Online Activities for 1 st. Qtr. College and Career

Transcription

1 Online Activities for 1 st. Qtr. College and Career Lesson 1 There is something to be said about the Christian characteristics listed in the sidebar of this first lesson as they are depictions of a Christian lifestyle and the dayto-day struggles we encounter that challenge our faith and desire to maintain a life of selflessness and servitude to our Lord. Let s examine each characteristic to see how they play out in our lives (Pg. 7). 1. The first characteristic mentioned is sacrifice. By definition, sacrifice is the act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important or worthy. For Christians, sacrifice is the full and complete surrender of all that we have, all that we are, and all that we expect to be for the will of God. Sacrifice is a response of love. Because of His love for us, Jesus willingly sacrificed His life for ours. Because of our love for Him, our response should be one of gratitude for His sacrifice. In comparison, Jesus sacrifice is more definitive and farreaching in scope and permanence than all the sacrifices ever made by humanity. As a Christian, how have the sacrifices you ve made exemplified your witness for Christ? 2. Staying on course is the next characteristic. In essence, it means to keep the faith, remain steady, and never waver from the Word of God. Deceivers are always at work using persuasive methods, teachings, and convincing opinions to distract believers away from the truth of God s Word. In order to stay on course we must keep our priorities in check. This means committing to spending time with the Lord in prayer, studying His Word, meditating on His promises, and live a life of service unto others. Have certain situations caused you to get off course? Take time to reconnect with God by reexamining your priorities. Then ask God to direct you back to what is most important and pleasing to Him. 3. The final characteristic is loyalty. Sometimes it is hard to be loyal in relationships with family members, close friends, and even with God. Our devotion and pursuit of a steady, sincere relationship with Him must be our top priority. Based upon love, trust and faithfulness, our loyalty comes from an inner desire to please Him and obey His Word. Our loyalty to God is also tested and shown when we stay away from idol worship and avoid practices and customs that are not in the Bible. Can you recall a time when you regarded your relationship with others more highly than your relationship with God? How did your relationships get misaligned? How did you get them back in the right order?

2 Love is much more than a feeling. An important aspect of godly love means acting toward others with love even when you don t feel like it. Take a moment to evaluate the consistency with which you demonstrate love to your family members and friends. Make a list of six people you re close to. Next to each name place a category. Member Affection Affirmations Acts Parent Child Sibling In-Law Friend Friend Grade yourself on how well you show affection to each of the people in your close circle (persons/relationships can be changed to match individual circumstances). Then grade yourself on how often you address them with words of affirmation. Then, how often do you do acts of love toward them to show that you care? Use your own grading system to assess your relationships and whether they are reflective of your relationship with God Of the characteristics noted in today s lesson (sacrifice, staying on course, and loyalty), which is most difficult for you to live out consistently? Why?

3 Lesson 2 James, the writer of the Scripture from which this lesson is written, makes it clear that many of the problems we face in our lives are the result of our own selfish attitudes and envious desires. The Old Testament book of Exodus describes this behavior as being covetous desiring those things that do not belong to us and from such actions we are forbidden. When we adhere to those desires the result can be described as a raging war that takes place inside our hearts manifesting on the outside causing disruptions in our relationships with family, friends, and God. What role does jealousy play in our relationship with God? The human spirit is that part of us that can commune and express true fellowship with God. God jealously longs for a relationship with His children. When our response to His attention is channeled toward someone or something else, He is displeased. Jealousy could be described as having a range of feelings stemming from the fear of abandonment, rage and humiliation; jealousy is perceived as a threat to a valued relationship, real or imagined. Because we have the ability to choose who or what we worship, we must be mindful to keep all our affections on God and not provoke Him to jealousy. The world we live in offers grandiose things to distract us and take our attention away from reverencing and worshiping God. Because of this, we should be cautious about following after the ways of the world. Humility is a lifestyle that evolves around God s will for our lives and not around our own desires and longings. It requires sincerity of heart, mind and soul. It means repenting of our sins and allowing God to lead and guide us. Humility before God means that we are sold out for God, following Jesus example of service and obedience and trusting God to give us what we need. How does it make you feel to know that God deeply desires to have fellowship with you?

4 Lesson 3 As the saying goes, life can sometimes deal you a bad hand. It is also said that bad things happen to good people. Since becoming a Christian, has your life been better or worse? Many people believe that once they accept Christ they will never experience tragedy or unfortunate situations will never come their way. The Bible is filled with the stories of individuals who followed the Lord, yet experienced trials and uncertain situations that tested their faith and trust in God. Their stories are to encourage us to trust God s grace and power to bring us through every situation and circumstance to a favorable outcome. Proclaiming the Gospel should be done as an act of service to God and should never exalt the one proclaiming it. When what he or she proclaims is more about finances, personal ministries, and earthly accomplishments, it becomes apparent that the person s motives are self-serving and not God-centered. As Christians, our walk with the Lord may lead us into situations that may draw us out of our comfort zone of familiarity. Nevertheless, we must remain grounded in our faith and trust in the Lord and His will for our lives. When we accept Christ, we surrender our right to choose to go only where we can feel comfortable and safe. We must allow the Spirit of God to send us wherever He desires us to go. Galatians 2:20 (NRSV) reminds us, it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. In living for Christ, we are not deterred by danger; but rather, in every challenge we are prepared to suffer, even to death, for His sake. Has following Christ led you into situations that made your fearful? If so, how did you handle your fear? Although we know that death is certain, are you prepared to die today, or in the near future, for the sake of Christ?

5 Lesson 4 It is one thing to say we are Christians but another to behave like Christ. He is our example of Christian behavior and we are to replicate His service and love for others. Our lives no longer belong to us, but have been purchased by His sacrifice and death on the cross. Therefore, it becomes our responsibility to take on His mindset and actions to fulfill His ministry. In what ways or instances have you put the needs of others above your own? Working in the church is necessary and very often fulfilling. However, it can be tedious and challenging at times, especially if there is friction among those attempting to do the work and they do not share the same level of commitment. Once bad feelings are addressed and amends have been made, church work can be very satisfying. Take an honest appraisal of your mindset. How has your life changed since you became a Christian? Make a list of areas in your life that are better or challenging. Ask yourself: Am I self-centered? Am I concerned about getting all that I think I deserve no matter what? What problem areas in your life can you identify that need work? Asking a friend, church member or co-worker to help you with these questions may be helpful. Lesson 5 Depending on your lifestyle, it can be hard to fit all your obligations into a rigorous schedule. Even Christians who purposefully prioritize their schedules to reflect time for God often fall short. At all times we must be connected to the Lord, who is our source of power and strength. Without a constant stream of power flowing from God, we will become disconnected and our lives will be out of balance, lacking the energy to sustain our commitment. Evaluate your time by keeping an account of the effort you put in the activities of the day. How much time has been spent on the things of God? Has becoming a Christian made it harder or easier to let go of past mistakes?

6 Lesson 6 In today s changing world, we can no longer base our hopes on past promises and things we once relied to keep us safe and secure. Security systems, barred windows, and neighborhood watch organizations don t deter those determined to break the law and cause harm. Despite our efforts to combat it, crime seems to increase with each year that passes. There is a lot to be said for our law enforcement community and the challenges they present in providing equal protection for all people. Injustice and unfair treatment toward people of color and other racial ethnicities seem to be a point of discrimination that often has escalated to violence and fatalities. However difficult the situations we face, as Christians we realize that our defender is the Lord. Despite the changes we encounter, God s word never changes. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Luke 21:33). Share with the class a time when God permitted someone you know to go through a crisis in order to bring him or her closer to Him. What was his or her perception of God s involvement in this matter? Were you able to offer an explanation of encouragement? Lesson 7 The Bible declares that God is worthy to be praised and that people should praise God. It goes on to state God s attributes and His mighty works as it lays out the reasons why He is deserving of our praise. If we took a moment to think of His goodness toward us, we would not hesitate to praise Him. It is the Lord who wakes us up each morning. It is the Lord who protects us from evil. He is so good to us and we owe Him our praises. As Christians, it is important to give God praise, for it not only pleases God, it also gives us peace and power to continue to live a godly life. No one who offers heartfelt praise to God ever feels worse afterward. One way to stay committed to giving God praise daily is to keep a record of how you feel after taking time to praise God. How do you feel after offering God sincere praises?

7 Lesson 8 We live daily in a fallen world where we are constantly exposed to fear. However, we remember that because we rest under His shelter fear cannot abide in us. Because our trust is in God and His divine protection, we are kept safe from the evils of our present surroundings. Psalm 91 is often used by clergy in performing house blessings. These words provide a sense of assurance to homeowners, despite the fact their homes are not immune to burglary, home invasion, or natural disasters that can destroy the structure of their home. The only safe dwelling place is in the Lord, not a physical building mad of earthly materials. Those who dwell in the Lord need not fear, for they are covered underneath His wings. There they find protection from dangers seen and unseen, and the assurance of eternal security. How have you depended on other forms of safety to keep you protected in your dwelling place of home or business? How has Psalm 91 changed your thinking about security? Lesson 9 On this occasion, Jesus took the opportunity to teach a valuable lesson of humility to His disciples and everyone gathered at the dinner party. The objective of this lesson was to change the pretentious attitudes of some who regarded themselves as more deserving than others. Jesus wanted to show them that humility was more rewarding than the desire to elevate themselves above others. In that day and culture, it could have been hard lesson for some to grasp; and in today s culture, the same problem still exists in the Church. How have you addressed attitudes of superiority in your church, work, or home? How do you believe such issues are best resolved?

8 Lesson 10 We often desire to be a part of worthwhile endeavors. In school, we join social clubs, college sororities and fraternities, community organizations. We become very involved in serving in our local churches. These all are examples of worthwhile endeavors that require our commitment and support. So often we choose to commit to situations without first thinking about everything that is required. Because we do not count the cost beforehand, we often fall short, lose interest, or feel the sacrifice is too great of a burden. When Jesus called the disciples, He wanted them to understand the high cost of following Him, and to know that the commitment would be lifelong. Jesus calls each of us who comes to Him to discipleship. Are you up for the task? Have you counted the cost? How would you respond if you were asked to go on a mission trip that would take you away from the comforts of home and daily norms for an indefinite period of time? Lesson 11 Imagine having the best of everything a loving family, all the comforts of home and still not being satisfied. Today s lesson leaves much to our imagination as it examines a familiar story involving a father and his two sons. Most people would have counted it a blessing to be part of this family and the privileges it afforded merely from the relationship. However, the younger son had enough of parental authority and wanted to see what life was like outside of his family compound. It didn t take long for him to miss what he had and regret the choice he made in leaving it all behind. He was skeptical about returning home, but when he did his loving father welcomed him home with a celebration. Isn t this just like our heavenly Father? No matter how far or how long we stray, when we come back He is waiting with open arms to receive us back to the fold. Sometimes we wander from church to the world, looking for something more. Sometimes we jump from church to church in search of creative worship services, livelier music, less hymns, less teaching, and more prophecy, only to realize how good we had it and that there is no place like home. In what ways you been in search for something that has taken you away from the place you call home? What has been the result of your search a new attitude, a newfound freedom, a new place to belong? Home is a very evocative concept. Write a short paragraph about your thoughts on being at home with God (Pg. 81).

9 Lesson 12 Human frailties often limit our ability to overcome barriers set by the norms of society. When this happens we can become shortsighted or blinded to our God-given talent and worth. When we desire to accomplish goals and aspirations that others believe are impossible, we should continue to stretch forth, even if it means being ridiculed and looking foolish in the eyes of others. Zacchaeus desire to see Jesus was greater than any risk he might have encountered. And the reward from that encounter was more than he ever imagined. He received a two-fold gift. First, he honored to receive Jesus into his home; then Jesus, in turn, received him into the Kingdom of God. Unlike society, which shuns those who don t fit the mold of perceived cultural norms, Jesus breaks norms, removes labels, tears down barriers, and welcomes anyone who sincerely desires to know Him. What kinds of reactions reactions to people of different religions, ethnicity, gender, and culture have you witnessed from others in church? Share what you noticed. In what ways do you consider your life better than you had anticipated since you came to know Jesus?

10 Lesson 13 Becoming a follower of Jesus is a rewarding undertaking. However, as with any decision, we should not expect Christianity to be an easy course to live. In fact, although it is the right choice, it can be one of great difficulty. The disciples made a commitment to follow Jesus, which meant leaving their families, their businesses, and everything that was familiar to them to take on a new life. Despite the challenges they faced, the disciples willingly laid down their lives to follow Jesus. Following Christ requires a deep and lasting commitment. First, we will undoubtedly encounter people who do not believe and will try to convince us otherwise. When this happens, we must be prepared to defend our faith and give an account to what we believe and why we follow Christ. Second, being a follower of Christ means fellowship within a church with other believers. Church work can be demanding and time consuming, but maintaining loving relationships with His people while in service is what the Lord calls us to do. We must remember we are members of the Body of Christ and have a part to play in building the kingdom of God. What we do for Christ will last and is for a good cause to bring out those in darkness into the light of the Lord. What are you willing to do to allow Jesus to use your light to witness to those lost in darkness? Explain how you are willing to be used. In what way has following Christ challenged your desire for boldness? When was the last time you shared Christ with others? What difference did it make in their lives and how did it impact yours?