Glow In The Dark: Humility

HUMILITY

Name a person you admire and want to be like - and why.
What are the most “admirable" traits a person could have?  What kind of people does our world need more of?
What are the most “repulsive” traits a person could have?
Where does “humility" fit in those lists?

What does our world love or think is positive about humility?
What does our world dislike or see as negative about humility?
Do people in this world generally think of Christians as “humble"?
What are some examples of “Christian pride" you've seen?
How do Christians sometimes push others away with their lack of humility?

List at least three ways Jesus showed humility when He walked this earth.
(Came as a helpless baby, Spent time with and got close to people others wouldn't even go near, Rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, Washed the disciples’ feet, Submitted Himself to torture and beating without fighting back, Died a criminal's death on a public torture device)
As the Son of God, with God's power in Him, how could Jesus have lived instead?

Read John 13:1-14
How did Jesus show humility in this passage?
How did Peter show the opposite of humility?
How is receiving the love and forgiveness of Christ into your life an act of humility?

What did John give as Jesus’ reason for His willingness to humiliate Himself?
Can those reasons motivate us as well?  (Yes! We don't have to ‘fight for our rights’ because Jesus has already won every victory! And we know that we are created and highly valued by the God of the Universe and will spend eternity in Heaven with Him - we don't need anything from this world.)

What does humility look like in the way you spend your money?
What does humility look like in the way you spend your time?
What does humility look like in what you post on social media?
What does humility look like in the way you treat your family?
What does humility look like in the way you treat other believers?
What does humility look like in the way you treat those who don't believe in Christ?
What does humility look like in the way you react to mistreatment or hurt?
What does humility look like in the way you share your faith?
What could our impact be as a youth group our church if we chose humility?

Close by reading Colossians 3:12-17 out loud.

Glow In The Dark: Hope

 

Glow In The Dark: HOPE

What's something you are hoping for this Christmas?
What's something you are hoping will happen in 2016?
What's something you are hoping will happen in your future?
Have you ever hoped that something would happen and it did?
Have you ever hoped that something would happen and it didn't?
Would you call yourself a pessimist, a realist, or an optimist?

What's the difference between “hoping” for something and “knowing" something will happen?
HOPE is a desire or longing to see something happen
HOPE is a risk, not a 100% sure thing

Read Psalm 33:16-22
“Put our hope” implies action! (verse 22)
What does it look like to “put your hope" in something?
What are some “horses” this world puts their hope in?  
What are some “horses” you are tempted to put your hope in? (“If I had this… Or got this… Or achieved this… Or was like this… THEN I would…”)
List three or four specific things about God from this passage that we can put our hope in.
Have you ever known someone who truly put their hope in God?  How did you know?

Is there anything in this world that seems hopeless to you?
Is there anything in your life that seems hopeless?
Read John 16:33
What hope was Jesus offering His followers?
(He is greater than any problem or hardship we could ever face!  He's already overcome it and we're on the winning side!)
What are some other reasons for hope that Jesus has given us?
(He promised that we could have a relationship with God by believing in Him, He promised to forgive our sin, He promised to be with us always, He promised we would have the Holy Spirit to guide and help us, He promised God would provide for our needs, He promised to give us purpose and meaning by making us “fishers of men", He promised us a place with Him in Heaven for eternity.)
To “take heart” implies action, what might that action look like in your life?
How does holding on to those promises of Jesus change us and or how we handle situations?
How have you dealt with the disappointment of not getting something you hoped for?  Has it helped or hurt your relationship with God?

Write down on a note card the promise of Jesus that means the most to you right now.

Read Ephesians 1:17-23 out loud.

"You're Not That Good" @ Community

In case you missed them, the last two messages from our Community series, "You're Not That Good" are up on YouTube!

Pastor George: "You Can't Change The World From Your Couch"
http://youtu.be/2QqJ3fETV_Y

Mandy: "You Can't Change God's Love For You"
http://youtu.be/fyPSqALXtkY

Blast and Connect!

We are so thankful for our high school student Blast and Connect leaders! They so faithfully show up each week and give their time and energy to making our middle schoolers feel welcome and cared for!

This picture is especially significant to me (Mandy) as Ashley (left) is in my small group. She is a leader to Emma Grace (right) who is on the Ignite team, leading my own daughters in worship every Sunday!

Transformed!

This Sunday, Blast, Connect and Community were treated to an awesome performance by "Transformed!", the traveling drama ministry from Eastern University!  The Eastern students performed skits, songs and even led some epic "drama games".  Thank you, Transformed!

ZONE!

We had a great night on Friday at 7th & 8th grade Zone! Video games, ping pong, slackline, and a dark game!

Sunday, January 11

Every age group was blessed on Sunday as we heard words from some amazing friends!  Bert and Dan shared with the 5th & 6th graders about how God has been working in their lives. Matt gave the 7th & 8th graders some new year motivation! At Community, Daniel and Zach led us in worship and Seth shared about his upcoming trip to Kenya. And we wrapped it all up with some powerful words from Pastor George as he inspired us to spend time with Jesus "on the couch" but then "Get off the couch!" and serve!