lesson loop 7.9.14

Middle School - "Doers of the Word"
We finished our series on the Bible last night, and we focused on putting into practice what the Scriptures say. This is the only option for disciples according to Jesus Christ. Jesus gave us 4 very challenging contrasts that show us the difference between "doers" of the Word and those who merely "hear".

• The Easy Way vs. The Hard Way—Matthew 7:13-14

(Matthew 16:26; John 16:33; Romans 12:2; James 1:1-4)

• The Healthy Tree vs. The Diseased Tree—Matthew 7:15-20

(John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:19-26; Ephesians 5:8-11)

• Genuine vs. Imposter—Matthew 7:21-23

(Matthew 15:7-9; John 17:3; Philippians 3:7-8)

• House on Rock vs. House on Sand—Matthew 7:24-27

(Titus 1:16; James 1:22-25; 2:14-18)

After considering each of these contrasts, we split into groups and looked at the supporting Scriptures in parenthesis. Then each group sketched a picture that illustrated one of the contrasts.

After coming back together, we emphasized that there is no such thing as a mediocre Christian. Either we are a disciple or we are not. Of course, we slip and fall and we have times of spiritual apathy. But we were challenged to turn from this type of apathy, because in the end when we stand before Jesus there is no middle of the road.

High School - James 5:13-20

We began by recognizing that every human is created for community. An illustration of this is how necessary we all feel social networks are in this day and age. There are so many ways to connect with people, which is a huge advantage for community. And yet, despite all of these opportunities, often our "connectedness" works against what God has in mind for community.

James 5 lays out several aspects of community that we desperately need if we are going to maintain a faith that works.

Big Idea: Having a faith that works requires community

In order to maintain a faith that works, we need a community that is...

1. Prayerful - in everything (suffering, joy, sickness and sin)
2. Real - we cannot be plastic Christians. We must be flesh and blood, humbly confessing sin to one another and seeking each other's help.
3. Proactive - we each bare a responsibility for the spiritual development of those God has placed in our life. It is not just pastors that have this responsibility. Each one of us do. We cannot leave any comrade behind!

When our community reflects these things, we reflect Jesus Christ and the gospel. Jesus was dependent on His Father through the good and the bad.

Jesus had real, flesh and blood relationships with people, and unlike the Pharisees was the same inside and out.

Jesus is absolutely proactive. He came to "seek and save the lost".

We need community. Period. No matter how tough or mature we think we are. May Ebenezer student ministry be a place where we can look out for one another and have a Biblical community which goes much deeper than the community of a social network.