The Lakewood YOUth Skinny

The Goonies Bible Study on Lying

2009-10-01T14:52:00.000-05:00

Scene where Chunk arrives at the house and when Chunk calls the Sherriff.

So what was Chunk’s problem?
Why do you think he lied? Do you think he believed his own lies?

What problem did this lead to? (Chunk was right about the bullet holes, the potential dangers, and obviously the situation when he called the sherriff.)

Have you ever caught someone in a lie? What happened? Do you still trust them?

Have you ever been caught in a lie? What happened? Why did you tell the lie in the first place?

Why do people lie?

What damage did your lie cause? Why does even the smallest lie do so much damage to trust and credibility? Do you think the consequences fit the crime? Why or why not?

Is it always wrong to lie? Why or why not?

If it’s OK to lie sometimes, how can you discern when?

If lying promoted something good (like smuggling Bibles) would it be acceptable?

Are there any situations where it is acceptable to lie?

Read:
Exodus 20:16- 16 No lies about your neighbor.

Leviticus 19:11- 11 "Don't steal. "Don't lie. "Don't deceive anyone.

Proverbs 6:16-19 16-19 Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family.

What are your thoughts on these verses? Make sense? What do they mean to you?

Would it be hard to be honest for an entire day? If yes, what would it take?

What value is placed on honesty and truthfulness in our society?

Read aloud Colossians 3:9-11 . 9-11Don't lie to one another. You're done with that old life. It's like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you've stripped off and put in the fire. Now you're dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ.

ASK:

Why is God so concerned with honesty?

Does this passage allow for “white lies”? Why or why not?

What situations tempt you to lie?

How would it change your life to always speak the truth?

How does this apply to you and your life, friends, and situations?

The Goonies Bible Study on Confession

2009-09-21T17:03:00.000-05:00

Goonies Bible Study on Confession. Scenes with Chunk, the Fratellis, and the blender.

So what was Chunk’s problem? Why do you think he told all that he did?
Ever had stuff you’ve wanted/needed to get off of your chest? How did you feel afterward? What makes it so difficult to confess something?

How does confession allow us to enjoy a deeper relationship with God? relationships with other people?

Have you ever confessed to anyone? Parent or friend? What happened and what was the result? Was it something about them or something else that you did? Were you going to get caught anyway?

What do you know about Confession, mainly in the Catholic church. Have they ever seen it on tv, or know of any friends who do it?

Here are some key points on Confession for Catholics.

It is one of the Catholic Church’s 7 sacraments, which were all instituted by Jesus, with Confession happening after the Resurrection when Christ appeared to the apostles. Many Catholics believe it should be done at least monthly. They believe it is necessary to confess as a way of showing an inward sign of grace to reconcile or be ok with God, and an outward sign of grace is to be forgiven, oftentimes through a priest. The belief is if we keep sinning and don’t ask for forgiveness and try to change, it will lead to a downward cycle.

Lastly, 3 things are required:
1. You must be contrite—or, in other words, sorry for your sins.
2. You must confess those sins fully, in kind and in number.
3. You must be willing to do penance and make amends for your sins.

What do you think about this? Does it make sense? Anything you do or don’t agree with? Why?

We cut sheets of colored construction paper in half for each youth to write on and had a drawing of an outline of a large cross on paper taped to the wall.

We then wrote notes of apology to God. They were to think of something they have done wrong recently that might have disappointed God. Then think of one word that represents that sin, and write that word on the inside of the card.

After they wrote, we had groups divide up and read Acts 3:1-19 together and then discuss the following questions.
How does the sin you wrote down compare to the sins Peter was describing?
Do you think your sins are any less “sinful” than the ones described in this passage? Explain.

The Bible says Jesus died on the cross for our sins. That means not only that Jesus died to pay for the sins of the people who crucified him, but also that he died for the sins we commit today—the very sin you wrote on your paper.

What does it mean to repent?
How can you repent of the sin you wrote down?

In this passage, Peter said the crippled man was healed because of his faith in Jesus. It’s through faith in Jesus that we receive forgiveness for our sins. Jesus already paid the price for the sin you wrote down. I’d like each of you to say a silent prayer, confessing and asking for forgiveness for the sin you wrote on your paper.

We then took a few moments for silent prayer.

Then we had them think of one word that describes how they feel knowing that Christ’s death made their forgiveness possible. They wrote that one word on the outside of the card, then taped it to the inside of the cross.

Then they were told to look at the papers on our cross—our sins are covered with words of joy and thanksgiving. That’s what God wants for us. God knows that, just like the crippled man in Acts, we need repentance and faith to be made whole. And it’s the cross that makes that possible. We’re the ones who benefit from repentance. God doesn’t need our apologies to forgive us. If he hadn’t wanted to forgive us, he wouldn’t have watched his Son suffer on the cross. God wants our apologies because he knows that only through our repentance and faith can we be made whole.

Closed with a prayer.

The Goonies Bible Study on Accepting Others

2009-09-15T15:06:00.000-05:00

We watched scenes with Sloth and mainly his interaction with Chunk.

We had volunteers eat Peanut Butter Sandwiches, with each sandwich containing something other than jelly. They ate the bit of sandwich, removed their blindfolds and wrote down what they thought was on the sandwich, and whether or not they liked it. The put their blindfolds on and did it again. The sandwiches consisted of PB and banana, chocolate syrup, bacon, miracle whip, cinnamon applesauce, orange marmalade, and honey. They were to keep quiet during this.

When it was over, we found out who was right on figuring out what was on the sandwich, and who liked, disliked, or were indifferent about what was included with the peanut butter. The opinions varied.

How would you feel if I used this game as a test, accepting people who like sandwiches I like, and rejecting those who don’t?
If I were to have told you ahead of time what was on the sandwiches, would you have tried any of them?
Did other people making comments and noises make a difference in your opinion if you heard them before eating?
How were the sandwiches in this game similar to the standards we use to accept or reject others?
What are some of the standards we use to judge other people?
How have you seen people change themselves to try to be accepted by others?
Do they feel that they just have to, or is it expected by a group that they must change?
How have you seen rejection affect people?
How many of you have ever been rejected because you didn’t ‘fit in’? What were the circumstances?

YOUth Council discussed that this group isn’t overly ‘welcoming’. Do y’all agree? Why or why not? How have we been welcoming? How can we be?

Read Matthew 7:1-5 and John 13:34.
Matthew 7:1-5- 1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

John 13:34-35 34-35"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."

Christ didn’t call us to just love those like us…

Why does God want us to accept people we don’t like?
Think back about some of your friends. Any of them that you look back and realized on your first times around them you had nothing in common, and maybe didn’t care for them?
Or have a friend that you realize others don’t accept? How do you handle that?

What was Chunk’s first reaction to Sloth? How did he get past that?
Did Chunk’s acceptance of Sloth, help for the others to accept Sloth?
Have you ever been in a situation like that, where you or someone else has accepted an ‘outsider’ and other friends then accept them? Ever done that where they don’t? What’s the difference?

Do you have friends that aren’t friends with other friends of yours? Why is that?
What about people on the fringes? If you were to encounter someone like Sloth, how would you honestly react to him and treat him? Why?
How does this apply to you and your life/situations/people you encounter?

Monty Python Bible Study on Failure

2009-09-15T14:59:00.000-05:00

We watched the scene of the 'Trojan Rabbit'

We passed out playing cards randomly to the group, instructing each person to keep their two cards a secret. Bring two students up to the front of the room and tell them to reveal one of their cards. The student who reveals the highest card value will remain in the game. The other one is out. We did this until each student remaining has shown both of their cards. Then give out two more cards to the winners and keep playing until you get down to one person who is declared the winner.

How did it feel when you were knocked out of the game?
What were the reasons you were knocked out? How much of it was your own fault?
If you were to play the game again, what would you do differently?
Are there any similarities between this game and the way circumstances sometimes play out in real life?

After viewing the clips, ask the group these questions:

What was the purpose of the giant rabbit? What other famous story does this skit play off of?
What is the French reaction to the giant rabbit?
What was the response of King Arthur’s men when Sir Bedevere revealed the rest of his plan?
How did Sir Bedevere feel at the end?
What were the consequences of failing?

Read Romans 8:28- That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

According to this passage, what is God working toward? For whom is He working?

Matthew 26:69-75 69All this time, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard. One servant girl came up to him and said, "You were with Jesus the Galilean." 70In front of everybody there, he denied it. "I don't know what you're talking about." 71As he moved over toward the gate, someone else said to the people there, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." 72Again he denied it, salting his denial with an oath: "I swear, I never laid eyes on the man." 73Shortly after that, some bystanders approached Peter. "You've got to be one of them. Your accent gives you away." 74-75Then he got really nervous and swore. "I don't know the man!" Just then a rooster crowed. Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried.

How did Peter fail here? What happened to Peter after this? Did he fail, or succeed? (Christ had told him that he would build his church on Peter…Peter ministered to and converted many people in Italy and the Mediterranean.)

Psalm 103:8-12 God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.

What did you hear from these verses?
Does everything you do work out for good?
How do you think God works for good in the midst of difficult circumstances or our failures?
Why are we sometimes tempted to blame others or God for our failures?
What does the 3rd verse say about God?
How does the idea of God working for good affect your perspective on those moments when you’ve messed up?

Have you ever failed (not on tests), or your plans didn’t work out the way you had hoped? What happened? How did you deal with it? Did you linger on it? Did you learn anything? If so, what?
Have you ever been in a situation where you let someone else down? How did you feel? What did you do to make it right?
The movie clip showed a plan that ended in failure. What good could still come about from that experience?

Do you ever look back on times when you’ve messed up or failed at something, and at the time it seemed huge, but in looking back, it isn’t that big of a deal?

Why is it easier to see God working for good when we look back over our lives than in the moments immediately following our failure or unfortunate circumstances?
Does blaming God for unfortunate events ever help the situation get better?

Even though we may see our failures magnified, because of Christ’s death for us, God sees them as very small. In fact, he removes them from us completely. He does this because he loves us too much to let us be bogged down and overwhelmed by our sins and failures. What a great God!

Monty Python Bible Study on Words

2009-09-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

The group wrote words on a sheet of paper in 2 columns. 1 being words that are hurtful, and one being words that are helpful.

We then discussed the differences between the lists and what it is that can make words hurtful or helpful––things like tone, body language, and sarcasm.

We watched the scenes where King Arthur and the knights encountered the French at the castle.
Which words, phrases, or images were the most powerful to you? Why?
Why do you think the French soldier continually insulted King Arthur and his men?
What kind of insults did the French soldier use? What exactly was he making fun of?
How did King Arthur and his men respond?
Why do you think they attacked the castle?
Why do you think the French attacked King Arthur and his men with animals?

Read Proverbs 13:3 3 Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything. The Message

James 3:2-10 If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you'd have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.
3-5A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
5-6It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
7-10This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can't tame a tongue—it's never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!
10-12My friends, this can't go on. A spring doesn't gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it? Apple trees don't bear strawberries, do they? Raspberry bushes don't bear apples, do they? You're not going to dip into a polluted mud hole and get a cup of clear, cool water, are you?

What are these verses saying?
How does a person guard his or her words?
How does what you say affect your life and the lives of others?
What type of ruin could your words bring?

The French soldier was insulting from the start. What would you do if you encountered a person who started throwing insults at you, especially if that person didn’t know you?
Do you see the principle in the verses at work in the clip from the movie? How?
What do you think King Arthur and his men should have done?
What do harmful and hurtful words often lead to? What about words that are helpful?
Why do we say hurtful things?
What is one of the worst things ever said to you? What was your reaction and what happened?
What is one of the worst things you’ve ever said? What happened?
How can we guard against the words that we say?
How does this all apply to you and your life?

Closed in prayer

Monty Python Bible Study on our Image of God.

2009-09-15T14:49:00.000-05:00

We watched the scene where 'God' appears to King Arthur and the knights.

Each person had to write words that describe their vision and characteristics of God and/or draw how they view God and shared them. Then ask the following questions:

How does the movie’s portrayal of God compare to your own?
What stuck out to you about King Arthur’s response to God suddenly showing up? How would you have responded?
How do you picture God? Has that picture of God changed?

What kind of God did you see in this movie’s portrayal?
How does this portrayal of God compare with the God of the Scriptures?
Do you think God ever gets tired of people saying, “I’m sorry” or “Forgive me”?

Isaiah 40:12-18 7Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger, Who has put all the earth's dirt in one of his baskets, weighed each mountain and hill? Who could ever have told God what to do or taught him his business? What expert would he have gone to for advice, what school would he attend to learn justice? What god do you suppose might have taught him what he knows, showed him how things work?
Why, the nations are but a drop in a bucket, a mere smudge on a window. Watch him sweep up the islands like so much dust off the floor! There aren't enough trees in Lebanon nor enough animals in those vast forests to furnish adequate fuel and offerings for his worship. All the nations add up to simply nothing before him— less than nothing is more like it. A minus. So who even comes close to being like God? To whom or what can you compare him?

Isaiah 40:28-31 Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.

Note: Isaiah asks a number of questions within this passage that should be considered rhetorical. The obvious answer is that no one can fully comprehend who God is. Only God understands God. Isaiah demonstrates how we often attempt to identify God’s characteristics through creation. While this is one of the ways He has chosen to reveal himself to us, we must realize that our knowledge and understanding of God will always be limited. Isaiah’s main emphasis is to never underestimate who God is and what He is capable of doing. Isaiah couples this emphasis on the almighty power of God with His desire to care for each one of us personally.

Ask:
How is God portrayed in these scriptures?
What images stuck in your mind about God’s power as you read the passages? What did it symbolize for you?

How does the God of Isaiah compare with the image of God from the movie? Give both similarities and differences.

Throughout Scripture, the overall idea is that God is love. Everything God does is in and through His love. Consider both the Isaiah passage and the movie clip through the perspective of a loving God.

Does God appear to be loving in the movie? How?
Does God appear to be loving in the Isaiah passage? How?
If you were to remake the clip based on the image of God in the passage in Isaiah, what would you change?

Why does almighty God care about human kind? How might knowing the various "traits" of God help you form a stronger connection with God?

Can a human being achieve anything without God’s help? Why or why not? How can a person even know that God is or is not involved in every action?

Why is complete understanding of God beyond human comprehension? Why do people want to try and understand God anyway?

Does this apply to your life? If so, how?

Silently close in prayer asking God for greater understanding of God’s will and also the ability to respectfully honor the awesomeness of God.

Monty Python Bible Study on Judging. Planks vs. specks.

2009-09-15T14:44:00.000-05:00

I showed a variety of pictures of teenagers of various looks. They were instructed to look at the pictures and take a few seconds to write down first impressions of the person…who they are, how they act, etc. Also, write down if you would interact with this person, and if so, how would you treat them?

We watched the scene where King Arthur encounters the peasants in the field.
King Arthur passes by some people working in the field. Arthur begins to make some assumptions that aren’t entirely true. The entire scene deals with judging people based on their appearance or their work. The people that Arthur encounters even question the assumptions Arthur has about himself and his position as King of the Britains.

Questions:

Why did you act the way you did to people because of their ‘traits’? Why are our actions kind of preconceived in different ways because of different people’s characteristics or our impressions of them?

What did King Arthur see that made him assume the things he did about Dennis and the others?

Why didn’t King Arthur take the time to get to know Dennis?
Was King Arthur the only one making assumptions?
What assumptions did Dennis make about King Arthur?
Who seemed to be closer to the truth in their assumptions?
Based on this encounter, what kind of king does Arthur seem to be? How does he feel about peasants?

Read:
Matthew 7:1–6 1Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you. 2God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye. 4How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye? 5You're nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend's eye. Don't give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don't throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.

In this passage, Jesus elaborates on a law that is familiar to the Jewish community: it is not acceptable to judge another person. This is important for a variety of reasons. Those who judge can never know a situation in its entirety. Because they don’t know all the details, they are incapable of being objective enough to pass judgment. Finally, Jesus shows that no person has the right to judge another. We should only be the judge of our own lives.

Why do people place so much emphasis on first impressions? Have you ever had an experience where your first impression was wrong?

Have you ever been given a label or judged falsely? How did you feel? What did you do?

Why shouldn’t we judge others? According to the passage in Matthew, what will happen to the person who judges someone else?

What do you think Jesus means when he uses the metaphor of the plank in someone’s eye? Or a speck in someone else’s eye?

What does judging others have to do with acting like dogs or pigs?

In both the movie clip and the Matthew passage, we see the negative effects of being judgmental, yet we are still tempted to judge others so quickly. Why?

Why are we so caught up in outward appearances?

How would the conversation have been different if King Arthur responded in the way prescribed by Matthew 7:1–6?

What are some ways we can engage others without judging them?

How should people respond when they discover they have misjudged someone?

Does this apply to your life at all? If so, how so?

This is something that we have talked about from time to time but is still and always a problem with all of us in some form or fashion. Not judging others is one of the things that we need to be constantly reminded of, in the hopes that our judgments and notions of people and groups will lessen more and more. We need to take the time to know others or at least try to understand those that have traits different than ours. Let God judge us and others, we just need to try to live the most Christ-like lives that we can every day.

Close in Prayer.

Truman Show Bible Study on Fear

2009-09-15T14:36:00.000-05:00

First they had to guess and match the phobias to their accurate description

FASCINATING PHOBIAS
Match each of the phobias with its proper definition. (Note: Don’t laugh! These are actual, terrifying fears suffered by real people.)
1. Demophobia a. The fear of crossing a bridge.
2. Musophobia b. The fear of confinement in closed places.
3. Arachibutyrobphobia c. The fear of crowds.
4. Gephyrophobia d. The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth.
5. Belonephobia e. The fear of insanity.
6. Claustrophobia f. The fear of stairs, elevators, or escalators.
7. Astraphobia g. The fear of public places.
8. Lyssophobia h. The fear of lightning.
9. Hydrophobia i. The fear of needles.
10. Climacophobia j. The fear of mice.
11. Agoraphobia k. The fear of water.
12. Ailurophobia l. The fear of responsibility.
13. Hypengyophobia m. The fear of cats.
14. Thalassophobia n. The fear of everything.
15. Panphobia o. The fear of the sea or ocean.
Answers: 1. c; 2. j; 3. d; 4. a; 5. i; 6. b; 7. h; 8. e; 9. k; 10. f; 11. g; 12. m; 13. l; 14. o; 15. n

We then did forced choice, where they had to go to one side of the room or the other to show which of the following scenarios they would prefer.

1. Hold a nonpoisonous, live snake—or eat a plateful of liver and onions.
2. Make a speech in a school assembly—or go to the dentist to get a tooth filled.
3. Climb onto the roof of your house—or let a daddy longlegs spider crawl across the back of your hand.
4. Sing a solo in the church service—or sing a solo in your Sunday school class.
5. Spend 10 minutes in a room with a wasp buzzing around—or eat a chocolate-covered ant.
6. Sell magazine subscriptions to strangers door-to-door—or over the phone.
7. Roller skate—or ice skate.
8. Walk through a cemetery in the middle of the night—or ask someone for a date for the first time.
9. Visit someone in the hospital—or take a test in your hardest class.
10. Fly in a plane—or present a class petition to the President of the United States.

It was pointed out that psychologists say things disgust us when we're afraid of how they would feel in our mouths or on our bodies. So disgust may be based on fear.

To control Truman, Christof had to manufacture ways to keep him on the island. Eventually, he found the perfect means to control him.

How have you seen fear control or impair someone?
What are things that cause you fear?
When has been the most afraid you’ve ever been?
What fears have hindered you?
Ever been afraid to do something that God would prefer you do?

Read Psalm 27:1, 56:3–4; Romans 8:28, 31; and 1 John 4:18.
What understandings about fear do you get from these verses?
How can you put these verses into practice?
How do you think helped Truman overcome his fear of water?
Ever had anything you were afraid of that you finally faced or overcame? How did it make you feel?

As Truman stands in front of that darkened doorway at the end, he has no idea what is on the other side. How would you have viewed that doorway: with fear or with promise?
What makes the unknown frightening?
Read Jeremiah 29:11, Matthew 6:31–34, and Philippians 4:4–7.
What do these verses say about God’s role in your life as you face fears or the unknown? How can you attempt to live these verses daily?

read aloud the following Bible passages write one or more down on a card as reminders when facing something that brings you fear.

Psalm 56; Psalm 145:18-21; John 14:27-31; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6 .

Truman Show Bible Study on Doubts and Questions

2009-09-15T14:23:00.000-05:00

I found some interesting facts that I wanted to share with them before we started. I said them with certainty, and let them know they are all true. When I finished them all, pause for a second to see if anyone questions any of the facts. If they don’t, ask, do you believe all of that?

Factoid One: Most people have heard of the famous scientist Marie Curie. She won the Nobel Prize in 1911 for chemistry. But did you know she also won the Nobel Prize in 1903 for physics? (True)

Factoid Two: All of the following people were left-handed: Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Bill Clinton, Fidel Castro, Bill Gates, and Lewis Carroll. (True)

Factoid Three: The cat owned by John Lennon was named Elvis. (True)

Factoid Four: Typically, adults have forty-five teeth: eight incisors, four canines, 15 pre-molars, and 18 molars—of which four are wisdom teeth. (False—there are only 32 teeth)

Factoid Five: Dr. Seuss was a pediatrician before becoming the author of children’s books. (false, Dr. Seuss was not a Dr. and his real name was Theodore Geisel

Factoid Six: The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World were: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ethron, the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the Statue of Liberty, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. (False— Colossus of Rhodes, not statue of Liberty.)

Pause for a second to see if anyone questions any of the facts. If they don’t, ask, do you believe all of that? When questioned, I asked if and why they thought I'd be lying, later revealing that I was on some of them.

Then they described a time when you questioned someone and got a response like the one you encountered here. What happened?
How do you think God responds when someone questions him? Why?

I said something like I suspect that most of us have sat through sermons or Bible studies where we really wanted to challenge what was being said but had visions of lightning bolts or thunderous voices coming down from heaven to strike us. After all, church is a place for true believers. Church is a place for answers. There’s no room for those who ask questions. God would wipe them off the face of the earth pronto, right?
Wrong.

Any people in the Bible that you can think of that were called/told to do something by God and questioned it?
Here are some people: Consider Sarah’s reaction to the news that she’d be a parent. She laughed! What about Moses and the burning bush? Peter sinking in the waves? Thomas demanding proof of the Resurrection? Abraham? David? Jesus asking that the cup pass over him. The list goes on and on, and if we’re truthful, it probably includes us.

Read aloud Exodus 3:10-15; 4:1-17 after setting the stage by saying: Moses is out tending sheep when he notices a bush that’s burning—but not being consumed. He approaches it and God speaks to him. After telling Moses that God has heard the pleas of the people, God announces that Moses is going on a mission to speak with Pharaoh.
9-10 "The Israelite cry for help has come to me, and I've seen for myself how cruelly they're being treated by the Egyptians. It's time for you to go back: I'm sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the People of Israel, out of Egypt."
11 Moses answered God, "But why me? What makes you think that I could ever go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
12 "I'll be with you," God said. "And this will be the proof that I am the one who sent you: When you have brought my people out of Egypt, you will worship God right here at this very mountain."
13 Then Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the People of Israel and I tell them, 'The God of your fathers sent me to you'; and they ask me, 'What is his name?' What do I tell them?"
14 God said to Moses, "I-AM-WHO-I-AM. Tell the People of Israel, 'I-AM sent me to you.'"
15 God continued with Moses: "This is what you're to say to the Israelites: 'GOD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob sent me to you.' This has always been my name, and this is how I always will be known.

What did you hear in those verses? What does it say about questions?
1 Moses objected, "They won't trust me. They won't listen to a word I say. They're going to say, 'GOD? Appear to him? Hardly!'"
2 So GOD said, "What's that in your hand?" "A staff."
3 "Throw it on the ground." He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back—fast!
4-5 GOD said to Moses, "Reach out and grab it by the tail." He reached out and grabbed it—and he was holding his staff again. "That's so they will trust that GOD appeared to you, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."
6 GOD then said, "Put your hand inside your shirt." He slipped his hand under his shirt, then took it out. His hand had turned leprous, like snow.
7 He said, "Put your hand back under your shirt." He did it, then took it back out—as healthy as before.
8-9 "So if they don't trust you and aren't convinced by the first sign, the second sign should do it. But if it doesn't, if even after these two signs they don't trust you and listen to your message, take some water out of the Nile and pour it out on the dry land; the Nile water that you pour out will turn to blood when it hits the ground."
10 Moses raised another objection to GOD: "Master, please, I don't talk well. I've never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer."
11-12 GOD said, "And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn't it I, GOD? So, get going. I'll be right there with you—with your mouth! I'll be right there to teach you what to say."
13 He said, "Oh, Master, please! Send somebody else!"
14-17 GOD got angry with Moses: "Don't you have a brother, Aaron the Levite? He's good with words, I know he is. He speaks very well. In fact, at this very moment he's on his way to meet you. When he sees you he's going to be glad. You'll speak to him and tell him what to say. I'll be right there with you as you speak and with him as he speaks, teaching you step by step. He will speak to the people for you. He'll act as your mouth, but you'll decide what comes out of it. Now take this staff in your hand; you'll use it to do the signs."

What did you hear in those verses? What does it say about questions?
They then discussed the questions:
Would you characterize God as patient or impatient with Moses? Explain.

Is there a difference between questioning God and challenging God? If so, how would you describe Moses’ interaction with God?

In what ways have you doubted God? questioned God?

We discussed when we’re uncertain, we ask questions. We poke and prod to determine if what we’re hearing or seeing is true. And sometimes doubt is a lifesaver for us.
The next time you stand at the edge of a frozen lake and doubt the ice is thick enough to support your weight, doubting might save your life.
The next time you hear a questionable Bible teaching and you check to see if what was taught lines up with what’s revealed in the Bible, that’s a great result of doubt. It has led you to ask questions and find answers.
That’s honest doubt and honest questioning.

From the clips earlier, these things that Truman experienced and saw led him to question and doubt the things going on around him.
In the movie, how did doubting and questioning help Truman? Did it hurt Truman? How so?
Then there’s the dishonest kind.

Dishonest doubt is the sort that’s thinly disguised cynicism. It doesn’t lead to new insights or truth. The dishonest doubter isn’t really open to learning truth.
Ask:
Describe someone you’ve met who seems to be a dishonest doubter. What is the person like?
Describe a time you’ve had doubts about God or something concerning God. How have you dealt with your doubts?
In what ways are you an honest doubter? a dishonest one?

Read Luke 24:36-43 aloud. 36-41While they were saying all this, Jesus appeared to them and said, "Peace be with you." They thought they were seeing a ghost and were scared half to death. He continued with them, "Don't be upset, and don't let all these doubting questions take over. Look at my hands; look at my feet—it's really me. Touch me. Look me over from head to toe. A ghost doesn't have muscle and bone like this." As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. They still couldn't believe what they were seeing. It was too much; it seemed too good to be true.
41-43He asked, "Do you have any food here?" They gave him a piece of leftover fish they had cooked. He took it and ate it right before their eyes.

How did Jesus respond to the honest doubt of his followers?
How does Jesus respond to your honest doubt?
How does this apply to the movie and how does it apply to your life?

Truman’s questions and doubts led him to leave the lies and falsehoods of ‘the world’ in which he lived, and led him to seek truth and freedom and all that come with those, by ignoring what ‘the world’ had told him. It also led him to seek love.
We were given the gift of free will by God, and we should cherish it. It helps us to raise questions, to search and explore our faith, and not just be spoon fed someone else’s faith/beliefs.

Asking questions of God doesn’t mean we don’t believe, or don’t have faith, but utilizing Scripture, and our own experiences, and traditions, and our reason, can help us to know who we are and who God wants us to be. We can develop our own faith and beliefs, and know that asking questions, can help lead to answers. With all of this, we may become like Truman, and leaving behind the lies and falsehoods of the world and seeking out the love of God through Christ, that is much greater than anything in this world.

We closed with a prayer of thanks for God’s faithfulness to us no matter how we feel, and for God’s love—which reaches out to us no matter what. Commit the doubts of your group to God and ask that he provide the answers your students need.

The Truman Show Bible-Life Study on Consequences

2009-01-26T23:51:00.000-06:00

The Truman Show

We watched the clip at the end after Truman has hit the wall, where he is faced with the choice of leaving and facing the unknown, or staying where Christoph says he can protect him and keep him safe.

Discussion Questions:
What did you see in that scene? What’s happening?
What would it be like to live in a world where none of your choices had consequences?
• If you could escape the consequences of one mistake you’ve made in life, what would it be and why?
• Are there inescapable consequences for every action, or do people sometimes get away with things?
• Have you ever been a part of a group where one person's actions hurt everyone else? What happened?
• Have you ever hurt a group of people because of your actions? How did you feel afterwards?
Do you think the consequences were fair? Why or why not? Which punishment would you have chosen?
• What is an example of incredibly good consequences coming from a small action? Why do we often associate “consequences” with sin?

We Read Acts 9:10-22.
What was the good that came from Ananias’ obedience?

Do you think Ananias had any clue of all the great things Paul would accomplish in God’s name? Why or why not?
• Why aren’t we always aware of the magnitude of consequences, both good and bad? Do you think we would make different choices if we knew the consequences? Explain.
Why does God require us to face the consequences of our choices?
If God protected you from the consequences of your actions, what would you do differently?

We then had youth form groups and write consequences for the listed actions (at the bottom).
When they finished writing consequences, groups traded tests with each other and graded another group’s test, marking a consequence wrong if they disagree. Groups explained why they counted some wrong and why they agreed.

Then we discussed:
Why did we sometimes disagree over what consequences should result out of these actions?
Have there ever been times where you and at least one other person did something wrong, but the consequences of your actions were differet?
If there were no consequences—good or bad—for our actions, how would that change our behavior?
Do good actions in life always produce good consequences? Why or why not?
Do bad actions in life always produce bad consequences? Why or why not?
Why does God allow things to be this way?
How does this apply, or can it apply to your life?

1. Staying up late to watch a basketball game the night before a big test.
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2. Dropping a light bulb on a cement floor.
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3. Cleaning up the dishes while your parents are away at a meeting.
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4. Riding with a friend who’s been drinking.
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5. Spilling a soft drink on your computer keyboard.
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6. Stubbing your toe on a table leg.
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7. Doing a good job on a school project.
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8. Pretending to be the opposite sex in an online chat room.
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9. Hitting a baseball at a big window.
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O Brother Bible-Life Study on Baptism

2009-01-26T23:44:00.000-06:00

Watched the scene where Delmar gets baptized in the river.

What are your thoughts about what happened? What do you think Pete and Delmar’s attitudes and Everett’s attitude?

What’s the purpose of baptism? What does it symbolize spiritually? socially? (Some of this will be answered later)
What are some of the different beliefs about baptism?

What is our tradition? Anyone know the 3 ways we baptize and what they symbolize?
United Methodists may baptize by any of the modes used by Christians. Candidates or their parents have the choice of sprinkling, pouring, or immersion; and pastors and congregations should be prepared to honor requests for baptism in any of these modes. Each mode brings out part of the rich and diverse symbolism given to baptism by the Bible. Each is a form of washing which symbolizes the washing away of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:22; 1 Peter 3:21). Being totally buried in water and raised from it is also a powerful symbol of our burial and resurrection with Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12) and of being born anew of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5; Titus 3:5). Pouring or sprinkling water upon the candidate’s head also signifies God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:9-10; Luke 3:21-22; Acts 2:38; 19:1-7).

(Some info if it is needed: Jesus’ baptism was a 'high priest' baptism. There were three requirements of a high priest under the Law of God: They must have been thirty years old or above(Numbers 4:1-4), they must have been sprinkled to cleanse them (Numbers 8:5-7), and they must have been called of God (Hebrews 5:1-6). Jesus was baptized to fulfill the law to be allowed in the Temple, not baptized for repentance. He was Jesus, so why repent?)

Read aloud Matthew 3. 1-2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here." 3John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy:
Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!

4-6John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.

7-10When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to make any difference? It's your life that must change, not your skin! And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.

11-12"I'm baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this drama—compared to him I'm a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He's going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He'll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he'll put out with the trash to be burned."

13-14Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!" 15But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it. 16-17The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."
We discussed: Why would Jesus, who is sinless, get baptized? (look above. Basically, he was fulfilling the law, being sent from God as the Messiah, and to show who he was. What does this chapter tell us about baptism? What makes baptism important? Have you been baptized? If so, what was it like? What significance did this event play in your life? If not, what has kept you from taking this step? Would you like to? Why or why not? Is it even necessary to be baptized?
• How is baptism supposed to set a person apart from the crowd? Do you feel that you’ve been set apart? Why or why not?
• How can you live up to your responsibilities as a person baptized into the faith?

Everyone was given a handout of questions (which are below) and time to answer them and then asked:
As you meditated on Scripture and imagined what it would have been like to see Jesus being baptized, what did the Holy Spirit show you?
How can you follow Jesus’ example?
If you made a commitment to follow God, what can you do to keep your commitment after you leave here today?

Then said: To be righteous means to be right with God. In other words, by being baptized, Jesus was identifying himself with God. He was, and is, the only Son of God. He’s the one God sent to die for our sins and to show people what God’s love is like. Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. It showed he was committed to following God by doing what he had been sent to do.
After Jesus was baptized, God said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased”

We then closed in prayer, asking God to strengthen our commitments to God and to help us follow Christ's example.

Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, "I'm the one who needs to be baptized, not you!"
15But Jesus insisted. "Do it. God's work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism." So John did it.
16-17The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God's Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: "This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life."

Scripture: Read Matthew 3:13-17.

Meditate: After you’ve read the
Scripture, think about what it would
have been like to be at the Jordan River
on the day Jesus was baptized. How do
you think you would have felt if you had
been there? Think about the relationship
between John the Baptist and Jesus.
How do you think John felt as he baptized
Jesus? Think about how Jesus
may have felt as he was baptized, the
Holy Spirit landed on him, and God’s
voice spoke from heaven. What did the
voice from heaven tell people about
Jesus’ identity and importance?

After a few moments of meditation,
say a silent prayer, thanking God for
Jesus and thanking Jesus for his commitment
to following God.
Questions: Write your answers to
the following questions.

How did Jesus’ baptism demonstrate
his commitment to God?
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If God’s voice were to suddenly
speak from heaven, what would he say
about you? Why?
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How Pleased do you think God is with You? Why?
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How can you follow Jesus’ example of commitment to God?
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Commitment: In the space below,
write a prayer of commitment to God.
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O Brother Bible-Life Study on Racism

2009-01-26T23:29:00.000-06:00

Clip of the Klan Rally

What did you think about the clip? What groups were mentioned that Klan leader (Homer Stokes) didn’t like? What do you think his problems were with those groups?

Some KKK background…Did you know that the Klan used to lynch (to put to death by a mob without legal approval) blacks and killed them? (In June of 1998, a sadistic murder of a middle-aged black man from Jasper, Texas, rekindled memories of lynching practices from the blood stained American past. James Byrd, Jr., 49, was beaten savagely to the point of unconsciousness, chained to the back of a pickup truck by his neck, and dragged for miles over rural roads outside the town of Jasper. It is believed that Byrd survived through most of this experience, that is, until he was decapitated. Three white men, John William King, 23, Shawn Berry, 23, (both of whom had links to white supremacist groups) and Lawrence Brewer Jr., 31, were arrested. Brewer and King were sentenced to death for a racial hate crime that shocked the nation. Berry was sent to prison for life.)

Lynchings happened in the 50s and 60s during the struggle for Civil Rights, mainly in the South. 3 students, 1 black and 2 white and Jewish were killed by the Klan for trying to help with Civil Rights in 1964 Mississippi. This past week, kid awarded 2.5 million for being beaten by Klan members in Kentucky.
Their HQ is in Zinc, AR, outside of Harrison. Klan/white supremacist groups have had rallies in AR within the past 4 or 5 years. Was unfortunately resurrected by a failed Methodist Preacher. That is just one of many organizations that spread racist ideas.

The group was asked:
What do you think racism means?
Students’ responses were written down. If students struggle with a definition, a few suggested dictionary-based ideas such as “judgment or opinion not based on fact” or “attitude of hostility directed toward a group or race.”

Is racism a problem in NLR or at school? If so, what are some examples of racism? Where else do you see racism? Anything else recently where you have seen it? Have any of you ever made a racist joke or comment? Why? What do you think causes people to be racist?
How does race affect your everyday life? Do you see your race as a help, a hindrance, or both? Explain.

In groups, students discussed a time they’ve felt prejudice against —perhaps because of your race, your intelligence, your religion, your gender, or your family.

Then each trio read Romans 14:10-12 So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I'd say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we're all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren't going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture: "As I live and breathe," God says, "every knee will bow before me; Every tongue will tell the honest truth that I and only I am God." So tend to your knitting. You've got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

Then we discussed these questions:
Why did you think you were judged unfairly?
According to this Bible passage, why will God judge us?
How does this passage affect how you feel about the prejudice you experienced?

After a few minutes, this was said and discussed: People often treat one another in ways that hurt deeply. In Romans 14:10, Paul asked why we judge and think we’re better than others. He taught that only God can judge people and that God’s justice never fails.
Have students tear their cards into tiny pieces and throw them in the trash. Then ask:

Most of us have felt some sort of prejudice, but how often have we shown prejudice to other people based on their looks or stereotypes we have about their race or ethnic group? We then formed our own made-up ethnic groups.
Have students form four groups. The groups were given prejudiced ideas about the 3 other groups and then acted out scenarios where they were around the other groups, and had to treat them according to their 'prejudices'.

After a few minutes, say: I’m going to call out some situations, and I want you to interact with each other as if you were really in those situations. As you react, keep in mind the stereotypes you’ve read about the other groups.

Once the role-playing was complete, everyone gathered back together and each group received a copy of how the other groups were specifically prejudiced toward them and then we discussed:.
How did it feel to be treated a certain way just because of the color on your back?
Is there anything true about the traits assigned to your group? false? Explain.
This was a kind of goofy example, but how does it pertain to what we have talked about? Have you believed stereotypes about other races or groups? Why or why not? We lump people into groups together and oftentimes assume they are all the same. That is like saying that everyone in your whole family is the same…
How does the truth that God’s justice never fails affect how you treat people of other ethnicities? how you respond when people act prejudiced against you or a friend from another ethnicity?

After the discussion, we read John 4:1-42
The Woman at the Well
1-3 Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee.

4-6To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon.

7-8A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) 9The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) 10Jesus answered, "If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water."

11-12The woman said, "Sir, you don't even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this 'living water'? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?" 13-14Jesus said, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life." 15The woman said, "Sir, give me this water so I won't ever get thirsty, won't ever have to come back to this well again!"

16He said, "Go call your husband and then come back." 17-18"I have no husband," she said. "That's nicely put: 'I have no husband.' You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough." 19-20"Oh, so you're a prophet! Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?"

21-23"Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God's way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter.

23-24"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."

25The woman said, "I don't know about that. I do know that the Messiah is coming. When he arrives, we'll get the whole story." 26"I am he," said Jesus. "You don't have to wait any longer or look any further." 27Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked. They couldn't believe he was talking with that kind of a woman. No one said what they were all thinking, but their faces showed it. 28-30The woman took the hint and left. In her confusion she left her water pot. Back in the village she told the people, "Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah?" And they went out to see for themselves.
It's Harvest Time

31In the meantime, the disciples pressed him, "Rabbi, eat. Aren't you going to eat?" 32He told them, "I have food to eat you know nothing about." 33The disciples were puzzled. "Who could have brought him food?" 34-35Jesus said, "The food that keeps me going is that I do the will of the One who sent me, finishing the work he started. As you look around right now, wouldn't you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It's harvest time!

36-38"The Harvester isn't waiting. He's taking his pay, gathering in this grain that's ripe for eternal life. Now the Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant. That's the truth of the saying, 'This one sows, that one harvests.' I sent you to harvest a field you never worked. Without lifting a finger, you have walked in on a field worked long and hard by others." 39-42Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman's witness: "He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!" They asked him to stay on, so Jesus stayed two days. A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, "We're no longer taking this on your say-so. We've heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He's the Savior of the world!"

and discussed these questions:
How did Jesus break traditional barriers by speaking to the woman at the well?
How did the Samaritans respond to Jesus’ interaction with them?
How did the disciples respond when they saw Jesus with the Samaritan woman?
How would Jesus respond to prejudice in your school and neighborhood?
How does Jesus’ example affect how you’ll treat people from other races or ethnic groups?
How might the way you treat people from other races or ethnicities be an example to others?

Then this was said: Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Jesus taught us and showed us by his actions that prejudice and racism are wrong. You can make a difference in the world by treating all people equally and by modeling Christ’s love for everyone.

We had students pray together and for each other in their groups, asking God to help them identify and tear down their own racial prejudices and to respond in a Christlike manner when prejudice is expressed against them.

O Brother Bible-Life Study on The Soul

2009-01-26T23:22:00.000-06:00

Soul
Watch the clip where Tommy is picked up at the crossroads and tells the guys that he has sold his soul to the devil so that he can play guitar.

What are some things we associate with the word "soul"? What is the soul or a soul? What do you think makes up a person’s soul? Do you ever think about having a soul? If so, how?

What role did the ‘soul’ play in this movie? What did you think of Tommy’s decision? And the other guys’ reactions? Do you think you can sell your soul to the devil?

We played a game utilizing these verses, which are at the bottom.
Verses: Matthew 10:28, Matthew 16:26, Luke 10:27, 3 John 2, Deuteronomy 4:29, James 1:21, 1 Peter 2:11, Proverbs 22:24-25, Job 10:1, Psalm 19:7, Isaiah 55:2

After all the verses are completed, this was said: The physical bodies we see are only half the picture of what God has given us. God has also given us each a soul, and has given us clues about our souls in his Word.
Have the pairs share their completed verses with the rest of the group. Then ask:
What does the Bible tell us about the soul?
What are the differences, if any, between the soul and the physical body? What are the similarities, if any?

What do you think God cares about more: our souls or our physical bodies? Why?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 We follow this sequence in Scripture: The First Adam received life, the Last Adam is a life-giving Spirit. Physical life comes first, then spiritual—a firm base shaped from the earth, a final completion coming out of heaven. The First Man was made out of earth, and people since then are earthy; the Second Man was made out of heaven, and people now can be heavenly. In the same way that we've worked from our earthy origins, let's embrace our heavenly ends. Say:

This passage of Scripture likens our spirit to the “second man,” Jesus Christ.
We discussed these questions:
How is the difference between our flesh and soul like the difference between Jesus’ humanity and his divinity? What are the similarities, if any?
What do you think about the importance of taking care of your soul, compared with taking care of your physical body?
What are some ways we can nourish and protect our souls?

• Why do most people believe in the soul's existence even though there's no physical proof?
• What makes a person's soul different from his or her body?
• Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-5. Our bodies are like tents that we live in here on earth. But when these tents are destroyed, we know that God will give each of us a place to live. These homes will not be buildings that someone has made, but they are in heaven and will last forever. 2While we are here on earth, we sigh because we want to live in that heavenly home. 3We want to put it on like clothes and not be naked. 4These tents we now live in are like a heavy burden, and we groan. But we don't do this just because we want to leave these bodies that will die. It is because we want to change them for bodies that will never die. 5God is the one who makes all of this possible. He has given us his Spirit to make us certain that he will do it.

• What's the physical and spiritual significance of the soul?
• How do our souls make humanity unique from the rest of creation?

• What’s the significance of each person being responsible for his or her soul? How does this concept make God more personal? bring equality among all people?
• Would you want to face God right now? Explain. If you could only do one more thing to better prepare your soul to meet God, what would it be? What’s preventing you from doing this?

What can you do to nurture and strengthen your soul? How can this apply to your life?

Matthew 10:28- Don't be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There's nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire lifebody and soulin his hands.

Matthew 16:26, What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Luke 10:27, The man replied, "The Scriptures say, `Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.' They also say, `Love your neighbors as much as you love yourself.'

3 John 2, Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Deuteronomy 4:29, But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.

James 1:21, You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you.

1 Peter 2:11, Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

Job 10:1, I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain.

Psalm 19:7, The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Isaiah 55:2, Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Ezekiel 18:4 The lives of all people belong to me--parents as well as children. Only those who sin will be put to death.

O Brother Bible-Life Study on Music

2009-01-26T23:19:00.000-06:00

MUSIC

What role did music play in the movie? How did music influence the characters? Did the music help with the ‘setting’ of the movie, being in the 1930s, Depression Era Mississippi?

Some stats: The soundtrack had only a few ‘old’ songs, like “Big Rock Candy Mountain” from 1928 at the beginning, and This Little Light of Mine from 1920. The soundtrack also has sold over 8 million copies, and won 3 Grammy’s Including Album of the Year, beating Bob Dylan, OutKast, and U2.

A recent survey showed that 14- to 17-year-olds, who are obviously critical because they're the listeners and consumers of tomorrow, found 78% listened to radio every day, 84% listened to music on a computer, iPod or MP3 every day. That's the first time "alternative" sources have topped radio.
Also, a study of teenagers found 41% said their iPods or MP3 players are the first place they go to hear music. About 27% said computers and 22% said FM radio.
So teenagers who all used to listen to the radio now increasingly find new music through Facebook or MySpace or P2P file-swapping.

Would these stats apply to y’all?

Start off with the Music Questionnaire then go into the discussions…
Questionnaire
What Words most clearly describe your taste in music? (Circle all that apply)
Punk Contemporary Christian Hard of Hearing Modern Country Traditional Hymns
Hard Rock Classical Heavy Metal disco Classic Rock (late 60s-70s)
Oldies (50s-mid 60s) soft rock comedy jazz R&B
Hip Hop emo pop Classic Country (before 1990) show tunes

What three bands or musicians would you most pay to go hear?
What bands do you think should be paid to keep quiet?
If someone stole your entire CD collection/iPod/mp3 player and the insurance company would give you the money for a whole new collection, what five albums would be at the top of your list to buy/replace? Why?
What band or musician have you listened to and liked the longest?
What song title best describes your life?
What song title best describes your school?

Share some of their answers then move on…
• Why does music have such a powerful effect on us?
Read 2 Chronicles 5:11-14. 11-13 The priests then left the Holy Place. All the priests there were consecrated, regardless of rank or assignment; and all the Levites who were musicians were there—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their families, dressed in their worship robes; the choir and orchestra assembled on the east side of the Altar and were joined by 120 priests blowing trumpets. The choir and trumpets made one voice of praise and thanks to GOD—orchestra and choir in perfect harmony singing and playing praise to GOD:
Yes! God is good! His loyal love goes on forever!
13-14 Then a billowing cloud filled The Temple of GOD. The priests couldn't even carry out their duties because of the cloud—the glory of GOD!—that filled The Temple of God.
• How does coming together to worship God through music differ from other types of music experiences? other types of worship?
• Is it necessary to prepare ourselves in any way before we worship God through music? Why or why not?
• How can we make our music worship experiences more meaningful?

*The Music in Me
Ask:
• What do you think about the words of the popular music these days? Do you listen to the words? Can you sing along with most songs?
• How do you think these words affect you? Do they change your ideas? Raise or lower your moral standards?
• What would other people think of you from your tastes in music? From your values, thoughts, personality, habits? Does that bother you? Why or why not?

• Have someone read aloud Philippians 4:8 ("Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable"—God’s Word). Emphasize the importance of filling our minds with what is "true," "honorable," "fair," "pure," "acceptable," and "commendable." Explain that not all secular, contemporary music is bad or gross, but that many of the popular songs focus on what is "untrue," "dishonorable," "unfair," "impure," "unacceptable," and "uncommendable." How does this verse relate to music—what we listen to, the words, etc.?
• In computer terms, GIGO, or Garbage In, Garbage Out means that what is fed into the computer is directly related to what comes out. How do you think this relates to the verse we just read?
• What can we do to develop Christian listening habits?

*Verses Versus
Distribute sheets with the following Scripture references printed on them to groups of 3 or 4. After reading each passage, have the students write how it should affect their music listening and buying habits. Have them share when finished.

Galatians 5:16-23 16If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires. 17The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. 18But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you.
19People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. 20They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are 21envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom.
22God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, 23gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.

Corinthians 10:31 When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God.

Psalm 19:14 14Let my words and my thoughts be pleasing to you, LORD, because you are my mighty rock [a] and my protector.

After everyone has finished, briefly discuss their answers, emphasizing the responsibility of Christians to be discerning in their listening habits.
How can you or do you listen to music that may not have the most positive, uplifting message, and not let it affect you? Or to listen to a band/singer who is not the most positive influence/role model? Does that make any difference to you how the singer/band acts in real life?
Adults, share music you’ve listened to and how it made a difference to you. What were ‘good songs’ and what were ‘bad songs’. As a teenager did your parents know what you were listening to? What did they say? How did the music affect you? Ever negative? Giving these personal examples may help the YOUth realize how they should be listening to music.

Closing thought- We’re not asking or expecting you to go throw out all of your cds or delete all of your itunes, although if someone were to do that, it would be impressive and commendable. We are just asking you all to be aware of what you are listening to and how that may interfere with your relationship with God. If your attitude is changing, your personality, your thoughts, especially if they are going against God, then maybe it comes from what is going into your ears. Be able to separate the ‘words of the world’ from the ‘Word of God’. If you aren’t listening to God’s Words at all, then take some time to do so or listen to music that is honoring God.

Friday Night Lights Bible Study on Perfection and Grace10-5-08

2008-10-14T16:14:00.000-05:00

We first watched the locker room scene close to the end of the movie where Coach Gaines explains to his team what he means by “perfect.” He doesn’t believe it necessarily means winning. He says it means having the ability to look friends and family in the eye with the knowledge that you did everything possible, with a sense of love and joy. He believes having that clear conscience makes you perfect.

We then discussed the following questions:
• Do you agree with Coach Gaines’ definition of perfection? Why or why not?
• Where have you seen people in our society obsessed with perfection? (school, sports, business...)What kinds of things get labeled “perfect” (fashion related stuff, models, athletic accomplishments...)?
• Do you feel any pressure to be perfect? If so, in what area? How does this pressure affect you?

Read aloud Matthew 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

• Is Jesus’ command to be perfect like him impossible? Why or why not?
• What does he mean by being “perfect”? What advice does he give for becoming perfect?
• Are you trying to live out his advice in your own life? Why or why not? In what ways would it change your life if you tried to live out his advice?
• Why should we strive for perfection regardless of how hard it is? In what one area of your life, will you commit to strive for perfection?

• What's your definition of "grace"? (forgiveness, God's love, A gift from god that we receive when we should receive punishment.)
• Besides forgiveness, in what other ways does God show his grace? How have you seen grace given in someone else's life?

• In what ways have you experienced God's grace personally? Are you aware of God's grace every day? If not, what would help you increase your awareness?

We then did an object lesson dividing groups up and one group having to read some scripture through the bottom of drinking glasses.

Each group read Luke 7:36-50 . Those in Group #1 read with a drinking glass with the top of the glass down on the page—their job was to write what they imagined Simon was thinking as he watched the woman anoint Jesus. Those in Group #2 wrote what they imagined Jesus was thinking while the woman anointed him. And those in Group #3 wrote what the woman was thinking as she anointed Jesus.

Luke 7:36-50 (from the Message)- 36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."
40Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Oh? Tell me." 41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?" 43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
48Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins." 49That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!" 50He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

The groups then shared what they thought and were then asked:
What’s the difference between the three accounts of the same incident?
Why do Simon and Jesus react differently?
(Maybe touch on why we may think it weird for what the woman did to Christ’s feet, it WAS CHRIST, so who is to say how we would act or have acted in such an encounter.)

Those in Group #1 were asked:
What was it like to read the passage through the glass?
How is that like the way Simon saw the woman in the story (unclear, kind of skewed/not focused)?

Simon was a Pharisee who thought he had to obey the law to please God. When he looked at the woman, he saw a sinner. It was as if he saw things distorted like through the drinking glass and that shifted his perspective toward condemnation. Jesus saw the woman for who she was, received her worship, and freely gave her forgiveness. The woman knew that she needed Jesus’ grace, and didn’t push it away.

We then talked about the following:
For some of us, it’s very difficult to receive grace—why is that?
What are the “glasses” we need to get rid of before we can receive the grace that God gives us in Jesus?

Like last week we had verses on grace and forgiveness for everyone to read out loud to get a firm grasp on how we are forgiven, and how we can be perfected through Christ.

Psalm 103:1-3- 1 Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

Matthew 5:23-24- 23So if you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.

Matthew 18:23-35- 23-25"The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn't pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market.
"The poor wretch threw himself at the king's feet and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. "The servant was no sooner out of the room when he came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him ten dollars. He seized him by the throat and demanded, 'Pay up. Now!'
"The poor wretch threw himself down and begged, 'Give me a chance and I'll pay it all back.' But he wouldn't do it. He had him arrested and put in jail until the debt was paid. When the other servants saw this going on, they were outraged and brought a detailed report to the king.
"The king summoned the man and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave your entire debt when you begged me for mercy. Shouldn't you be compelled to be merciful to your fellow servant who asked for mercy?' The king was furious and put the screws to the man until he paid back his entire debt. And that's exactly what my Father in heaven is going to do to each one of you who doesn't forgive unconditionally anyone who asks for mercy."

Colossians 1:13-14- 13God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free.

1 John 1:9- But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.

Romans 7:15-25- 14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

Romans 8:1-2- 1If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be punished. 2The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you [a] free from sin and death.

Ephesians 2:4-6- It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah.

Closing: The grace and forgiveness of Christ compared to the activity of throwing the q-tips the week before, would have closed the distance between the throwers and the 'mark...aka God.' Therefore, it would be much easier to hit their mark. Also, the last week we talked about sin, and now this week we have talked about perfection, and what that means to Christ, and how we can become perfect because of the grace that God has given us, a grace that was there before any of us were born and before we ever sinned. Before any of that, we were already forgiven. In accepting this gift of grace, there is work that we must do to live like people who have been forgiven and that are striving for perfection in Christ and not the world.
We will achieve perfection when we get to Heaven because of Christ. As Coach Gaines said about perfection: it means having the ability to look friends and family in the eye with the knowledge that you did everything possible, with a sense of love and joy. He believes having that clear conscience makes you perfect. That can also apply to us having the ability to look Christ in the eye with the knowledge that we did everything possible, with a sense of love and joy and that we have a clear conscience. Accepting grace allows that to happen.

We closed by having them QUIETLY go into the designated ‘prayer room’. We asked them to take the prayer time as a time of confession, a time of asking forgiveness, a time to be filled with Love from God to be shared with others, a time to do what it takes to strive for perfection.

Friday Night Lights Bible Study on Sin 9-28-08

2008-10-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

Before the lesson, everyone received q-tips in which they had a mark/target of a small Styrofoam cup that was about half the distance of the basketball court away from them. The objective was to throw the q-tip into the cup. None made it. We did it again with the group much closer, but still no one hit the mark. The distance between them and the 'mark...aka God' was sin.

We opened with the scene at 1:02 where Mike and Coach Gaines are in the car together after the game and Mike talks about feeling cursed, no matter how good or bad he is. Coach Gaines talks about how people dig their own holes in life.

So what are your thoughts on that scene between Mike and Coach Gaines? Do any of you feel that way? That you are surrounded by the things that Mike mentioned? How is that like Sin?

First off, what is sin?

A definition of sin that I found:
The Hebrew and Greek words translated "sin" throughout the Bible revolve largely around two major concepts. The first is that of transgression. To transgress means "to step across" or "to go beyond a set boundary or limit." This concept can be compared to an athletic playing field with lines delineating the boundaries within which the game is played. When a player crosses over those boundary lines, he has committed a "transgression" and gone out of bounds. Limits are set that define the playing area, and the players are to stay within the limits of that area.

Most of the other words translated "sin" in the Bible involve a second concept, "to miss the mark." Again, to use a sports analogy, if a player aims for the goal and misses, how many points does he get? None. He missed the goal, missed the mark at which he was aiming.

This view of sin includes the concept of our going in one direction but straying off course to the side and not continuing in the direction we intended to go, with the result that we don't reach the goal we intended. We miss.

This concept also encompasses the idea of failing to measure up to a standard. For example, most academic courses and tests are graded or judged according to a minimum standard. If we don't meet that standard, we fail that test or course. A minimum level of performance is expected, and anything less than that standard is failure. By not meeting that standard, we "miss the mark" and don't pass. We can miss the mark by either missing the goal at which we were aiming or by falling short of that goal. In either situation we fail to reach the mark set for us.

The the group heard the following true illustration:
In Aachen, Germany, police were forced to break up a fight between a husband and wife when the husband, who was seeking an encounter with a prostitute, discovered his wife moonlighting—as a prostitute.
Police didn’t report who was more surprised or dismayed: the husband or the wife.

We discussed the following:
The husband was seeking to commit adultery. The wife was prostituting herself. Both were deeply involved in sin.
Which of them was guilty of committing the “greater” sin? Why do you think that?

Not all sin is as blatant as prostitution or adultery, but all sin, no matter how small, is destructive to our relationship with Christ.

How many of you in here sin? When you think of the sins you tend to commit regularly, is it hard to think of these as destructive? Why or why not? What are some sins that we as a society commit that we tend to be ok with and justify, and how do we justify them?

We discussed that it is easier to point out the specks in other people's eyes rather than notice the plank in our own. That as a society we seem to condone things like war, abundance of wealth without giving to God, etc.

We then discussed if there are always victims with sin.

We then passed out the following verses on sin, although there are plenty more verses about Sin in the Bible, as well as rules/laws/commandments/examples that God has given us to live by. The verses are at the end.

Sin is essentially falling short of what God wants us to do. We sin by doing things that don’t please God, and we sin by not doing things that God wants us to do. Let’s see what the Bible says about this: ( Deuteronomy 25:16; Ephesians 2:1-3; James 1:14-15; 4:17; 1 John 3:4; 5:17 ).

All people in every age have sinned. Because of the sin nature introduced by Adam and Eve, without God’s help no human is able to refrain from sinning. Let’s see what the Bible says about this (See Genesis 3:1-13; 1 Kings 8:46; Job 14:4; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10-12, 23; 5:12; 1 John 1:8 .)

Sin causes both physical and spiritual death. God’s standard is perfection, and with one single sin we’ve lost all possibility of being perfect. Therefore, we’re cut off from God and destined for spiritual and physical destruction. Let’s see what the Bible says about this (See Genesis 2:17; Isaiah 57:20-21; 59:2; Matthew 5:48; Romans 6:23; Galatians 6:7-8 .)

This was shared from the above of what I found on some definitions of sin:
Both of the concepts that we mentioned earlier, transgressing and missing the mark, involve a basic requirement. If we transgress, which means to cross over a set boundary or limit, then we must have a boundary or limit to cross over. If we miss the mark, we must have a mark, target or standard to miss. Sin, then, is to transgress those boundaries that God has set for us or to miss the target He set for us.
This is where the biblical definitions of sin become important, because these scriptures define the boundaries and standards God set for us. They define the playing field on which we are to live our lives. They also define the goal we are to aim for, the minimum standard we are expected to meet. In other words, the biblical definitions of sin show us the standards God has given us that define what is acceptable to Him and what isn't acceptable. They show us what measures up and what falls short of those standards, the fundamental principles God has given us to live by.
The definitions of sin in the Bible are not simply arbitrary dos and don'ts. Instead, they show us the way God lives. They show the spiritual principles by which He lives, the same standard of conduct He expects His human creations to live by.
So this hasn’t been the most uplifting discussion, and study, but it is important that we address sin and missing the mark. That mark being a life of following Christ. As Mike said in the clip, we are cursed by sin, and we are going to lose. We just can’t win. Sin is something hanging over us always. And as Coach Gaines said: Our only curses are the ones that are self imposed and that we dig our own holes. It is all of our fault for falling into temptation with our decisions in using our free will.
Let’s think about all of that for this week, but know that next week we are going to talk about the Grace that Christ has given us, and the remedy that it is over this curse of sin. Close in prayer then pass out the little target reminders to each of them as a way to remember what we talked about.

Deuteronomy 25:16- But the LORD is disgusted with anyone who cheats or is dishonest.

Ephesians 2:1-3- 1In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God. 3Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

James 1:14-15- We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. 15Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead.

James 4:17- If you don't do what you know is right, you have sinned.

1 John 3:4- Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law.

Genesis 3:1-13- The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal GOD had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?" 2-3 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'" 4-5 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." 6 When the Woman saw that the tree looked like good eating and realized what she would get out of it—she'd know everything!—she took and ate the fruit and then gave some to her husband, and he ate. 7 Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on"—saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves. 8 When they heard the sound of GOD strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from GOD. 9 GOD called to the Man: "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid." 11 GOD said, "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?" 12 The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." GOD said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?" 13 "The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."

1 Kings 8:46- (talking about enemies) When they sin against you—and they certainly will; there's no one without sin!

Job 14:4- There's no way a human can be completely pure.

Ecclesiastes 7:20- There's not one totally good person on earth, not one who is truly pure and sinless.

Isaiah 53:6- We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost. We've all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong, on him, on him. (prophesying the Messiah, who is the ‘Him’)

Romans 3:10-12- Basically, all of us, whether insiders or outsiders, start out in identical conditions, which is to say that we all start out as sinners. Scripture leaves no doubt about it: There's nobody living right, not even one, nobody who knows the score, nobody alert for God. They've all taken the wrong turn; they've all wandered down blind alleys. No one's living right; I can't find a single one.

Romans 3:23- All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.

Romans 5:12- You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we're in— first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death.

1 John 1:8- If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts.

Genesis 2:17- GOD commanded the Man, "You can eat from any tree in the garden, except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don't eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead."

Isaiah 57:20-21- The wicked are a restless sea tossing up mud. But I, the LORD, have promised that none who are evil will live in peace.
Isaiah 59:2- There's nothing wrong with God; the wrong is in you. Your wrongheaded lives caused the split between you and God. Your sins got between you so that he doesn't hear.

Matthew 5:48- Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Romans 6:23- Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death.

Galatians 6:7-8- Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

Friday Night Lights Bible Study on Reputation 9-21-08

2008-10-14T15:50:00.000-05:00

For Friday Night Lights. Reputation

Read the following true illustration to your students: An Irish judge has made it official:
Redheads do have quick tempers.
When a redheaded man appeared in Carrick-on-Shannon District Court as a defendant in several public order offenses, Judge Mary Fahy declared him guilty, fined him 225 Irish pounds (about $250 U.S.)—and said she believed his red hair was an indication of his hot temper.

Does this make sense to you? Do you feel this is an accurate perception?

What are the reputations of the following characters in the movie? Boobie Miles-perhaps a jock, natural ability that doesn’t work and doesn’t go to class? Coach Gaines perhaps a man who works hard and tries to do what is right and who cares for and wants the best for his players? Mike Winchell (the QB) perhaps hard working, devoted to his mom, under a lot of pressure due to single mom and some of her unknown issues? Ivory Christian (Defensive player aka Preacher Man. Quiet, silent leader, respected, doesn’t take crap)? Blonde girl at the party with Mike (perhaps promiscuous, popular, pushy)? Don Billingsley (the one that is Tim McGraw’s son-perhaps a partier, promiscuous, acts out due to his father).

Are there any people like this at your school and how would you react/treat them:
How are reputations made?
How does a person's reputation affect how you treat him or her? Why do you think that is?
• Read aloud Proverbs 22:1 “A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold.” And 1 Tim 3:7 Finally, they must be well-respected by people who are not followers. Then they won't be trapped and disgraced by the devil.
Do you agree with these verses? Why or why not?

• Is it easier to build a good or bad reputation? Explain. Is this fair? Why or why not?
What makes a reputation so precious? How long does it take to gain a reputation? to lose it? to restore it?

• What 's the general reputation of Christians in society today? How does that reputation affect the public perception of Jesus? (Going back to how you would have treated the movie characters if you went to the same school, perhaps that is why Christians are looked at in a certain way as far as our treatment of others.)

• Next, the group wrote down on cards or paper the answers to these questions. 1. How would you describe your own reputation?
2. Do you think your reputation reflects who you really are?
3. If you could choose your reputation, what would it be?
4. If someone in your English class were asked about your reputation, what would they say?
5. Is there a discrepancy between your two answers? If so, why?

The answers were then shared with the group.

* How does your reputation reflect upon God? Why do people project onto God the reputations of his followers? Is this fair? Why or why not?

* Read aloud Acts 5:12-16. “12The apostles worked many miracles and wonders among the people. All of the Lord's followers often met in the part of the temple known as Solomon's Porch. [a] 13No one outside their group dared join them, even though everyone liked them very much. 14Many men and women started having faith in the Lord. 15Then sick people were brought out to the road and placed on cots and mats. It was hoped that Peter would walk by, and his shadow would fall on them and heal them. 16A lot of people living in the towns near Jerusalem brought those who were sick or troubled by evil spirits, and they were all healed.”

What does this say? Sum it up in your own words. How did the disciples gain such a great reputation? Are we able to do something similar today? Why or why not?
* What responsibility do we have in protecting God's reputation?
* If God cared about his reputation, why would God allow us to affect it? What does this tell you about God?
** What one thing could we do as a ministry to increase our reputation? How would doing this thing bring glory to God?
• Can a person have a good reputation and still have fun? Why or why not/how so? Do they know anyone that does?

• Read aloud Ecclesiastes 7:1. 1 A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date.” Why would the writer consider a "good reputation" better than a lot of money? Do you agree? Explain.

• Should we care about what other people see us doing? Why or why not? Who are some people you believe have good reputations? What did they do to gain their reputation?

• What do you believe to be your own reputation? How can you make your own reputation stronger? What can you do to protect it from damage?
How does this apply to your life/what can you take away from this as a teenager? As a guy/girl? As a Christian?

The group closed in Prayer.

Sunday Night YOUth Bible Life Study 9-14-08

2008-09-23T14:50:00.000-05:00

Our Topic for our Bible-Life Study using the movie Friday Night Lights was "What do you live for?"

We began by watching the scene at the Drive In where the guys are talking about their evening plans and going to a party, when a former player came up talking about winning a state championship ring and that being what their goal should be. We also discussed the scene of Boobie Miles in the car with his uncle after his injury, and just the general attitude of the town, families, businessmen, etc.

We discussed: What were these people’s obsession? What do you think about this obsession? Did it not seem like football was what they lived and breathed and that it was their whole world?

We asked the group to think of and share some things they have at home that they cherish greatly.

We did an activity of ranking the values of others as well as the values of the individuals at YOUth, using some of the following questions"

What are other things people value highly?

Are any of these items fundamentally evil? Why?

Are any wrong to value? Why or why not?

The point being that when we put anything before God, regardless even if it is something good, then those things get in the way of our relationship with God. God is what we should cherish and value first. Those things that get ahead of God become idols, much like football seemed to be for the citizens of Odessa.

Some verses on Idols:

Deuteronomy 5:8-10 (No carved gods of any size, shape, or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim. Don't bow down to them and don't serve them because I am God, your God, and I'm a most jealous God. I hold parents responsible for any sins they pass on to their children to the third, and yes, even to the fourth generation. But I'm lovingly loyal to the thousands who love me and keep my commandments);

Matthew 6:19-21, 24 ("Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. 24- "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.) ; and a third to read

Matthew 10:37-39 Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me. "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me.

We used these verses to discuss:

What are idols?

What the verses say the results of idolatry are?

Why you think God feels so strongly about idols?

The last verse is a tough one, talking about preferring Jesus vs. preferring parents, siblings, or children. What do you think he is getting at with this? Do you think he is saying to not love your parents? What is his point? What do you think about that?

The group concluded especially from this last part that God's desires are the same, but in the last verse especially it is stated by Christ in a more stern tone. However, it is basically the same as the 2 greatest commandments being 1. Have no other gods before me and 2. Love your neighbor as yourself. Ultimately, God wants our focus and priority to be on God, especially consideringthat God has done so much for us, so much to even list.

After the discussion we ranked what SHOULD BE the top 6 of the list of things the we valued and what we felt others value. We discussed how it is probably what we think our values should be . . . but was it how we’re living?

We discussed how, in the movie were there other things going on in people’s lives that were probably more important than football that they could have valued more? (Mike’s mom, Coach Gaines’ family, graduating, Boobie and education, Business (all the men that come to the Coach’s office), Billingsley’s relationship with his dad.

We then closed with a self evaluation, with the group closing their eyes listening to the following statements and questions and quietly thinking about them and answering them:

Imagine Jesus Christ is seated in front of you.

What would Jesus say to you about how you use your free time?

What would Christ say your priorities are based on how you spend your pocket money?

What would Christ say about your energy and focus, based on your conversations with your closest friends?

Is there a difference between what you say you value most and how you live?

Are there any idols in your life? If so, how do you feel about that?

Would anything need to change in your life to make God your first priority?

How can you begin to make those changes?

We closed in prayer.

For the Guys

2008-05-15T14:00:00.003-05:00

This is from our Dead Poets Society Bible-Life Study that we finished a few weeks ago I and decided that this is the best way to get these comments, and the ones from the Meand Girls Bible-Life Study out to people. Below are comments that I compiled from asking the following question to guys who are in college or recently out of college, so their perspectives are still fresh. "What do you know now that you wish you new when you were in Jr./Sr. High School. Some of these comments come from former YOUth members here at Lakewood, and some from others that I know. I am not necessarily saying that I fully support some of these statements, but I do feel that it gives a variety of experiences and thoughts, many of which may pertain to some of you. Also, I didn't take the time to correct the grammatical errors. The bold, red numbers indicate a different perspective.

1. Well, I'm not quite sure what I've learned or wish I had known. I do know now that girls will always be girls and that their mood swings and off-the-wall emotional breakdowns will never change. It only gets worse. Also, after being in college for a few years I realized that high school wasn't as bad as I thought it was when it was going on. I sort of regret wishing my high school days away. Don't get me wrong though, high school doesn't compare to college and I wouldn't go back to high school if I had the chance.. but when college starts to get hard don't start to wish your college days away either because one day you will actually have to do something. that's all I have as of right now.

2. I would like to have known that it's okay not to have a definite idea about what God is calling you to do with your life. It can take a while for you to be able to say, "Well, duh! Why didn't I know then that was what I was supposed to do!?!"

3. I don't know really. The thing I think about most now is the difference between the "rules" (use loosely) that really do constrict you and the ones that give you more freedom. I think in Searcy, especially with the Harding entity, there were a lot of things imposed through Church of Christ doctrine that really did hinder freedom, be it within the church or outside, i.e., no music in the church, subordination of women, or the fact that Harding controlled some of the market on what could be shown on television. In my opinion, these "rules" were there to make a specific group of people feel better about their righteousness because they could judge other folks based on them. That sucks.BUT, I've also come to realize now, through my own actions as well as some youth struggles, that the really important things we adhere to are there to keep us more free, whether it be enforcement by the state, parents, or our own desire to not be selfish. If you steal, you will go to jail. If you make a baby, you have to deal with that. If you drink and drive, you might die. All losses of freedom in some way, shape, or form. I think this holds true for things in the church, and it all boils down to people being selfish. The less selfish we are, the more freedom we will have. So the rules we have are there to make us more free than to hinder us.

4. One thing i'd say is to try and be yourself in high school; be an individual and try to find out your character and develope that. We just think high school is something in our way, cliques, and paties, but it's an important time of your life.

5. First and foremost, high school is not the pinnacle in most people's social life. Especially if you go to college. I put more energy than I should've into what people thought about me and my actions. Others that I graduated with, lived their lives by what people thought of them. Don't sell out would be my advice.Secondly, (I figure this should be covered) Masturbation and Pornography. Boom! The two largest downfalls throughout jr high, high school and beyond. 1. Masturbation is a gray area that has no clear guidelines. I use 1 Corinthians 10:23 as my basis for saying if it's right or wrong. Sometimes, yes it's beneficial. I can honestly make that argument. But most of the time, no. 2. Pornography, a simple no. I would say it's easier to overcome it in high school than in college because it's so readily available in college. No parents are going to check your browsing history and your roommate is going to go home for the weekend. I would suggest an accountabiliity program like x3 watch. If you're not familiar with it, it monitors questionable sites and sends an email to your accountability partner listing links to the sites. On both of these issues I had the misconception in high school that I would just grow out of them. The only way that you stop them is to stop them. It takes an actual effort and is not easy. But it can be done.

6. Mostly that the crazy emotions you feel dont really mean jack, except to you. If you dont keep them under control, they can actually mess your life up like what happens to neal or you can hurt people you care about. Focus on what makes you happy. Also, college is way harder than high school, which seems dumb but no one ever believes it.

7. I guess just the fact that it's ok to not follow the crowd. That was something I always knew but some of my friends couldn't resist. Alot of people that I knew decided to "fit in" by falling into temptation and running arond with the wrong people. So in a nut shell just tell them that they should feel good about themselves about standing strong in their values and that they will be able to find friends that share those views as well.

For the Gals

2008-05-15T14:00:00.002-05:00

This is from our Mean Girls Bible Study at the beginning of the semester. I wanted to wait and get comments from guys after the Dead Poets Society Bible-Life Study and decided that this is the best way to get them out to people. Below are comments that I compiled from asking the following question to young women who are in college or recently out of college, so their perspectives are still fresh. "What do you know now that you wish you new when you were in Jr./Sr. High School. Some of these comments come from former YOUth members here at Lakewood, and some from others that I know. I am not necessarily saying that I fully support some of these statements, but I do feel that it gives a variety of experiences and thoughts, many of which may pertain to some of you. Also, I didn't take the time to correct the grammatical errors. The bold, red numbers indicate a different perspective.

1. dont get so caught up in the things that only matter right then (styles, fashion, whether or not you have "been with a guy") Fashions of all areas come and goeven though at the time things seems so important....later you will realize no one really cared and the ones who did by this point you will have realized weren't a true friend anyway.don't talk so much and get on the level of some of those that will surround you. what goes around comes around so if they talk bad about someone and you stick up for that person you will see it comes back to you and makes you realize how glad you were you didnt steep to their level.pay attention to those people that you dont "think" notice you. saying hi to those outside your group is one of the best things you can do. everyone notices everyone in HS never be to good to say hi to someone or ask how their day is going. (they mentioned how at the end of the year at graduation how several people that they never hung with wanted to take pics with them and stuff because they had been so nice to them over the yr...and just how good that made you feel)step outside of your comfort box and be the better person in your group that helps that "nerd" who just feel rather than pointing fingers and laughing just b/c everyone else is but wishing inside oyu could help them and not be made fun of. everyone gets the chance to drink alcohol at some point. it doesnt make you any cooler, no matter what you think. and coming from someone who never drank in HS people respected me more for always being true to myself rather than giving into peer pressure. no one makes fun of the person thats willing to drive and save their lives.guys that "all of the sudden" like you when they are drinking....dont really like you. its the alcohol talking....remember that when you think about hooking up with them.....nothing sucks worse than to be the only one that remembers it the next day.never do something with a guy that makes you feel weird. relationships are all about comfort. if you arent comfortable with the person it wont feel right. it doesnt mean somethings wrong with you...it just means you aren't ready...whether that be arent ready for kissing...cuddling...anything.you can use this story as an example if you want i dont care....i had just started "talking" to a guy my sophmore year in HS. he was this hearthrob(older) that everyone talked about so i felt like i was something ...naturally...we had been to a dance together and gone on a few group dates but nothing to serious...halloween that year a girl in my class was having a huge party at her house. her parents were out of town and it was the place to be. everyone was staying the night(girls and guys so we all had to lie to get to go)...there was tons of alcohol(again we are all in HS) .costumes were required..the whole nine yards.all my friends were going and like i said i didnt drink in HS so i knew i wouldnt drink anything but i was still a little nervous just because of the obvious reasons. when we got there he was there and had been drinking a lil at this point but really didnt acknowledge me to much. he asked me later in the night to go with him to the store right up the street.i couldnt say no..he might get mad at me. we went to the store..where he bought alcohol(both of us under 21 remember). on the way home he stopped at this park on the side of the road. it was here that one thing lead to another. i felt weird from the moment we pulled up. we were in a place i wasnt familiar with...in someone elses car....we had never really done anything besides kiss and even those weren't big yet...he turned off the car and just rolled from one thing to another...not giving me any time to say no...i finally realized i was so uncomfortable with the situation that i just kind pulled him away and told him we needed to get back. he tried to ignore me and just kept pushing but i just kinda made some excuse to have to go back (which am sure he knew was exactly that) but he took me back....i ran back and cried for hours in the bathroom with my best friend. i felt so violated. i had never been treated that way before and didnt understand why he went about it like that. ....my friends told me what all friends do...he was drinking he didnt realize it ....tom it will be fine blah blah. but the thing was i had this tearing at my heart. that everything i has just done was nothing i wanted to have done with him at that point in our relationship..and although i didnt sleep with him i wanted everything in between to mean something and not just be steps passed through to try to get to sleeping together faster (which was exactly how he viewed it)..well apparently the alcohol was the only thing that was thinking for him that night. i went back out later and just decided to play cool but keep close to friends there...only to watch him take some other girl out to his car and never come back that night....it just went to show that i knew all along what i wanted...i just wasnt listening to myself because he was that guy everyone wanted to be with. i let all those things happen becuase i knew it was something everyone else wanted so i felt like it was something i had to want as well...but here we are YEARS down the road...and guess what he has 3 children with 3 women and been married twice....so even though i felt stupid for pushing him away that night....sometimes your gut feeling is far better to go with than what others tell you....you make the only decisions that matter in your life...oh and not to mention...guys who dont acknowledge you in public and dont want to meet your friends and family...are after one thing and it isnt to be around long to say the least....guys that care about a girl sincerely care about her interest and want to do anything to get her attention which usually consist of meeting friends and family and maybe youth groups and whatever else... ...that is something i wish i would have realized a lil more in HS. you cant make every guy fit what you are looking for. there are some guys you will meet that you know arent right...trust your gut feeling.

2. I guess some of the most important things I have learned that time does heal all wounds and offering them up to God at that same moment when it seems like the end of the world really does help.Find your true friends and stick to those. True friends are friends who love you for who you are make you feel good about yourself at all times and are honest and kind. I had many people who I thought were going to be lifelong friends only to turn out to be only around when I was happy or when I was only around. I had the experience of going over 300 hundred miles away to college and now even farther away from my best friends. It is the friends that stick by you no matter how far away you are.I used to bully and be bullied in elementary, junior high, and highschool. College I was fortunate enough to be mature enough to stay out of most of those situations. I wish I would of done so all the years. Always treat people the way you want to be treated. And remember what it says about you if you gossip. Others will not trust you and you will have very shallow relationships. Remember more of what is important in life. Identify those things and then do an inventory. Do I have friends that are loyal, make me laugh, are kind, respectful, have little drama (there will always be drama)... do you have friends that listen as much as they talk! Stick to who you are and what you believe. Never fall into the pressures of drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, stealing.... do not do it. They will not only produce enormous guilt they will live with you in your mind and in your heart for a while. I never had anyone tell me ... dont do drugs and dont drink or dont steal- for whatever reasons I knew I did not want to be that person. Stay away from those crowds if you can. Try to not be a jealous person. It leads to so many other things like insecure, low self esteem, lack of confidence. Embrace yourself. If there is something you dont like change it or perfect it. Don't envy others. That is so tough to do but realize that all people have flaws and problems and issues. Yours and yours and theirs are theirs. Embrace yours and become a better person.I have two sisters and one is very introverted and very extroverted. Both are great and have qualities that shine because of the way they are. But yet they both envy each other and it is sad because they both have special talents they are wasting because of the energy they put into wanting each others talents. Last but not least be confident. Always hold your head up high, smile, and be fearless when it comes to meeting new people and keep your heart open to new friends.

3. Girls can be very catty, especially in jr high/high school. At that age it is easier to put someone down for their differences than get to know them and find similarities. I would encourage girls at that age to look deeper than the exterior of a person and get to know them despite the group they hang out with or the clothes they wear.

4. 1. Be yourself. I know this is cliche, but it is so true. Throughout high school and jr. high girls are so obsessed with fitting in that they forget to ask themselves if they really want to. Don't be afraid, as Rach said, to do things your friends aren't doing- but b/c YOU want to.ex: i have always been interested in global health/aids awareness stuff. I didn't have the guts in high school to create a club, or try to get involved with something under this topic b/c i was spending too much time doing pep rally or student council..all good things..but you know. anyway, this year at PSU I found a Globe Med Club that is really awesome. there aren't that many people in it, but it is a great way to meet ppl who care about the same things that you do. i've also learned a great deal about global health and about how i can help out. 2. Have guy friends that aren't boyfriends. I know in junior high this seems sort of goofy b/c girls and boys are just starting to interact..but throughout high school i met several great guys who have become some of my best friends. it is great to talk to them b/c they aren't always wrapped up in drama and usually are pretty funny. I'm so glad I stayed close with my guy friends and didn't always hang out with "the girls" at the mall b/c they have turned out to be some of the most genuine friends i have. 3. I know it is said to not put yourself in atmospheres where you will be pressured to do things. don't go to this and so party b/c there will be drugs and alcohol there...we'll it's OK, you can still go. I have always tried to not judge others based on what they are "known for" and simply by how they interact with me. Just because someone smokes pot, or likes to drink on the weekends doesn't mean they are a horrible person and you should never look at them. All through high school I hung out with people who may have done things I didn't do, but they never pressured me to do it. Even if they do, all you have to do is say no thanks and everything stays the same. You can go to "Justin's party" where everyone from school will be and you don't have to drink. I had more fun watching people, having long conversations with ppl I had never really gotten to know, and just laughing about stupid stuff with kids my age. *Also, when ppl in your class see that you can have just as much fun w/o substances maybe they'll try it one time :) But don't be afraid to be friends with ALL sorts of ppl. My senior class, I think for the most part, was really good about having some big parties where lots of different circles of people came and everyone got along fine. i could go to a party where the IB kids would be in the den talking about T.O.K., the kitchen would be packed with the wild ones doing who knows what, and the quiet girls would be taking goofy pictures outside...everyone still talked with each other and laughed and enjoyed being a part of "our class". 4. Don't feel like you have to have a boyfriend. Boyfriends are great, but you don't have to have one to be cool or have a good time. My entire senior year I was single. I know girls imagine senior year having a steady b/f who picks you up in his convertible...blah blah..my senior year was a blast!! and i didn't so don't fret. I only had one serious relationship throughout high school and yeah it was fun and I learned:-don't be afraid to tell a boy what you are thinking, he is probably thinking the same thing-have fun. don't take it too seriously. you probably aren't going to marry this person, so if you find a flaw-embrace it,-you CAN change a person for the good. my b/f in high school was in to some bad stuff before we were together and i showed him that he didn't need that stuff. *however, don't think that he will change completely...no one does.

5. I guess what I wish I had known maybe just payed more attention to was that it's not worth trying to fit yourself into a clique. Either a) they know that they are the group that everyone wants to be around and hang out with and don't care to be inclusive (in which case don't waste your time they aren't worth it) or b) they are totally oblivious that they are "that group" and just see themselves as a big group of friends and won't think to include you in all their inside jokes and last minute plans and you'll just perpetually feel left out (and trust me that's no fun either). I'm in a sorority at UCA and there are smaller groups of friends within the larger group and there is that one group of girls that are just such good friends that they always have so much fun so everyone wants to be around them. But i started to realize that I was trying to wheedle my way into a tight group of friends that had their own history and jokes and patterns of behavior. I was feeling left out at times because I wasn't letting it be natural. I guess the moral of my story is that even though a group might look like alot of fun and something you would want to be a part of take a step back and make sure it's really a group worth trying for and also if they are even willing to open up their group. Honestly, no friendship that is artificial in the beginning will make it long-term. Only the natural organic friendships ever really make it so don't contrive anything.

6. Umm I guess, one thing would be to not read so much into what others think of you....because at least for me I realized that it was when I wasn't trying to impress others that people would notice me. For Example: If I wore my favorite outfit to school, some people would give me compliments...mostly girls....but it was when I did the most random thing, or wore the most random outfit that several people would actually stop and compliment me for whatever. Um...what else? I guess the old saying..."Just know that someday you will look back on the things you stressed over in highschool and laugh." B/c I know that no matter what age I am I always stress.....I think in jr. high it was more school and then high school it was kind of like the "boy thing" and now it's just making it through the week...haha---gahh I know I sound old and tired....I guess you can tell I've had a rough week....sorry if it affects my comments on this topic.....It's only Tuesday and I just don't understand my life right now. :)----Um, let's see.....I guess another thing would be to not be afraid to do things you didn't do in the past, or things that your friends don't do. Not like bad things like drugs....but for example: I did cheerleading....and none of my friends at the time were involved in it. BUT in the long run I made some great new and different friends in those three years (may have not been my best friends-but I had a larger network senior year)AND THE MORE PEOPLE YOU KNOW WELL YOUR SENIOR YR> OF HIGHS CHOOL, THAT ARE IN YOUR CLASS, THE BETTER!

7. EVERY girl, even the ones that seemed perfect, was fighting some kind of personal battle. Girls that always had to have a boyfriend usually did so because they felt lost/worthless without one. Not every girl that doesn't talk to you is mean, some are just shy and waiting for you to speak first. Just because a girl runs around with a stereotypical group doesn't mean she's that stereotype. A lot of girls put on an act to be accepted instead of being themselves for fear of rejection. NOBODY grows up to be the same person they were in high school. Every girl I know has changed since high school, most of them matured into women I never thought they would be. The drama that goes on in high school between girls is some of the most ridiculous things they will ever experience. At that moment, it seems like their world is falling apart, but they'll end up laughing or forgetting about it completely after high school. The girls who think they own the school, their friends, and the world become nobodies at the bottom of the totem pole once they become freshmen in college. Nobody remembers who went to prom with who, what girls were on homecoming which year, who made out with who, and frankly... nobody cares after high school. Girls are MEAN in high school because they're immature, not because they're better than everyone else. All the girls that the guys wanted to date in high school will either be the firsts to end up pregnant and/or be the ones that the men don't want to marry because of their reputation. Men want to marry the girls that respected themselves. Dating in high school is usually pointless. You may learn a few things from it, but 95% of the time, people never end up marrying the person they dated in high school. The girls you think are your friends in high school may be just that: your friends in high school. After that, you lose contact with most of them. I have friends now that I went to high school with and never spoke a word to during those years because they thought I was a snob since I was on the dance team, or because we ran around with different groups of people. After high school, cliques break apart and everyone becomes an individual. In high school, girls thought they were so cool, so big and grown up, and SO mature. When you get out of high school, you laugh at those girls, not just because they think they know it all and really have no idea, but also because you used to be one of those girls. Nobody remembers your clothes, your hair, how many zits you had that week, what clubs you were in, what you made on a test, whether or not you wore makeup that day... because nobody cares! Girls think everyone notices those things, but usually they're the only ones who notice. High school is like baby boot camp for the real world. The only thing you'll have left from it is your diploma, yearbooks, and embarassing prom pictures.

8. Love. And it's very cliche at this age. Any answer to this question that I can give will not be anything that Junior and Senior High girls haven't heared. I'm a firm believer that cliche things are cliche because they hold truth. But love. Loving people is something I'm genuinely discovering the second semester of my freshman year of college. I always looked at the floor as I moved class to class in high school because I was scared of awkwardly waving at someone and not being seen. Or waving back at someone who was actually acknowledging the person behind me. It's intimidating to be fully aware of the people around you. If you know the person walking next to you in the hallway, stike up a conversation. You know them. You have the same teachers. Be interested in their day. One of my biggest pet peeves is a smile that uses less muscles that the tip of my little finger. Those smiles aren't real. Let the people your smiling at see your teeth. Light up when you see someone. That person that you know the name of and have a couple of classes with but never really considered, they have a life. He or she is a real living and breathing person. Beyond that, they are a human being, worthy to be loved by you, and who is fully and dearly beloved by God. Moral: Light up when you see people. Walk around smiling. You can't do anything going class to class, so why not be fully absorbed in the lives of those around you. Care. And not just people you know. Start with the kids in your first period class. Get to know one thing about their lives. Then move to you next class. Care about people. Love them. Contrary to popular belief, you are your brother's keeper. Other Little Things:Don't call boys. You are worthy to be pursued. Smile at a pretty day. Listen to your parents. Read a lot of books. And yes, there is a type of book that you will like. Cry when you need to. Don't let anyone tell you you're laughing too hard. Put money in the offering plate when it goes by. A penny. A ten dollar bill. Every seven negative things you say to someone is equal to one positive. Tell your parents you love them. Holding hands is okay. Eat chocolate all you want. Get over it, you're skinny. Play outside. Disney movies aren't for babies. Boys are your brothers in Christ, not potential husbands. It doesn't matter where you sit at lunch. You don't know what one kind act will do to the rest of someone's life.And vice versa.

9. 1. Be yourself. It's more important to be happy with who you are than having everyone else happy. 2. It's more important to have a few really good friends that you can turn to no matter what, that know you really well, that you can depend on, than to try and be everyone's friend and get to know everyone. 3. Boys should not be the most important thing in your life. Actually, it's better to not even date, especially long term. Trust me, it just leads to heart-ache and makes you more skeptical about future relationships. Also, who cares how many boys you kiss? The fewer the better... which, unfortunately, is the opposite of what your friends will be telling you. Plus- never get to the point where a boy defines who you are. If he does, you need to examine the relationship. 4. Do what YOU want to do. Don't be so concerned about voicing your opinion on something, because the people you're voicing it to should care and be genuinely interested, and if they're not, then you need to find people that are. 5. It's okay to stay home with your parents on a Friday night and watch movies instead of going out with you friends-- those are the moments you really will remember when you're in college. 6. Forgive your girlfriends when you hear that they talk bad about you, and when you get mad at them, just let it go. Try not to permanently damage your relationship, because in a few years (maybe even weeks) you'll feel stupid for ending that tie, plus you'll really miss them. 7. Most importantly, the drama and the fights, is just high school. In a few years, you'll forget about it all, so don't dwell on who talked bad about who and who kissed who's boyfriend. Trust me, it's all really trivial in the long run, and you'll be significantly happier if you just be a shoulder for your friends to lean on and don't get caught up in the dramatic element of school. Be true to yourself and your friends, and you'll have a lot easier time making friends later because you'll know who you are! 8. Say "no" sometimes. You don't have to be everywhere and do everything for everyone. Do things for yourself!!

10. the thing i wish i could have grasped was that your life is not set. the people and surrounds of your life in highschool are far from permanent. you have the mindset that those people are your "bff4L" (sorry, had to use that lol) and they aren't even close. a few will stand out and make an impact on the rest of your life... but those people come few and far between. my mom would always tell me that but of course i thought she was crazy... now she's one of my best friends.

11 . I was talking with a friend the other day and I think she stole this from some other person's facebook, but she said the opposite of faith isn't doubt; it's control. And I was just thinking that would have been something I would have loved to have heard before I came to college.