farmville baptist :: YOUTH

Knowing the Depths of Me :: Week 5 & 6

2007-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

March 18, 2007

Verses: 1 John 1:3; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 5:17; Romans 6:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Phil 3:7-9; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:17; Colossians 3:4; Gal 2:20; Romans 6:23; Romans 12:2; Phil 4:8; Col 3:2-3; 2 Cor 10:5; Eph 4:22-24; Psalm 13; John 11:32 - 43; Luke 22:39 - 46

This week, we learned about embracing the TRUTH of who we are in Christ, and about the dangers of falling back into bondage (and how to avoid it!)

Part 1: Embracing the TRUTH of who you are in CHRIST

There are many things that try to determine our identity. The world's expectations attempting to drown you will never stop trying to bring you to death. But, understanding who you are in Christ can determine if you live your life in victory or defeat!

What determines your identity?

Birth:
In your spiritual birth, you received life from Christ. You can't change that life by what you do! It is who you are!

A Gift:
You receive HIS life as your life and HIS identity as your identity.
His righteousness, His perfection, His holiness.
Receive the gift and walk in the reality of the truth!

The bottom line is - your righteousness is not in what you do - it's who you are!
*1 John 1:3
(remember the Lion King clip? With Simba, and Mufasa appearing in the heavens? Who you are is based on WHOSE you are... and YOU are a child of The King!)

How do we find our value?
We ask our appraiser- GOD!
Ask him "How much am I worth?"
He will reply- "I love you, I cherish you, I value you. To me, you are worth the life of my precious perfect son- Jesus Christ. That is your value. That is what you means to me!"

What is the reality of your new identity in Christ?
You have been declared righteous - that is who you are!
You can now rest in the fact of who you are and stop trying to be somebody that you already are!
You can risk railure and rejection, because they no longer determine who you are.
What others see as a jumbled mess of flaws and inadequacies, God sees as an opportunity to show His strength and perfection!
You never have to doubt whether or not you stand acceptable before God.
Because the Almighty God has accepted you, you now can start to accept yourself and those around you.

You have been declared a righteous child of God!
Now BE to DO - (not do to be!)

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Part 2 - Dangers of falling back into bondage

How do we live in victory, when we don't always feel it? There's a quote that says "Truth is what God says regardless of how you feel." Feelings will come and go, but the truth is what stands. We must walk in the truth regardless of our feelings!

Facts about feelings:
- Feelings are neither true nor false, right or wrong. They are just feelings.
- Feelings cannot determine fact or fiction.
- Feelings follow belief systems or what you believe to be true.
- You can't change your feelings, just your thoughts.

How do I deal with my feelings?
- Accept your feelings. Don't be ashamed of them. Even Jesus had feelings! Even He got emotional! (see some of those last few verses for proof!)
- Face your feelings. Talk about them.
- Set your mind on truth.

Key Point: TRUTH is what God says, regardless of how I feel.

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In closing -
Remember that God has designed you with characteristics and personality to touch His heart in a way that no other human being has ever been able to do. He isn't tolerating you, He isn't "putting up with you", He is pursuing a relationship with you! Forever you will make Him ECSTATIC!

bottom line-
God is ultimate.
He wants what is ultimately best for you.
The very best he can offer is Himself. His life.
Therefore - as God's chosen and holy people with an inheritance that will never spoil, perish, or fade live as who He created you to be.
Proclaim His Greatness!

(if you missed Week 5&6 and would like the workbook, contact me [Ericka] and I’ll get you a copy!)

Knowing the Depths of Me :: Week 4

2007-04-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

March 14, 2007

Verses: 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 4:12; 1 Cor 3:16-17; Isaiah 59:2; Eph 2:1-3; Gen 2:16; Romans 5:19; Romans 6:6; 1 Cor 15:22; Col 1:13-14; Romans 5:10; Eph 2:4-5; Col 3:1-10; Romans 3:23; Eph 2:1; 1 Cor 15:3; 1 John 5:11-12; John 1:12; 1 Tim 1:15; Romas 5:8; Gal 2:20; Col 3:3-4; Phil 1:21; Eph 2:8-9; 1 John 1:1-2; John 5:11-12, 20; Eph 1:4; Romans 6:4-5; Col 1:13-14; 1 Cor 1:30; Eph 2:4-6; Col 3:3-4; Romans 6:3,6; Gal 2:20; Eph 1:7-8a; Rom 5:10; Eph 2:4-5; Romans 8:10; Rom 5:17; John 5:24; Gal 5:16; Eph 1:7; Col 1:13-14; 1 Pet 2:24; Romans 12:2; Romans 13:14; Psalm 23:3; 2 Cor 3:5-6; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Col 3:1-10; Rom 7:22-23; 2 Cor 3:5-6; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Col 3:1-10; 2 Cor 10:5; Gal 2:20
*verses repeated for emphasis in the study

Whoa! That's a LOT of scripture! I'm so proud of you guys for getting through it all in one night! [for that much scripture to be included, it must've been a pretty important lesson, huh? YUP!] The truths we discussed this week were mind-boggling (so don't feel bad if you don't understand it all- feel free to talk to me [Ericka] if you have questions!)

This week we learned about who were were in Adam (in Sin) and who were are in Christ.
In Sin-
My purpose is to get all my needs met.
My identity is a Sinner and Slave to Sin.
I operate according to the World.
I operate from the outside in.
I look to the World to meet my needs.
I'm self-centered and live in my flesh.
My future is death and eternity in hell.
In relation to God I am separated and alienated.
I develop ways to make my life work and to meet my needs.
I say:
"I have to find my purpose."
"I have to find love, worth, and acceptance."
"I have to figure out how to operate."
"I have to find my identity."

We are saved from a life of sin because of the two aspects of the cross. We are saved from our sins, and from our self! There are two problems the cross fixes:
Problem 1 = I have sinned.
Solution = Christ died for me.
Response = Receive forgiveness and accept the free gift of eternal life.

Problem 2 = I am a sinner.
Solution = I died with Christ
Response = Trust Christ to be my life.

We are saved from our actions (sinning) and our old identity (a sinner)! Though we may sin, those sins (actions) are forgiven, and no matter what we do, our identity is changed forever. You are no longer a sinner, you are now a SAINT!

*Who died on the cross? I DIED! ME! The child of wrath, ME the slave to Satan, ME, the Sinner. *Gal 2:20

Because of the cross, I am now...
In Christ-
My purpose is to glorify God, by allowing Jesus Christ to express His life in and through mine (*ABIDE!)
My identity is a Saint, a Child of God, chosen, holy, and blameless!
I operate according to the Spirit.
I operate from the inside out.
I look to God to meet my needs.
I am Christ-Centered.
My future is Victory in Life and Eternity in Heaven!
In relation to God, I am one with Him, reconciled, His friend, and expression of the Life of Christ, near to Him, enjoying fellowing with Him, and have bold and confident access to Him!
My life is hidden with Christ!
Christ's life is expressed though my life!
I say:
"I have been given purpose!"
"I live and operate depending totally on my life source- Jesus Christ.:
"My identity is found 'In Christ'- the one who has declared me righteous and has given me His life."
"I am loved. I am accepted. I am valued by the Almighty God!"

Wait - if I am a Saint and a Child of Righteousness, then why do I still sin?
Good question - see, the power of sin is in your body, but it is not you. (It's in me but it's not me.) Kinda hard to understand, I know. Think of it this way- if a surgeon left some scissors inside you after an operation, that would be really bad, right? If that happens, something is wrong- but you are not wrong! Something inside you in wrong! It is in you (the scissors) but it is not you!

(if you remember, we also used the tupperware for this example-- if you are tupperware, and Jesus is in you and you are in Christ, all sealed up by duct tape [salvation] then everything is good... but what if some stinky cheese gets put inside the tupperware?! it's just like sin- it's in you but it's not you! but man does it stink...)

See, your flesh still operates, because your flesh is in your brain- in your memory bank (brain/body). The old you died that had to operate in the flesh... but your old habit patterns are still in your memory bank.

So, how do we fix it?! By focusing on TRUTH!
No matter what, we have to focus on the TRUTH of who we are IN CHRIST! We have to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ! (2 Cor 10:5)

*Remember our little trick here- we have to TEST everything people say, and every thought we have. How? by putting "In the name of Jesus", or "In Christ" at the end of it.
For example:
I'm not good enough... in Christ.
I'm not pretty enough... in Christ.
No one loves me... in Christ.
I am worthless... in Christ.
Do those work? NO!!!!
Okay, so let's try these:
I am good enough... in Christ.
I am beautiful... in Christ.
I am loved... in Christ.
I have great worth... in Christ.
Do those work? YES! Why? Because they are TRUTH (and we have scripture to back them up!)

Why do we test every word and thought? Because Satan tries to feed you lies- from other people and even from the thoughts inside your head! (he's tricky!) The horrible thoughts you think are NOT your thoughts, they are the voice of Satan feeding you lies to make you think they are your thoughts. He will get you in your most vulnerable times. He will harass you. But here's the good news- GOD IS GREATER! GOD IS BIGGER! GOD IS STRONGER!

It is vital to know what is true about you and who you are in Christ!
TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE IN CHRIST!

(if you missed Week 4 and would like the workbook, contact me [Ericka] and I’ll get you a copy!)

Knowing the Depths of Me :: Week 3

2007-03-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

March 7, 2007

Verses: John 5:24; Romans 8:1; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 1:6; Exodus 24:7; Deut. 8:1, 6-8; Luke 22:20; Heb 9:15; Galatians 2:19-21; Romans 7:4-6; Ezekial 36:26-27; Hebrews 10:16; Galatians 3:21-26

This week we learned about Law and Grace, and the incredible effect they have on our lives and on our identity.

We learned that acceptance is being welcomed and received without fear of ever being judged, criticized, or rejected. As Christians, we have this acceptance from Christ - though we do not deserve it, in mercy He gives us His acceptance and approval. This is GRACE.

Unfortunately, we do not always embrace this Grace. There are two systems we live under: the Law System, and the Grace System.

The Law System says:
"I have to prove myself in order to be acceptable." - DO to BE.

The Grace System says:
"God has extended to me acceptability." - BE to DO.

The Law is useful, as it motivates us to realize our need for Jesus and salvation. However, if we live under the law system as Christians, we live under the weight of standards and expectations that were met by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Law is the Old Covenant, Grace is the New Covenant. In GRACE we have FREEDOM!

Remember -- disappointment is what happens when we feel the failure to meet the expectations of someone else. This can send us on a roller coaster of emotions that will end in self destruction as we constantly try to meet everyone's expectations and live up to unreachable standards. The TRUTH we must cling to here, is that your life is not a roller coaster based on how well you perform, because God has given you GRACE! God is NOT disappointed in you! Jesus died to give you freedom from expectations- freedom from the bondage of the Old Covenant (the Law System).

Students: re-read the verses from this week. Reflect on the TRUTH you find in God's word. Rest in His grace, believing that you have His acceptance. Your Heavenly Father has paid your price. His Grace covers ALL your faults! You do not have to DO anything to meet God's expectations, to gain His acceptance, or to make Him love you! Just abide in Him- just BE. He is so pleased by you, and so proud of you! You meet His expectations. You are accepted by Him! His love for you will NEVER change!

(if you missed Week 2 and would like the workbook, contact me [Ericka] and I’ll get you a copy!)

Knowing the Depths of Me :: Week 2

2007-03-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Feb. 28, 2007

Verses: Eph. 2:10; Isaiah 53:6; Gen. 2:16-17; Galatians 5:19-21a

This week we learned about flesh – living in and out of your own resources to make life work for you, instead of relying on the life of Christ within you!

We learned that just like Adam, we were born into the world with three God-given needs- to be loved, accepted, and significant. We often try to meet these needs by walking in the flesh (see above) instead of walking in the spirit (choosing to let the life of Christ be expressed through us by living in dependence on Him.) The TRUTH here is that ONLY GOD can meet those needs for love, acceptance, and worth!

We also learned that, in flesh, we allow our self-concept to be determined by the feedback of others. This feedback comes in the form of messages. Messages move us to feelings, and feelings become our belief system. For example- in a divorce situation where the Father leaves, the message to the child would be “Dad left us”. This would cause feelings of abandonment, rejection, and loneliness. The belief this child might then have is “I’m unwanted”.

Many of our beliefs are wrong, because we don’t interpret situations correctly. Then, we develop coping mechanisms (our flesh) to deal with our lives. The way we cope might be pride, being a “people- pleaser”, a need for control, self pity, denial, depression, escaping into friends/drugs/activities, or other emotions. (These are just a few examples.)

Instead of letting our “flesh” take over though, we must learn to give in to God’s grace and His truth in our lives! We must rest in His truth, and believe that only He can satisfy our needs for love, acceptance, and worth!

Students: reflect back on what God taught you through Week 2. Do you have questions? Did God reveal something to you? Is there a verse you really connected with? Share these revelations by making a “comment” here!

(If you missed Week 2 and would like the workbook, contact me [Ericka] and I’ll get you a copy!)

Knowing the Depths of Me :: Week 1

2007-03-12T08:31:00.000-07:00

Feb. 21, 2007

This week we started the Grace Campus Ministries (www.gracecampus.net) study “Knowing the Depths of Me”.

Verses: Ephesians 1:4-8; Colossians 1:15-16; Acts 17:24-25; Matthew 8:27; Matthew 17:21-23; John 15:4-10; 1 John 2:24-28; Hebrews 1:1-3

Our first week was focused on purpose. We learned that purpose is the object for which something exists, and we exist for God alone! Our purpose began before the foundation of the world, and our greatest purpose is not to serve, obey, or love the Lord, but to GLORIFY Him!

We learned that Jesus Christ brings God his highest glory, and that we glorify God by abiding in Him. Abiding is a condition or way of living in absolute dependence on God, that recognizes the life of Christ as the believer’s sovereign source of power and ability to meet all his/her needs. (John 15:4-10; 1 John 2:24-28). Our example of abiding was looking at a prism – it doesn’t DO anything… it just sits there and allows the light (Christ) to shine through it, revealing the light’s beauty into a dark world. This is the same in our lives—all we have to do is abide in Christ and let Him shine through us!

Students- reflect back on what God taught you through Week 1. Share these revelations by making a “comment” here!

(*If you missed Week 1 and would like the workbook, contact me and I’ll get you a copy!)

The beginning...

2007-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome youth, parents, and church members , and visitors! I hope this is the first of many posts on this wonderful (and free!) tool to help our youth group grow.

For the youth- this blog is a way to dig deeper into what we're learning- asking questions, posting feedback, sharing verses, and talking with each other (through comments) about what God is teaching you specifically. It's also a GREAT way to keep up with announcements, youth events, or catch up if you miss a Wednesday night.

For parents and church members- this blog is a way to know what the youth of Farmville are learning, doing, and how they're growing! It's also a great way to know how to better pray for them as they go through their extremely difficult middle school and high school years!

For visitors- this blog is a way to get a little taste of what Farmville's youth group is like, and what we're learning. We'd love to have you visit us anytime! We meet Wednesday nights in the Youth House from 6:00 - 7:30pm.

I hope you all enjoy this resource. Bookmark it on your computer, and check in on us often. Feel free to leave comments!

Blessings to you all.

In HIS hands,
Ericka Bennett <><
FBC, Ministry Intern