So yesterday was another great day! We had a really good Bible study in the morning. We were able to talk about surrender sin. One of the phrases that Francis Chan talked about really stood out to many of our students. He it is:
“There are certain things God just says, “Look, I hate this, I don’t want you to do this, and as My created beings, as My creation, I know what is best for you and I want you away from this stuff. Get away from it because it’s going to destroy you.”
That’s a tough thing…but so true. God hates sin! And He knows what is best for us and what will destroy us. His desire for our lives is to be wrapped up in the things that please Him…and sin doesn’t do that. This session has really fit into where we have gone message-wise over the last few weeks. I was really glad with how the students picked apart Scripture and how they were able to tie it into where they are. If your student was in our time of Bible study yesterday morning, I encourage you to talk about sin, and how it gives birth to death.
Here are the passages we unpacked yesterday morning. They each had a key question to answer with it. And even if your student wasn’t in our class yesterday, I would encourage you to take some time and look at these passages and talk with them about it.
James 1:13-15 – How does sin give birth to death?
Psalms 1:1-2 – Why is it important to avoid hanging out with mockers, etc?
Romans 7:18-25 – How does Jesus rescue us from this cycle?
Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – How are we defined in verse 3 and 10?
Another awesome thing happened in the life of one of our newer students. A young man came and talked with me at the end of the 11:15AM service and shared with me his need for Jesus. He has been coming for a few weeks and the Lord has been working on him. Yesterday he stepped into LIFE! Pray for him and our ministry as we work to disciple this young man.
Last night was a great night too! The time of music worship was incredible. It just seems like over the last few weeks the Spirit has been moving. Students were singing out so loud last night. They were so engaged and excited to be there.
I was able to begin a new series on the Fruits of the Spirit. Last week I talked about real versus fake fruit and really felt like the Lord wanted me to break down the fruit. So last night I was able to talk about how the Holy Spirit produces the fruit in our lives, but it’s our job to obey and show the fruit to others. Then we jumped into LOVE. It was really cool to watch God at work. The majority of the students were really engaged in the message. I was able to challenge them to love like Jesus. To show AGAPE love. That unconditional, self-sacrificing love that God has shown to us. Jesus tells us in Matthew that we are to love God with our heart, soul and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is how the world will know that we are HIS DISCIPLES.
I’m excited about the next several weeks. I want to encourage you to talk to your students about what the Lord said to them. How did he speak? And how did they respond?
Look at the fruit in your students this week. Give them encouragement when you see the fruit being shown…and encourage them to look for the fruit in your life.
The message should be online by tomorrow. I’ll pass along the link once it is.
Oh, and if you were a parent that was unable to make the meeting yesterday, I’ll send out some info about what we talked about later today or tomorrow. Christa and I are praying for you and your families. We love you!
Pressing On,
Dale
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