Church Of Christ - Youth Group

We talk about how God answers prayer, and then we don’t pray about stuff that bothers us. We pray about the “big” things, but not about other things. Take and read Acts 16:16-40 today and we’ll how God answered Paul and Silas’ prayers. Please click the link and read the passage as I’ve only quoted a few verses below.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

When I was younger and still living at home, I was pulling out of our garage on my way to work when I hit the side of the garage and dented the car. My dad said it was fine. We’d talk about it when I got home. While I was at work, I kept thinking about whether my dad would be mad at me and these thoughts bothered me. Then I remembered what one of the hymns said, “Take it to the Lord in prayer.” God answered me by taking away my worry. Later God also answered my prayer because my dad wasn’t mad at me, but rather, we talked about what had happened.

In Acts 16:25-26 it says that Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God and the prisoners were listening. They were probably asking God to rescue them and in verse 25 it shows the answer. This is proof that God does answer prayer. This story also shows that prayer can cause others to pray and therefore be an evangelism tool. Prayer can be said in any form: silent, out loud, by oneself, or with others. It can be said anywhere, since God is omnipresent, at anytime (24 hours a day), and for almost everything, from asking God to heal a cut to asking Him to protect our nation. It’s important to realize that God doesn’t always answer on the spot, but He does answer as He sees fit.

Jesus says in the Bible, “Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will honor me.” So next time you are in a dilemma crisis, or just any situation at all, take your prayers to God.

Points To Ponder: Do I pray enough? Why do I pray? Can I pray for anything? Why is it good for me to pray?

Prayer Possibilities: Pray about your troubles. Pray for help to get through the day.

When I was a kid my parents always told me to treat others how I would like to be treated. Easy to say, but hard to do. Read Luke 6:27-36 this morning and we’ll see what the Bible says about this idea.

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ’sinners’ lend to ’sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Eric was in the cafeteria when Chris, the punk of the school, walked in. Eric did not particularly like Chris, but Chris did not have any lunch money. Eric, being the nice guy he was, offered him some money to buy his lunch. Eric figured he would never see that money again, because it was unlike Chris to pay anyone back.

People might wonder why Eric would do something like that. Why would he lend money to someone whom he knew would not pay him back? Eric did that because he was showing his Christian love. It says in Luke 6, “Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything in return. Then your reward will be great and you will be sons of the most high.”

So, the next time someone, especially someone whom you don’t feel close to, needs a favor; do not be afraid of granting it. Even if it’s never returned in this life, we will be getting our reward in heaven.

Points To Ponder: Do you think these verses mean for us to let people take advantage of us? What makes it hard for us to show love to our enemies? Once you have read the selection, how will you go about doing all the things the Lord commands of us to do for our enemies?

Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for being kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Ask Him for enough self-control to be able to love our enemies. Praise Him for His mercifulness.

When we are little we find comfort and protection by snuggling up with our parents. As life goes on, this changes, but we can still be safe and cozy. Check out Psalm 61:1-4.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

Giant bolts of lightening lit up the living room walls. Great claps of thunder shook the whole house. Carol’s little brother was so frightened by the storm, that he ran to his blanket. He wrapped himself up in it. Only his eyes and nose peeked out once in a while. Most of the time his whole head was covered. Each time there was a storm with lightening and thunder, this is what Carol’s brother did. He felt safe and cozy when he was under his blanket.

All of us have times when we feel frightened enough to want to wrap ourselves in a warm, cozy blanket. We might feel afraid of a thunderstorm. We might feel afraid of other “storms” or troubles in our lives. Sometimes we feel lonely and sad. That can be frightening too.

Our God is like a big, warm, cozy blanket. Over and over the Bible tells us that he is ready to cover us when we feel frightened or sad. All we need to do is ask Him to wrap us in His presence—to be right with us. He comforts us. He keeps us safe and cozy. He is Almighty. Jesus, our Savior, is stronger than any storm and bigger than any trouble we have. He is only a prayer away. All we need to do is ask Him to cover us with His love.

Points To Ponder: What does Jesus cover us with when we are in need of Him? What do you think Carol’s brother should do about his fear of storms?

Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for protecting us. Ask Him to keep on covering us with His love.

Make sure that you head on over to Tia’s Blog as she has been updating this and looking to see if anyone will read it.  If no one does, she may give up so head on over and post some comments!!

I’ve got to take my van to a mechanic today so I’ve got to run. Take a look at Luke 6:17-26 though and we’ll talk about being blessed for a little bit.

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

Bob was never able to afford the cool shoes and clothes. He always got picked on. He didn’t have any friends and never went anywhere. But he was a regular at church. Paul had all the trendy clothes. He made it a point to pick on Bob at least once a day. He was the most popular guy in school and always did things on the weekend. But he never made it to church.

In Luke we read that those that are despised and scorned on earth will receive the precious gift of heaven. “Rejoice…because great is your reward in heaven.” Those that live in pursuit of worldly happiness will see their possessions disappear in a ball of fire. They will not see the riches that God has stored up for them.

Live your life for the Lord, not for yourself and you will inherit the kingdom of God. Stay strong in His Word and you will have eternal life.

Points To Ponder: How did God put us first? What does it mean to put God first? How can we life for the Lord and not the world?

Prayer Possibilities: Thank God for putting us before His Son. Ask God to show us the way to put Him first. Pray on behalf of all who seek worldly possessions.