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?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
The Goonies Bible Study on Confession
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Goonies Bible Study on Accepting Others
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?
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
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!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 .
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
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.
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.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Truman Show Bible-Life Study on Consequences
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.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Dropping a light bulb on a cement floor.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Cleaning up the dishes while your parents are away at a meeting.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Riding with a friend who’s been drinking.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Spilling a soft drink on your computer keyboard.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Stubbing your toe on a table leg.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
7. Doing a good job on a school project.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
8. Pretending to be the opposite sex in an online chat room.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
9. Hitting a baseball at a big window.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
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.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Dropping a light bulb on a cement floor.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
3. Cleaning up the dishes while your parents are away at a meeting.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
4. Riding with a friend who’s been drinking.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Spilling a soft drink on your computer keyboard.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
6. Stubbing your toe on a table leg.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
7. Doing a good job on a school project.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
8. Pretending to be the opposite sex in an online chat room.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
9. Hitting a baseball at a big window.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
O Brother Bible-Life Study on Baptism
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?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
If God’s voice were to suddenly
speak from heaven, what would he say
about you? Why?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How Pleased do you think God is with You? Why?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How can you follow Jesus’ example of commitment to God?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Commitment: In the space below,
write a prayer of commitment to God.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
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?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
If God’s voice were to suddenly
speak from heaven, what would he say
about you? Why?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How Pleased do you think God is with You? Why?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
How can you follow Jesus’ example of commitment to God?
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Commitment: In the space below,
write a prayer of commitment to God.
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
O Brother Bible-Life Study on Racism
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.
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
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 life—body and soul—in 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.
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 life—body and soul—in 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
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)