We began by mentioning that our relationship with God (which is what we focused on last week) directly affects our relationship with other Christians. We who have received such mercy from God through Christ, and who have laid down our lives as living sacrifices should treat each other different from the rest of the world.
Passage: Romans 12:3-16
Big Idea: Relationships among Christians should look different from relationships in the world.
(we are not to be conformed to the world but transformed)
4 ways that our relationships should be different:
- Humility - v. 3
* Pride is a big problem for all of us
* Our biggest problem is not self-esteem but self-love
* We as Christians should be the most humble people - because we realize our sinfulness and God's grace.
* Philippians 2:3-8 - Unity - v. 4-5
* We are all unique, and our diversity should make us stronger. Unfortunately, sometimes diversity brings division.
* We talked about cliques and how we must fight against them.
* The church should be a safe place you can come and belong. - Interdependence - v. 5b-8
* This goes back to our diversity. We all have unique gifts and abilities that God can use to help others. We are one body, and we need each other! - Love
a. hospitality - contains the word "hospital". Youth group should be a place where we are looking to meet the needs of those who are broken or injured spiritually. There is something about caring for others that helps take our eyes off our own problems.
b. camaraderie - When people are sad, we should come alongside of them and be sad. When they are happy and rejoicing, we should rejoice with them! This is what it means to be the body of Christ. We are there for one another!
High School - Proverbs 8
We began by talking about the extravagant claims that some products make - things like axe spray deodorant.
In Proverbs 8, Lady Wisdom makes some pretty extravagant claims. The question is, will be have faith in the claims of wisdom? Do we realize that God is the one making these claims?
Big Idea: Skillful, Christ-like living requires faith in the extravagant claims of wisdom.
6 Extravagant claims of wisdom:
- Wisdom is good (in every sense of the word!) - vs. 6-9, 12-14,18,21
* We have a warped sense of good. We need it to be redefined by Scripture. Wisdom is good. It is: noble, right, true, righteous, straight, prudent, full of knowledge, full of discretion, full of counsel, insightful, strong, rich and honorable.
*Wisdom (the fear of the Lord) hates evil. - Wisdom is best! - vs. 10-11,19
* Wisdom is better than gold, silver and precious jewels.
* Wisdom is better than anything we could ever dream or imagine! - Wisdom enables men to rule - vs. 15-16
* Every great leader has only been great because of his natural wisdom deposited in him by God. Even evil rulers owe their abilities to God. He is the only dispenser of wisdom! - Wisdom will be found by the diligent - vs. 17
* This is only true because God allows Himself to be found. If it were not for His grace, we would have no hope of finding wisdom.
* Wisdom will only be found by those that love God - and this change of heart can only come through change brought about by the Holy Spirit. - Wisdom is God's and by it He created all things - vs. 22-30
* Part of why wisdom is superior is because it has been around before the universe was created! God offers this amazing wisdom to us. Why do we not access it more?? - Wisdom pleases God - vs. 30
* We should really pay attention when God tells us something that brings Him pleasure. We should want to please God, so if living wisely brings Him pleasure (and it does), we should strive for this with all our heart.
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