if that helps get the juices flowing. Or ask how this youth group or Sunday school class should be different from their classes and clubs at school or sports teams. TWO BIG QUESTIONS SAY: As we dig into community over the next couple of weeks, there are two big questions that we will consider… 1. How should Christian community look and feel different from the other communities of which we are a part? 2. How do we build the kind of community that goes beyond surface level and reflects the love of Jesus? SMALL GROUP TIME SAY: Look through the list you created earlier of the various communities that you operate in. Circle the three from this list that are the most important to you. SHARE: Have each person share their top three and why they are the top three. SHARE: Have each person share one from their list that goes beyond surface level to more authentic relationships. How or why does this group get beyond surface level? DISCUSS the communities we value: • What are some of the commonalities in why we chose the groups we did? • What makes a community valuable to you? • How important is authenticity or the ability to “be real” in a group or community? READ: Acts 2:42-47 and discuss the following questions. 1. What words would you use to describe this community? 2. What attitudes to do you notice? 3. What actions do you notice this new church community doing? 4. Specifically, what 4 things did the people devote themselves to? 5. Notice what is happening in verse 47. Why do you think that is happening? 6. In what ways does THIS community (our youth group or Sunday school class) like the Church in Acts 2? In what ways is it different? How was this community formed?

READ: Look at the start of Acts chapter 2. What happened? Who formed this community? Who made up this community? Tip: Short on time? Read 2:1-8, skim 2:9-36, read 2:37-41. SAY: What makes this community so very different is that it is formed by the Holy Spirit himself! ASK: How is our community formed? (The same! The Holy Spirit Himself calls us through the Word and gathers us together!) If you have time, invite youth to share how they ended up here tonight/today. (Encourage students to share how their families became members of the church or who invited them and brought them or share your own story of how you came to worship and serve as a part of this congregation.) ASK: None of us is in this room by accident. God gathered together this Church, this youth group, this community. How might knowing that affect how we live as a community? REAL COMMUNITY IS MADE POSSIBLE IN CHRIST READ: Ephesians 2:13-22 TIP: Provide some context before reading the passage. The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the Christians in Ephesus. He was writing about how Jesus came for both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews had been God’s set apart, chosen people and now God through Christ was bringing together these two very different groups to be His church. ASK: According to this passage, how is a community that is diverse and even at odds brought together? (In Christ alone!) ASK: What are some of the ways that those in Christ are described here? Look especially at verses 18-22. (No longer strangers, fellow citizens, members of the household of God, built together into a dwelling place for God) ASK: What do those descriptors tell us about the way that God intends for the Church to be connected? SAY: Wow! What an amazing God who sends His Son to earth to put us together—to form us (like one body) into a dwelling place for God! Published at youthESource.com in July 2016. Leah Abel graduated from Concordia University Nebraska and spent 11 years serving as a DCE in Florida. She now lives in Centennial, Colorado, with her daughter Amelia and her husband Scott and is Student Ministries leader at Our Father Lutheran Church. youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 23

In Christ i stand by Brent Howard

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 The youth Bible study you led didn’t go as well as you thought it would. You were prepared and you delivered all the major points. The discussion was okay, but it didn’t seem like the youth connected with the Word. You left feeling inadequate and may have even questioned why you are doing what you are doing. When things don’t go well in ministry, or anything else, it is tempting to get down on ourselves and think that we’re not the right person for the job. Once that happens, it is easy to lose our focus. In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul brings us back to the main thing: “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message 24| www.youthESource.com

and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power” (verses 1-5). Paul’s focus on Jesus Christ alone, in spite of his lack of eloquence and wisdom, is a great model for us. It’s not about us or the words we use. It’s about the power of God working in us through His Holy Spirit. We can go forward, then, confident that God will continue to use us to reach others with the Gospel. Reflect: Think of a time you felt inadequate about leading a Bible study. As you lead others, what would be a good reminder to you of God’s power? How will I resolve in my work to “know nothing among them but Jesus Christ and Him crucified”? Lord, help me to take comfort knowing that it is Your power that strengthens faith through Your

Word and leads others to You. By Your Holy Spirit, make me to know nothing among those I serve but Jesus Christ and Him crucified, so that their faith may not rest in me or in human wisdom, but in Him. And in this way, help me to be Your faithful servant. In Jesus name, Amen. 2016 Gathering-themed devotions published at youthESource.com in July 2016. Brent Howard has 20 years of youth ministry experience and currently leads the Children’s & Youth Ministry team at Christ Lutheran in Overland Park, Kansas. His passion is investing in the lives of children, youth and their families, especially his own. You’ll find Brent serving, leading, learning, coaching and playing.

A Study of Philippians Philippians is a personal letter. Paul is writing to a group of friends; he loves and respects them deeply. He addresses the letter to “my brethren” and “my beloved.” Over and over again Paul uses the first person pronoun—”I thank...” “I know...” “I yearn...” “I hope...” Personal matters are addressed, especially the key themes of joy, care for others and humility. Even though the apostle writes his letter from prison, he knows that he and his friends live under God’s umbrella. As for himself, Paul says, “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (3:8), and “I can do all things in Him who strengthens me” (4:13). With regard to his Philippian friends in Christ, he says, “for God is at work in you” (2:3), “and the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (4:7). Published at youthESource.com in December 2011.

by Peter Steinke

Part One: Under God’s Umbrella

We discover in Philippians what it means to live under God’s umbrella of grace. Now, let us turn to God’s care and our stress. Shelter from the Storm 1. Fold a sheet of paper to make four columns. From left to right, label the columns SYNONYMS, ADJECTIVES, CAUSES, CHANGES. Ask the group to list synonyms for the word “stress,” adjectives that describe stress, causes of stress and ways we can change stress to states of lightness, energy and freedom. An example is noted below. Instead of separate sheets of paper, the leaders could make four columns on a chalkboard or tape four pieces of newsprint to a wall and solicit responses from the group. SYNONYMS ADJECTIVES CAUSES CHANGES tension hard the unknown sleep headaches anxious sickness prayers uptight nervous rejection relaxation strain painful argument friends 2. Come to some conclusion about stress: what it is, how it begins, what happens because of its presence and what changes it. 3. Read the following verses from Philippians 1:17, 1:18, 4:6-7, 2:25-30. 4. Paul mentions four kinds of stress: imprisonment (1:17), fear (1:18), anxiety (4:6) and illness (2:25-30). Discuss what happens to you, to your relationships and to your faith in God when you experience these or other forms of stress. 5. In chapter four, Paul lists a number of ways in which faith in God’s redeeming love helps during stressful times. Select those which you would find helpful when distressed. 6. Sprinkled throughout Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi are words of joy: “Yes, and I shall rejoice...” (1:19), “complete my youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 25

joy...” (2:2), “rejoice in the Lord...” (3:1), “rejoice in the Lord greatly...” (4:10). Laughter is one of the best therapies we could ever find for stress. And joyous laughter is healing—seeing our inconsistencies, yet forgiving ourselves. For a brief devotion, read the “joy” and “rejoice” passages of Philippians. Alternate them with verses from hymns with the theme of joy. 7. Here is a teenager’s response to the verses from Philippians. Use it for your devotion or for discussion: What are some of the ways teenagers deal with stress? Drugs, alcohol, violence, exercise, work, hobbies? There is much unnecessary stress in our lives. How can it be lessened or omitted? Sometimes what we think is causing stress is not really the immediate problem. Example: John plays football and works hard to excel. Feeling stress, he blames his coach. But John is trying desperately to please his father—the real source of his stress. What are some creative ways to deal with stress? Which way is best for you? Jesus went to the Mount to escape stress, but He did not try to escape God. He prayed and received strength. How can we deal with our stress constructively and find solace knowing we are under the shelter of God’s umbrella? We turn to God in times of stress for strength, renewal and help. “I can do all things in Him...” With God’s help, I can get through anything. “For the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord...” Nothing in this world is worth being concerned about as much as your knowledge that you are Christ’s child. “For God is at work in you.” Through the events, traumas and jubilations you experience, God is making you into the person He wants you to be. He is forming you by your past. “And the peace...” It is through the hardest times in our lives that Christ carries and strengthens us. Sometimes we don’t realize it. (by Rene Steinke)

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Part Two: Open & Closed Umbrellas Paul says to his Philippian friends that brokenness exists in life—”envy and rivalry”... ”to afflict me”... ”the same conflict”... ”grumbling or questioning”... ”near to death”... ”maybe less anxious”... ”look out for the dogs”... ”I have suffered the loss of all things.” Paul does not deny the shattered pieces of life. Nor does he pretend that it does not hurt. Brokenness is there—and inevitable; Paul is realistic about sin’s power. A kind of crude example gets the point across in a definition of a friend: “A friend is someone who tells you that you have bad breath.” When people deal personally with each other, the pains, the hurts and the broken pieces can be shared. But friends also speak of healing. The apostle greets his friends with, “Grace to you and peace,” and rejoices that they have revived their concern for him. Healing is a gift God passes through our friends’ hands. Let’s live under God’s umbrella through brokenness to the time of wholeness, as friends. Becoming Whole Have participants draw the following diagram: Mind Body Spirit Read Philippians 2:1-3 and 3:8-11, selecting words or phrases that speak of the human body, mind or spirit, and write them in the appropriate “slices” of the circle. Discuss these questions: • What is wholeness? • What encouragement does Paul offer to the broken? • How do we become whole people again? Luther on Stress Discuss Luther’s following words, juxtaposed with passages from Philippians in terms of brokenness and wholeness. Luther: “[God] does not say with this or that difficulty, but simply says, ‘all who are heavy laden’...he not only refreshes us in the anxiety and assaults of sin, but he will be with us in all other troubles” (Luther’s Works 51:129-130). Paul: “For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:11-13). Umbrella Worship Have umbrellas available, but keep them closed. Read the teenager’s words below. Let others tell of their own brokenness. Open umbrellas and sing songs of healing and wholeness like “We Are One in the Spirit,” “What God Ordains is Always Good” and “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past.” Brokenness hurts. Change breaks into our lives. Change is not only difficult for the aged, but also for youth. Both change and pain are necessary for growth. But we are often so concerned with the pain of brokenness that we sometimes

don’t see the “window that’s been opened” or the change or growth we’ve experienced in the process. Perhaps the most difficult part of brokenness concerns personal relationships, especially when they are delayed or ended without our choice. Examples are moving, changing schools, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, graduation, death and new jobs. We will have to face these factors, and we will have to leave some people behind. It’s all part of God’s plan. The people He puts you into contact with also help to make you into the person you are. Even after you are separated from them, they are still with you, because your memories, thoughts and dreams will be influenced by them. People are a part of you. And even though it hurts to be separated from those you love, family and friends, how blessed you are that God gave you something so precious that the goodbye was incredibly difficult and painful. Broken hearts! It seems like someone always has one. We hear it in songs, movies and books. Sometimes we find it hard to accept that God could allow our hearts to hurt so much. Often people get angry at God, thinking, “He doesn’t care!” But He does. We know it. He gave us our feelings, and He wants us to experience both pain and joy. For only in experiencing sorrow can we know joy. Some people revel in a broken heart. They muddle around in their tears, moping over their hurt. They might make up for their lack of attention by feeling sorry for themselves. God wants us to express our sorrow, but we can carry it too far. We can only be healed if we surrender to God’s grace. We need Christ in our hearts to make them whole. (Rene Steinke)

How many roles can you play? Which ones do you play best? Which ones are your favorites? How could your “best” and “favorite” roles become ministries? Readings Read Philippians 2:1-11. Select one role you checked off, and after reading this section from Philippians, describe how “affection,” “sympathy,” or any other quality listed could help you in your ministry roles. Read Philippians 3:17. What difference is there between the “righteousness of my own” and the “righteousness from God that depends on fairth?” How would self-righteousness affect your role as a minister of Jesus Christ? And faith? The Role of Christ Read this teenager’s comments. Discuss the “role” of Christ in your life. Everyone has certain things expected of them from school, peers, people at work, church members and family. All these roles are important, but it is important not to lose the identity that God has given us in the midst of all these other expectations.

Part Three: A Place in the Community

Everyone has a place within a group. Each has a role. Some roles are headlines; others are “supporting cast” or “make-up crews.” But all count. Timothy and Epaphroditus were co-workers with Paul. The whole congregation at Philippi “entered into partnership” with Paul. No wonder Paul underlines his message with the words, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” citing the model of Christ humbling Himself “in the form of a servant.” Now let us discover how each of us, “in the form of a servant,” always has a place in the community of Christ. That servant role has a place whether singing or serving, whether listening to a friend’s problem or leading a group in decisionmaking. Paul could not do his service (MINISTRY) without the partnership of others. In ministry, everyone belongs. Every baptized person has a role. Role Playing Check the roles in the following list that you can play: son/daughter job-holder reader student believer/worshiper friend/helper automobile driver dreamer family member learner/student philosopher activist/doer teacher/counselor leader musician listener follower actor organizer decision-maker

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Perhaps Carla is active in sports simply because her parents expect her to fill this role. But she feels uncomfortable and doesn’t enjoy the competition. Maybe she should find another activity she enjoys. God gives us our feelings, tastes and talents. If they don’t fit with what others expect of us, we can’t fight it without compromising ourselves. If we compromise too often, we end up compromising ourselves into non-identity, trying to do the impossible task of pleasing everyone. We know that God accepts us and loves us as we are, regardless of our roles. Jesus didn’t conform to what everyone expected of Him. The Pharisees and church men didn’t expect to find Him among the poor, tax collectors, fishermen, women, lepers and sinners. But He knew what His task from God was and He performed it, no matter what others expected of Him. Certainly changing water into wine, feeding thousands with two fish and one loaf of bread, or giving a blind man his sight were not the roles many people expected of Him. Jesus was anything but ordinary. He conformed only to the purpose that God designed for Him, and He played that role. (Rene Steinke)

Part Four: In the Sunlight

“One person’s gain,” we say, “is another’s loss.” How can we be successful and still remain servants? Some achieve great things while others struggle to get along. While some have their pictures in the newspapers, others deliver newspapers. How can we share the sunlight when only some have the limelight? In Philippians Paul agonizes over a few “partisan” preachers who lack good will. They exalt over Paul’s imprisonment as they make names for themselves. Still others live “as enemies of the cross,” overly concerned with their bellies. And, two women—Euodia and Syntyche—have an argument going on between them. We will examine how servants in Christ live together, despite degrees of difference in fame or disparity in success or levels of authority. Sharing the Sunlight Success Pie: Pass out sheets of paper with a circle drawn in the middle. Then, using the list, “slice” the pie. Make bigger slices for the successes you value most and smaller slices for the least valued. Some of the listed items will be omitted. Choose the successes you would like to have. Success List: Financial well-being Raising a family Good Friends Being seasonal Respect Being an expert Owning a business Creativity 28| www.youthESource.com

Being a decision-maker Serving others Sensitivity to others Popularity Quietness, peacefulness Writing a book Being compassionate Self-esteem Acceptance and care in my family (your own choice) Divide into triads. Compare the slices and views of success. Ask the triad to combine its “big” slices and describe to the whole group the triad’s view of success. Sunlight Living: In God’s sunlight you see things in a different way. Luther says, for instance, that you can even see Christ in a needy neighbor. • Read Philippians 1:12-14. Why can Paul “see” his apparent failure as success? Can you think of other Bible stories where defeat is really victory? • Read Philippians 1:15-18. Why do the partisan people abuse Paul in his difficult situation? How do we turn partisan? What is Paul’s antidote to such partisanship? • Read Philippians 1:19-26. Describe the “sunlight” which changes Paul’s perception. • Read Philippians 4:10-14. What is the key to servant sunshine? • Read Philippians 2:5-11. Can humility really be a “successful” stance in our kind of world? God exalts the humble. Why? Meditation in the Sunlight Read the teenager’s comments below. Share some of your own thoughts about sharing. How can the sunlight of grace be exchanged? Look at your sliced pie. Is there room for service and others? Many people dream of professions in the “limelight”—ballet dancers, actors, models, singers, composers and sports starts. If achieving one of the “limelight” occupations is so coveted, why is there disappointment, divorce, mental breakdown and hurt in their worlds, too? Limelight people are human. Success is no guarantee for rising above human failure and suffering. Each of us has a gift from God which makes us shine. We should develop it and share it. Simply pleasing ourselves with our accomplishments and gains may satisfy us for a short time, but the greatest joy comes in serving others with the abilities God has given us. Sometimes our friends or acquaintances may need help in discovering their gifts from God. Some may even need help in acknowledging their self-worth. (In this case, honest praise and compliments can do wonders for a down-in-the-dumps person! Your recognition of another means more than you think.) We can all share in the “light” of our Lord’s blessings— for what God gave to each is for everyone’s benefit, even as God gave Christ because He loved the whole world, not just me or my friends. (Rene Steinke)

More resources on identity

Bible Studies iDentity, by Jay Reed Keeping the Body Image Beast at Bay, by Kristin Schmidt Remind Me Who I Am, by Matt Behrens A Visit to Narnia, by Matt Behrens Find these studies and more at www.youthesource.com/tag/studyidentity Devotions Made in God’s Mirror, by Stephanie Warner Made Right from the Start, by Stephanie Warner Who are You?, by Jessica Bordeleau Who am I?, by Gabe Kasper Find these devotions and more at www.youthesource.com/sourcedevotions Skits Jennifer and the Wizard of Who, by Dean Nadasdy A Parable: The Land of Mirrors, by Dean Nadasdy Find these skits and more at www. youthESource.com/skits-anddramas. Articles I’m Straight, by Jeffrey Meinz Blurred Boundaries: Gender Differences and Roles, by Jane Wilke The Hardest Thing about Being a Teen, by Cassie Moore What’s Going on Up There?: Adolescent Brain Development, by Theresa Haines Find these resources and more at www.youthesource.com/tag/ identity

More resources on Humility

More resources on Community

Bible Studies Moses: A Leadership Study, by Jeffrey Meinz Jesus and John the Baptist, by Adam Griffin Spiritual Practices: Service, by Benjamin Vineyard Healed to Help, Saved to Serve, by Tim Runtsch

Bible Studies We Are the Church, by Heidi Goehmann Can the Old Be Made New, by Ken Olson and Sheryl Olson We’re One in Christ, by Terry and Barb Wiechman One in Heart and Soul, by Tim Beyer

Find these studies and more at www.youthesource.com/tag/studyidentity Devotions God’s Love is...Humble, by Emily Phoenix Find these devotions and more at www.youthesource.com/sourcedevotions Skits Humility, by Tom Rogers Find these devotions and more at www.youthesource.com/skits-anddramas Articles Servant Formation: Not Nice but Good, by Russ Moulds The Sin that Swallows Church Workers, by Cassie Moore

Find these studies and more at www.youthesource.com/tag/studyidentity Devotions Forever Fellowship, by Rebecca Conner It Takes a Village, by Erin Faehling Proximity, by Brian Gauthier Find these devotions and more at www.youthesource.com/sourcedevotions Articles Who is Welcome in Your Group, by Brandon Metcalf It Takes a Village and a Jell-o Dance, by Derek Broten Building Youth Families, by Jeffrey Meinz Find these resources and more at www.youthesource.com/tag/ identity

Find these resources and more at www.youthesource.com/tag/ identity

Write for youthESource!

Do you have an idea for a Bible study or skit? Are you an expert on a particular youth ministry subject and want to share your thoughts with others? Consider writing for youthESource! We’re always looking for new ideas and new writers. Share your interest in writing by sending an email to youthESource@gmail.com. youthESource unplugged | vol. 10 | 29