"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6) was the Beatitude for the day. After we discussed observations of our challenges from the previous week, Mark Hyland led the discussion and reminded us this is not just about food and drink, but about desperately craving 'divine justice'. We learned the history of the sabbatical and the year of Jubilee when all debts were forgiven so people could experience restoration. It was to be the communal hope of things being put right. Could that work in our society today?
We were also reminded that 'righteousness' in the true sense of the word is not about looking down on others - but is is about doing what is right, and for the right reasons.
We ended class once again by signing up for challenges. We hope our participants are learning from their experiences, and we hope to hear from you! Please check in with a blog by clicking on the ' _ comments' section at the bottom of this section - you will be held in prayer!
Challenge Options for Sunday #4:
1.Silence is golden. Just as Jesus drew back and isolated himself to gather strength, take time away from your busy life to spend time in reflection and meditation.
2.The big Book. Enough said. Commit to reading 3 chapters of the Bible (Matt 5, 6 &7 are good!)
3.Please doodle. For 1 month, take notes on your pastor's sermons to make sure you are paying attention to God's word for you. Try to make what you learned part of your life.
4.Justice at town hall. Be active in the redemption of your community. Learn what issues face your community, town or school.
5.Be desperate. For God. Being rightous is being desperate for God and depending on Him. What else do you depend on? Make a list, then ask God for strength to depend on Him instead.
6.That cardigan is, like, so cute and slave-free. Being in a relationship with Jesus should effect our social action. Often things we buy support slavery in other countries. Visit chainstorereaction.com and send an email to a store asking them to do their part to end slavery.
7.The price is right? When you choose to draw nearer to God and hunger and thirst for righteousness there is a price - a longing to make things right. Ask a friend for forgiveness, get over a grudge, seek compromise.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sunday #3
After a week off, we met in the Youth Room Sunday morning to talk about the past week's challenge and introduce our new lesson.
We talked about "Blessed are the meek"
It was an interesting discussion that ended in us defining what Meek means.
We were interested to find that our definition of Meek was not weak. We decided that a person could be a strong leader but still be meek. (Like Jesus!)
With that information, we began to pick our challenges with our families. The general challenge this week: Be Meek! God help us follow this challenge!
1. Grin and bear it, whatever that means.
Everyone may deserve to be yelled at a little-especially when they are YELLING AT YOU! But this week, when you want to raise your voice, work to be gentle and soft spoken instead.
2. Serving the snot-nosed
Okay, admit it. You were a pain in the neck to all your grade school teachers. But some of those teachers still stand out in your memory as being outstanding. Write a letter to one, thanking him or her for being significant in your life.
3. While you were sleeping.
Most churches have a maintenance person or crew who works odd hours to keep the place in shape for you and the people that use the building. Theirs is an important and often overlooked ministry. Make some cookies this week, bring a snack, write a card, do something to show appreciation for what they do when no one else is looking.
4. Mow and Go Wait until they are gone, then now your neighbor's yard. Don't let them know it was you.
5. Dodgeball
Choose the least likely players first for your dodgeball or kickball team in gym this month. Allow modesty and a gentle spirit to help you reach out to those who often get overlooked.
6. Social network pick me up
using your social network of choice, publicly praise someone else at least once a day. Better yet, praise someone toward whom you feel competative or jealous.
7. Toot your horn!
What is your gift or talent? Whatever it is, offer your talents to help someone else- with no strings attached.
We talked about "Blessed are the meek"
It was an interesting discussion that ended in us defining what Meek means.
We were interested to find that our definition of Meek was not weak. We decided that a person could be a strong leader but still be meek. (Like Jesus!)
With that information, we began to pick our challenges with our families. The general challenge this week: Be Meek! God help us follow this challenge!
1. Grin and bear it, whatever that means.
Everyone may deserve to be yelled at a little-especially when they are YELLING AT YOU! But this week, when you want to raise your voice, work to be gentle and soft spoken instead.
2. Serving the snot-nosed
Okay, admit it. You were a pain in the neck to all your grade school teachers. But some of those teachers still stand out in your memory as being outstanding. Write a letter to one, thanking him or her for being significant in your life.
3. While you were sleeping.
Most churches have a maintenance person or crew who works odd hours to keep the place in shape for you and the people that use the building. Theirs is an important and often overlooked ministry. Make some cookies this week, bring a snack, write a card, do something to show appreciation for what they do when no one else is looking.
4. Mow and Go Wait until they are gone, then now your neighbor's yard. Don't let them know it was you.
5. Dodgeball
Choose the least likely players first for your dodgeball or kickball team in gym this month. Allow modesty and a gentle spirit to help you reach out to those who often get overlooked.
6. Social network pick me up
using your social network of choice, publicly praise someone else at least once a day. Better yet, praise someone toward whom you feel competative or jealous.
7. Toot your horn!
What is your gift or talent? Whatever it is, offer your talents to help someone else- with no strings attached.
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