You can find a great flash presentation of the gospel here
www.thekristo.com
Are you a vessel?
If you were describe yourself as a vessel what would it be? Why?
- A vase
- A bowl
- A cup
- A jug
- A glass
- A can
- A plastic bag
- A jar
- A wok
- A pot
- A pan
A Vessel
All can be found in the kitchen. Some are new, some are well used. Some have chips and dents and others are merely for show. Some are blackened by the stove, while others are polished and shiny. Some for daily use, some for guests. Some for preparing and some for serving. Yet all are useful… Different vessels for different purposes.
Read 2 Timothy 2:20-22
- What materials are the different vessels made of in this passage? What might they represent? What purposes?
- Why is a clean vessel important?
- How do clean and holy relate to each other?
- How do we make our self useful to God?
- What is the one condition that prepares us for EVERY good work?
- How does verse 22 relate to being prepared?
Sitting on the Shelf?
Prepare yourself as a vessel to be used by God. Don’t wait… Don’t just sit on the shelf.
An apprentice demon was to be sent to earth on its first mission. His mission was to neutralize the effectiveness of Christians. In discussing his strategy with Satan he said, “I Know… I’ll try to convince Christians there is no such things as sin and then they will have no reason to share the Gospel.” Satan replied, that may work for a few, but not most. Even those most enslaved by my influence have moments of insight when they realize the destructiveness of sin,” “Well then.” the apprentice responded. “I’ll convince them there is no hell” “Good thinking!” Satan replied. “That their friends and family members will suffer eternal punishment is a great motivation for Christians to witness. Yet, the idea of judgment is so ingrained in most men I think it too will be ineffective in preventing Christians from witnessing, “The young demon thought for a moment: then a look of devilish glee spread across his face. “I’ve got it!” “I’ll convince Christians that there is no hurry. They can keep their doctrines of sin and hell, I’ll just convince them that they need not think about it and inconvenience themselves today. Of course you can share with him, but it will be fine to put it off to next week… for the vast majority of Christians that next week will never come,” “You have done well!” replied Satan,,. “Many will go to hell with us simply because their Christian friends plan to share with them–tomorrow.”
Pray that God might give you the desire to make your life available as a vessel to be used by Him each and every day, without delay, that you might be useful to him!
“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:7
Copyright 1998 by Ken Sapp
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Seasoned with Salt
If you were to describe your life as a spice or seasoning, what would it be?
What seasoning does your life bring to the world? Why?
Read Mathew 5:13; I Peter 3:15-16; 2 Tim 4:2
We often use salt as a pinch of zest for our food. Salt adds flavor and it also creates thirst. In the days before modern medicine, salt was often used to disinfect a wound and to preserve food. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus was warning his disciples to avoid two errors:
First, he was saying that Christians must not forsake the world and go into isolation only looking inward. Why? Salt will do no good unless it is rubbed it. Only then will it function as an antiseptic. We are to be in the world so that the world may benefit by our difference from the world.
Second, Jesus was saying that Christians must also avoid the error of being one with the world and embracing its values and ways. When you accept Jesus’ call to be the salt of the earth, you give flavor to the world around you. You bring a taste of God to others os that they can taste and see that the Lord is good. You help preserve God’s goodness in the events and people you encounter.
Go back and reread Matthew 5:1-12 again.
- How do each of the eight qualities listed act as salt in the world?
- What are eight ways that Christians are in danger of losing out saltiness in comparison to these things? (For example the first speaks of humility and we might lose our saltiness by being prideful.)
- Which of these areas do you find yourself losing your saltiness?
1 Peter 3:15-16 talks about seasoning our conversation with salt to create a desire to know God. In what ways might you do this?
What might you do to become more effective as the salt of the earth?
How might your church or youth group be more effective as the “salt of the earth?”
Pray that God might make the following verse true in your life…
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders: make the most of every opportunity, Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
– Colossians 4:5-6
Copyright 1998 by Ken Sapp
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Ways Teens Lose Communication with Parents
Be sarcasic
Never use sarcasm to belittle your parents: for example, “my old lady” or “my old man.” Do not act in front of your friends as if your parents are stupid, using gestures, words, looks of disgust-you know what I mean! Do not betray your parents by discussing them at school with your friends, laughing at their weaknesses and failures.
Publicly embarrass your parent
Do not contradict your parents in front of their friends. This will embarrass them beyond measure. Talk to them about it later. Do not talk impudently to your parents, especially in front of their friends. People begin to lose respect for you, too! Do not ignore the fact that you have been spoken to. Be courteous and reply, even if you’re about to bite yourself because someone has said, “My, how you’ve grown!” (What did they expect? you’re thinking!)
Be shocked
You must realize that it’s not the easiest thing in the world to be a parent. When your parent seems ill at ease in the discussion of sex, don’t make it hard on them by acting shocked at what they say or how they say it. Remember, they didn’t talk freely about sex like you do, and it’s hard for them to shift gears in this area. When you see your parent acting or talking in a way that shocks you, at the right time, sit down and ask them why they did this. If you can tell them how it affected you, a new understanding may follow, and you can talk more freely about some of your other hangups, and theirs as well.
Be dogmatic
Be sure when we want something, that we’re not stubborn with our reasoning. Do not rationalize your mistakes. Your parents will be much more lenient than you think if you will admit that you’re wrong! Remember that the surer you are about what you believe, the sweeter you can be when someone differs with you. It’s when you’re not sure that you tend to come unglued when you’re challenged.
Bluff
You must remember that each parent alive has already been along the road you’re traveling. They’ve already used all those same excuses, rationalized just like you do, told “those little white lies” and half truths. Do you ever wonder how in the world they caught on? Well, teenager, they’ve been there before and know all the road signs! Bluffing probably does more to make a parent tend not to trust their teenager than anything else.
Be Negative
Don’t make up your mind that you’re not going to like the thing that your parent will suggest! Or that just because your parents like a certain friend, an idea, or a situation it will be the worst possible thing that could happen to you! When you’re in your early twenties, you’re going to be surprised at how smart your parents have become! Remember that your parents are people, and that they’re probably doing the best that they know how to do! Now, they may make some glaring mistakes, but they do love you and want you not to make the same mistakes they did!
Can you take a difference of opinion as a teenager?
How do you act when your parents differ with you as to whether you should do something or not? Do you throw a fit and froth at the mouth? Don’t you know a compromise can be reached much better if you remain calm and try to talk it over? It’ll be hard to control yourself, but it surely pays off in the long run! Do you greet your parents with the phrase “Everybody’s doing it.” and can’t understand their fury and their retort, “I don’t care what everybody’s doing. I’m just responsible for you!” Well, you see, because everybody’s doing it really isn’t a very valid reason for you to do it, now is it? Don’t you know some things that everybody’s doing that you know isn’t good or right to do?
Refuse to listen to your parent’s music!
No telling what you may find out about your parents when you listen to their music! Do they like the real dreamy, romantic, type of music? Well, do you see why? Because they’re that type of person!
Adapted from “Speak Out with Marge” by Marge Caldwell (Broadman Press)
Get Help on Your Youth Sermons
Creative Sermon Ideas
This 100 Page e-Book Includes All The Help You Need To Prepare Powerful, Life-Changing Youth Sermons That Will Turn Your Preaching Around And Make Your Youth Sit Up And Listen! Includes 7 Complete Sermons.
–> I want More Youth Sermon Ideas…
Placing Lights
If you were to describe your life as a light, which might you choose and why?
- A lighthouse
- A floodlight
- 100 watt light bulb
- A flashlight
- A flashlight with dead batteries’
- A penlight
- A bonfire
- A campfire
- A candle
- A spark
- Other?
“Where do you place lights?”
A young lady working in a factory became frustrated with the immorality around her. She went to her pastor for counseling one day and began to tell him how difficult it was to work in a factory with so many non-Christians.
“Pastor.” she said, “You lust don’t know how hard it is to go to work on Monday morning and hear all the stories about the partying that took place the weekend before.”
Her pastor replied, “Where do you place lights?”
The girl, barely hearing the question, rushed on saying, “And you can’t imagine how terrible it is work with people who smoke and curse all day!”
“Where do you place lights?” he questioned again.
This time the girls hesitated with a puzzled look on her face and continued on “Pastor, you couldn’t possibly know how hard it is to work with a bunch of men and women who come in after the weekend and talk about their sexual exploits and affairs.”
Again the pastor challenged the girl. ‘Where do you put lights?”
The conversation continued on until the girl stopped in frustration and responded to the question. “Well. I don’t know where you place lights–in dark places I guess!” When the words had barely left her lips, it was as if a light had come on, for the girl understood the point her pastor was making. She was to be God’s light in the factory where she worked. She left her church that day with a vision in her heart for what she could do to reach her coworkers for the Lord. In the next several months she led several of them to the Lord.
If we are going to win our friends to Christ we must start sharing outside the four walls of the church. If we refuse to tell them about Jesus on their own ground, in the work place and in homes, many of them will never hear the good news of salvation.
Read Matthew 5:14-16, and 1 Peter 2:12.
What common theme is there in these verses?
Matthew 5:1-12 sets the foundation for what it means to be the “light of the world.” Of the 8 qualities listed here, which do you desire most in your life? How might these eight qualities relate to being the “Light of the world”?
- Is your life a light on a hill?
- Do you live a life that causes others to glorify God?
- How might you shine brighter for Christ?
Pray that God might make the following verse true in your life:
“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
– 2 Corinthians 3:18
Copyright 1998 by Ken Sapp
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Ways to Lose Communication with Teens
Use Sarcasm
“Anybody ought to know better than that!” -“You’re acting just like you’re two years old! Where’s your baby bottle?” It’s devastating to a teenager to be “put down” (talked sarcastically to) in front of his peers. Wait until alone with a teenager to discipline him or her if it is at all possible! Take them aside if needed.
Publicly Embarrass Them
If you know that show of affection in public is embarrassing to them, refrain from it. Do not try to monopolize conversation with their friends. Be sure that you are friendly, yet not trying to be “cute” and entertain their friends.
Register Shock
Under no conditions register shock by raised eyebrows, quickly drawn in breath, grimacing (various facial expressions that betray). Teens will be hesitant to be honest with you the next time.
Be Dogmatic
The more sure we are about our stand on a subject, the less dogmatic we have to be. If you feel that you are being reasonable, then you can more easily listen to the opinions of others. There is a lot of difference between the courage of our convictions and just plain stubbornness. When we’re wrong, we should admit our mistakes, not rationalize. They already see through it, and to say “I’m sorry” is one of the greatest tests of maturity! We grow ten feet tall in the eyes of a teenager.
Bluff
One of the most disgusting things you can do is bluff a teenager, As I said before, they know when you do this, they can spot it a country mile! We tend to lose respect for the opinions of those who bluff their way around!
Be Negative
Youth is so wonderful because they have not learned to say “It won’t work” or “We’ve never done it this way before.” One of their most thrilling attributes is that they are positive and enthusiastic and full of optimism. They will automatically reject negativism.
Mold them into your own image
Challenge them as youth to be the best person they possibly can be, but don’t seek to make them a reflection of yourself or the person you’d hoped to be! They were born to be a dynamic expression of their own personhood. Challenge them to be their best!
Make all the Rules
How are the rules of discipline decided? Remember that if you make the rules together and decide on the discipline together, most of the time the teenager will be harder on himself than you would have been on him. They are mighty fair when they have a part in the rule-making. Each side will have to give a little. Remember that if you give in on some of the more insignificant things, that when the big issues are at stake, teenagers will be more amenable to compromise.
Be In a Hurry
It takes time for kids to mature! Expect teens to be teens and help them to mature. Look for those teachable moments and listen when they have those moments they want to share, no matter how busy you are. Don’t look at your watch as if you can spare only a few moments more when a teenager is telling you something very important.
Betray a Confidence
It is a sinful thing to betray a teenager’s confidence. This will close more doors than you possibly imagine! Never use a previous moment of confidence by a teenager to press home a point. This makes them sorry they ever confided in you at all!
Criticize their music!
Listen to their music. There are many signals as to what is going on in the young person’s mind as we listen to their music! The loneliness, the frustration, the fear of so many things, they’re all there! Teens also do not appreciate something with which they are not familiar. Instead of complaining about their music, see that some uplifting music is played within their hearing.
Adapted from “Speak Out with Marge” by Marge Caldwell (Broadman Press)
Get Help on Your Youth Sermons
Creative Sermon Ideas
This 100 Page e-Book Includes All The Help You Need To Prepare Powerful, Life-Changing Youth Sermons That Will Turn Your Preaching Around And Make Your Youth Sit Up And Listen! Includes 7 Complete Sermons.
–> I want More Youth Sermon Ideas…
Who’s Who
A programmer is someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had in a way you don’t understand.
An auditor is someone who arrives after the battle and bayonets all the wounded.
A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to rain. (Mark Twain)
An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the things he predicted yesterday did not happen today.
A statistician is someone who is good with numbers but lacks the personality to be an accountant.
A mathematician is a blind man in a dark room looking for a black cat that is not there.
A topologist is a man who does not know the difference between a coffee cup and a doughnut.
A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000-word document and calls it a “brief.”
A psychologist is a man who watches everyone else when a beautiful girl enters the room.
A professor is one who talks in someone else’s sleep.
A consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist and tells you the time.
A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to Antarctica in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.
Source: www.mikeysFunnies.com
Icebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level
This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.
Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!
Every Moment is Precious
To realise the value of ONE YEAR
Ask a student who has failed his exam.
To realise the value of ONE MONTH
Ask a mother who has given birth to a pre-mature baby.
To realise the value of ONE WEEK
Ask an editor of a weekly.
To realise the value of ONE DAY
Ask a daily wage labour.
To realise the value of ONE HOUR
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realise the value of ONE MINUTE
Ask a person who has missed the train.
To realise the value of ONE SECOND
Ask a person who has survived an accident.
To realise the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in Olympics.
Destined to Win
Need a Youth Camp/ Bible Study Series on “Running the Christian Race”?
The race as a metaphor for the Christian life is used in several places in the Bible. This series is a great follow up for new Christians or to re-emphasize the basics of our spiritual Journey in the Faith. This Bible Study / Camp Curriculum has a sports theme and is great for athletes as well as a tie in to the youth Olympic Games.
->Tell me about “Destined to Win”
Fearing Failure
In “Shepherd Leadership”, authors McCormick and Davenport remind Christian leaders to allow for second chances and gently restore the fallen. They write:
Thomas Edison filed an impressive 1,093 patents with the U.S. Patent Office, and behind each one of those 1,093 successes lay hundreds and sometimes thousands of failures. Edison mastered the art of recovering from failure with lessons in hand and sought to pass it on to his workers. Near the end of his career, a former worker, Alfred Tate, penned the following letter to his former boss: “Above all you taught me not to be afraid of failure; that scars are sometimes as honorable as medals.”
Fear of failure can paralyze and defeat us. But failure is in fact a great teacher if we know how to learn and apply its lessons. Edison learned the value of failure. He never let it discourage him to the point of quitting. All of us will fail, but we must never let failure be final.
“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
– Galatians 6:1-2
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Born to Lose?
Once walking through the twisted little streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. On the chest or arms you could have tattooed an anchor or flag or mermaid or whatever. But what struck me with force were three words that could be tattooed on one’s flesh, “Born to lose.”
I entered the shop in astonishment and, pointing to those words, asked the Chinese tattoo artist, “Does anyone really have that terrible phrase, Born to lose, tattooed on his body.”
He replied, “Yes, sometimes.”
“But,” I said, “I just can’t believe that anyone in his right mind would do that.”
The Chinese man simply tapped his forehead and said in broken English, “Before tattoo on body, tattoo on mind.”
-Norman Vincent Peale in “Power of the Plus Factor”