Life Style Matters! Lifestyle topics of young adults Sex, drinking, life style. Why these matter for leaders
Have more questions or want notes on this seminar? Send an email with the subject line Lifestyle and Relationship Notes to Jason Rinne at jrin@mac.com
2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ s behalf: Be reconciled (submissive) to God.
2 Corinthians 3:17 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
John 8:36 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
1 Corinthians 10:23 "Everything is permissible," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible," but not everything is edifying.
Galatians 5:13-14 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
FREEDOM INDULGENCE
Freedom isn t Do whatever you want That s selfishness!
Freedom isn t do live without boundaries and ask for forgiveness later. That s Cheap Grace and disrespect to God and his gift of life, love and resurrection life
Freedom is the opportunity to love God, yourself and others Freedom is life led by the Spirit Freedom is an opportunity to walk step by step with God Freedom sounds a lot like YES and AMEN
We will fail.
Recognize you will fail! (Aim not to make an EPIC FAIL) LIVE OUT OF GRATITUTE! Our Lives and actions are a response to God s Love for us!
As Followers of Christ Dangerous Statement. Stop trying to be good enough. Live Love Follow Jesus
Can t go wrong by following Jesus Example Live like Jesus
You are loved! Live out of a response to that love. Asked to sacrifice.
EXERCISE 1. Stand up 2. Move around the room 3. Group up with a few people 4. Take a few moments to look at the next slide.
Welcome to the family. You probably know someone like that or that describes you God forgives and welcomes! AND HE doesn t want US to stay in those places of SIN.
Accepting a role as a Young Life leader means promising/aiming to live a life that is above reproach living a life that God intended it for us. God knows what s best for us. God doesn t impose his will on us. God gives us a guide and asks us to follow WE can t OUTSIN God OR lose His Love! AND we need to step back and take an honest look at our lives and the way represent Christ, God, the Holy Spirit, the greater Church, Christianity and YoungLife.
Mark 9:42 "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.
Not only is your life your act of worship to God, but also you are serving as a model for your students and representing Young Life to your community.
At first glance this may sound like a burden, but as Christians, we should live our lives as models of Christ s love regardless of being a Young Life leader. Remember, YOU are an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
Take a few minutes of quiet reflection to think about these questions.
Is your example one worthy of following? What do your actions say to kids? What do your actions birth in the lives of kids? Or does this action/behavio say this is OK or Good as a follower of Christ? Think about the future. Play this scenario of your actions with kids out 5, 10, 15, 20 years.
Ephesians 5:3-4 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Let s talk about SEX Over 50% of teenagers over the age of 15 are sexually active. We know this has affected our students as well as some of our leaders. The good news is that Jesus resurrection has covered our sexual sin along with all the other sin in our lives. It s important to understand that we are forgiven, and our now new creations in Christ. We need to extend this grace to others, as well as ourselves.
SEX is GOOD! And God wants us to experience Sex in the way he designed it Monogamous relationship between husband and wife as stated in the Biblical law (Matthew 19:5, 1 Corinthians 6:16) STOP walking around thinking that you are bad or God is mad at you for liking the idea of SEX We have to control and care for this gift and we are free to engage in it under the right union
Ten Principles of Sexual Behavior David Lynn and Mike Yaconelli, Teaching the Truth About Sex Principle of Goodness: Sex is Good Sex was created by God Genesis 2:18-24 There was no shame Genesis 2:25 Sex is beautiful Have you read Song of Solomon? Principle of Fulfillment: Sex is fulfilled only in intercourse Sex was designed to culminate in intercourse. So anytime you start, that s where it wants to end up Principle of Honor: Sexual behavior should honor God We are to honor God with our bodies 1 Corinthians 6:20 Principle of Oneness: You give up part of yourself in sexual intercourse When you have sex, two become one. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Principle of Temptation: We can resist sexual temptation Sexual temptation can be handled 1 Corinthians 10:13
Principle of Lust: Sexual Foreplay is dangerous The longer you fool with sex, the more dangerous it is. James 1:12-15, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 Principle of Running: Sometimes it takes a radical break to handle sexual temptation Sometimes the only way to deal with sexual temptation is to run, break off the relationship, take a cold shower. Genesis 39:12 Principle of Love: Love expresses itself in waiting Love should be the guideline for our sexual behavior. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Principle of Self Control: When sex controls you, you ve gone too far If you don t control your body, it will control you. 1 Thessalonians 4:4, 1Corinthians 6:12-14, 1Corinthians 10:23-24 Principle of Consequences: Sex always has outcomes Sex is not a neutral act. There are always outcomes. Galatians 6:7-8, Romans 1:24-25
Don t underestimate the power of temptation, and don t overestimate your ability to resist it. How Far is Too Far Question is probably the wrong question to ask regarding sexual purity. Once we understand that sex is a precious gift that is to be protected, given and received. Then our attitude shifts. Rather than giving ourselves away sexually, we get to focus on the emotional and spiritual aspects of our dating relationships. Sex will happen in due time if it s right.
Action implies commitment
Ephesians 5:8-11 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Shine Light with COMMUNICATION Bring things into the light. Both you and others. Ie share what s going on in your life and ask about what s going on in others lives. Address situations that you see and hear. Ie from another leader, instagram, facebook Do so with Grace. We all have junk in our lives and all received Grace so give grace as well.
Ephesians 5:15-18 15 Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
A Young Life s Leader s response to Alcohol Don t let others or Society be your compass or standard NO drinking underage NO getting drunk RE-create the culture of the power hour Set and example to younger leaders and students Be aware of others temptations and honor them. Respect others choices to abstain or not. YOU ARE YOUR BROTHERS KEEPER!
2 minute EXERCISE 1. Find a Partner and talk about these few questions
What now? Do your words reflect your actions? Where do you find your identity? Who are you defending (yourself or God)? Are you experiencing conviction? What are you doing with that? Who else knows the real you? Find someone to talk about life, love, stress and setbacks with.
Following Jesus is NOT behavior modification Following Jesus is Freedom Freedom from indulgence, selfishness, sin and judgement AND we need to be on a continual path of Sanctification Becoming the BEST version of ourselves Healing comes from the cross knowing that God Knows, loves and forgives 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! The cross takes away all our lies, excuses, and accusations.
Have more questions or want notes on this seminar? Send an email with the subject line Lifestyle and Relationship Notes to Jason Rinne at jrin@mac.com