Verse: John 21

Whatever happened to the “Son of Thunder”?

John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

The disciple John had been favored to share private moments with Jesus. As part of an inner circle of three, he saw Jesus transfigured, watched him bring Jairus’s daughter back to life and waited for him in the Garden of Gethsemane.

After Jesus was arrested, John witnessed the sequence of his trials. He was the only disciple mentioned as being near the cross at Jesus’ death and one of the very first to learn of Christ’s resurrection. Somehow, this process changed John.

From Thunder to Love

John bore an amusing nickname, “son of thunder” (see Mark 3:17), and several incidents in the Gospels hint that this name reflected his stormy personality. John jealously resented competition from rival miracle workers (see Mark 9:38), and he insisted on the best seat in the kingdom of heaven for himself. Once, he wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a hostile town (see Luke 9:54).

Somewhere in his life, the thunderclouds broke apart. Eventually he got a new nickname: “the apostle of love.” John’s books—this Gospel and the letters John wrote later—are marked by a recurring emphasis on love.

Naturally, John’s spiritual pilgrimage influenced his written record of Jesus’ life. His changed personality may provide a clue to his unique style of telling Jesus’ story through a handful of poignant episodes. Perhaps these few scenes are the memories of Jesus that finally convinced John himself that Jesus was, indeed, the Son of God.

Life Questions

Getting to know Jesus changes a person. How have you been changed?

Check out camp at http://www.thisgenerationnow.com

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

NEW FRIEND REQUEST:

Series Overview

We all want friends—even if we don’t want to admit it. We all want someone to hang out with, someone to talk to, someone who knows us. But friendship requires something from us. It’s not just what we get or what makes us feel comfortable or happy. There’s a smart way to do friendship, a way with intention, a way that will draw us closer to God’s heart—if we surround ourselves with the right people. That doesn’t mean our friends have to be clones of us—but it does mean that they at least help us move in the right direction.

Session One: Accept? (4.15.2012)

Having friends is great. Whether you want one, or you already have one, there’s just something about having other people in your life who you can count on. For many, friendships just happen. A new friend is in the right place at the right time. And while friendships may start out randomly, there is an intentionality about who we allow close to us—and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Because the people who are closest to you have influence on your life. They help shape who you are. So who are the friends closest to you . . . and how are they influencing you?

Session One Parent Cue: Who are some of your closest friends? Why are these people so important to you?

Session Two: Respond? (4.22.2012)

Someone to listen to my problems. Someone to do stuff with. Someone to talk to constantly. Someone to hang out with. When you make a list of what qualities you want in a friend, how many of the things on your list involve what that person can do for you? Most of us would have to admit that it’s a lot. But the best friendships are ones that are not just about what the other person can do for you—the best friendships also involve how you can be there for someone else. How you can listen, instead of always talking. How you can give someone space when he or she needs it, or just hang out when your friend needs that too. In other words, the best friendships are not centered solely on you—and that’s a good thing.

Session Two Parent Cue: What are some ways you’ve been able to help out your friends?

Session Three: Ignore? (4.29.2012)

Relationships=conflict. It’s natural. It’s part of two people relating to one another because at some point, you’re not going to agree. One person will do something the other person doesn’t like. One person will let the other person down. One person will say or do something stupid. It happens. And at some point, it happens to us—either we’re the person making the mess, or the one who is feeling the effects of the mess. So how do you navigate your way through the drama? Do you just ignore it and hope it goes away? Do you just drop that friend? Or do you find a way to work it out? The choice is yours.

Session Three Parent Cue: What is the biggest fight you’ve ever had with a friend? What was the outcome? 

The city of Colorado Springs, is the home of the United States Olympic Training Center. Athletes from all over the country go there to train for the Olympic Games. And by the looks on their faces, they’re serious about it. They know they’ll have to compete against the best athletes in the world.
In the book of Jude, I find a similar sense of reality about the competition. Jude issues a warning to believers that we face a dangerous enemy. And the word pictures Jude paints of Satan’s followers are worthy of further study and consideration: He says they have gone the way of Cain and run greedily after the error of Balaam. He calls them clouds without rain; trees whose fruit withers; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever.

What does Jude tell us to do to prepare for this battle and gain the victory? “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 20-21).

Friend, that’s exactly what you and I need to do–continually build ourselves in the faith. We must guard our prayer times so that the pressures of daily living don’t crowd them out.

As I observe the Olympic athletes running, bicycling, and training around town, I’m reminded of my need to keep myself spiritually fit. It’s not a luxury, but a necessity for going head-to-head against a committed foe.

Prayer

Lord, help me to live each day on the basis of Your Word and what You’ve said I need to do to be spiritually fit. Amen.

To Ponder

Our enemy, Satan, is as real as if we could see him or touch him. We need to have a healthy respect for his subtle ways.

Devo – Navigators

There are so many areas of life that are damaging that we’re either unwilling and/or afraid to talk openly about. Porn is one of them.

I’m so tired of hearing about this! It breaks my heart when I see the grip it has on Christian leaders and it kills me knowing that our youth groups are full of teenagers who are dying in this battle/struggle.

I meet every week with a small group of 10th grade guys who I love deeply. They’re great kids, yet I know every single one of them struggles with lust/porn and is always one click away from a self-defeating spiral. This trap has a cost!

Neighboring youth worker and apologist, Sean McDowell wrote an interesting post on The Social Costs of Pornography. He writes:

Today’s pornography is different from any in the past in three ways. (1) Accessibility. The Internet has made porn ubiquitous. (2) Quality. Today’s porn is much more hardcore. (3) Consumption. Porn consumption has increased radically with the advent of the Internet. 69% of men and 10% of women report viewing pornography more than once a month. 87% of men admit using it in the past year. The researchers conclude, “In sum, there is evidence that more people—children, adolescents, and adults—are consuming pornography—sporadically, inadvertently, or chronically—than every before”.

Here are a few actions you and I might consider taking to help the awesome teenagers who are entrusted to our care and looking for help.

1. Be educated. Even if you are one of those who isn’t/hasn’t/won’t be tempted by pornography—that’s great…but, recognize that you’re in the minority. Don’t assume it’s not an issue for your teenagers. Get the facts. Do your homework. Know what’s happening.

2. Model accountability. I know there are dozens of great software and filter options out there, but I love the software developed by XXXchurch.com because it promotes accountability. We’re only as sick as our secrets and this software shares your “secret” with a friend—it forces you to talk about it when you fail. Check it out — for $7 a month it should be mandatory for family computers.

3. Talk openly. I took a risk when my small group was in 9th grade and said, “I’m just going to assume that pornography is an issue in your life. If it’s not, let us know—that’s great. But, based on my conversations with a lot of guys—I’m betting that you struggle with it.” Wow! That risk paid off. Great conversations followed. Guys signed each other for filters and accountability and it’s now an open subject in our small group. There was healing in them knowing that they’re not alone.

Band

Today in both Spiked HSM & Middle School we finished up the series “LSD”.  The last 4 weeks we have had some really good teaching in this series.  It has caused some good small group conversation and at home also.

Check out some pics from this Sunday.