lesson loop 9.26.15

Middle School - "Big Church"

Big Idea: As Christians, we are part of a church with supernatural beginnings, rich history, and big dimensions.

1. Supernatural Beginnings (Acts 2:41-47)
God is the One adding to the church!! (v. 47)
There are some things that seem different about the early church when compared to ours. Should this be?

2. Rich History (2 Timothy 2:2; Hebrews 12:1-2)
Discipleship has always been the plan!
Most of the times this is ordinary people teaching ordinary people.
Sometimes God uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways!

3. Big Dimensions (Galatians 3:26-29; Revelation 5:9-10)
We are diverse! The church is a big & beautiful kaleidoscope!
We are equal!
*we are all sons
*we are all heirs
*This equality and unity comes through Jesus (v. 2)

High School - Mark 15:1-16:8 (The Cross and the Tomb)

Every good story has a climax, and this section of Mark is its climax!

Big idea: Jesus is dramatically revealed as the Son of God in the cross and the tomb!

In the cross and the tomb, the Son of God is...

1. Punished -   15:1-32
*by man - Jesus suffered at the hands of Pilate, the soldiers and all those who passed by
*by God His Father - Jesus was chastised by God for our sin; He died in our place!
Rom. 5:8
1 Peter 3:18

2. Proclaimed (by the Centurion) -   15:38-39
The centurion’s confession is Mark’s hope for every Roman!!
When we grasp the gospel, it is as if we see what the Centurion saw (that almost everyone else missed)

3. Prized (by Joseph, Mary, Mary and Salome) -   15:40-16:1
Amidst all the rejection, and all the mockery, there are some that (like the Centurion) see Jesus for who He really is and they value Him! (v. 32 - they “see and believe”)

4. Proven (by His own resurrection) - 16:2-8


In our study through the book of Mark…
Jesus has claimed to be the Son of God
Others have declared him to be the Son of God
Jesus has done things that only God can do
Now He is revealed as the Son of God in dramatic fashion!!

lesson loop 9.3.15

Middle School - "Snake Attack"

Big Idea: God is in control and He will protect His children.

A few things about God’s control and protection...

1. God allows suffering (sometime He allows it to go from bad to worse)
   Paul and those with him on the boat…
   • Arrested, prisoner on a boat headed for Rome (with quite a few other people)
   • “Northeaster” blows them off course
   • Storm so great they all lose hope - plan is to run the boat ashore
   • Most have not eaten - prisoners
   • Boat runs aground and breaks apart
   
   (all before they get to the island) - raining, viper bites Paul’s hand!!
   
   
   Often God protects us through a trial
   Isaiah 43:1-3
   
   
   But again, God is with us through the storm.
   And He is doing something in us through the storm.
   James 1:2-4
2. Nothing can harm us if God is not willing
3. If God is for us who can be against us?

1. Man is fickle and sometimes against us
2. Satan is always against us 1 Peter 5:8 John 10:10 Romans 8:31-39

Psalm 144:1-2 - When has God been your rock? your fortress? your stronghold? your deliverer? your shield? your refuge?

High School - "Tribulation and Triumph" (Mark 13)

Big Idea: Followers of Jesus will experience tribulation and triumph.
"Discipleship is not about predicting the future, but on faithfulness in the present!!"


Tribulation because…

1. we live in this world (v. 7-8)


2.  we live for Jesus (v. 9-13)

Triumph because…

1.  we have the Holy Spirit (v. 11) 

perfect illustration: Stephen in Acts 6:8-12; 7:51-60

2.  we will endure (v. 5, 9, 13b, 23, 33-36) *we must be discerning!
*we must stay awake!

3.  Jesus is coming! (v. 24-27)

"We are not given a blueprint for the future, but a confidence in God’s purposes and victory!"