2 Years
8 Beatitudes
10 Sunday Mornings
25 Family Units
What does it all add up to? One Family Challenge Sunday School Class. Yesterday we completed our last Family Challenge class studying the beatitudes with The Kingdom Experiment. We had a lively discussion about the challenges from last week, especially how it felt to 'wear our faith on our sleeve' daily. It was a fitting end to the lessons...we really ought to be living our faith out daily in all we say and do. We were reminded that 'the Family Challenge' never ends...and were given 4 tasks to focus on until we meet again: Bible, Prayer, Acts of Service, and Life. Preferably in that order ;)
So the question we left with was, where do we go from here? Do we want to meet as families for Sunday School again next year? For how long...a book session? A semester? What would we like to cover in the class? Some options included "The Sinai Experiment" (weekly challenges based on the 10 commandments - Denise has a copy of the book if you'd like a sneak peek), or a weekly study of a selected book of the Bible. Other ideas are welcome...
Pray about it. Talk about it. Please share your thoughts either by posting a comment on the blog or by reaching out to Denise (yumcsm@gmail.com).
God is good. All the time!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Blessed are those who are persecuted...
Class began with a review of the past week's beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers"...it was agreed that while it sounds simple enough, sometimes it's easier said than done. Many of us find we are peacelovers and need to strive to work toward peacemakers.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of rightousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10) ends as our first beatitude began - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "The journey has come full circle. The poor and the persecuted (and everyone in between) have something in common: they are hopeless to find relief in this present world" (The Kingdom Experiment p. 111). Jesus teaches us that the kingdom is backwards.
It is humbling to realize how others have been/are persecuted for their faith. Given where and when we live in the world, it's not likely here... but is there another type of persecution, to take a stand against so much of the current culture? Jesus taught us that the path is narrow and the gate is small, if we choose to follow him. And as Abby added, we may find ourselves often standing alone.
This is our last week in the Family Challenge, and we hope to make it a good one. The challenges this week don't necessarily all follow the book. They include:
1.The Family Flagpole. Pray for the persecuted; Voice of the martyrs; Lots of bullies on the playground; IDOP. "See you at the flagpole" is an annual event where Christian students gather around the school flagpole to pray. Create a spot in the house to gather and pray for the persecuted. Websites to learn more: opendoorusa.org; be-a-voice.net; christianfreedom.org; and persecutedchurch.org.
2.You have 346,918 Facebook Friends (Give or take a few). But not everyone is a social whiz. In your youth group and church there are people you don't know well or people you haven't seen in a while. Reach out to deepen a friendship or reconnect with an inactive youth/family. Do this as a first step in what you hope to become an ongoing friendship.
3.Open Lunch. Make some room at your regular lunchtable and invite someone lonely to join you. Get to know them, listen, show mercy...but be cautious about your intentions. You should have an ongoing commitment to this and be sensitive to the other person's feelings.
4.Wear your faith on your sleeve. Show your faith literally and figuratively by wearing/carrying a symbol of Christianity each day this week. Show your beliefs in how you act and in what you say. Discuss - was this easy or difficult? How did it impact your day? Pray for strength to live out Christianity daily.
5.Parent Pain. We live in a world where teenagers have taken their own lives or the lives of others while being reckless, depressed or irresponsible. Often parents are left hurting with feelings of guilt or loneliness. Send flowers or words of encouragement to a family in your community that is hurting from a pain from the past. It could have been last week or 10 years ago. Don't judge, simply show love.
6.Walk a mile in their shoes (Or at least try them on for size). In countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith they suffer as prisoners and live a hard life. Give up a luxury and every time you miss that item, pray for others.
7.Lost get found. Listen to the song "Lost Get Found" by Britt Nicole. Print out the lyrics and talk about how you can "not let the fire burn out" as a family. Talk about the easy road and the ways you tend to play it safe. Challenge each other to take chances for God together.
Here's wishing you a meaningful week as we wrap up our study of The Kingdom Experiment. Please comment so we can hear how it's going!
"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of rightousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10) ends as our first beatitude began - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "The journey has come full circle. The poor and the persecuted (and everyone in between) have something in common: they are hopeless to find relief in this present world" (The Kingdom Experiment p. 111). Jesus teaches us that the kingdom is backwards.
It is humbling to realize how others have been/are persecuted for their faith. Given where and when we live in the world, it's not likely here... but is there another type of persecution, to take a stand against so much of the current culture? Jesus taught us that the path is narrow and the gate is small, if we choose to follow him. And as Abby added, we may find ourselves often standing alone.
This is our last week in the Family Challenge, and we hope to make it a good one. The challenges this week don't necessarily all follow the book. They include:
1.The Family Flagpole. Pray for the persecuted; Voice of the martyrs; Lots of bullies on the playground; IDOP. "See you at the flagpole" is an annual event where Christian students gather around the school flagpole to pray. Create a spot in the house to gather and pray for the persecuted. Websites to learn more: opendoorusa.org; be-a-voice.net; christianfreedom.org; and persecutedchurch.org.
2.You have 346,918 Facebook Friends (Give or take a few). But not everyone is a social whiz. In your youth group and church there are people you don't know well or people you haven't seen in a while. Reach out to deepen a friendship or reconnect with an inactive youth/family. Do this as a first step in what you hope to become an ongoing friendship.
3.Open Lunch. Make some room at your regular lunchtable and invite someone lonely to join you. Get to know them, listen, show mercy...but be cautious about your intentions. You should have an ongoing commitment to this and be sensitive to the other person's feelings.
4.Wear your faith on your sleeve. Show your faith literally and figuratively by wearing/carrying a symbol of Christianity each day this week. Show your beliefs in how you act and in what you say. Discuss - was this easy or difficult? How did it impact your day? Pray for strength to live out Christianity daily.
5.Parent Pain. We live in a world where teenagers have taken their own lives or the lives of others while being reckless, depressed or irresponsible. Often parents are left hurting with feelings of guilt or loneliness. Send flowers or words of encouragement to a family in your community that is hurting from a pain from the past. It could have been last week or 10 years ago. Don't judge, simply show love.
6.Walk a mile in their shoes (Or at least try them on for size). In countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith they suffer as prisoners and live a hard life. Give up a luxury and every time you miss that item, pray for others.
7.Lost get found. Listen to the song "Lost Get Found" by Britt Nicole. Print out the lyrics and talk about how you can "not let the fire burn out" as a family. Talk about the easy road and the ways you tend to play it safe. Challenge each other to take chances for God together.
Here's wishing you a meaningful week as we wrap up our study of The Kingdom Experiment. Please comment so we can hear how it's going!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Blessed are the Peacemakers...
Our third meeting of the Family Challenge Class started off with a review of how our week went with 'pure in heart' as the goal - some responses included healthy eating and healthy reading (and memorizing scripture!); and media fasts or changes in habit. Those who went to the church to pray when it was empty found it to be an experience to remember.
The beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9) is a call to action from Jesus. It was noted that he did not say 'peacelovers', but peacemakers. "He was asking us to be participants in the work of restoration. To leave our couches. To keep the powers of darkness from having a field day. To actively pursue peace until a new and better kingdom is realized." (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 99). Jesus' listeners would have known the word shalom (Hebrew for peace) to mean more than the absence of conflict...it represents completeness or wholeness. This includes a total reconciliation with God, neighbor and nations.
Each table discussed the question of whether we are more of a peacelover or a peacemaker and why we are that way. We also discussed what we can do to become more active peacemakers.
The poem "Decide to Forgive" by Robert Muller, former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, was read, and given as an option as a challenge since it ends with a 'program for achieving a truly forgiving heart' with a day by day schedule of forgiveness. Then the other challenges were introduced:
1.Decide to Forgive - Follow the poem's Sunday-Saturday schedule of forgiveness
2.Not a Grammy. Or an Oscar. But they do alright for themselves. Do some research on those who have received the Nobel Peace Prize and reflect on the way they used their gifts to improve our lives. How can you create peace with your talents?
3.Bite your tongue. (Eeewww you're bleeding; that's not what we meant.) Be 'quick to listen and slow to speak' (James 1:19). Hold your tongue in arguments, even when you feel you are in the right. Once you have listened, calmed down, and prayed about your response, then speak your mind. Be the active peacemaker in a conflict.
4.Give a hug. Sometimes peace is as simple as giving a friend a hug. Give a few, they're free.
5.Little books, big thoughts. (Okay, okay, we really just like the pictures.) Todd Parr wrote The Peace Book about different ways peace can be made in our world. Buy it, borrow it, check it out at the library and keep it with you. Try peace in your own way.
6.We actually like crayons on the wall - saves us the wallpaper hassle. While endearing, children aren't known as the most peaceful of all beings. Create peace in someone's life by offering to babysit while they go out for a night. Or volunteer at a children's ministry to give the regulars a chance to seek peace. Kids Choice anyone?
7.The good. The badge. And the ugly. Consider people in your town who play active roles in peacemaking: police, teachers, civil servants, pastors. Write them a letter or affirmation, make a donation, or prepare to show your appreciation.
8.Zebras. Referees are the peacemakers on the field, but seldom receive anything but verbal assaults. Keep complaints to yourself, and personally thank the refs when the game has ended.
9.Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Play the hymn, heed the words. Do a Random Act of Kindness daily to make your corner of the world a better place to be.
If you've started your challenge, let us know how you are doing! If you haven't started yet, jump on in!
The beatitude "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9) is a call to action from Jesus. It was noted that he did not say 'peacelovers', but peacemakers. "He was asking us to be participants in the work of restoration. To leave our couches. To keep the powers of darkness from having a field day. To actively pursue peace until a new and better kingdom is realized." (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 99). Jesus' listeners would have known the word shalom (Hebrew for peace) to mean more than the absence of conflict...it represents completeness or wholeness. This includes a total reconciliation with God, neighbor and nations.
Each table discussed the question of whether we are more of a peacelover or a peacemaker and why we are that way. We also discussed what we can do to become more active peacemakers.
The poem "Decide to Forgive" by Robert Muller, former assistant secretary-general of the United Nations, was read, and given as an option as a challenge since it ends with a 'program for achieving a truly forgiving heart' with a day by day schedule of forgiveness. Then the other challenges were introduced:
1.Decide to Forgive - Follow the poem's Sunday-Saturday schedule of forgiveness
2.Not a Grammy. Or an Oscar. But they do alright for themselves. Do some research on those who have received the Nobel Peace Prize and reflect on the way they used their gifts to improve our lives. How can you create peace with your talents?
3.Bite your tongue. (Eeewww you're bleeding; that's not what we meant.) Be 'quick to listen and slow to speak' (James 1:19). Hold your tongue in arguments, even when you feel you are in the right. Once you have listened, calmed down, and prayed about your response, then speak your mind. Be the active peacemaker in a conflict.
4.Give a hug. Sometimes peace is as simple as giving a friend a hug. Give a few, they're free.
5.Little books, big thoughts. (Okay, okay, we really just like the pictures.) Todd Parr wrote The Peace Book about different ways peace can be made in our world. Buy it, borrow it, check it out at the library and keep it with you. Try peace in your own way.
6.We actually like crayons on the wall - saves us the wallpaper hassle. While endearing, children aren't known as the most peaceful of all beings. Create peace in someone's life by offering to babysit while they go out for a night. Or volunteer at a children's ministry to give the regulars a chance to seek peace. Kids Choice anyone?
7.The good. The badge. And the ugly. Consider people in your town who play active roles in peacemaking: police, teachers, civil servants, pastors. Write them a letter or affirmation, make a donation, or prepare to show your appreciation.
8.Zebras. Referees are the peacemakers on the field, but seldom receive anything but verbal assaults. Keep complaints to yourself, and personally thank the refs when the game has ended.
9.Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Play the hymn, heed the words. Do a Random Act of Kindness daily to make your corner of the world a better place to be.
If you've started your challenge, let us know how you are doing! If you haven't started yet, jump on in!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Blessed are the Pure in Heart
The class started off with a review of last week's challenges - it seems to be truly merciful a lot of us need to stop and think about what we say...
Our second beatitude for 2012 is "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). Mark Hyland introduced it by describing how the Sermon on the Mount really covers every kind of person in all aspects of life, and how we are all blessed. An interesting point about Jesus blessing those who are pure in heart was that he really was going against the current culture which detailed so many outward rules about purity - how often to wash, what to eat, whom to touch. He "made it clear that belief meant spiritual transformation, not just routine-following" (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 85). It stretched the idea from action alone to include thoughts as well.
This notion of always having pure actions and thoughts seems doomed to fail...and it is. We cannot get there alone. "The choice to be pure in heart becomes a matter of allowing God to change us so we can see him in the world around us" (The Kingdom Experiment, p.85).
The options for challenges this week include:
1.Media fast...and by that we don't mean get faster at flipping through channels. Unplug from all media for a week (but not the blog!). Instead spend some time outside, seek God and listen.
2.Bring a lighter. Visit your church when nobody is there. Pray in silence and light a candle for those you lift up in prayer (try tea lights - and don't forget to blow them out!). Check with Pastor Bob to make sure the building will be open.
3.For your protection. Sign up for the accountability program xxxchurch.com to safeguard against any current and future internet temptations.
4.It's called an alarm clock (or the evil offspring of technology). Carve out a space every morning to memorize Ps. 139:23-24, asking God to reveal those areas in your life that block your relationship with him.
5.I get by with a little help from my friends (and family). Seek out a trusted friend or family member and schedule to meet regularly to share joys, struggles, temptations and everyday life. The body of Christ was created to encourage and support one another through this faith journey.
6.Go green (That is, if you're a real straggler and haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet). Purity doesn't stop at physcial boundaries, it also involves how we treat our bodies. Lay off the bags of Cheetos and each fresh foods for a week. Use refillable waterbottles. Purity comes in all shapes and sizes.
7.Wait training. Make a commitment to things that will keep you physically pure in your relationships.
8.Garbage In, Garbage Out (ergo, Good Stuff in, Good Stuff out). Tune in to Christian media this week. Some radio stations include: 89.5, 99.1 and 106.9. Preview movies, videos, tv and games on www.pluggedin.com.
What challenge did you choose to allow God to change you this week? Chime in and let us know how it's going!
Our second beatitude for 2012 is "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). Mark Hyland introduced it by describing how the Sermon on the Mount really covers every kind of person in all aspects of life, and how we are all blessed. An interesting point about Jesus blessing those who are pure in heart was that he really was going against the current culture which detailed so many outward rules about purity - how often to wash, what to eat, whom to touch. He "made it clear that belief meant spiritual transformation, not just routine-following" (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 85). It stretched the idea from action alone to include thoughts as well.
This notion of always having pure actions and thoughts seems doomed to fail...and it is. We cannot get there alone. "The choice to be pure in heart becomes a matter of allowing God to change us so we can see him in the world around us" (The Kingdom Experiment, p.85).
The options for challenges this week include:
1.Media fast...and by that we don't mean get faster at flipping through channels. Unplug from all media for a week (but not the blog!). Instead spend some time outside, seek God and listen.
2.Bring a lighter. Visit your church when nobody is there. Pray in silence and light a candle for those you lift up in prayer (try tea lights - and don't forget to blow them out!). Check with Pastor Bob to make sure the building will be open.
3.For your protection. Sign up for the accountability program xxxchurch.com to safeguard against any current and future internet temptations.
4.It's called an alarm clock (or the evil offspring of technology). Carve out a space every morning to memorize Ps. 139:23-24, asking God to reveal those areas in your life that block your relationship with him.
5.I get by with a little help from my friends (and family). Seek out a trusted friend or family member and schedule to meet regularly to share joys, struggles, temptations and everyday life. The body of Christ was created to encourage and support one another through this faith journey.
6.Go green (That is, if you're a real straggler and haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet). Purity doesn't stop at physcial boundaries, it also involves how we treat our bodies. Lay off the bags of Cheetos and each fresh foods for a week. Use refillable waterbottles. Purity comes in all shapes and sizes.
7.Wait training. Make a commitment to things that will keep you physically pure in your relationships.
8.Garbage In, Garbage Out (ergo, Good Stuff in, Good Stuff out). Tune in to Christian media this week. Some radio stations include: 89.5, 99.1 and 106.9. Preview movies, videos, tv and games on www.pluggedin.com.
What challenge did you choose to allow God to change you this week? Chime in and let us know how it's going!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Blessed are the merciful...
We started the second half of our beatitude study with Matthew 5:7 'Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy'. It was noted that Matthew tells us 3 times that Jesus insisted on us being merciful, he thought it that important. Words like 'forgiving' and 'not judging' and 'patient' came up when we tried to define merciful and what it would look like. We talked about when it seems hardest to show mercy - for example if we were wronged and the other party didn't show remorse, or if we had worked very hard and been dismissed, or if we had felt intentionally targeted. Yet it must be remembered, "What it comes down to is this: God's greatest desire for us is to copy the mercy he has shown us" (The Kingdom Experiment, p. 73).
We also talked about ways to be open to acts of mercy God may be calling us to, whether it's recalling a time we had been shown mercy, or stopping and taking time out of our busy schedules to listen. Or perhaps one way is to focus on a challenge for a week?
Challenge Options:
1.Let the moocher live. We all know someone who owes us. Forgive their debt, big or small, and forget about it. Really - don't tell them.
2.No whining: a variation of the Golden Rule. If you have pet peeves about others, they have them about you too. Because you know this, make room for others' quirks by refusing to whine. You can up the challenge by dropping change in a jar for every whine-time.
3.Hot food is overrated anyway. We've all had a waiter or waitress forget the drink or serve cold food. Give a good tip this week even if it's undeserved because you know mercy is a good thing.
4.What stop sign? Wouldn't it be great if someone else paid for our mistakes? Collect money to pay a traffic fine (or simply a toll booth fee behind you)...Christ paid a price for us that we didn't deserve.
5.Maybe a box. Maybe a mansion...doesn't matter. Don't judge about how the homeless became homeless, just show mercy and feed the hungry. Advocates4homeless.org is a starting place.
6.Ugh, I would get stuck behind a student driver. Lack of patience then leads to lack of compassion...do some spiritual training in patience - drive your commute without passing anyone. Don't tailgate either.
7.We'll call him "the frenemy" (yeah, that's not a real word.) We all have a friend who tries our patience or has betrayed our trust. Be the friend you wish they could be, and don't hold a grudge if that friend doesn't seem to change.
8.Give up, show mercy. Give up a daily or weekly treat and donate the money to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund, which is used for those in need, without judgement.
So what challenge did your family choose? How is it going? Please post and let us know!
We also talked about ways to be open to acts of mercy God may be calling us to, whether it's recalling a time we had been shown mercy, or stopping and taking time out of our busy schedules to listen. Or perhaps one way is to focus on a challenge for a week?
Challenge Options:
1.Let the moocher live. We all know someone who owes us. Forgive their debt, big or small, and forget about it. Really - don't tell them.
2.No whining: a variation of the Golden Rule. If you have pet peeves about others, they have them about you too. Because you know this, make room for others' quirks by refusing to whine. You can up the challenge by dropping change in a jar for every whine-time.
3.Hot food is overrated anyway. We've all had a waiter or waitress forget the drink or serve cold food. Give a good tip this week even if it's undeserved because you know mercy is a good thing.
4.What stop sign? Wouldn't it be great if someone else paid for our mistakes? Collect money to pay a traffic fine (or simply a toll booth fee behind you)...Christ paid a price for us that we didn't deserve.
5.Maybe a box. Maybe a mansion...doesn't matter. Don't judge about how the homeless became homeless, just show mercy and feed the hungry. Advocates4homeless.org is a starting place.
6.Ugh, I would get stuck behind a student driver. Lack of patience then leads to lack of compassion...do some spiritual training in patience - drive your commute without passing anyone. Don't tailgate either.
7.We'll call him "the frenemy" (yeah, that's not a real word.) We all have a friend who tries our patience or has betrayed our trust. Be the friend you wish they could be, and don't hold a grudge if that friend doesn't seem to change.
8.Give up, show mercy. Give up a daily or weekly treat and donate the money to the Pastor's Discretionary Fund, which is used for those in need, without judgement.
So what challenge did your family choose? How is it going? Please post and let us know!
2012 Family Challenge Kicks Off!
YUMC Youth kicked off our Kingdom Experiment Family Challenge yesterday - it's a study of the beatitudes when Jesus told us about how we should live, and about the life he modeled for us. Each week, one beatitude is discussed, then each family chooses a challenge to live out the Bible that week...it's as simple and as challenging as that!
We meet on Sunday mornings in the Youth Room at 10am between now and March 25th. If you came last year, we hope you'll join us this year! If you didn't come last year, we hope you'll join us this year! If you are a youth without a family on Sunday mornings, we hope you'll join us this year! If you are an adult looking for Adult Sunday School, we hope you'll join us this year!
We meet on Sunday mornings in the Youth Room at 10am between now and March 25th. If you came last year, we hope you'll join us this year! If you didn't come last year, we hope you'll join us this year! If you are a youth without a family on Sunday mornings, we hope you'll join us this year! If you are an adult looking for Adult Sunday School, we hope you'll join us this year!
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