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Christmas Party - December 16th

The Christmas party is only 2 weeks away!  If you are coming, be sure to RSVP ASAP!  Remember, your friends and family are welcome to join us.  Just let us know your name and how many will be in your group!  Thanks so much.

Bible Session 12-2-13 - Guest Speaker

This week we had a guest speaker, Karina Woodruff.  She does crisis intervention for Friends of Youth, and attends Eastside Foursquare Church in Bothell.

Topic: Christmas Story

Instead of handing out Bible to the youth, Karina had them "be the Bible."  Most students were given a piece of paper with their role and lines written on it.  As Karina read from the Bible, she would then ask certain roles to read their lines.  As you can imagine, there was much giggling especially when Seth was given the role of Mary.

After going through the most important Christmas story.  She spoke about how everyone was welcome at the manger - smelly shepherds, rich magi, angels, etc. She spoke on how Christ can relate to our human issues because he too had to have his diaper changed, get found when he ran off to the temple, and had to do what his mother told him to do. The kids giggled their way through acting out the nativity scene we know so well, and yet as Karina said, do we really. The manger was a pig trough. The stable was a cave. In the end, everyone was welcome at the manger, and Jesus is still welcoming everyone to come and know him.

 

Bible Session Notes - 11/18/13

Colossians 4:7-18

7 Tychicus will tell you all the news about me.  He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.

8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.  They will tell you everything that is happening here.
            *Last week we read about Paul asking for prayer. Here Paul is sending people back to Colossae with an update – information on his current situation.  I think it is helpful when asking for prayer to be specific and to give an update.  Ex.  Pray that we find a house.  Vs. Pray that we find a house in the Northshore School District with a large fenced yard for our dog and 2 bathrooms.  (Shared my story about buying our current home and how Jason wanted an attached garage and I wanted a detached garage.  We had a few other things we wanted, and God met them all.  Including an attached/detached garage meeting both our desires - a detached garage with a covered breezeway.)

10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)
11 Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.  These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.  He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.
14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.
                 *Say hello!  Stay connected to the church.   (Shared an example from my own life of how I usually want to run away from people and God when I'm hurting, but that's not what the Bible tells us to do.)

15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
                 *Women played an important role in Biblical history.  Pay attention to which women are mentioned in the Bible and what they were doing.  (Please note that after teaching this lesson we discovered that some versions of the Bible say "Nympha" and "His house."  I have asked a couple of Bible scholars for their insight into this difference between translations, but I have not received a solid answer yet.  Regardless, my point about women in the Bible stands.)

16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
               *Why would Paul want the two churches to swap letters after reading them? (Honestly I totally forgot to bring this up in the Bible Session.  If you happen to talk to your kids about what we are teaching each week, you might want to discuss this with them.)

17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”
            *This is a common theme in the New Testament.  Don’t give up. Don’t grow weary. Finish the work set before you.  In our current culture of immediate gratification, over 50% divorce rate, use a product and toss it in the trash, it’s easy to fall into the habit of “it’s hard, so I quit.”  BUT, over and over again, we read in the New Testament to press on. 
            *Question to ponder: In what area of your life do you need to press on right now?

18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.  Remember my chains.  Grace be with you.

            *And grace be with you all as well.

Announcements - 11/18/13

·        Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck – NEXT MONDAY!!!! November 25^th. Sign up to bring a part of the meal.

·        Christmas Party – December 16^th. 

·        Christmas Tithe – Christmas Tithe Share Voting continues this week.  If you haven’t completed a ballot yet, please do so before going back out to play, skate or craft. 

Bible Session Notes - 11-11-13

Colossians 4:2-6

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

·        The New Living translation says: Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

·        What do you think we are supposed to be watching for and alert for?

3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

·        Paul is asking for prayer for himself as well as everyone working to spread the gospel.

·        Many studies on this verse state that the mystery of Christ is not just the gospel of salvation but that this salvation is for all people, Jews and Gentiles.

4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

·        This is a super good prayer request anytime you are going to approach someone about Christ.  It’s up to God to open the door of their heart to receive the message, but it is always good to pray that you would make sense to the listener.  Note that Paul is probably praying this himself, but he’s also asking others to pray for him.  He’s being humble and vulnerable in order to serve a greater purpose.

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

·        Another translation says: Live wisely among those who are not Christians.

6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

·        The New Living Translation says: gracious and effective

·        The Quest Study Bible asks “What is ‘salty’ conversation for a Christian?”

o   Salt is a good metaphor for Christian conversation and behavior.  Salt improves taste; in the same way, what believers say and do should leave a “good taste” for others.  Salt also preserves food; Christians should influence others for eternity with their grace-filled lives.  Courteous, honest and compassionate, they should have the fruit of the Spirit evident within them.

Conclusion

The Hayford Bible Handbook:

Become a person of prayer.  Repent of any prayerlessness in your life.  Recognize God’s gift of time and use it wisely.  Speak with grace and wisdom in answer to all.

Announcements - 11-11-13

Announcements:

•Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck – Monday, November 25th. Sign up to bring a part of the meal.  Still needed: gravy, vegetables, side dish
•Christmas Party – December 16th. 
•Christmas Tithe – Christmas Tithe Share Voting begins this week.  Thanks to all the under 12 kids
who filled theirs out last night. 12+ group, let's get this done next week!

Bible Session Notes - 11-4-13

Colossians 3:18-4:1

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
? – Wives do what? Submit
? – Husbands do what? Love your wife
*God gave 2 simple rules to follow in marriage.  One rule is for the woman, and one rule is for the man.  Like two sides to a coin, both people must play their roll correctly in order for things to work correctly. 

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
? – Children do what? Obey
? – Fathers do not do what? Embitter your children
*This is another two sided coin.  Kids are commanded to obey their moms and dads, because it pleases God while fathers are commanded not to “provoke your children to anger” or they will give up. 
*In both relationships – Wives/Husbands and Children/Fathers – everyone should be focused on pleasing God.  Then the everyday decisions of how to act make more sense and come more easily.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for
men,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
? How should you work? Sincerely, even when not being watched, with all my heart, as if for God.
* This is a good personal policy to have about any work you do.  If your mom asks to you to mow the lawn or do the dishes, do it eagerly and work hard.  Don’t just work hard when she’s watching, but work hard even when she’s not watching you!  Work as if God hired you to do the work, and your reward will come from him.

25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
*Not much to explain here.  Another version of the Bible says:  If you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done, because God plays no favorites.

Chp 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
*You should treat anyone working under you well.  Maybe you have to do chores with a brother or sister.  Don’t be a jerk and boss them around.  Treat them nicely.

The bottom line in all of this is obedience to God’s Word and his plans and treating each other lovingly.  Nowhere in any of this text did it say “And think of the effect this will have on you.” It didn’t say “Only obey if you want to or when you feel like it or when the weather is right.”  This isn’t an emotional kissy, touchy, huggy, feely kind of passage.  It’s saying treat each other well, work hard as if unto the Lord, and your reward will come from him. 

Announcements for this week - 11-4-13

Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck – Monday, November 25^th. Sign up to bring a dish for 5 people. 

Still needed:  gravy, vegetables, side dishes and dessert. 

Christmas Party – December 16^th.  Parents, kids, grandparents, past attendees and new friends are all welcome.  Please RSVP.

Christmas Tithe – Ballots will be at next week's Skate & Rec Night.

Announcements and Bible Session from Last Monday Night - 10-28-13

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck – Monday, November 25^th. Sign up to bring a dish for 5 people.  Bev and I are supplying the turkey, stuffing and pop.  We need mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, side dishes and dessert.  Talk to your parents and decide what you want to make and bring for our Pre-Thanksgiving Potluck. Be sure to sign up for something or all we’ll be eating is turkey and stuffing.

Christmas Party – December 16^th. 

Christmas Tithe – Every year we donated 10% of what we receive to other ministries and outreaches.  As in years past, you will be voting on who will be receiving the funds.   Between now and the Thanksgiving party, please be sure to fill out a ballot and turn it in to Brett or Bev.  We can discuss each organization with you or you can take the information home and discuss it with your family before completing the ballot.

COLOSSIANS – Chapter 3:1-17

10-28-13

Introduction:
In Chapter 2, we read about the old life and sin, and how once you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, you are given a new life.  The rules of man do not apply; only living a life with Christ and for Christ matters.  In Chapter 3, we’ll see how to live a holy life, a life in Christ.

Colossians 3:1-17
1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him glory.
*What should you set your heart and mind on? Things above – Christ
*Your old life is dead; your new life is in Christ.

5 Put to death, therefor, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
*Put to death all sin that is part of being human.  Stop living in your old life and fully live your new life in Christ.  We are all equal in Christ – He is all and in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
*God has chosen you and you have accepted him. 
*What should we be like?  What should we show? compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and  patience
*Be nice! Help each other and forgive each other, just like God forgave you.  Most of all – LOVE!

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
*What should rule in our hearts?  God’s peace
*Be thankful.  Let the Word be in you and flow out of you.  Do everything you do in Jesus name and give thanks to God.