Support Appreciated

Hello Folks,

We're running low on operating funds, and would love your prayers and any financial support you feel led to give.  Donations can be made via PayPal, cash or check.  Checks should be made out to MAD Skates and mailed to 21705 2nd Avenue SE, Bothell, WA 98021.  MAD Skates & Rec Center is a 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are receipted.

Thank you for your continued support,

Brett Elizabeth Spore

Cool Stuff Coming up at MAD Skates

Next week - Dinner provided by the Cormier family.
March 25th - Pizza and video for the 6-11 year olds.
April 1 - No joke! Dinner will be provided by the Jones family.
April 8th - Dinner by Bev.
April 15th - We get to use the kitchen for our first "Kids are Cooking" night!  We'll be making applesauce pancakes for dinner, so stay tuned and tell your kids to get ready to sign up to cook.

More fun stuff on the horizon that is still to be determined. 

Biblical Encounters with Christ - Simon Peter, A Fisherman (12+ Bible Session 3-11-13 )

Biblical Encounters with Christ – Simon Peter, A Fisherman

3-11-13 Brett Spore

(Adapted from EFC sermon series)

 

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

Vs. 1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.

Vs. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.

Vs. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon (Peter), and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

Vs. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

At this point, if I was Simon Peter, I would be thinking “Man, I just finished fishing all night and caught nothing. I’d like to put my nets away and go home for the day. I’m tired.  I’m depressed that we caught no fish, and honestly I’m not really thrilled about the idea of a teacher telling me how to fish.”

Vs. 5 Simon (Peter) answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.  But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Despite his distain at the thought of Jesus Christ telling him to put his nets out again, he does what Jesus tells him to do.  Why?  “Because you say so.”  I sort of picture Simon Peter being like “Fine. Whatever. I’ll show you there are no fish right now.”  Or maybe he thought, look this guy’s pretty wise, maybe by some miracle he actually knows something I don’t know after spending my whole life as a fisherman.

Vs. 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

What do you think God could do in your life if you would simply obey him?

Vs. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Suggestions: Don’t ever underestimate the power of God, and don’t be surprised if he overwhelms you to the point of needing to call for reinforcements.  Ask for help when you need it!

Vs. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Simon Peter just recognized God’s power in Jesus and Simon Peter’s own frailty.

Vs. 9-10a For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

They were all blown away by the sheer volume of fish they had caught.  I get the impression they had never in their entire lives seen that many fish caught at one time.

Vs. 10b Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Why would Jesus tell Simon Peter not to be afraid unless Simon Peter was showing signs that he was afraid?  In Vs. 8 the Bible says he fell to his knees, which is a sign of submission in every culture I know of to date.  I am picturing a guy who thought, as many people say today, that Jesus Christ was a wise man, a moral man, and a good teacher.  But after the fishing incident, Simon Peter realized that Jesus Christ is so much more than that. HE IS GOD!  And Simon Peter is afraid.  So, Jesus tells him not to be afraid and that from this day forward he will be a fisherman of people, catching men and women with the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Vs. 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

They left EVERYTHING! Their biggest catch of their lives. Their Olympic God.  Their platinum record. Their CEO of Microsoft job.  Their starting spot on the soccer team. Their full-ride scholarship to the college of their dreams.  They left EVERYTHING and followed him.

Challenge Question:
What are you willing to leave behind to fully and wholeheartedly follow Jesus Christ wherever he takes you to be a fisherman of men and women?  Are you willing to go? 

3-4-13 Bible Session Notes

Biblical Encounters With Christ – The Samaritan Woman

3-4-13 Brett Spore

(Adapted from EFC sermon series)

Bible Drill:

Revelation 22:17 – The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”  Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The following conversation Jesus has with the Samaritan woman illustrates clearly how fully “whoever” means anyone!

Read:  John 4:1-42 (If you don’t own a Bible go to http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jhn&c=4&v=1&t=NIV#top to read this passage.)

Samaritans (the woman) and Jews (Jesus) hated each other as people groups. – Jesus spoke to her anyway.

The Samaritan woman had previously been married 5 times and was now sleeping with a man who she was not married to. – Jesus offered her life anyway.

The Samaritan woman is considered a cast-off, garbage, dirty & unclean. – Jesus loves her anyway.

Jesus broke through the social, racial, and political boundaries to reach a life, to change a life, to save a life.

Discussion Questions:

1.       Why did Jesus do this?

2.       Why did the disciples go to town & only bring back food while the woman went to town and brought back everyone she could?  What was the difference?

3.       What can you learn from Jesus’ actions?  How can you apply what you learned?

4.       What can you learn from the Samaritan woman?  How can you apply what you learned?

News

* Everett just got a new indoor skate park.  So happy for all the skaters and a huge thanks to the Sanchez family for opening this place.  The Garage is on Rucker Avenue in Everett. Check it out.

* Skate & Rec Night dinners are covered for the month of March.  We are in need of people to sign up for the month of April. Please contact me if you are able to provide part or all of a meal.

* Excited about some fun stuff we are planning for Skate & Rec Night.  We hope to see you all there!