What are Your Foundations?

Week 33: Recognising the Need to Know God's Character

As this meeting comes after a two-month hiatus, this week's main point was to review some of the things we've learned so far and to examine why it's so important to know these things.  What's the big deal about knowing God's character and how does this relate to our lives?

1. Spend a few minutes recapping some of the key points from the first session through to our last meeting.  Invite the youth to contribute three things each that they've learned.

2. Read Matthew 7:24-29 and 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

3. Discuss what it means to build on foundations.  What are they and why are they important?  If it helps, share the handout with the group which shows the process of creating foundations.

Foundations are important for providing a secure, level base to the house.  You can't build straight onto the ground as it's not stable.... Sand moves, Clay shrinks and Chalk crumbles.  The only way to build a secure building is to lay foundations first.  If it's rushed or the builders are lazy and do a bad job, the whole building could fall apart.  Strong, deep foundations are crucial.... and the taller the building, the deeper these foundations need to be.  The average house has foundations 3 feet deep while those of a skyscraper go 30 feet underground.

4. To understand the spiritual importance of foundations first invite the group to add to their previous lists some life issues that they currently face and perhaps anticipate facing in the near future.  Stress that the only way to act in these situations is in accordance with what we know of God's character - what our foundations consist of.  IE: We've learned a lot about how God is a jealous God and how He won't accept compromise - so if we're stuck in a situation such as sex outside of marriage, we can look to these things that we know of Him to help us in making the right decisions.

Another point that is always worth stressing is that foundations should be built on Christ, not our leaders.  Encourage the youth to always, always check the teaching they receive against God's word and His nature.  As Mark Hall continually emphasises in Your Own Jesus, our youth need to know Him for themselves - not through someone else.

5. It's not just our actions that should be built on these foundations, but also our reactions.  

Read Psalm 31 and look at David's situation: the conspiracies and death threats he was facing, plus the fact that his friends had abandoned him, yet in the entire psalm, only one third of it is attributed to this.  In fact, just three verses (11-13) directly address his circumstances.  The rest is completely God-focused.  If the youth have their own Bibles, encourage them to underline the parts that concentrate on what God's nature is like and what He has done for David so that they can see the weighting of David's focus for themselves.  Give examples, using the life issues from earlier, of times when we'll be in difficult situations and where our focus should be in those times.

A final point on...

...Actions and foundations: If we don't understand the character of God and have this as our foundation - that, for instance, he is a Just Judge, is a Jealous God and that He keeps His promises - then passages that teach us about holy living such as Ephesians 4, will go right over our heads.  It will sound like 'law', rather than a right response to grace and acts of love to One who loves us.  The building of 'works' without a right foundation of 'know the grace and nature of God' will crumble.

...Reactions and foundations: If you don't have foundations (God's character) in place, how we build a house on them?  If you don't know His character, how do know where to turn in a crisis? IE: If you don't know Him as comforter, how can you go to him when you're hurting? If you don't know that He is or strength, what do you do when you feel weak?

What are YOUR foundations? How deep do they go?

Interlude

Growing in Grace is presently on hiatus; with our Pastor being so ill we feel it right to support our church in prayer and fellowship. Please bear with us and remember our small branch of the body in your prayers. We aim to be back soon with notes from the new teachings and with the blog fully up to date... watch this space!

A Wise Man Once Said...

Week 32: Discovering the Character of God through Proverbs

32.1 Pose the group the question of what they think it means to be 'wise'. Let it generate discussion as we share our answers.

32.2 Recap some of what we learned about Solomon from Series 1. Read 1 Kings 3:4-15 to help the group remember how Solomon had gone 'all out' for God in seeking the right kind of wisdom for ruling the kingdom. Follow this up by reading 1 Kings 4:29-34 and hone in on verse 32.

Talk about "wise sayings" referred to in this passage and perhaps share some we're familiar with; who says them? what do they mean? do we live by them?

32.3 Discuss the differences and similarities between these and the types of proverbs/sayings that Solomon might have written. Introduce Proverbs, explaining the authorship and purpose.

Read Proverbs 1:1-7 and highlight how this underlines the purpose of this book straight away. It's all about the right kind of wisdom. Read Proverbs 2:1-11 and see how, again, Solomon is setting the scene for what he is going to say with his proverbs: seek wisdom.

32.4 Return to this idea of the right kind of wisdom - what is the 'right/wrong' kind (check out James 3:13-18).

Why is all of this so important? It teaches us about God's character. Read Prov 3:5-6 (NIV). Here, it made really plain: God wants us to rely on Him (compare Jesus to His disciples in JOhn 15:5).

32.5 So, is that it, then? Is it all about wisdom? No. Think of it like a teacher handing out a textbook: the students won't learn just by reading the introduction; they need to get to grips with the actual text/facts that the introduction simply introduces. Let's apply this theory by looking at the first chapter of 'sayings'.

Split into small groups and assign each several verses to pore over. As they read, see if they can see the lesson in the proverb and what this might teach them about God (eg: v4 - God wants us to do well, etc). If time allows, change groups and look at a different chapter and feed back to the wider group. See how much we can learn of God!

Finally, invite each person to choose a proverb to action in their lives this week.


Week 32: Summary
Proverbs is another rich book and viewing it through this 'establishing shot' is a great way to introduce characteristics of God that you may not see directly elsewhere. The best way of studying, 'though, having seen this broader view is to then view it in detail. Zoom in on chapters and verses and before long you'll be finding characteristics of God, one after another...

• He wants us to trust in, and rely on Him
• If we only count on our own wisdom, everything will soon fall apart
• He guides and directs us

Finally, the proverbs aren't just for reading or even memorising. They're for living!

More Than a Feeling...

Week 31: Discovering the Character of God through the Psalms

31.1 This week's session begins by introducing the group to the concept of an 'establishing shot.' Over the next few weeks, we will 'viewing' some of these 'establishing shots' as we look at a handful of Books of the Bible. We're still going to be checking out God's character, but more from a 'birds' eye view' than in the tiniest details.

The first in this mini-sub-series is the book of Psalms. It is book rich with characteristics of God and, therefore, a great place to start.

Share and discuss the handout.

31.2 Before rushing into the Psalms, discuss - as a group - the types of songs we generally sing: their lyrics, where the focus is, the type of language/imagery is and the intention behind them.

We're going to compare these with some of the psalms.

Read Psalm 19: read this with the same set of questions in mind (ie: lyrics/focus/imagery/motive)
Now have a look at Psalm 121 and work through the same questions.

What do these Psalms have in common? How are they different to the songs of the world - and even some in the church?

The answer may not be immediately obvious as it's quote 'deep'. The Psalms, unlike most secular (and some 'churchy') songs, are based on truth, not emotion. Being led by emotion and feeling can be deceptive. Compare this with Jeremiah 17:9.

31.3 The Psalms are written from experience, so we can trust them to give a true account of God's character. If they were based on feeling, they would be unreliable. For example, if the Psalmist was in a bad mood with God and let that lead him when writing his songs, he would probably say stuff that wasn't true.

Invite the group to share experience where our feelings have led us to say things we don't mean so that they understand the point.

31.4 To see this at work more fully, have a look at some more Psalms. Read Psalm 51 and discuss its purpose (context), the imagery - and even the structure (compare with Ps 54:1). Notice how confident David is in approaching God in verse 1. This is the very advantage of knowing God's character... and we can share in it.

31.5 Split up and, in groups, study some other Psalms (suggested reading: Ps 25, 62, 91, 103, 139). Encourage each group to look for God's character in their Psalm. Maybe try to summarise the Psalm in one line and/or pick a few verses that highlight the key points/attributes. Finally, get the groups to think about how they can apply their findings to their daily living.


Week 31: Summary

The Psalms have lots to teach us about God's character and about how we can approach God with the same confidence that the Psalmists had. We can learn that God:

• is merciful
• is our help
• never rests from watching over us
• is Creator
• ...and so much more!

The Coal Project

Week 30: Discovering the Character of God through John

30.1 Invite the group to discuss what they think nicknames tell us about people.

If Jesus were to give them a nickname, what do they think it would be? Spend just a few minutes in pairs, discussing, before feeding back.

30.2 Think back to Simon and his nickname and the reasons Christ gave him it.

Read Mark 3:13-19 and pick out the other individual to whom Jesus 'nicknamed'. What might have been the foundations for this name? Read Luke 9:51-55 to learn one possible reason.

This is our introduction to the apostle, John: stubborn, argumentative (Mark 10:35-17), fiery, impulsive and generally difficult to live with. Would you choose him to be a disciple? What does this tell us about Jesus?

30.3 Take this thought a step further and read John 13:23, 19:25-27 and 21:20.

• How has Jesus' 'view' of John changed?
• Did Jesus change, or did John?
• What was it that caused this change?
• What can this teach us about Jesus?

In the classic Superman movies, there is a scene where Superman changes a lump of coal; filthy, unattractive and unwanted, into a beautiful diamond. It is not so unlike how Jesus changes John. Jesus' love transforms this fiery, rough man into a soft-hearted disciple who rejoices in the love of his Lord. John is the coal; as are you and I. John allowed Jesus to change him. Will we?


Week 30: Summary

This week may seem shorter; it is perhaps the briefest of glimpses we've taken into anyone's life so far - yet it is here that we see some of the most profoundly intimate of truths about God's character...

• He knows us
• He accepts us as we are
• He doesn't reject us because of our past
• His love transforms us

The Vilest Offender...

Week 29: Discovering the Character of God through Paul




Coming Soon!

I Would Die For You...

Week 28: Discovering the Character of God through Stephen

28.1 Recap on the attributes of God that we have discovered so far in the New Testament. What His ultimate question to us? What are His promises for us? Have they had personal experiences of any of these aspects of God's nature yet - or is it still 'book knowledge'?

28.2 There is a point when this knowledge moves form the head to the heart and it shapes who you are as you recognise who Christ is - and who He created you to be. Stephen had a solid knowledge of both - and he was unafraid to stand up for them. Before we get to that, let's read about how he 'started out'.

Read Acts 6:1-8 and establish the setting: the apostles were so busy teaching that practical needs were (understandably) failing to be met, so they appointed these 7 men. Note and discuss the description of Stephen (5) and of this new group's role (2). Note how God used him in that situation (8). Sometimes we need to allow God to use us in the situation and place we are in; waiting on Him to use our giftings the way he chooses, not the way we expect. We must remember that He doesn't 'operate' the way we want him to.

28.3 Unfortunately, when we operating in our giftings for God, being blessed by Him and doing great things for Him, those who are 'religious' will always have things to say about us (cf. John 15:18) - and this was as true for Stephen as it was for Jesus.

Read Acts 6:9-14. Have any of the group ever experienced false accusations because of their faith? How do they usually respond?

28.4 Stephen's response is recorded in Acts 7 - if time, read through. It is more than simply refuting the Jews' accusations; he goes into great detail of everything he believes - he is giving a sermon. He preaches to the Jews on their history and how they miss the point entirely. Stephen is - as Luke pointed out - 'full of the Holy Spirit' yet we see here that he is also full of truth (John 4, anyone?). Neither outweighs the others. If God is to use us, we need to be ready in the same way: we need to be equally full of the Holy Spirit and knowledge of His Word.

28.5 The last we hear of Stephen is the leader's response to his sermon and the consequences. Read Acts 7:54-8:4 and, as a group, discuss reactions, thoughts and revelations of God's character.

Week 28: Summary
This week's study has taught us a lot about Stephen and what it means to truly follow Jesus yet, amidst this, we see God's character unveiled:

• God does not work as we expect
• He can use our giftings regardless of our situations/circumstances
• He gives us the strength and wisdom to respond in difficult circumstances
  

Have A Drink On Me

Week 27: Discovering the Character of God through The Woman at The Well



Coming Soon!

Where You Are

Week 26: Discovering the Character of God through Mary Magdalene

26.1 As a group, read Luke 8:1-3; Mark 15:40; John 20:1-2 and 10-18. Invite the group to discuss these scriptures; do they see anything holding them together? Reflect on the previous two weeks' teachings and the core message of them; does this help them to see the connection?

As we reassess the passages, we can see one main thing connecting them: where Jesus was, Mary was (ministry, cross, tomb, resurrection).

Again we see Jesus asking us, 'Do you love me?' and in Mary we see the response He seeks in a sincere heart: If we should say 'Yes,' then that should bear fruit: us wanting - longing - to be always near Him. (compare Psalm 84:1-2,10)

26.2 Re-read Luke 8:1-3 and hone in on the description of Mary. Usually when we read of people with demons they have one or two at most, and whenever a relation took the possessed person to Jesus, the demon would resist and drive the person to fit. Now, imagine that x7.

We know nothing of Mary; whether she was brought to Jesus or ran to Him of her own accord, but we do know it would have been painful.

Coming to Jesus is never easy; there will always be resistance between the flesh and the Spirit. There will always be things we need to lay down and be delivered from... and even after we have met with Jesus, we need to continually surrender. Perhaps this is another reason why Mary was always found with Jesus; she knew that left to her own devices, she would struggle to stand. And perhaps Jesus knew this, too.

26.3 One final, but perhaps the most remarkable, thing about Mary is not just her faithfulness, but rather Christ's faithfulness to her. He could have healed her and sent her on her way but, instead, her stuck with her. He invited her 'into His world'; into His kingdom and never sent her away. In fact, He so wanted her to know He included her that He appeared to her first after He rose.


Week 26: Summary

At New Year, it's surprising to find that Mary Magdalene is the ideal person to study in reflecting upon God's character. At this time of year, when so many are busy making resolutions and dreaming for the future Jesus asks us significant questions that challenge the way we view the days ahead:

• Do we love Him? If we dare say 'yes', then be prepared to get where He is and stay there. as Mark Hall puts it, 'Is your walk with Jesus Christ characterized by personal faith, personal prayer, personal study, and personal disciplines? Or do you get by with the overflow from mature Christians?'
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• If we choose to follow Him, we ought not to be so naive that we think it will be easy. It will mean daily surrender and a willingness to be delivered from our own demons. It will be a fight and it could get messy and painful... but, the good news is that
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• We don't go it alone. Christ is with us, He is in us and He will stick with us.

What great promises and challenges to start the year with!