Name:
Centering our Lives Within the Mission and Message of Jesus
List below four friends that you would love to see become friends with God. 1.
2.
3.
4.
Journal Development
Developed by 2005 Chicago Sonlife Team. Edited and updated in 2017 by Calvin Russell
Contributions Toronto Remix Team: George Mah, Melissa Morrisey, Mark Mowbray, Hartley Russell, Calvin Russell, Bethany Stephenson
Layout and Design
Romel Mamaril & Damien Oswald-sago
Front Cover Kirk Russell
Special Thanks
Thank you Dr. Ron Sider for inspiring a generation to live out the “gospel of the Kingdom� and for encouraging the next generation to passionately pursue a Theology of Holistic Mission and Minisry.
www.torontoremix.com
www.youthunlimitedgta.com
www.sonlife.com
Centering our Lives Within the Mission and Message of Jesus
REMIX FOCUS - OVERVIEW The experiences at REMIX follow an intentional progression to help us center our lives within the mission and message of Jesus...
Day 1: ENCOUNTER God’s Love
God has poured out His love on us, giving us a new heart of love for Him and others.
Day 2: SEE People Through Jesus’ Eyes
Jesus gives us a new perspective to see and serve people with eyes of compassion. Ministry Experience: Show God’s love by serving in the community. Focus on meeting visible needs.
Day 3: LISTENING and Learning to Show Care
When we realize God’s love for us, it becomes our motive to actively care and listen to others. Ministry Experience: Initiate conversations with new people to listen and learn about their lives.
Day 4: CONNECT with God’s Community
Jesus becomes real to us in a community that lives and loves like Him. Ministry Experience: Creatively encourage and build up people in your ministry (Gardens, water distributing, garbage pick-up, painting).
Day 5: SHARE God’s Truth
God has given us an amazing and true story which expresses His love. Ministry Experience: Write and send letters to friends and family who need Jesus to transform their lives (Letters, E-mail, prayer evangelism).
Day 6: FOLLOW Jesus’ Mission
Jesus calls us to live His mission in our everyday life. Ministry Experience: Spend time journaling, praying, and sharing with your group about how God is changing and challenging you.
a call t encount god ‘ s lo session day 1
o
ter ove 1
WELCOME.
A Call To Encounter Gods Love.
...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. - Epehesians 3:17-19 (NLV)
This week is about experiencing and encountering God and His love, as we discover what it means to centre our lives within the mission and message of Jesus. Sing or read aloud the song, “How Deep the Father’s Love” by Stuart Townend. “How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life, I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom”
REMIX is all about learning, discovering, and embracing the love that God has for us in Jesus; and developing a lifestyle that continues to walk in His ways. Essentially, to centre our lives within His message and His mission as we live out the gospel of the Kingdom.
H-1
THE LOVE OF GOD
Expressed to us. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. - 1 John 4:16 (NLV) Share an example of when you felt “really loved” by God, a parent, sibling or a friend. To know God is to know real love. He is perfect love, a love that heals, forgives and transforms. Since the beginning of time, God has poured out his love on us. In these verses, how is God’s love for us revealed? Hebrews 12:5-7
Exodus 34:5-10
Luke 2:8-12
Matthew 27:35-39
Genesis 12:1-3
John 14:16-17
1 John 4:7-12
Genesis 1:26-28
H-2
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE Not only does God love us, he desires for his love to flow through us. As we experience the amazing love of God, he fills our hearts with gratefulness. He gives us the desire to love him in return, and share His love with others. It can be described as the gospel of the Kingdom - Love by word and deed. Jesus said it best when he summed up the greatest way to live life...
‘Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NLV) Jesus was the greatest example of a person who loved God. You may be thinking, “that was easy for him, he was God!” This wasn’t as easy as it seems. During Jesus’ time here on earth, he chose to subject himself to the limitations of man. This means he had to rely on God in the same way that you and I do. He was able to accomplish the work the Father gave Him to do because of his utter dependency upon the Father. Jesus expressed his loving devotion to God by...
Remember Draw a heart to remind us of God’s amazing love... Drawing Close to Him Surrendering his life Seeking to bring him glory
H-3
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE D r a w i n g
c l o s e
t o
G o d .
At the centre of Jesus’ life was a deep love for His Father. He was constantly aware of how much God loved Him. In the Scriptures, Jesus was the first to call God “Abba,” which means daddy or papa. He knew God in deep ways, and lived in the reality of this love. Jesus grew close to His Father by continually seeking him. Even though he was surrounded by demanding crowds, he still honoured God by preaching His word, performing miraculous deeds, and seeking solitude with the Father.
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. - Luke 5:15-16 (NLV)
To love someone means longing to be with them. Jesus longed to be with God and looked to prayer and finding sacred space to be with the Father. He wanted to know God’s thoughts and heart. He also realized how much He needed God’s strength to get Him through life. We’re offered the same chance to know God as our “Abba” - to draw close to Him and pour out our hearts to him. God desires to love us and receive our love in response.
“How He Loves Us” by Kim Walker/Jesus Culture
H-4
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE D R AW I N G
C L O S E
T O
G O D .
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV)
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:15 (NIV)
So, you can come to God as your “Abba” and tell Him how much you love Him. You can be honest with God about your fears, doubts, disappointments and joys. His promise is to love you with a loyal type of love. As you spend time with God... When was the last time you drew close to God as your “Abba?”
Do you long to be with God?
Take a moment and quiet your heart and mind. Focus on loving your “Abba” Father. Imagine climbing in his lap and being with him. In His perfect love you will find safety, compassion, strength and purity. Tell God how you are
feeling. “Father’s love letter”
FATHER’S LOVE LETTER
AN INTIMATE MESSAGE FROM GOD.
My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27). In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:27-28). For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planed creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You are not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6). I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me (John 8:41-44). I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16). And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1). Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11). For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48). Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17). For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:3133). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalms 139:17-18). And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40). For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41).
FATHER’S LOVE LETTER Continued...
And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4). I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23). For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32). If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39). Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7). I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15). My question is... Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13). I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-24). - Love, your Dad Almighty God H-7
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE
SURRENDERING OUR LIFE TO GOD. “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”
Why is it so hard to surrender our lives to God
John 8:28-29 (NLV)
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
John 5:19 (NLV) Jesus understood His need to completely depend on the Father. He followed God’s plan all the way to death on a cross. In the midst of His agony, Jesus knew that He belonged to God, and could fully rely on Him. We express our love to God when we trust Him with our lives. Following Jesus is a call to complete surrender and abandonment of our old ways.
H-8
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE
SURRENDERING OUR LIFE TO GOD. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20 (NLV)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. - Mark 8:35 (NIV)
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. - Galatians 5:24 (NLV)
Loving God means giving Him complete control of our lives.
Think about...
Have you surrendered your life fully to God?
What sinful patterns or desires do you still need to “nail to the cross?”
H-9
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE
SURRENDERING OUR LIFE TO GOD. Prayer of Surrender... Father, today I choose to surrender my life to you. I want to leave behind my old way of life and all of my selfish desires. My old way of living is dead. I bring my sinful desires to your cross to be crucified. Help me Lord, to cling to you and rely on you alone. I belong to you, Jesus! Amen. “When I survery the Wondrous Cross/ The Wonderful Cross” (Watts and Tomlin) When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down Did ever such love and sorrow meet or thorns compose so rich a crown O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross bids me come and die and find that I may truly live O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross All who gatherthere by grace draw near and bless Your name Were the whole realm of nature mine that were an offering far too small Love so amazing, so divine demands my soul, my life, my all
H-10
Who do I need to talk to, to help me as I choose a life of surrender and obedience?
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE
SURRENDERING OUR LIFE TO GOD. The call to follow Jesus is not just a call to “death” and abandonment of our old way of life; it also involves our “re-birth.” When we fully surrender our life to Jesus, He makes us into a new person who has access to God’s supernatural guidance and strength.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here - 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLV)
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15 (NLV) We actually have Christ living in us - how amazing is that! His Holy Spirit guides us and helps us become more likeJesus - but this doesn’t happen automatically. We must choose to surrender to the Holy Spirit that lives within us, moment-by-moment. The strength and guidance of God is always available to us; we must choose to rely on Him. The cross gives us the confidence and hope that we can live the victorious Christian life. What do you think it means that Jesus, at the cross, has disarmed powers and authorities? it means that Jesus, at the cross, has disarmed powers and authorities?
H-11
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE
SURRENDERING OUR LIFE TO GOD. Surrendering has everything to do with work, school, vacation, and even relationships. It is prayerfully seeking the Holy Spirit in all that we do.Even when we are eating lunch, taking a t est or driving home, we are awake to God living in us.
Loving God means having a constant awareness of His presence in your life. It is relying on the Holy Spirit in you to guide you and give you strength.
Make it your goal to be more aware of God’s Spirit today. Each time you think of God, quietly thank Him and ask Him to give you strength to live for Him. Do this throughout your day.
How are you different since surrendering your life to Christ?
“I Surrender All” by Newsboys
H-12
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE
BRINGING GLORY TO GOD. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLV) Q: Why does Paul use the analogy of eating or drinking to bring glory to God? Jesus was completely devoted to bringing glory to God. All of Jesus’ activities -teaching, building friendships, eating, doing miracles, sacrificing himself on the cross, and his resurrection - were all done to bring glory to the Father.
The book of John describes Jesus’ complete devotion to the glory of God...
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14 (NLV)
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the son. - John 14:13 (NIV)
H-13
RESPONDING TO GOD’S LOVE BRINGING GLORY TO GOD. After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
JOHN 17:1-5 (NLV)
Bringing glory to God in our lives takes intentional action. We must be willing to seek out God’s desires, plans and dreams ahead of our own. My entire life becomes about loving God and showing people how great He is.
...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 4:11 (NLV)
Pair up with a partner and discuss... How did Jesus seek to bring glory to God? Write down specific ways...
Are there specific ways you sense God calling you to glorify Him? How?
Pray for each other that you may glorify God with your life and actions.
H-14
THE LOVE OF GOD EXPERIENCED BY US.
In the Old Testament, one of the main words used for love is “Hesed,” which is often translated “Loving Kindness.” Hesed has frequently been described as “loyal love” - God’s loyal or covenantal promise of His love for His people. In the New Testament, Hesed is one of the Lord’s most treasured characteristics. It is all about God’s character and him honouring his promise to “love us with an everlasting love.”
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an ever-lasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. - Jeremiah 31:3 (NLV)
Throughout all of history God has gone to unbelievable lengths to show us how much He loves us. When we begin to realize how much God loves us, we can’t help but respond. Our hearts are filled with gratefulness and awe for our Creator. God is so great!
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?... For I am covinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
H-15
- ROMANS 8:31-32, 38-39 (NLV)
THE LOVE OF GOD EXPERIENCED BY US.
Journal Moment Write a prayer to thank God for His love...
On your own... God’s unfailing love is described over 70 times in the Psalms. Spend some time looking at Psalm 26, 31, 33, 57 and 59 to discover more about God’s love!
H-16
THE LOVE OF GOD EXPERIENCED BY US.
Journal Moment Write a prayer to thank God for His love...
On your own... God’s unfailing love is described over 70 times in the Psalms. Spend some time looking at Psalm 26, 31, 33, 57 and 59 to discover more about God’s love!
H-17
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN LEARNING? E N C O U N T E R G O D ’ S L O V E - R E V I E W.
Since the beginning of time, God has poured out his “Hesed” love on us.
We love God by drawing close to him as our “Abba” father. God gives us the desire to love him and share his love with others in both word and deed.
We love God by surrendering our lives, and relying on the Holy Spirit.
Encounter God’s Love Review!
We love God by bringing Him glory as we seek to do His will.
H-18
sharing session day 2
2
HOW WE SEE OURSELVES Journaling Moment... This is a personal time for you to be open and honest about how you view yourself. You will not be sharing what you write with each other.
How do you see yourself? Is it positive or negative?
How do you think others see you? Does this shape your identity?
How does media, music or movies influence the way we see ourselves?
What do you think influences how we see ourselves?
So often, people seek to find love, acceptance and a sense of worth in how we look, our abilities, how others treat us, or what we do. Deep in our hearts we long to be loved for who we are. On our own, we cannot see ourselves accurately. We must go to the One who created us to show us our real value. It is in God’s infinite love that we begin to discover our true identity.
E-1
HOW GOD SEES US Lets look at some scriptures that describe how God sees us. • • • • • • • • • •
Genesis 1:26-27 Psalm 8:3-6 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 4:23-24 Romans 8:15 1 John 4:11-12 Colossians 2:9-10 Ephesians 1:7-8 Colossians 3:12
You are defined by God and God Alone. -Rick Warren
....He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. - 2 Corinthians 1:22
You are completely loved by God. He loves you with a love greater than anyone in this world can offer. God considers you valuable and worthy of his love. It is in God’s limitless love that you must see yourself; this love must become your hope and identity. Your faith will grow stronger as you focus on your identity in Christ. (Look at Galatians 2) Seeing how much God loves us should change the way we look at ourselves and the way we see each other.
E-2
33 THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT SALVATION 1. I am justified (declared right) with God by God on behalf of Jesus. 2. I am made a child of God. 3. I have access to God. 4. I am reconciled in God. 5. I am forgiven. 6. I am placed “in Christ”. 7. I am acceptable to God. 8. I have a heavenly citizenship. 9. I am made a member of the family and household of God. 10. I have a heavenly association with God’s creation. 11. I have “much more” of the “care of God”. 12. I am united to the Godhead, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 13. I have a fellowship with the Saints. 14. I am living securely (on the rock) because of Christ Jesus. 15. I am part of the eternal redemptive plan of God. 16. I have been redeemed (bought back with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ). 17. I have a living relationship with God. 18. I am free from the condemnation of the Law. 19. I have been adopted into the family of God. 20. I have been “brought near” to God. 21. I have been delivered from the power of darkness. 22. I have entered a new kingdom, the Kingdom of the Son. 23. I’ve been given from the Father to the Son and I represent a love-gift from the Son to the Father. 24. I have been circumsised in Christ (I have been made sensitive to the things of God). 25. I am a member of a royal and holy priesthood. 26. I am part of a chosen generation, a holy nation, a holy people. 27. I am the inheritance in Christ. 28. I am part of the inheritance of the Saints that Christ has secured. 29. I am a light of the Lord to spread His fame in this world. 30. I am a victor over all forces of darkness by the merits of Jesus Christ. 31. I have been blessed with the Holy Spirit and possess “every spiritual blessing”. 32. I am complete “in Him”. 33. I am glorified spiritually and one day will be glorified actually.
E-3
HOW GOD SEES US ROOTED IN GOD’S LOVE. Let’s look back at Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians:
....so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. -Ephesians 3:17-18
Discuss and Journal... What do you think it means to be “rooted in God’s love?”
How would your life be different if it was completely rooted in God’s love?
Take a few moments and thank God for His incredible love for you, and that your identity and worth are found in God and God alone!
E-4
HOW WE SEE OTHERS
MOTIVATED BY CHRISTS LOVE. We love because He first loved us.
-1 John 4:19
When we experience the perfect love of God, it changes how we see our world, the people around us, and ourselves. The motivation for our actions and attitudes is based upon the love of God that we know and have experienced through Christ. We look to Jesus as our hero and example of how we should see and love others.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. - 2 Corinthians 5:14
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” - John 13:34-35
Draw a picture of an eye. We are drawing an eye to remind us that we should see others with love and compassion.
E-5
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. - Ephesians 5:1-2
HOW WE SEE OTHERS MOTIVED BY CHRISTS LOVE.
One of the most compelling descriptions of how Jesus loved people is found in Phillipians- 2:1-8 and John 1:14. Read through these verses slowly. Discuss the questions on the next page with a partner and journal your responses.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in the forms of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! -Phillipians 2:1-8
The word became flesh and made his dwellinng among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1:14
E-6
HOW WE SEE OTHERS
MOTIVATED BY CHRISTS LOVE. Summarize Jesus’ example of love from this passage in your own words (verses 5-8)...
How is this the ultimate example of
List all of the ways these verses challenge us to love and serve others...
How is God using these verses to challenge you? Be specific!
E-7
HOW WE SEE OTHERS GROUP EXERCISE.
How can you be more missional? Provide examples...
But the Christian doctrine of the incarnation expresses the conviction of Christians that this God has made himself known full, specifically and personally, by taking our human nature into himself, by coming amongst us as a particular man, without in any way ceasing to be the eternal and infinite God.�
E-8
-Michael Green
HOW WE SEE OTHERS A NEW WAY TO SEE.
Loving others like Jesus requires us to see people in a new way!
Eyes of compassion, not eyes of comparison. Seeing people the way Jesus does is not natural for us, particularly if they are someone not like us. We tend to see people with eyes of comparison- fearing them, looking down on them, or choosing to ignore them.
We need the supernatural help of the Holy Spirit to see people with eyes of compassion- full of patience, love and value. God values others in the same way he values us. We must ask God to help us look beyond the other person’s faults and issues and see the person he loves. Jesus modeled this lifestyle when he spent time with those on the margins and fringes of society. He cared for them in both word and deed - we can do no less!
E-9
HOW WE SEE OTHERS A NEW WAY TO SEE: FROM A ME-FIRST” MINDSET TO “OTHERS-FIRST.” To really see people, we have to take the focus off of ourselves, “looking not just to our own needs, but to the needs of others” (Philippians 2). Seeing people through Jesus’ eyes means having an outward focus- dependent on God and looking to serve others. It is a dare to live beyond self concern...
“ If we dare to live beyond self-concern, if we refused to shrink from being vulnerable, if we took nothing but a compassionate attitude towards the world, if we were counter-cultural to our nation’s lunatic lust for pride of place, power, possessions, if we preferred to be faithful rather than successful, the wall of indifference to Christ would crumble. A handful of us could be ignored by society, but hundreds, thousands, millions of such servants would overwhelm the world. Christians filled with authenticity, commitment, and generosity of Jesus would be the most spectacular sign in the history of the human race. The call of Jesus is revolutionary. If we implement it, we would change the world in a few months.” -Brennan Manning, from The Signature of Jesus
When you look at people, what do you see? . . . Think about Do you look at them with love and compassion? Or do you judge, fear or ignore them? What is preventing you form
truly
loving others?
Pray... Take your hands and cover your eyes. Ask God to give you his eyes of compassion. Pray for those whom you have a hard time loving.
E-10
HOW WE SEE OTHERS
LOVE IN ACTION - A NEW WAY TO SERVE. Jesus called out His Disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for these people: they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way. -Matthew 15:32 Jesus was moved by compassion for people over and over again. He saw people in need and went out of his way to help them. He not only cared for them spiritually, but also cared physically. Jesus was aware of the visible, emotional, relational and spiritual needs of the people he encountered. Most often He chose to meet the visible needs first by healing, providing and serving. He understood that meeting these physical needs was essential to building trust, which allowed Him to address people’s deeper needs. We are called to put our love into action the same way Jesus did. Seeing people through Jesus’ eyes compels us to reach out to them. As God gives us compassion for people, we should also look for ways to show our love by holistically serving them. Serving is sometimes costly and painful. It is easy for us to offer a little effort. But, to really engage in serving takes sacrifice. Are we willing to put others first and sacrifice our strong desire to be comfortable? Serving also requires us to be humble and not to consider ourselves better than anyone else.
...Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
- 1 John 3:18
Question: Where is God calling you to humbly serve at? Home? School? Locally? Globally?
E-11
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE LOVE IN ACTION - A NEW WAY TO SERVE. Today we will be focusing on meeting visible needs in the community. When we humbly serve, God will often do something in our hearts - give us joy, build character in our lives, increase our love, or show himself to us and others. We are not serving to get a response. We want pepole to see that God and his people love and serve unconditionally. Be prepared for no tangible or specific gain - it is not about us. In this skeptical age, it is important that we show God’s love before we share it. God can use our acts of kindness to draw people to Himself. We would love to see people change their negative views of Christ and start moving towards him. Jesus showed us that even short encounters could make a difference and change a life (Zacchaeus- Luke 19; Nicodemus- John 3: Woman at the well- John 4; etc.). Do not be surprised if people ask you, “Why are you serving?” simply reply with something like this: “We want to show God’s love,” or “ As followers of Jesus, we want to learn how to serve people better.”
Remember...
Seeing is about focusing on God and others, and relying on God to give you a new heart and perspective.
Serving is about meeting visible needs, bringing glory to God through simple things, and also elevating the reputation of the church.
Pray: What do you want to do in my heart and character today? What do you want me to see? What are you revealing to me about myself that I need to surrender to God?
Pray: What do you want to do through me today? Where do you want me to serve?
“Being Church: Reflections on How to Live as the People of God” by John F. Alexander
E-12
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE SEEING AND SERVING.
God sees us as His masterpiece. It is in God’s limitless love that we find our hope and identity. Loving others begins with experiencing God’s love first. We Out of God’s Love... We become aware and are given a new We perspective and compassion for willing to meet other’s needs. develop the heart of others. Jesus, a heart that is humble and seeks to serve. We We embrace the call to minyield and submit our We ster to others- a life lived beyond lives to the leadership of Christ. move away from being self-concern. self-centered towards being other-centered.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8 REMIX is designed to inspire and equip you to live a lifestyle of loving others. Are you starting to see it? Are you sensing God stirring in your heart? Is God filling you with his love and passion for people? Before you hit the streets today, conclude your training with a mini-concert of prayer. Let the adventure begin!
E-13
JOURNAL
TODAY’S EXPERIENCES.
Journal about what you experienced today. Try to remember people and images from your mind. What did you learn? What was difficult? What brought you joy? Where did you sense God’s presence?
Debrief Questions... After today’s experience in the city, meet as a group and discuss the following: 1. What was challenging about today?
2. What have you learned about God, yourself, and the world?
3. What are the implications of today’s experiences for you personally? For your youth group? For your highschool? For your church?
4. How do you cultivate a lifestyle of mission?
E-14
listenin session day 3
ng 3
GOD’S CARE FOR US G O D - W I T H - U S .
Jesus is the ultimate expression of God’s love and care for us. Our Creator chose to step into our world and experience life as one of us. God’s entry into human form as Jesus is called the “incarnation”. By living here on earth with us, Jesus can identify with our struggles and pain, yet He wants to show us how deeply God loves us. In Jesus Christ we see the fullness of God’s compassion. To us who cry out from the depth of our brokenness for a hand that will touch us, an arm that can embrace us, a word that speaks to us here and now, and a heart that is not afraid of our fears and tremblings: to feel our pain as no one else feels it, and who are always waiting for someone who dares to come close to us - a man has come who can truly say, “I am with you”. Jesus Christ, who is Godwith-us, has come to us in the freedom of love, not needing to experience, but freely choosing to do so out of love. - Henri Nouwen, Compassion
Jesus continues to walk with us and care for us in the depth of our souls. He draws us close and quiets our fears. He gives us strength and reminds us, “I am with you”. Take a moment in quiet and ask Jesus to help you sense his closeness. Thank Jesus for His comfort, peace and love that fills your life. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -John 10:10
L-1
I am with you.
CARING FOR OTHERS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS.
Just as Jesus enters our lives and cares for us, He invites us to enter the lives of others and care for them. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. - Romans 15:7 God desires for us to be his expression of love to others. This is a call that extends beyond serving others to building meaningful relationships. It is a lifestyle. Jesus made it a priority to invest His life into the lives of his disciples. We must sacrifice time to invest in others, learning from them and caring for them as Jesus would. To enter other people’s lives we must ask questions, listen, and be genuine.
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
-1 John 3:18 L-2
CARING FOR OTHERS M E E T I N G
N E E D S .
Through relationships, God uses people to help meet needs. We all have different levels of needs...visible, relational, emotional and spiritual. Our visible (physical) needs are the most basic (food, rest, shelter etc). Relational and emotional needs are deeper, with spiritual needs being the deepest. The deeper the need, the more cautious we are in letting others see it. It takes trust before we will share and allow others to help us with our deeper needs. NEEDS:
HOW CAN WE HELP?:
Visible and Physical
Serving Others
Relational and Emotional
Listening and Friendship
Spiritual and Directional
Sharing Truth and Praying
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. -John Maxwell
As followers of Jesus, we often feel like we need to address others’ spiritual needs right away. The problem is, sometimes our friends are not ready for us to address those needs. They may be focused on relational and emotional issues and need someone to just listen; or they may have had a bad experience that has caused them to reject spiritual input. Being an authentic friend is essential in our relationships. It is through genuine relationships that we build trust and help our friends with their deeper needs. We are called to care for others with sensitivity and patience. The Gospel of the Kingdom is expressed through caring for our friends holistically.
L-3
CARING FOR OTHERS
THE DEEPER NEEDS. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. -1 Thessalonians 5:11 1. Acceptance - showing others care and approval. So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God wil l be glorified. - Romans 15:7 2. Encourgement - inspiring others towards love and goodness. Think of ways to encourage one another to outburts of love and good deeds. -Hebrews 10:24 3. Affection - Expressing care through words and touch. Jesus reached out and touched the man. “I want to,” he said. “be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. - Luke 5:13 4. Respect - showing others that they are valuable. Show respect for everyone. -1 Peter 2:17 5. Comfort - Showing care in tough times. All praise to the God and Father of our Lod Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same confort God has given us. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 6. Appreciation - expressing thanks for the others efforts. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. - Romans 12:10
“The Great Commandment” Principle by David Ferguson www.greatcommandment.net L-4
CARING FOR OTHERS M E E T I N G
N E E D S .
DISCUSS
Describe a significant time when someone met one of these needs in your life... How do you think this experience changed you?
Which one of these six needs do you desire the most? Who is helping meet this need?
Which of these needs are you the strongest at meeting in others? How have you met this need in others?
Which of these needs is your youth group strongest at meeting? How have you seen this need being met?
Which of these needs do you struggle to show to others? How can you improve?
L-5
CARING FOR OTHERS
CARING FOR OUR FOUR FRIENDS. This week is focused on preparing our hearts and minds to understand what it means to live on mission for Christ. At the beginning of the week, you identified four friends that you can pray for, encourage and challenge to see Jesus. The four people you identified may be at different places in their spiritual journeys. These could be friends or family who have no interest in God, or are curious about spiritual things, or believe in Jesus but are not following Him. We must not judge them, but carefully look for what God is already doing in their lives, and seek to encourage them in their journey. Take some time to pray for your Four Friends right now. Ask God to show you ways that you can care for them and help meet needs in their lives. Four People I am helping to see Jesus:
1.
2.
3.
4.
L-6
CARING THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING T h e M i n i s t r y o f L i s t e n i n g . Building relationships and meeting needs relies on how well we listen to others. Listening is more than just a good skill, it is a ministry to others that communicates that we care. Just as loving God begins with listening to His Word and the Holy Spirit, so the beginning of loving our friends is learning to listen. It is God’s love for us that He not only gives us His Word but also the ability to listen. So it is His work that we do for our friends when we listen to them.
The ministry of listening has been committed to us by Him who is the great listener and whose work we share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
How is listening a ministry?
Why is listening to our friends so difficult?
What do you think it means to “listen with the ears of God”?
The ministry of listening is an important call on our lives - it is essential as we meet the real needs of our friends. In order to enter someone’s world and be a true friend, we need to be an active listener who puts others needs ahead of our own.
L-7
CARING THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING THE GOAL OF LISTENING. Listening to Care It is very difficult to care for someone if you don’t listen to them. Most people are starving for someone to pay attention to them and to listen to their struggles, ideas and dreams. Listening shows respect, builds relationships, helps you learn, creates trust, teaches you patience, and communicates value. Listening to Learn We must come to our friends with the desire to learn about their lives. As we listen to them, we can ask questions to understand how they think, feel and believe. Thoughtful questions express care and help others feel safe to share more about their story. Listening to learn takes humility. We have to respect others’ feelings and beliefs even if they are different from ours. Christians are stereotyped as being narrow-minded advice givers. In order to be a greater influence in our world, we must show others that we care for and value them - this starts with listening with no hidden agenda in mind. Listening to Learn communicates... - I value your opinion - I want to understand what you believe. - I am not trying to force my beliefs on you. Our desire is to draw people closer to Jesus because we care about them. We must show care through our lives before we share truth with our mouths.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. - JAMES 1:19
L-8
CARING THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING THE DISCIPLINE OF LISTENING AND LEARNING. The trouble with listening is that it requires us to pay attention! It is hard to listen without thinking of our own response or what we need to do next. We can process what is being said 10-20 times faster than it can be spoken. That means our minds are waiting around or going on to something else while other people are talking. Are you listening right now? To show people they are valued, we must slow down and focus on listening to them. Listening requires mental discipline and patience. Patience does not come naturally to us; it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. God helps us to develop patience as we surrender our mind and will to Him. Take a moment and quiet your mind. Pray for God to help you develop patience. Draw a picture of an ear. We are drawing an ear to remind us that God desires for us to be good listeners.
Think about...
What characterizes a good listener? How can you tell if people are listening to you?
L-9
CARING THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING THE SKILLS OF LISTENING AND LEARNING. Listening and learning about others requires practice and skill. Make it your goal to show others value through patiently listening when you interact with them. Develop active listening skills... Give your full attention to the person speaking and make eye contact. Ignore distractions in your mind and around you. Seek to identify with the speaker. Your comments and body language should communicate that what they are saying is important. Listen for feelings behind what is being said. Temporarily postpone your own thoughts, feelings and evaluations. Have patience and allow time for silence. Don’t interrupt! Avoid the instinct to jump into the conversation with comments about your experiences or opinions. Ask good questions to learn more... Good questions will cause others to begin asking their own good questions. Ask questions that deal with a person’s feelings more than facts. Ask open ended questions to clarify. Ex. “What do you mean?”. Use who, what, where, how, and when. If you need clarification, briefly rephrase some of what he or she said, to see if you are hearing them. Don’t feel the need to always correct others when they make false statements or statements you do not agree with. Keep the focus of the conversation on the other person. Ask questions to help the other person continue to share his or her story.
L-10
CARING THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING LISTENING AND LEARNING EXERCISE Pair up in groups of two of the same gender. Decide which person will be the first speaker and which will be the first listener. Speaker: Share for three minutes about something that is a challenge at home or at school.
Reflect to your partner!
Listener: Practice using the skills listed on the previous page. After the three minutes are up, reflect to your partner what his or her challenge is. Describe what you think his or her main emotions are about the situation. Don’t offer advice - only understanding, concern and support. Speaker:
Give feedback to your partner.
How did they communicate that they were actively listening?
Were they distracted by anything? How could they do better?
Did they accurately reflect your feelings? Did they miss anything Significant?
Regroup and switch roles.
L-11
CARING THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING LISTENING AND LEARNING EXERCISE Journal Moment... Who is the best listener you know? What makes him or her a good listener?
How do you need to grow as a listener and a learner of others?
What are some additional questions you could ask people today? Write down your ideas below... Get ideas from the people sitting next to you!
L-12
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHOWING CARE THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING Today we will be focused on listening to people. Your afternoon experiences are designed for you to meet physical needs of those you meet. At the same time, you begin to intentionally meet deeper needs by actively listening to the people God brings into your life. LISTEN TO GOD
As you encounter people today, you do not encounter them alone. God is with you and will guide you. Listen to Him as He nudges you to listen and interact with someone. Ask him for direction, patience to listen, and words to speak. ...perfect love drives out all fear
LISTENING TO OTHERS
Make it your goal to show Jesus’ love today through listening. We will help to change misconceptions people have about God and Christians by valuing others’ opinions and showing that we desire to learn. Our care for others will speak louder than our words. You don’t have to know all of the right things to say - listen first without judging or interrupting. Listen deeply enough to hear his or her story and the feelings and emotions behind the story. Don’t worry about trying to be spiritual. Our goal today is not to press people to make a decision or to win an argument - it is to care for people. Trust the Holy Spirit and work hard at the skills we are learning!
L-13
- 1 John 4:18
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN LEARNING
CARE THROUGH LISTENING AND LEARNING - REVIEW. Just as Jesus enters our lives and cares for us, we must enter the lives of others and care for them. It is through genuine relationships that we build trust and help our friends with their deeper needs. We can help meet the need for acceptance, encouragement, affection, respect, comfort, and appreciation in the lives of others. Listening is a powerful ministry that communicates our care for others. We must come to our friends with the desire to learn about their lives, asking questions about what they think, feel and believe. We must ask God to help us increase our patience as we listen and care for others. Listening and learning requires us to develop the skills of active listening and asking good questions. We should be listening for God’s direction in how we should interact with others.
REVIEW
Help our friends with their deeper needs. L-14
JOURNAL Journal Moment Journal about what you experienced today. Try to remember people and images from your mind. What did you learn? What was difficult? What brought you joy? Where did you sense God’s presence?
Debrief Questions... After today’s experience in the city, meet as a group to discuss the following 1. What was challenging about today? 2. What have you learned about God, yourself, and the world? 3. What are the implications of today’s experiences for you personally? For your youth group? For your highschool? For your church?
L-15a
JOURNAL
L-15b
connect session day 4
ting 4
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH THE “BODY OF CHRIST”
We, as followers of Christ, are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are the continuation of God’s story as the “body of Christ,” led by the Holy Spirit to be the physical presence of Jesus in our world.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. -1 Corinthians 12:27
In a real way, Jesus is still here in the flesh, but now instead of looking at the world through one pair of eyes, he sees through millions. Instead of touching, smiling, crying, laughing, welcoming and listening through two eyes, hands and ears, Jesus does so through one body composed of millions of us! There is one global church expressed through local communities of faith or local churches. God has given each of us a new identity and unique purpose in His Church. Together, we have an awesome responsibility to create a community filled with God’s love and truth.
“Transformation After Lausanee” by Al Tizon
C-1
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
BELONGING BEFORE BELIEVING.
Many people in our world are searching for a place to belong rather than something to believe in. Like us, our friends want to experience a community where they feel loved, accepted and safe. We must help create places where our friends can be themselves, explore what is true, and see how our faith is lived out. We start to answer our friends’ spiritual questions when our words and life match up. People most often come to know Christ in the midst of community. Are you helping to create places where others can belong before they believe? How? In your youth group and church? How?
C-2
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH PRAYING FOR OUR FOUR FRIENDS.
Four Friends I’m Helping to See Jesus... List below four friends, relatives, classmates, teammates, etc. that you would love to see become friends with God.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Discuss with a partner... Have any of the friends listed above ever been connected with God’s community (attended a church event, etc.)? Why have or haven’t they been connected with God’s community? When was the last time? What type of experience did they have? When and where would be the next opportunity to connect one of these friends with your community of faith (church, youth ministry, small group, outing with Christian friends, etc.)? Prayer Moment for Our Four Friends... Take some time now to pray with a partner for your friends. Pray that your church would become God’s community on earth where your friends could belong.
C-3
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
WHERE JESUS BECOMES REAL.
The world is watching us, wanting to see if our faith and our God are real. They are looking for something authentic - a safe place to belong so they can figure out what to believe.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -John 13:35
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25
Jesus often becomes real to us when we experience Him in the church (youth group) that loves like He does. Draw a Picture of a Hand... We are drawing a hand to remind us that God desires us to be connected and help connect others to his community.
C-4
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH THE EARLY CHURCH.
God is calling you as part of his body, to help create a community that is known by its love. As you think about what your community of faith looks like, let’s look at what the first church looked like from the Book of Acts... They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with aw at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everyting in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:42-47 The people in the first church experienced God’s Community in such amazing ways that they reordered their entire lives around it. This is the kind of community we are called to create - a community where we love God and love each other.
What it would it be like if our church related to each other like the first church?
Think about...
What if our group was committed to each other and to God in such a way that people noticed?
C-5
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
Q UA L I T I E S O F A H E A LT H Y C H U RC H . Our desire for community should lead us to be a gathering of people who... • Learn from God’s Story • Share our lives with each other • Worship and seek God together • Expect God to do amazing things • Remember Christ’s life, death and resurrection • Live in the ways of Jesus to bless others • Include people into our community
Think about...
Which one of these seven areas is our group the strongest in? Where do you see this happening? Which one of these things does our group need the most improvement? How do you think your group could improve?
C-6
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
LEARN FROM GOD’S STORY.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:42
Imagine... What if we developed a real hunger to learn about God every chance we could get?
What if we initiated opportunities to teach each other God’s Story?
What if each of us shared how our story is a part of God’s Story?
Discuss... What has God been teaching us from his Word?
How can we engage more in God’s Story in our community?
How can we encourage each other with God’s Word?
C-7
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH THE “BODY OF CHRIST”
We, as followers of Christ, are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are the continuation of God’s story as the “body of Christ,” led by the Holy Spirit to be the physical presence of Jesus in our world.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. -1 Corinthians 12:27
In a real way, Jesus is still here in the flesh, but now instead of looking at the world through one pair of eyes, he sees through millions. Instead of touching, smiling, crying, laughing, welcoming and listening through two eyes, hands and ears, Jesus does so through one body composed of millions of us! There is one global church expressed through local communities of faith or local churches. God has given each of us a new identity and unique purpose in His Church. Together, we have an awesome responsibility to create a community filled with God’s love and truth.
“Transformation After Lausanee” by Al Tizon
C-8
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
WORSHIP AND SEEK GOD TOGETHER. All the believers were together and had everything in common. -Acts 2:42, 46
Imagine... What if when our group came together there was this amazing sense of surrender and prayer to God?
What if everyone poured his or her heart out to God without reservation?
Discuss... What are ways that we worship together as a community?
What are some other ways we can express worship?
How do we think prayer and worship changes us personally? As a group?
How can we make prayer and worship a bigger priority in our group?
C-9
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
EXPECT GOD TO DO AMAZING THINGS.
Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. - Acts 2:42 Imagine...
What if we expected God to change our friends and transform communities?
What if we constantly looked for God’s involvement in our lives?
Discuss...
How are we seeing God work in our group?
How would we like to see God transform our group?
C-10
our
schools and
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
REMEMBER CHRIST’S LIFE.
...They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts... -Acts 2:46
Imagine... What if we celebrated the life and sacrifice of Jesus each time we met together?
What if we committed ourselves to Christ and each other every day?
Discuss... How does our group remember Jesus’ life? How do we celebrate communion?
What are some other reminders of Jesus’ sacrifice for us?
C-11
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
LIVE IN THE WAYS OF JESUS TO BLESS OTHERS. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
-Acts 2:45
Imagine... What if our group went out of their way to encourage each other every time you met together? What if every time our group saw someone in need they gave what they had to help that person? Discuss...
How have we seen our group meet other people’s needs?
Who are the real servants in our group?
How could we be better at meeting needs in our group?
How could our group be a blessing to the community in which we live?
C-12
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH
REMEMBER CHRIST’S LIFE.
...And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. -Acts 2:47
Unique to all of the previous qualities, this characteristic is a God-given result of living as a healthy community of faith. Imagine... What if new people came to our group every week and gave their lives to Christ? What if our group was known for its authentic love for God and each other?
Discuss... How is our group reaching out to new people? (through actions, not activities)
What do we think a person who is not a Christian would experience when he or she came to our youth group/church?
How could we be better at reaching out to new people? (through actions, not activities)
C-13
GOD’S COMMUNITY ON EARTH Do you see it? Do you see what could happen if, together you choose to walk with kingdom priorities and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to work in your lives? God will do amazing things!
Pray Together... Huddle up and pray with your group. Ask God to help you to create a community that is known by it’s love for Him and for each other.
C-14
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
ENCOURAGING AND INCLUDING. Today we will be focusing on meeting relational needs.
I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other. - Romans 1:12
God has given us the great privilege to be his body - caring, loving and serving each other every day. Be intentional today to encourage and include people in your group. Look to be an example and initiate relationships with other students you don’t know very well. Make it your goal today to... • Encourage everyone in your group. • Make everyone in your group feel welcomed and loved. • Learn and challenge each other towards love and good deeds. Today’s ministry experience is as important as all of the previous days. How we treat each other and love each other in community makes a huge difference. Make sure you are intentional about building community in your youth group todayas you serve people in various ways.
What are some things that encourage you?
Think about...
Try to do some of these same things for others.
C-15
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
IDEAS FOR ENCOURAGING AND INCLUDING. Intentionally Include Others
Investing time into relationships encourages those around us because it communicates that we love and value them. Consider getting to know people in your group who you dont know very well. How will you make this happen?
Index Card Encouragements Hand out a 3x5 index card to everyone in your group and have them write their name on the corner of the card. Then, pass your card to someone next to you. Take a few minutes to write a brief encouragement to the person whose card you received. Continue passing the cards around until everyone has had a chance to write on each other’s card. Collect the cards and read some of the encouragements without telling the group the person’s name on the card. The group should try to guess who you are describing as you read!
Come up with your own idea for your group to encourage and include each other today...
C-16
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS. Encourage through Spoken Words If an encouraging thought comes to mind, share it! Don’t let shyness hold you back. Instead, form a new habit - Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today... - Hebrews 3:13 [NIV]. Be specific when you offer words of praise - it makes your encouragement more credible and concrete. Tell others... “You did a great job at...”, “ I really appreciate that you...”, “I was really impressed that you...”.
Tips for encouraging others verbally... • If you think it, say it! Don’t wait for the ideal time because it may never come. • Be very specific about your encouragement. The more specific you make the encouragement the more meaningful the encouragement. • Be genuine in your encouragement. Don’t exaggerate or try to flatter someone. Make sure that the other person knows that you are not trying to be sarcastic.
Encourage through Written Words Spoken encouragement is always powerful, but written encouragements can be read over and over again for years. Some of us are better at expressing our thoughts and feeling through written words, so this allows us to encourage someone more specifically and in deeper ways.
Tips for encouraging others in writing... • Write a note of encouragement to one person. Pick someone in your group you have never encouraged before. • One way to encourage others is to use scripture. For example, “[I pray that] the God of hope [will] fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
C-17
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS. Encourage through Introducing to Friends
When you introduce someone, add a few words of praise for the person’s abilities, accomplishments, about help they’ve given you or the nature of your relationship. It’s encouraging to be praised in front of others. Encourage through being Real At first glance, the “encouragement” of sharing failures might be hidden. However, there is value and encouragement in sharing our mistakes. If we don’t share our failures, we deprive others of our experience, our learning and our humanity. When we share from our own experience — especially our failures — we become more approachable and increase others ability to relate to us. Encourage through Celebrations (Have a Party!) Make celebration a more regular part of your relationships. Celebrate others’ victories - large and small. Have a celebration today and have students share how they have seen God working in each other this week. Encourage Hope in Others’ Potential We all have self-doubts, and our confidence is easily shaken. When we express belief in someone’s potential, we inspire him or her. Jesus consistently projected hope and expectancy into the lives of the people with whom he came in contact. Jesus believed in their potential when they didn’t fully believe in themselves. Remember when Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter, which means “rock”!
C-18
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS. Encourage by being Positive If you hear a negative comment, respond with a positive one. If misinformation is being spread, correct it with the accurate information. The Bible condemns gossip and careless speech. James 1:26 says, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” And Psalm 34:13 reads,“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is help-ful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Ephesians 4:29 Encouragement through Prayer Some of the greatest moments of encouragement can be shared together in prayer. Encourage with God’s Character and Promises Remind people of specific promises and characteristics of God. We may know something with our mind, but need to be reminded in our heart. The Apostle Peter wrote, “I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.” - 2 Peter 1:12 Encourage others with Truth Tell it with compassion. We often avoid speaking the hard truths because we don’t want to upset anyone. We want to be nice and liked. However, telling the truth is a loving act, and you can confront someone with truth without being confrontational. Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. - Proverbs 27:6
C-19
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS.
The New Testament is filled with instructions on how we are to care for each other as part of the Church. With your group, read through these to remind each other how you can create a loving community. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. - Romans 12:10 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. - Ephesians 4:2 Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. - Ephesians 4:32 Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:2 And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. - Ephesians 5:21 ...teach and counsel each other. - Colossians 3:16 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. - Hebrews 10:24 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. - James 5:16
C-20
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS. We are the continuation of God’s Story as the “body of Christ,” led by the Holy Spirit to be the physical presence of Jesus in our world.
Jesus often becomes real to us when we experience him in a community that loves as He does.
The people in the first church experienced God’s community in such amazing ways that they reordered their entire lives around it.
What about you?
C-21
JOURNAL
TODAY’S EXPERIENCES.
Journal Moment How did you do at encouraging and including people in your group? What did you learn? What was difficult? What brought you joy? Where did you sense God’s presence?
Debrief Questions... After today’s experience in the city, meet as a group to discuss: 1. What was challenging about today? 2. What have you learned about God, yourself, and the world? 3. What are the implications of today’s experiences for you personally? For your youth group? For your highschool? For your church? 4. How do you cultivate a lifestyle of mission?
C-22
sharing session day 5
5
GOD SPEAKS TO US
JOURNAL MOMENT. In what ways does God speak to you?
Since creation, God has been communicating with us about what is right, true, and real. In the Bible we see that God has chosen to do this in many different ways... through people, animals, plants, clouds, stars, angels, written words, voices, fire, water, wind, and even through becoming a man himself!
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. -Hebrews 1:1-2 If you are in Germany, the most effective way to communicate is “in German” (the German language). If you are in Spain, the most effective way to communicate is “in Spanish.” If you are in Italy, France, etc. ... God communicates to us in creative and various ways but his ultimate form of communication is speaking to us “in Son.” Coming down and living with us is the most powerul and visual language that God could use!
By sending Jesus here, what do you think God is trying to say to us?
S-1
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
WAYS WE CAN ENCOURAGE OTHERS. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 14: 26-27
God is not done speaking to us! He continues to speak to us today through His Holy Spirit. God is everywhere we are; he lives in us, speaks to us, and guides our lives. It is amazing that God desires to be so close to us!
S-2
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH US “G.O.S.P.E.L” by Propaganda
As followers of Jesus, we are given the privilege of helping other people to see and experience God’s love.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. -2 Corinthians 5:18-20
How do you think we can help “reconcile” people to God? (Reconcile means to reunite, to bring together, to return to friendship.)
Draw a picture of a mouth below. This mouth represents God’s desire to share his truth through us! We desire to share God’s truth with people because they are valuable to God and they should be valuable to us.
S-3
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH US
PRAYING TO GOD BEFORE TALKING ABOUT GOD. Our words are weak, and God’s Spirit is powerful. Understanding this truth will drive us to our knees in prayer for our friends and it will loosen our lips from the paralysis of fear that we must say everything “just right.” Paul recognized his weakness and his need for God’s strength and courage. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message 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. -1 Corinthians 2:3-5
We had... been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. -1 Thessalonians 2:2
... for which I am an ambassador in chains Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. -Ephesians 6:20 Four Friends I’m Hoping to See Jesus List below your four friends that you would love to see become friends with God. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Prayer Moment for our Four Friends Take some time now to pray with a partner for your friends. Confess to God and your partner that your words are weak but God’s Spirit is strong. Pray for courage.
S-4
SHARING GOD’S TRUTH THROUGH OUR LIVES WHAT WE HAVE BEEN LEARNING. A Heart of Love When we encounter God’s love for us, it becomes our motivation to express His love to others. We can express God’s love for others by helping to meet their needs. Everyone Has Needs We have physical needs, emotional needs, relational needs and spiritual needs. Remember, the deeper the need, the more cautious we are in letting others see it. It often takes trust before we are given the opportunity to share and where others allow us to help them with their deeper needs. NEEDS:
HOW CAN WE HELP?:
Visible and Physical
Serving Others
Relational and Emotional
Listening and Friendship
Spiritual and Directional
Sharing Truth and Praying
When we are a part of helping to meet these needs, we are sharing the truth of God’s love for people through our lives. We use all of our “senses” (eyes, ears, hands, etc.) to share God’s message of love. EYES that see needs and meet needs by SERVING - When our eyes are alert to see the visible needs of others, we meet those physical needs by serving them. EARS that are LISTENING - When our ears are open to the emotional needs of people, we can begin to meet those needs by listening to them. HANDS that are CONNECTING - When our hands touch the relational needs of people, we meet those needs by connecting them to God’s community. MOUTH that is SHARING - Today is about gaining experiences in verbal and written expressions of sharing God’s truth with others to help meet their spiritual needs.
S-5
SHARING IN OUR WORLD
VALUE RELATIONSHIPS.
Sharing God’s truth is not easy in vour world. We must approach our friends with wisdom and care when we discuss spiritual matters. Here are some important things to keep in mind when sharing... Value Relationships Sharing our faith with our friends is built upon relationships. Often times, sharing our faith looks something like this... We grow in our love for God. He gives us a heart for other people. We build genuine friendships with people and get involved in their lives. We show our friends that we care about them and listen to them. We start to involve our friends in our lives and relationships that matter to us. We include them in our community of faith and help them to experience God. If we build true friendships, opportunities to discuss meaningful issues of life and faith will come up. It is through relationships that needs are met and God reveals Himself most often. Who trusts you enough for you to dialogue with them about their spiritual life? Are you living a faithful and consistent Christian life to back-up your words? An authentic Christian life is essential to sharing the message of Jesus. You don’t need
S-6
SHARING IN OUR WORLD
TRUTH AND TOLERANCE.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:6
As followers of Christ, we believe that Jesus is the truth. This is a tough message to share in our culture! To help others to see Jesus we must understand that not all people view truth the same way. People in our society are beginning to embrace tolerance as the moral standard. Truth is becoming a personal preference for many; what’s “true” is what works for you. The only belief that is considered “wrong” is one that does not accept other people’s beliefs. This is how our culture is defining intolerance. As Christians, we are often thought of as being intolerant. We must work hard to show respect for others beliefs, and not feel threatened by them. It may help us if we would approach sharing our message from a different starting point. Christians often begin sharing their faith with logical arguments or with Bible presentations. This assumes that people are looking to reason or to the Bible to find spiritual answers. Many people today look first to relationships, experiences and emotions to discover what is real and true. We can help others connection to the truth if we start by sharing our experiences and faith story with them. Check Out: Josh McDowell’s Official Blog on “Absolute Truth”
S-7
SHARING THROUGH BIBLE STORIES
AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH IN OUR CULTURE. When we think about sharing the gospel, we often think about using a booklet or group of verses to communicate what Christ did for us. This approach uses logical, main points of what happened to communicate the gospel, “God did this, then this, then we did this...” etc. This approach is effective in reaching some people, but many learn better through stories. Our culture is becoming more in tune with listening to stories than a list of true statements. Jesus told lots of stories. In fact the Bible tells us that:
“Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.” -Matthew 13:34
Jesus simply described life around him, using everyday object to teach deep truths. He related to a society of farmers and fishermen with stories that were interesting, easy to remember, and life changing.
He asked great questions that pressed people to the point of crisis. He did not give people three points or five things they must do to be a Christian.
Checkout: 3storyevangelism.com “God’s Story, My Story and Your Story.”
Checkout: “The Gospel in One Minute”
S-8
SHARING THROUGH BIBLE STORIES STORIES ARE THE LANGUAGE OF OUR CULTURE. Everyone has a story. We should make great effort to listen to our friends’ stories, share our stories, and share God’s stories as found in the Bible. We can help our friends to see how their stories fit into God’s greater story.
Storytelling is powerful because it has the ability to touch human beings at the most personal level. While facts are viewed from the lens of a microscope, stories are viewed from the lens of the soul. Stories address us on every level. They speak to the mind, the body, the emotions, the spirit, and the will. In a story a person can identify with situations he or she has never been in. The individual’s imagination is unlocked to dream what was previously unimaginable.
- Mark Miller, “Experiential Storytelling”
S-9
SHARING THROUGH BIBLE STORIES
EXPERIENCE RE-TELLING BIBLE STORIES. Four Themes...
God is...
Great and Gracious. people.
We are...
Marked and Marred, and have a broken relationship with God because of sin.
Christ is...
God/Human (without being marred with sin). The Way, the Truth, the Life, and is the only Way to be back in a “right” relationship with God.
He deserves to be in a relationship with
Life is about... Living in the way of the Son (Glorifying God), and making disciples (Great Commission) because we love God and love people (Great Commandment).
S-10
SHARING THROUGH BIBLE STORIES E X P E R I E N C E R E - T E L L I N G B I B L E S T O R I E S. Brainstorm Bible Stories What stories from the Bible demonstrate the qualities of God, Us, Christ and the Life that we have been living? God is... Great and Gracious.
We are... Marked and Marred.
Christ is... God/Human (without being marred with sin). The Way, the Truth, the Life.
Life is about... Living in the way of the Son (Glorifying God), and making disciples (Great Commission) because we love God and love people (Great Commandment).
Practice Re-telling Those Bible Stories It’s story time. Partner up with someone near you and practice telling some Bible stories.
S-11
SHARING THROUGH MY STORIES
SHARING MY STORY - STORYBOARD. As our story intersects with God’s, we have a powerful and interesting story to tell. A good way to share our story is to look at it in snapshot form. 1. My childhood and life growing up... When did you experience God . . . being great and gracious in your life? Describe what seeking God has Think about looked like in your life. 2. What experiences have demonstrated to you that you are marked in God’s image and yet marred by sin? Describe any experiences you have had with hiding or blaming your wrongs on others or circumstances. What did repenting look like in your life? 3. Share your experiences of coming to know and trust Jesus. What convinced you that Jesus was God and human? What experiences have you had in trusting in Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life? What does trusting Christ look like for you? 4. When did you begin to realize that life was about loving and serving God and others and not about you? What does following God in obedience look like? Draw a picture representing each of the four areas. Be creative! Don’t worry about artistic ability or about making the picture too detailed. These will not be entered into an art competition – we promise! Write a word, or phrase to help explain what you have drawn in each box on the next page. Have fun! We will share these with a partner in a few minutes.
S-12
IMPORTANT WHEN SHARING MY STORY, I MUST KEEP IN MIND... I must remember that my background, knowledge, and assumptions are not the same as the person with whom I may be talking. The words I use may make sense to me, but I cannot assume that others will understand or define things the same way. I need to examine what I say and make sure it is clear. See the appendix at the back of this journal on how to prepare a personal testimony.
S-13
SHARING THROUGH MY STORIES
S H A R I N G M O R E S T O R I E S O F FA I T H . God gives us a new story to tell every day. If we are looking, we will see that God is at work in us and around us all the time. When we share about how God is present in our everyday lives, others will relate that to their own lives and wonder if God can meet them in the same way. Choose ONE of the following five story ideas. Share about a RECENT experience with someone next to you. 1. A story of redemption How have you seen God bring something beautiful out of a hard situation?
2. A story of comfort How have you experienced God’s gentleness and shelter during a painful or difficult season?
*questions adapted from the article, “Told Any Good Stories Lately?” by Elizabeth Reynolds Turnage, Discipleship Journal Jan/Feb. 2004
S-14
SHARING THROUGH MY STORIES
S H A R I N G M O R E S T O R I E S O F FA I T H . 3. A story of victory How has God helped you overcome a weakness?
4. A story of provision Describe a time God met a pressing need—exactly and on time—in His loving way.
5. A story of reconciliation When have you witnessed God heal a relationship that seemed damaged beyond repair?
Essentially, we are sharing that God is active in our lives every day. Whom could you share this story with back home?
S-15
SHARING THROUGH CREATIVITY
SHARING GOD’S TRUTH THROUGH CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS. Through the centuries, Christians have shared God’s truth creatively using art, story, print, and many other kinds of expressions.
This week, we have been learning that ministry involves every part of our lives (heart, eyes, ears, hands and mouth). The epic truths of God, Us, Christ and Life can be engaged in everyday life through many creative conversations and expressions.
Creative Ways to Share God’s Truth - Serving and praying for people - Asking questions and listening - Connecting people to God’s family (the church) - Re-telling Bible stories - Sharing my faith stories - Sharing Scripture - Writing letters - One-Verse Gospel (Romans 6:23) - 10 Second “Sound Bite” of God’s message - Video - Song - Theatre - Poetry - Current events connected to God’s message - Stories of redemption Go to: www.spreadtruth.com and download the app, “Sharing the Story.”
Take a moment to share God’s truth verbally with someone sitting next to you. Use whatever verbal expression comes most natural to you.
S-16
S-17
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHARING TRUTH THROUGH LETTER WRITING. Today we will be focusing on meeting spiritual needs. Write at least one letter to one of your four friends. A Letter From Me To You... The reason we write letters to our friends is that it’s a simple way to make a connection with them. We all have different relationships with the people to whom we’re writing. A letter is an intentional way to start or continue dialogue about things that are important.
You might be thinking, “I have never written a letter to a friend... this is going to be awkward.” It may be true that you don’t normally communicate via snail mail, but that doesn’t mean that this experience needs to be unnatural or that it will be less effective. In fact, we can often express ourselves more deeply through written words.
When people receive a letter, they often will pay closer attention to your words and think about them longer before responding. Be yourself as you write a letter, and be honest - let them know why you are writing.
What KIND of letter should I write? You know best where you are at in your relationship with your friends and family members. Seek to write a letter that will best relate to them. Remember that this letter is not the “big finale” but part of a continuing conversation with them.
Use this opportunity to share your heart and to take your ongoing discussion a little further spiritually than you have in the past.
S-18
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHARING TRUTH THROUGH LETTER WRITING. Maybe I need to write a letter to CARE for my friend... I’ve come to realize that I need to initiate a deeper relationship with them to think about spiritual issues.
• I wanted to let you know what I am up to this summer... • I’ve been thinking about you and I want you to know I care... • I would like to hear what you think about spiritual things... • I just want you to know that I appreciate you... • I haven’t heard from you in a while... • When I come home, let’s get together... • I’m sorry about... • Etc.
Maybe I need to write a letter to SHARE my faith story... I’ve come to realize that, although we know each other fairly well, I’ve never really taken the time to share with you the important things in my life including my commitment to God.
• I’m here at REMIX and learning so much about my faith... • This is what I’m learning about God... • This is what I’m learning about myself... • God is important to me because... • God is a big part of my life because... • Etc.
S-19
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHARING TRUTH THROUGH LETTER WRITING. Maybe I need to write a letter to CONNECT my friend with God’s Message of truth and love...
I’ve had numerous talks with my friends about life, friendship, and my relationship with God. They have asked me questions about my faith, and I have done my best to answer them. Maybe at this point, I just need to share with them about God’s love and ask them to consider following Jesus with me.
• We have talked many times about God. I’m wondering if you have considered following God...
• If I could summarize the story of God’s love for you, it would be this...
• I’ve discovered God by realizing that...
• The reason I live the way I do is because of what God has done for me...
• When I come home, I’d like to share with you what have been learning about God’s love for us and how he has impacted my life...
• Etc.
S-20
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHARING TRUTH THROUGH LETTER WRITING.
Take some time to pray before writing your letters. Ask God to give you wisdom and direction as you write. Hand in your letters to your youth leader so they can be mailed when you return home.
S-21
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHARING TRUTH THROUGH LETTER WRITING. Sending Letters Home As we head home, with our letters going ahead of us, commit to following through with your letters. Remember that your letter is not the end of the conversation but merely a piece of an ongoing discussion that you and your friends have as you live life together. Here are a few things to remember... 1. God goes ahead of us... Have courage and hope!
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8
2. If you promised to meet with the person you wrote, do it! My hope is, when I go home, to talk with my friend... Friends Name: When and Where? Friends Name: When and Where? Friends Name: When and Where? Friends Name: When and Where?
S-22
– Matthew 28:20
TODAY’S MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
SHARING TRUTH THROUGH LETTER WRITING. 3. You are not in this alone! Include your believing friends in the process of caring, connecting and sharing with your seeking friends. Remember that together you are the “body of Christ” — a community of faith. Q: To what upcoming activity could I invite my friends?
Q: What activity might we plan as a youth group or small group to invite our friends to? Q: Think of a friend who is following Christ and one that has not found Christ yet. How can you introduce them to each other?
4. Encourage each other to follow through! Let’s be honest. You can make all these promises here at REMIX and go home and forget or avoid them all. Keep it real. Keep it honest. This week is about developing a lifestyle of centering our lives within the mission and message of Jesus. Q: Who can pray for me and hold me accountable to following through with my letter by talking with my friend? Q: When will we talk about our progress and pray together? Consider making these commitments with each other when you write your letters or sometime before you leave REMIX.
S-23
RESPONSES TO SHARING TRUTH As you engage in spiritual conversations, your friends may respond in different ways. Here are some anticipated responses that you may receive... “But I don’t know if I completely agree” or “I believe differently” Let them know that you respect what they believe and that you want to learn more about it. Ask them if they would be willing to explore their and your beliefs further. Look for opportunities to humbly challenge their views – they will not hesitate to challenge you back – this is what friends do! Remember to continue to show your faith by loving, caring and praying for them. A good place to start is by looking at the life of Jesus as found in the book of John. “I’m not interested in church” or “I don’t want to talk about this now” Let them know you respect their views. Thank them for taking time to hear about what is important to you. Make yourself available if they ever want to talk about life or faith or whatever is important to them. “I’m not ready to go forward in my faith” or “I still have a lot of questions” Let them know it is OK to have questions and to even doubt – everyone does. Ask how you can help them explore their faith. Invite them to study the life of Jesus or what it means to be a Christian with you, your youth group or community of faith. “How can I go deeper in my faith” or “What do I need to do to follow Jesus?” Share with them how you chose to follow God (my story) and how you continue to grow. Invite them to be a part of your community of faith, and to study the life of Jesus and what it means to be a Christian (seek, repent, trust and follow - see S-17). Circle the responses that represent how you think your friends may respond. How do you feel about replying to their responses? (See appendix on “Apologetics”).
S-24
WHAT HAVE WE BEEN LEARNING?
SHARE GOD’S TRUTH - REVIEW.
God’s most powerful words to us were when He spoke to us through His Son, Jesus.
God speaks to us and through us supernaturally by His Holy Spirit.
Opportunities to share truth come out of genuine relationships.
We can help others connect to the truth by sharing our experiences and faith stories with them.
Our role is to help our friends discover the truth for themselves and to take the next step forward in their journey with God.
We must engage in spiritual conversations by asking thoughtful questions and sharing from personal experiences.
We should make great effort to listen to our friends’ stories, share our stories, and share God’s stories as found in the Bible.
We can explore the stories of God and His Son Jesus with our friends and show how they connect to our lives today.
S-25
JOURNAL - TODAY’S EXPERIENCES
Journal Moment Journal about what you experienced today. Try to remember people and images from your mind. What did you learn? What was difficult? What brought you joy? Where did you sense God’s presence?
Debrief Questions... After today’s experience in the city, meet as a group to discuss: 1. What was challenging about today? 2. What have you learned about God, yourself, and the world? 3. What are the implications of today’s experiences for you personally? For your youth group? For your highschool? For your church? 4. How do you cultivate a lifestyle of mission?
S-26
followin jesus ‘ mission session day 6
ng 6
ENGAGE THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF JESUS Hopefully, you have realized that this week is more than just motivation for us to do more “things” for God. REMIX is about encountering and expressing the love for God and others. (Matthew 22:36-40). As we look towards home, we want to consider what it means for us to continue engaging in Jesus’ mission for our lives. Jesus invested three years of His life in transforming the lives of a few men, called his disciples. When the time was right, He empowered them to go out and do what He had done. By pouring their lives into a few people they, too, would make more disciples.
We must reclaim a full orbed biblical understanding of the total mission of the church if we are to seize the astounding opportunities for both evangelism and social transformation offered at this moment. -Ron Sider (Good News and Good Works) The pattern that Jesus laid down for his disciples is the same one we are to follow. As we go home, back to our lives and the people He puts into our path, we are to call others to follow Jesus with us as we live a life patterned after Him.
Jesus is our primary model for missions - Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
Draw a picture of a foot. This foot represents Jesus’ desire for us to follow in his ways- in both word and deed.
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. -John 13:15
F-1
ENGAGE THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF JESUS F O L L O W I N G I N T H E WAY S O F J E S U S The vision of REMIX is to inspire and equip people to “centre their lives within the mission and message of Jesus”. As you engaged with the learning and experiences of each day, hopefully you discovered that we have sought to integrate a holistic approach to living out your faith. We are called to care for people physically and spiritually! As you live your life for Jesus, begin to see that Jesus invites us to be a transforming and redemptive presence by living out his priorities in the world. Even a casual study of the life of Christ will reveal that Jesus was concerned for the physical and spiritual needs of people. HEART- Encounter God’s love.
EYE- SEE a need and meet a need.
EAR- Listen to the people around us.
HAND- Serving our world together in community.
MOUTH- Proclaiming that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
The sharing of the gospel is both good news and good works. It is simply modeling or patterning our lives after Jesus and what He did. We join or enter the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus alone by becoming a Christian. “Jesus links salvation inseperably with the Kingdom of God” (Ron Sider), which is to live out His mission and proclaim his message to the world. We continue to live in kingdom ways by proclaiming the good news of the gospel accompanied by practical and tangible care for people both locally and globally.
F-2
ENGAGE THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF JESUS The Old Testament In the first book of the Bible, there is the amazing account of how God created our world and the people in it. The first person created was Adam. It says that he walked with God and that they were friends. It would appear that Adam had all he needed in this ‘paradise’. Yet even before the fall (when sin entered into the world), God said:
It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him. -Genesis 2:18
If Adam had all he needed when he was with God, why did God say that “it’s not good to be alone?” Maybe it has something to do with the way God made us to be in community and the need that we have to be connected to other people. In other words, God met a physical need in the life of Adam. It is a pattern that God unfolds throughout the Bible - that he cares for people both spiritually and physically. God goes to great lengths to talk about faith, relationships, food, sex, care for the poor, forgiveness, redemption and more in the Old Testament. Why? Because He is concerned about the whole person (spiritually and physically).
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. -Proverbs 29:7
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
F-3
ENGAGE THE MISSION AND MESSAGE OF JESUS THE N E W TE STAMENT - THE L ORD’S PRAY E R. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
What do you think it means that Jesus prayed, “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven?” F-4
THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM In the verses below, what does it reveal about The Good News of the Kingdom? (Care for the physical and spiritual)
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. -Matthew 4:23 The Spirit of the Lord is on me , because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. -Luke 4:18-19 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved- you and your household.” -Acts 16:31 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along. -Galatians 2:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. -Galatians 6:10 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbour as yourself,” you are doing right. -James 2:8 *See also... John 4: 1-26 and Acts 3:11-26
F-5
THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM The devotion to the cause of the poor that Paul says had marked out his early ministry (Gal 2:10) seems to have continued to characterize his ministry throughout the 50s, as evidenced by the fact that he was willing to put his life on the line in his delivery of the collection, despite the dangers that he knew were likely to face him in that very undertaking. -Bruce Longenecker (Remember the poor)
A dualism exists within the Christian circles, and it often prevents the church from having a more positive and meaningful impact on our world. The tendency has been to dichotomize “word and deed” by placing the primary calling of the church as proclamation, teaching , and evangelism and not on engaging ordinary people in their everyday spaces (home, work or recreation) The “Great Reversal” continues when we don’t marry social causes with evangelism. The result of a dualistic outlook is that it creates an “us and them” mentality with those we are actually trying to reach with the Good News. “Why is it that there has traditionally been such a dichotomy between proclamation and mercy ministries”? In effect, this type of thinking prevents Christ followers from engaging with their friends and communities in a more holistic and natural way. Following Jesus and living out his priorities is all about whole-person care!
F-6
REMIX
Engage the Mission. Spiritual John 3:16
Becoming S.P.I.E.S
Physical Matthew 25:31-46
Intellectual 1 Peter 3:15
Emotional Philippians 4:19
Social Acts 2:42
As we continue to proclaim the message of Jesus - His life, burial and resurrection - and invite people to follow Jesus, don’t shy away from social justice and caring for your friends and the world in practical and holistic ways. In other words, being on mission requires you to be outward in action and focus, in both word and deed. Our prayer for you is that, as you live your life, you continue to engage the Mission and Message of Jesus! F-7
AFTER REMIX
Continuing to Engage the Mission and Message of Jesus. At REMIX, we explored six areas to help us express God’s love in our world.
1. Encounter God’s love.
2. See people through Jesus’ eyes.
3. Listening and Learning to show care.
4. Connect with God’s community by serving.
5. Share God’s truth.
6. Following in the ways of Jesus in both works and deeds.
The REMIX team wants you to reflect and consider how God is challenging you in each of these areas and also consider how we are called to bring the good news and good works to our world. Take time to slow down, journal your thoughts, and pray. The questions provided are for you to reflect on your experiences, not for you to just give answers. Focus on using this time to let God speak to you and to solidify what He is doing in your life.
F-8
AFTER REMIX Engage the Mission Journal and Discuss... What has impacted you the most about REMIX?
F-9
AFTER REMIX
Encounter God’s Love. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:16 Journal Moment... How did you experience God in deeper ways at Remix?
How will you continue to draw close to God now that you are back home?
Pray on your own... Communicate back to God how much you love Him.
F-10
AFTER REMIX
Encounter God’s Love How can your life be a greater expression of God’s love?
Prayer... What areas of your life do you need to completely surrender to God? Pray that you would not underestimate God’s love working through you. Pray that our community/church would be a place where we express our love for God.
F-11
AFTER REMIX
See People Through Jesus’ Eyes. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. -John 15:12-13
Journal Moment... How is your life becoming more rooted in the love of God?
How is God changing your perspective of other people?
How can you love people better? What gets in the way?
F-12
AFTER REMIX
See People Through Jesus’ Eyes. Who is one person you could love better?
How is God challenging you to be more of a servant?
Prayer Ask God to help you look to the needs of others first. Pray that your community would be a place known by love. Pray that God would give you His eyes of compassion for people. Pray that God would help you heal damaged relationships.
F-13
AFTER REMIX
Care Through Listening and Learning My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. -James 1:19 Journal Moment... How have you seen God’s care for you this week or while you were at REMIX?
Who has God been using to show His care to you?
Prayer Spend a few minutes just listening to God. Block out all people and distractions around you.
F-14
AFTER REMIX
Care Through Listening and Learning Who is one person you need to listen to better?
What could you eliminate from your life that would help you slow down and take time for other people?
Pray... Ask God to help you care for the people in your life. Pray that God would show you opportunities where we can listen to others. Ask God to help make listening a priority for you and for your youth group.
F-15
AFTER REMIX
Connect with God’s Community How did God draw your group closer together at REMIX?
How can you, together, make a positive impact on your youth group, church, school, and community after REMIX?
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Romans 12:10
Evangelization requires the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world. -John Stott F-16
AFTER REMIX
Connect with God’s Community Prayer... Father, make our group one that is committed to the Gospel of the Kingdom by... • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sharing real struggles and joys. Seeking truth. Being willing to serve in our communities. Desiring to see God work. Being willing to seek tangible ways to share the love of Christ by getting involved in social justice causes. Welcoming people and leaving no one out. Volunteering at a local school tutoring program. Worshiping God alone. Helping at a food bank in our city. Being healed and restored by God. Sponsoring a child through Compassion International. (www.compassion.ca) Encouraging and building each other up. Volunteering at a local homeless shelter. Being used by God to touch lives. Going on a short term mission/service project. Being known by love. Inviting International Justice Mission to our youth group for a presentation on slavery. (www.ijm.ca) Being unified by Christ. Having a bible series on a holistic mission. Becoming a subscriber of www.evangelicalsforsocialaction.org
F-17
AFTER REMIX Share God’s Truth.
...so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. - 1 Thessalonians 2:8
Journal Moment... What have you been learning about God, Us, Christ and Life?
God-
Us-
Christ-
Life-
In what situations do you need God to give you courage to share the truth?
F-18
AFTER REMIX Share God’s Truth.
To whom do you need to “speak the truth in love”? (Ephesians 4:15)
Pray... Ask God to draw your friends to Him (pray for them by name). Pray that God will guide you in spiritual conversations. Ask God to give you wisdom as you share truth with your friends.
F-19
AFTER REMIX
Go and Make Disciples! Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. - Matthew 28:19 A Disciple The word disciple means a pupil or learner. The concept of discipleship was most popular in Jesus’ day. Rabbis had disciples who studied with them in a well-defined and special relatioship. The need for training was intensely felt in the Jewish community, which believed that no one could understand scripture without a teacher’s guidance. (From the New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words- Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI)
A Disciple Maker Jesus gives us an assignment essential to every follower: “as you are going, make disciples”. The call to make disciples is to take others with us; to “follow us as we follow Christ”. What an amazing priviledge we have to continue God’s work and to allow Him to make disciples through our lives. This is not an easy task; it requires us to be intentional about investing spiritually in the lives of others. Are you willing to listen to God’s call and to make it a priority to help others follow Christ?
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:1 Journal Moment With whom do I discuss my relationship with God and my struggles?
F-20
AFTER REMIX
Go and Make Disciples! Who am I following in the ways of Christ?
Who is mentoring and helping me grow?
Where am I being discipled?
Am I part of a small group?
How prepared do I feel to make disciples?
How committed am I to this call?
Who is God placing in my life that I can help grow, mentor, or pass along my faith to?
What are my next steps to make this happen now that I am home?
*Share what you have written with one other person
F-21
REMIX NOTES
F-22
REMIX NOTES
F-23
REMIX NOTES
F-24