Sofa Talk 4/29/12

Scriptures

              -  Psalm 23, 1 Peter 5:1-4, 1 Corinthians 11:1, John 10:7-14

Discussion Questions

- Read Psalm 23- What is a shepherd as it pertains to us?

- Why do we need a shepherd? If we didn’t have any shepherds in our lives (i.e. parents, teachers, youth pastors, etc) what might we get direction in life from?

- 1 Corinthians 11:1- Why is it important that our shepherd be following Christ? Is it possible to have a bad shepherd? How?

How can we know if our shepherd is following the Chief Shepherd?

- Who is or has been a shepherd in your life? How?

- Have you ever chosen to let the wrong person shepherd you?

What can be some effects of letting the wrong person shepherd us?

- One of these days, if not right now, you WILL be a shepherd to someone else. How can you make sure that you are a good shepherd? What does it look like for us to follow the Chief Shepherd?

30 Hour Famine

The 30 Hour Famine is close at hand! I hope your students are getting ready for the 30 Hour Famine this weekend. It is going to be an amazing couple of days full of worship, prayer, service and fellowship. Oh and no eating as well!

The fasting schedule will look something like this. Students should eat a lite breakfast on Friday morning prepared to not eat lunch at school. They will miss lunch and dinner (and snacktime) on Friday as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday. We will break our fast at about 2:00 on Saturday which will mean that the students should not have eaten anything from 8am on Friday- 2:00pm on Saturday. Students should arrive at the church between 6 and 6:30 (please make sure they don't eat beforehand). We encourage you to stay and enjoy the evenings concert being put on by the youth band at 7:00. You won't want to miss it.

We will have plenty of water and juice for your students to stay hydrated with. I assure you that this famine is perfectly safe. If your students has medical needs and must eat food, it is perfectly understandable. Your students WILL be hungry (as will I and the sponsors) and they will want food. Please do not send your students with "snacks just in case" or beverages other than water or fruit juice. Sodas and energy drinks are terrible on a stomach that has not eaten in a while. We will have the soda machines unplugged to ensure that students do not break their fast too soon.

The purpose of this fast is for students to learn ow to sacrifice for others as well as to give them a wider worldview of their Christianity. We will be going without so that others can have.

Please be sure that your students bring all of the money they raised for the famine on Friday.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jared or just comment below.

Sofa Talk 4/15/12

Scriptures

              -  Ephesians 4:1-16

Discussion Questions

- Ephesians 4:1- What did Paul urge the Ephesians to do? Why do you think unity in the body of believers is so important to Paul?

- God told the Israelites to have their robes tucked in, sandals on, and staff in hand so they could leave at a moment’s notice. Why, then, would God tell the Israelites to make bread without yeast?

- Ephesians 4:2- What three virtues does Paul list that create unity?

How do these three virtues each help create unity?

- Ephesians 4:14-16- What will each of us eventually attain from this unity that Paul is talking about? According to Paul, is it possible to attain this by ourselves apart from the church? Why do you think that is? (look back to verses 11-12)

- Think back to Brandon’s story about the laser vs. the spotlight. How were they different?

How can the youth better be a part of the church so that we can work together for God’s glory?