lesson loop 3.25.15

Middle School - "I pledge allegiance to the King"

Big Idea: We should pledge allegiance to Christ as King because he has delivered, transferred and qualified us.

Reasons we should pledge allegiance to Jesus as King:

universal reasons -

personal reasons -

1. He has delivered us from the kingdom of darkness (v. 13)
2. He has transferred us into His kingdom of light (v. 13)
3. He has qualified us to receive an inheritance (v. 12,14)
   The only way we can ever be “qualified” is because Jesus is perfect and God counts Jesus’ righteousness and perfection to us!!
   1. we have redemption - “bought back”
   2. we have forgiveness - “all our treason against the King has been eliminated

allegiance: loyalty or commitment of a subordinate to a superior or of an individual to a group or cause.
"those wishing to receive citizenship must swear allegiance to the republic"

We finished by discussing the similarities and differences between allegiance to our country of the U.S., and allegiance to Christ's kingdom.

Challenge

• evaluate our devotion and allegiance to Jesus and his kingdom.
• if you are not sure you are a Christian - consider committing to follow Jesus.

High School - Mark 1:14-45 ("The Son of God begins to minister")

Big idea: Jesus' unique ministry was characterized by good news, discipleship, healing and authority.

1. Jesus preached good news (14-15, 35-39)

John the Baptist was a forerunner of Christ in a couple ways -

message (“proclaiming” - v. 4,14) - linked with prophets - Is. 61:1, Joel 2:1
suffering & death The "good news" includes:

"The kingdom of God is at hand"
Repent and Believe!

• Repentance paves the way for forgiveness of sins (v. 4)
• Without repentance there is no genuine faith. Our hearts remain hard.
• Repentance and faith are 2 sides of the same coin (v. 15)

We must beware of believing a "soft gospel" (faith without repentance)!

We must beware of sharing a "soft gospel"!

2. Jesus practiced discipleship (16-20)

Jesus was different from the rabbis of His day

Students would apply to rabbis, rabbis did not hand pick students
Rabbis called people to “walk in God’s ways”. Jesus begins calling people to walk in His ways
For a student to be accepted by a rabbi, the student would have to exhibit a knowledge of the Torah (Pentateuch) or pass an exam on theology.

Discipleship is Jesus’ method of building the church.

2. Jesus provided healing (23-34, 40-45)

Demon-possessed man in synagogue
Peter's mother in law
leper

3. Jesus possessed authority (22,27,34)

Jesus was different from any human who ever lived. We challenged the students to evaluate how they look at Jesus Christ, and to ask God to help them to see Jesus for who He truly is as we go through the book of Mark.

lesson loop 3.20.15

Middle School - "Submitting to Authority"
We continued our series on Authority, and focused on the motives we need to submit to authority (which can be very difficult at times).

Big Idea: We should submit to authority out of fear, worship, and love.
1. We should submit to authority out of fear (13:1-7)

We will fear either way -

• If we are obeying, it is because we already “fear” authority
• If we are disobeying, we will fear getting caught.

God wants to move us from fear of consequences and fear of man to fear of Him.

2. We should submit to authority out of worship (12:1-2)

* while we are doing life, we are simultaneously attempting to worship God with everything we do.

3. We should submit to authority out of love (12:3-21; 13:8-10)

Romans 12:3-12; 13:8-14

• love is not arrogant (12: 3-8,16)
• love is genuine (12:  9-13,15)
• love is forgiving (12: 14, 17-21)
• love is the fulfillment of the law (13: 8-10)

We ended with this quote:

“Power is discovered in submission... [Jesus] called into being a whole new order of leadership. The cross-life of Jesus undermined all social orders based on power and self-interest.”

—Richard Foster, from Celebration of Discipline.

High School - Mark 1:1-13 ("Good News")

Big Idea: Following Jesus begins with heeding the proclamation of the gospel

We started with a little background...

The book of Mark was:

• written by John Mark (as verified by Eusebius, Papias, and Irenaeus)
• grew up in the home where the early church in Jerusalem met (Last Supper most likely occurred in his home)
• accompanied Paul and Barnabas on 1st missionary journey and served as an assistant; quit the journey before it was over
• became the center of disagreement between Paul and Barnabas when it came time for the 2nd missionary journey
• Barnabas and John Mark went on a missionary journey to Cyprus.
• Later is reconciled to Paul who recognizes John Mark’s character
• John Mark ministered with the Apostle Peter (during this time Mark was penned - Peter’s account)
• Church tradition tells us that Mark evangelized in Egypt and established churches there, eventually becoming the first bishop of Alexandria.
• written around 60/65 A.D. (not too long after Jesus had left the earth); most likely 1st gospel written!
• written to Gentiles (Romans undergoing persecution from Nero)
• Shortest gospel; fast-paced tour of Jesus’ life

Themes - Discipleship, Jesus as the Son of God.

The 2-part proclamation in vs. 1 - “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

1. Jesus is the Messiah!

Application

As we go through this Mark study, your job is to re-examine the life of Jesus, and determine what “Messiah” you believe Him to be?

2. Jesus is the Son of God!

a. a Son who is by nature God (v. 1-8)

• “Son of God” (v. 1,11)
• “the Lord” (Yahweh) (v. 3)
• Supremely worthy
• Gives the H.S.

Application

Do you believe that Jesus is God in the flesh? (100%, 100%)

b. a Son who pleased His Father (v. 9-13)

• in baptism
• in temptation

Application

Jesus’ baptism and temptation should give us tremendous hope tonight!!

Jesus succeeded where we cannot so that we can be righteous and perfect!