Here is What we have going on this week!
Sunday (Aug 23rd) 5pm: Parents meeting to discuss the direction of the youth ministry!
Sunday (Aug 23rd) 6-730pm: Youth Back to School Kick off!
-Both Events are held at the Lakemont Clubhouse:21021 Lakemont Bend Dr
Richmond, 77407
Lesson for Aug 23rd: Vulnerability/Receiving:
-We will start with an activity where our task is to serve others. The conflict arises when everyone is so focused on serving that they are unwilling to receive.
-The teaching point comes from John 13:1-17 When Jesus washes the disciples' feet.
-The point is that if you want to be a true leader/servant, you must be willing to humble yourself and receive. In receiving from God, we see his face and understand not only him better, but ourselves, servant hood, and the world we live in as well.
-Verses for further study on the topic: Matthew 20:25-28 & 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
John 13:1-17:
V1: Full extent of his love.
-What is the Passover? What is it’s significance?
V3: Knew God had given all power so he did the logical thing and…
V4-5: Washed his disciples’ feet.
-Power to Serve: Hold Something over Someone Else
-Have you ever felt manipulated by someone in power over you?
-In Churches, Offices, Politics, Relationships
-So hard for us to receive.
-Jesus showed us how to receive also. Heard from God. His service was surrender.
-Show the full extent of his love…Passover…giving his life.
-This is the service that comes from God…completely for you…no manipulation.
V6: “You’re going to wash my feet?” –Peter (not how it works…you’re God!)
V7: Don’t realize.
-Takes Some Trust… “well, when will I understand?”
-Jesus just says you will understand.
V8: Thought he was being righteous…denying Jesus’ gift…(religion…missing God himself)
-no part with me…I must pour into you!
-Peter must be humble receiver if he is going to be a humble servant.
V9: Not just my feet but hands and head as well.
V10: Not another one of your religious rituals…I’m showing you my face…my heart. Let your Brain take a rest and receive this with your heart!
V12: Do you understand what I have done for you? (Broken paradigm…blew their minds)
V13-16: Set an example.
V17: Blessed if you do them…hmmm.
-What would Peter have missed if he wouldn’t have let Jesus wash his feet?
-About Jesus?
-About himself?
-About the world?
-About servanthood?
-What does Peter’s reaction tell you about Peter’s religion?
-What does Jesus’ response tell you about the Gospel?
-Was Peter able to recognize God?
Conclusion:
-Maybe you’ve heard me say that sometimes something touches you in your inner being…deeper than anything but pure truth can touch. This is why this message is such a blessing. We see who God is. We are created in his image…you cannot just learn about how to serve…Jesus could have said… “Go wash people’s feet!” Instead He knew that if they were really going to understand who God is, what they were created for, what leadership is, what servant hood is …they would have to humble themselves, trust in a source higher than themselves and first be served.
-So contrary to how the world works. We are taught to not need anyone or anything. The strong don’t receive from anyone…they are the givers. My heart was tired of serving…I used a ton of energy to “love” others but it meant little to me or to anyone else because I didn’t understand servant hood…I served so I could “be a good person” not because I really wanted to love that person. If I was going to truly understand servant hood and what God wanted for my life…I would have to give up on “power” and allow God to wash my feet. Now I understand what love is…and it’s that I’m Judas…I killed Jesus with my sin…yet he sat at my dirty, sinful, murderous feet…and cleansed me…I’ve been humbled…and now I know who God is and what servant hood is. I see God’s face and it has an impact on my life…He is not a concept.
We will then conclude by breaking up into small groups!
Next Week Invite:
-Next week will be mainly a story about How God really turned my world upside-down. How He called me to deeper trust in him.
-But before we shift our focus to next week…let’s take this a bit further.
Small Group Intro: (Separate by Sr/Jr High and Male/Female)
Video Intro: Complete Marathon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBjR1-0GVkI)
The Title of this song is: "My Redeemer Lives".
A Son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together."
To which, his father said "Yes".
For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.
-Father and son went on to complete the race together!
-What do you take from this video? What are your reactions?
-What was touched you most about the video?
-Do you see yourself anywhere?
-What do you see?
-There are two people in this video…which one reminds you more of yourself? Why?
-How is God challenging you through this video?
Leader: Share your reaction. Is God challenging you in any particular way through this video?
-Allow the remainder of the time for students to express what they learned or what God is challenging them with through art. (Drawing, Writing…paper pens, colored pencils provided)
-Also make yourself available to pray with them individually or as a group.
-End time with prayer and release students.
-Students should remain quiet and respectful during this activity…and afterwards until all groups are finished.
