lesson loop 5.2.13

Middle School and High School

Last night we watched Episode 7 of our Gospel Journey Maui series, and we addressed this question -

1. What happens after we die?

This was some of the cast's least favorite question to talk about, because no one likes to think about death and what happens afterwards.

As they talked they came up with 3 options -

Extinction
Reincarnation
Resurrection


Greg took extra time to talk about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and its validity. If Christ truly rose, than that opens the door for our resurrection. We can trust everything He said. If He did not raise from the dead, we cannot believe His words. Everything hangs or falls on the resurrection.

They also discussed heaven (and the holiness of God) and a literal hell. 

One of the things that was also talked about is the law of non-contradiction. This is a logical argument which basically rules out the option that all 3 possibilities (extinctino, reincarnation and resurrection) can be right.
 Here is a short description and illustration (using a chair) that I find helpful: http://carm.org/dictionary-law-of-non-contradiction

I want to really encourage you this week to ask your child about the video, and what they think about the afterlife. I find most young people today struggle with the idea of an eternal hell for people who are "good" but don't receive Christ.
You can check out the small group discussion questions for more ideas on how to intelligently talk with your child.
Here is the outline of what was covered in small groups -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oGwq89rYn4y9ecU4mf_T3M9WNamDf_ZUr4SbHqvSI_4/edit?usp=sharing

Praying for God to use parents and youth leaders together for His glory and the growth of our students!

lesson loop 4.17.13

Middle School and High School

Last night we watched Episode 5 of our Gospel Journey Maui series, and we addressed this question -

1. Is it religion or relationship?

The conversation continued deeper than it ever has up to this point, with each cast member sharing their thoughts on religion. Greg and Zane both shared how Christianity was different than simply a religion, and that it is more about a relationship. They shared how the word "religion" comes from Latin, and it means "to bind ourselves back to God." However, when we follow Jesus, God binds Himself to us through His Son's death on the cross. When we receive what He has done for us, and have faith in Him alone, we have the assurance that God will always be for us, bound to us. This is so different from the religion that was being described by the other cast members. I really believe that some of those cast members were having their eyes and hearts opened for the first time. I also am praying that some of our students fully understand the difference between a relationship with God and our normal idea of "religion". They also mentioned how many teenagers believe what they believe because of the influence of their family, and while this is to be expected and is of course something parents desire, it is essential for every teenager and young adult to really examine their faith to see whether it is real or not.
I want to really encourage you this week to ask your child about the video, and what they think the difference is between religion and relationship. This could lead to an excellent discussion where your child's faith is tested and maybe they examine it like never before. You can check out the small group discussion questions for more ideas on how to intelligently talk with your child.

Here is the outline of what was covered in small groups -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_5qeu6lQC1q3iAdJh4AX3kkoHDVJFoW_6cEyYf4ytrw/edit?usp=sharing

Please continue to encourage your child to invite their friends! We had some again this past week!

lesson loop 4.10.13

Middle School and High School

Last night we watched Episode 4 of our Gospel Journey Maui series, and we addressed 2 big questions -

1. Why are there so many religions?
2. Is it possible that they could all be right?

It was an excellent episode where each cast member shared their opinion about religion. Several of them said that our various religions are like personalities, and just like every person has a different personality, each person gravitates to the religion that works for them.
Initially they all seemed open to the possibility that every religion could be valid, but by the end of the episode there was a slight change. More and more it became clear that many of these religions directly contradict each other, and logically they cannot all be right.
One of my favorite parts about the episode was watching these people with very different (and even conflicting) beliefs still respect and care for one another. That is a good example of how we should treat those around us who believe very different things.

Here is the outline of what was covered in small groups -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AYc68Lwnc33K7D5aVYOsXIFl7wAjeMrsFOKw4QEYAs4/edit?usp=sharing
Make sure you check out the resources and helps at the top of the outline!
Here is "Paschal's Wager", which was discussed - https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2zJ0haVL2YNVkFpLVphajlKX1U/edit?usp=sharing

Please continue to encourage your child to invite their friends! We had some again this past week!

lesson loop 3.27.13

Middle School and High School

Last night we watched Episode 3 of our Gospel Journey Maui series! It was the second part of the main question that was addressed in Episode 2 which is What is the purpose of life?
After the entire cast had spent a time of solitude on the beach journaling about what they believed their purpose in life was, they all assembled and discussed it.
Emma had a very poetic take on her purpose in life, even though it was humanistic and not God-centered. Jassar had a very devout Muslim purpose, while Rachel's perspective was distinctly Mormon.
Jonathan had a very general purpose of staying physically, emotionally and mentally fit so he could help others that were less fortunate.
Rachel struggled the most, and became very emotional when she recounted some of the events that have happened right before the Maui trip, and in fact caused her to realize that she didn't know her purpose in life. She mentioned that her conversations with Greg and Zane have really made her think about Jesus.
Zane shared about his journaling time where he sat in a tree that had a cross inscribed on it, along with the years of somebody's life. It was sobering, and caused him to focus on the significance of the dash between the year of birth and year of death. What we do with our life is important. He expressed his purpose as to know God and make Him known.
Greg talked again about Solomon, and how he discovered that the purpose of life is found in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14:
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

There continues to be a good amount of respect between all of the cast members, regardless of what they believe.

After the video, we broke up into growth groups where students spent the first 10 minutes in complete silence journaling about their purpose in life. After that time they discussed their journaling and the video.

Here is the outline of what was covered in small groups -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BtJHfz4Nsn09N7rr10H6rjB7ueDqhJnXOn5OrypfkRA/edit?usp=sharing
We are excited about how this series can be used to equip our students and also impact non-believing students who attend.
Please continue to encourage your child to invite their friends! We had some this past week!

lesson loop 3.20.13

Middle School and High School

Last night we watched Episode 2 of our Gospel Journey Maui series! It was a great night, and I really enjoyed having some of you parents with us for family night! One of the most enjoyable things for me is to see parents and children discussing the things of the Lord.
The main question that was addressed in Episode 2 was What is the purpose of life?
The entire cast went snorkeling, and while on the boat they discussed this extremely important question. Some said the purpose of life was to do good things and help others. Another cast member said the purpose of life was to make a name for yourself so you are remembered. Still others mentioned pleasing God and living for Him.
Zane Black shared his testimony of pursuing a life of worldliness, hoping to find fulfillment and purpose, but coming up empty - until He gave his life to Jesus Christ.
Then the group talked about Solomon, and his pursuit for joy that is described in the book of Ecclesiastes.
The episode ended with each of the cast members going off to the beach with a journal to spend 45 minutes in solitude contemplating the meaning of life. We will pick it up here next week!

After the video, we broke up into growth groups where we discussed these things further.
Here is the outline of what was covered in small groups -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11V3_7uV-7cc8acFtX7KRwq3MrI2kTE5uOewxuXAkfYM/edit?usp=sharing
We are excited about how this series can be used to equip our students and also impact non-believing students who attend.
Please encourage your child to invite their friends!

lesson loop 3.13.13

Middle School and High School

Last night we began our Gospel Journey Maui series! It was a great beginning, and the main question that was addressed was Is there a higher power?
The entire cast went to the top of an active volcano that overlooked the ocean, and watched the sunrise. After observing the beauty of creation, they discussed whether there is a God, and how all of that beauty came to be.
There was some disagreement as to what God's character was like, and especially who Jesus Christ really is.
Greg Stier emphasized that Jesus created everything, and that everything is made for His glory. This was not the viewpoint of everyone on the video, but the conversation was respectful and healthy.

After the video, we broke up into growth groups where we discussed these things further.
Here is the outline of what was covered in small groups -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jR_sVacJNQjiKS0bMBa8SZJRERMZINfkvypXf8fFgvs/edit?usp=sharing

We are excited about how this series can be used to equip our students and also impact non-believing students who attend.
Please encourage your child to invite their friends!

lesson loop 3.1.13

Middle School and High School

This past Tuesday we again considered evangelism, yet it was in the context of prayer. Prayer is the most important part of our evangelism, for without the Holy Spirit moving and working in hearts, all our effort is futile.
As a cap to Ebenezer's month of prayer and fasting, we made prayer our focus and ended with 20 minutes of prayer among growth groups.
It was also neat to combine some growth groups, and I believe that will be something we do occasionally at youth group, giving students the opportunity to be with students from other grades (since the growth groups are now by grade level).

Here is the video the students watched - http://www.dare2share.org/videos/pray-for-the-spiritual-transformation-of-the-next-generation/
And here is the study guide the students filled out - http://video.dare2share.org/d2s-uncensored/pray-for-the-spiritual-transformation-of-the-next-generation.pdf

Thanks for your partnership!