SCY Youth Minister’s Weblog

9-Man born blind

 10-Shepherd’s life threatened

11-Friend of Jesus dies

12-His time is coming to an end, give him your gifts now

There is no substitute for being in class, but there is no substitute for looking at a text after you’ve taught/participated in/heard a lesson either.  I will not try here to reteach or even cover the issues address from class (although I have thought it would be cool to record your comments), instead I’ll just highlight the scripture.

We are not of this world.  When our lives are broken we are temporarily messed up.  By temporarily I mean for a very short time.  During that time we are offered temporary healing (although ultimately eternal), and in ch. 9 we get to see, feel, and imagine God doing this for a guy.  What kind of healing do you need?  What kind of healing does God give everyone?  Where is the dark part of you?  In the story some didn’t believe the man, Who would not support your faith? Some wanted to rebuke him for telling of the beauty among the ugliness that is Christ’s redemptive work, do you have a rebuker, a discourager, a slow you downer?  What does God have to do to help you live for Him?  Wouldn’t it be sad if the guy wnet and lived life just like he did before?

In 10, the good shepherd lets us know how it goes down everyday.  Everyday some try to jump out but are rescued, everyday some avoid protection, everyday some close their ears and eyes and minds and hearts to goodness.  And rightliving, goodness, holiness, and mission can get you hurt by the world.  rightliving rarely does, goodness rarely does, holiness will get rediculed, but mission will get you hurt.  But don’t get tight, live lose in your mission.  Live with passion.  When you have a car accident and are lose the impact isn’t usually as bad.  Live lose in Mission for Jesus, active faith that attempts to influence others for Christ is the only way. 

Since mid Jan. we have completed 8 chapters from the Gospel of John.  Those that know me best would say, “how deligent”,” nice goal setting”,”uncanny speed”,”strong discipline” or maybe “so what”.  But it did take 7 months to cover 16 chs. of Mark so this is a step up.  We are on pace to finish John’s 21 chapters in 28 weeks, or 75% a chapter a week and completion on the last Sunday of July.  Mark’s gospel clip was 50% a chapter per week.  I pray that, even though we could spend a year on each chapter and not be able to apply Christ’s teaching fully, we will be more like Christ for having spent time with the Glory of our Savior.

Christ is the center of our Christian faith and the Gospel of John is another powerful witness we need to absorb.  In Chapters 5 through 8 Jesus is challenging the people.  He challenges the religious rulers to stop studying and notice what God is doing.  He challenges his followers to trust then ask and receive.  He challenges the people to believe difficult teaching and not walk away.  He challenges the Jews to forget what they thought was right about Yahwehism and believe that He and the Father are one. 

In the chapters we also see the power of Jesus to control the world in a supernatural way.  He took important Jewish festivals and gave them new meaning.  He drew the line in the sand and said, “If you follow me you will never die.”  Not following Jesus meant death.  His teachings were too hard yet too easy, they were too forgiving yet too specific.  They expected a total commitment, but not to streneous rules.  And His words made people more equal than than the special people would ever feel comfortable admitting. 

Jesus was bold, harsh, loving, and giving.  Let’s listen to Him and believe what He says.  Guess what?  His words aren’t going to be easier to swallow as the book progresses.  But as a whole the story is better (more complete) when you’ve heard it all.  See you Sunday.

Remember we have started dividing up into three groups Sunday for a discussion time.  Have a great rest of the week.  Walk in confidence with the Leader today!  

John’s Gospel has been divided in many ways.  One common way is the prologue (1:1-18), the Book of Signs (1:19-12:50), the Book of Glory (13:1-20:31), and an appendix (21:1-25).  So far our Sunday morning class has covered the prologue (2 weeks, sorry I got carried away) and the beginning of the Book of Signs (we are in the forth chapter now).  We’ve watched the John videos nearly every week and talked about the message of the scripture to it’s audience and to our lives. 

This is a good time to write about what we are doing in class because 1. it might help those who don’t attend class every week to keep up and 2. I’ve noticed that in these first few chapters we’ve covered most of the gospel message.  Gospel means “good news” and the Christian good news is that Jesus is the Son of Creator God.  He came to earth as a man to teach us important things.  Namely, that we need a relationship with God and only that relationship can give you eternal life.  We also see that those that would seem to understand the simplicity of this message don’t and those that shouldn’t often do.  It also shows a proper response to the good news- telling everyone else.  Chapters 1-4 teach us these things and more.  Read them again if you missed any of this. 

Although we’ve covered enough material to change your life forever- come to class again and let more be revealed to you about Jesus.  You may not want to know more, and I respect your will- youth have free will.  But no matter what, never forget what these first four chapters taught and how the only way they can be applied, as intended, is for you to believe the message, be changed, and live to help others believe.  Any teaching that calls you to a life of less is not THE good news.  Have a great day.

John 

The youth are covering the Gospel of John on Sunday morning. 

The word “WORD” in the beginning of John’s gospel means more than we might first think.  Do you recall what the words of God did in Genesis 1 and 2?  Check it out.  There was power like a Mack truck (raised to the 50 billointh power).  You know who had that power?  Jesus is this WORD, says the Gospel of John.  The Bible is saying that Jesus is that powerful.  Also, Gen 1:26 says ”Then God spoke, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness. . .”  Hey GUYS.  It is saying that you are made to be like something bigger, badder, bolder and more considerately loving than anything we can even dream about.  You are made in Jesus’ image.  Although Jesus didn’t walk around flexing his power over everything all the time (he did, as you know, quite often), what he did do was show you, a second version of himself, how to use what power you have in life.  The Spirit, Jesus, and God want you to be like them.  And in our study we will consider that same powerful thing (Jesus) as he steps on our little stage- for us to look at, talk to, imagine. 

You serve a big God.  And the Book of John starts off telling us how Big Jesus is.  And it tells us many other things about Him- this book is all about Him and Us.

How do you best know Jesus?  As big creator, as helper, as friend to the lost or hurting, as critic of the special, as a sacrifice (very common in our family), as a revolutionary, as a life-style changer, as a teacher, or as many other things- which do you know best?

What do you hope to gain through our study?

What percentage of your life are you willing to give to God’s likeness?

What is your calling from God?

Describe the purpose of you being a servant of Christ.