We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone. Large and influential sections of the world of fundamental Christianity have gone overboard for practices wholly unscriptural, altogether unjustifiable in the light of historic Christian truth and deeply damaging to the inner life of the individual Christian. They have imitated the world, sought popular favor, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost. The glowworm has taken the place of the bush that burned and scintillating personalities now answer to the fire that fell at Pentecost.
A. W. Tozer
Quote was taken from Forgotten God written by Francis Chan.
These are some 'notes' that were taken from the devotion time that we had on the weekend at our leaders retreat.
I thought I'd share with all of you what God has shown us through His word. In Timothy 2:1-14
2 Timothy 2:1-14
Context Letter from Paul to Timothy who was pasturing the church who (Tim was young) instructions to how to be a pastor to the church amidst tough times.
V1 strengthen by grace in Christ.
V2 Keep training worthy leaders up.
Loves this passage, starts with the grace of Christ, this is the beginning point, salvation and grace from Christ Jesus.
Trust these things to faithful men
Teacher
Entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others too (trust and accountability
James 3:1 Teachers will be judged more strictly
Soldier
Fighting in a war (Spiritual Battle)
Bear the burden of it until the work is done
Sharing in the suffering for the sake of the mission
Mission –v10
Follow your leader, emulate Jesus
Jesus commanding officer, so we obey him.
Not to be entangled in civilian affairs.
Tasks to be undertaken and progression
Athlete
Compete according to the rules
Rules require us to do things a certain way
Play within confines of the game
Rules are God’s mission
Crown 4:6-8
Athlete has support around them
Eyes on the prize
Practice what you preach, leading people to get crown of righteousness that we are also seeking after.
Farmer
Times of preparation of the soil
Sow the seeds
Water
Harvest
Preparation , fighting with the elements, time and elements, knowledgeable and learn from experience.
Persistence will be rewarded.
God makes the plant grow.
Process takes time, depending on what type of tree.
They are a bit disjointed, but ask your cell leader if you have any questions :)
Remember NO youth group this Friday as it is Easter Friday
There will be a combined Church Service in the Chapel @ 10:30am. See you all there!
Come for a time of good fellowship backed up with talks that will challenge and encourage you in your walk with God. This year's camp goes from the 2nd of July to the 4th and will be held at the Merricks Lodge in Frankston.
The talks will be inline with SCUC Gospel Hall's theme for this year
'Reaching out and Gathering in'
Camp Speaker: Aaron Boyd from La Trobe CU (Christian Union)
Please RSVP for early bird rate before 16th April: $80
After which will be: $85
Please see Jason or Amy for registration.
For more information please contact James Hoey or follow us on the camp's Facebook event
A place where God’s word is taught, and that it is a place for mutual encouragement and supporting each other in the faith, but also explaining and preaching the gospel to all who will hear.
What do you remember of your first time at youth group?
Can’t exactly remember the ‘first time’ at youth because that would’ve been over 10 years ago but my first experience of youth group was in 1998 at the youth camp up at Anglesea where I committed my life to Christ
What do you think new-comers need?
God… haha no but seriously, I guess we need to show them an example of Christ love, being in a community that is eager to do God’s work.
What does being chair/co-chairperson of the YG mean? What does the role involve?
Being chair person/co-chair we just sort of over look the running of the youth group, quite a bit of admin work, but also taking care of the spiritual welfare of the leaders and members. Whilst doing that having a faith and trust in God in all that we do. I guess both Amy and I hope to be able to help each and everyone through issues concerning their lives, sharing in that fellowship and being like Christ.
What do you hope to see happen in the YG this year?
That everyone becomes independently dependant on God. I hope that in this year of YG people will read the Bible for themselves, seeking God first and foremost in their lives. And making every effort in increasing in the faith and hope that Jesus offers.
Please give us a brief description of your co-chair.
Amy hmm, I can boast that I have known Amy the longest out of anyone at youth group! The first time we met, she gave me $800 dollars and I ran off. I’ll let Amy explain why I ran off and what happened to that $800 dollars haha.
Amy has just grown leaps and bounds, she came to the YG first in 2005, and got baptized that year as well, and she actually got baptized before me even though I accepted Christ in 1998. She is so grounded by the word of God, and so humble in all that she does, she is a great leader and example for the girls in the youth group.
Amy has faithfully followed Christ, I know she has struggles but she is so dependent on God it is a great encouragement for me.
Amy’s faith and perseverance puts mine to shame, I come from a Christian upbringing she does not, but to see how much God has worked in her life, I praise Him for that. A great lifelong friend indeed.
My all time favourite verse(s) from the bible is…
Wouldn’t say its all time favourites, different things hit me at different stages in my spiritual walk, these are the ones currently hitting me… albeit a bit hard as well.
Titus 2:11-15
11Forthe grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness andworldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives inthe present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our greatGod and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness andto purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
15Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Talking about the Grace of God and how it trains us, gives us hope, and also separates us and making us his people.(1 Peter 2:9)
2 Timothy 2
1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Again talking about the grace that is in Christ Jesus, it challenges me to teach to those who are worthy to teach, to endure like a soldier for Christ, Compete like an athlete, and be hard working like a farmer. Remembering Christ’s resurrection, enduring through everything for his word and hoping in the life that comes with following Christ.
Isaiah 66:2
2All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.
Everything made by God (1 Colossians 1:16), so the authority that you have as a creator of all things, but he shows favor to those who are humble and have a repentant heart, but the last part I love, who ‘trembles at my word’ understanding the power that comes from God’s word.
Sometimes newspapers report that there are fewer youth going to church than in the past. Why do you think this is so?
Fewer youths going to church compared to the past because of youths today are so engrossed in the culture of this world, the consumerism, the entitlement and the individualism. Youths today cannot live in a community which aims to serve one another anymore, self seeking only looking or focusing on their own needs.
They are expecting a perfect church to suit their needs, and unwilling to commit because of the fear of a wrong decision, hard work and its ramifications, and because they would rather be served than to serve.
Finally, any prayer requests?
Pray for Amy and I that we would faithfully and obediently follow what has been given set out before us to do as Co-chairs, that we will do it whilst being led by the Holy Spirit, remembering Christ’s sacrifice.
To begin with, introduce yourself, acrostic poem style!
Architecture, in first year Masters
Mmm...
Yoghurt.. :)
Youth group is…
Christ, I believe.
Holy, we should all try to be by
Encouraging one another in faith in our
Ongoing spiritual battle
Never give up when the..
Going gets tough!
What do you remember of your first time at youth group?
Youth Group is... a place where young people can gather in the name of Jesus to learn more about God's word and worship Him. This event happens on every Friday night! :)
I remember going to YG for the first time and everyone was really friendly. It was the people who were there that kept me coming and curious in the beginning!
What do you think new-comers need?
Speaking on my past experience, I think new comers firstly need to learn more about what God did for us through Christ. Many who come probably don't exactly know that God loves them, but each of the people at YG have the ability to share this with them, whether through their words or actions in just getting to know them.
What does being chair/co-chairperson of the YG mean? What does the role involve?
Being Co-Chair means that we are responsible for leading the youth to grow in faith in God. Ultimately, God will be using us so it's not so much that we get to make the decisions, but we hope to let God guide us in planning and co-ordinating events and Bible studies. James and I hope to set a good example to the youth this year, however, we are not perfect, and we are human as well, so we will make mistakes! We will try our hardest to encourage you and with God's help, we will pray for your personal relationship with God. If you have any personal issues or questions about God please feel free to approach James or myself! :)
What do you hope to see happen in the YG this year?
I hope to see your spiritual life grow in Christ!
Please give us a brief description of your co-chair.
James has been a great friend of mine for MANY MANY years! He was actually the one who encouraged me and answered my questions when I was curious about God. The reason why I first went to this YG was because James asked me! James has such a strong character, and he is passionate about God. Ever since I knew him, I knew he was a strong believer in Christ and over the past few years, I have seen him persevere through many struggles. He is someone who has grown a lot over the past few years and personally, it's been really encouraging. It's great that there's two of us rather than one to be Co-Chairs!
My all time favourite verse(s) from the Bible is…
My all time favourite verse from the Bible is 1 Corinthians 13:4 onwards.
It describes God's perfect love for us!
Sometimes newspapers report that there are fewer youth going to church than in the past. Why do you think this is so?
I think that whatever happened in the past happened for a reason so it is our duty to learn from it. I think that God has many things planned for us, so we will just have to see what happens! :)
Finally, any prayer requests?
Prayer requests - I would like to ask for you to pray for my time management over the next few weeks due to uni and work commitments. Pray for the leaders and youth!
