LBC youth lesson for Nov 30, 2008

Our curriculum: http://biblestudy.studentlife.com/
This lesson was written with BibleXpress on my iPhone.

2008 11 30 making a difference

I. Salt of the earth
13You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
-Matthew 5:13-16, ESV

II. The hardest kind of love
43You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?47And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?48You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.-Matthew 5:43-48, ESV

III. Analysis
Obvious concepts:
1. Salt, light, city: our faith (beliefs, convictions, commitments) should be evident in what we do.
2. Love your enemies: this command is (I think) unique to the Christian faith. To show care when it is not only not to be returned, but likely resented and punished.

Concept 2 is one application of obvious concept 1. How does this square with culture @ our church?
- new students @ youth
- dorks @ youth
- visiting Muslims
Other ways we do/do not put this passage into practice?

IV. newBookmark
10Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
-Galatians 2:10, ESV

V. newBookmark
10So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
-Galatians 6:10, ESV

VI. newBookmark
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.-Romans 12:14, ESV

VII. newBookmark
20To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.-Romans 12:20-21, ESV

VIII. newBookmark
19For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.-1 Peter 2:19-23, ESV

IX. Question:
Does this mean that we are never to defend ourselves, even in words?

Peter & John arrested for preaching and healing a cripple:

X. newBookmark
18So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.19But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,-Acts 4:18-19, ESV

Posted: Wed - November 26, 2008 at 10:05 PM | |

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LBC youth lesson for Nov 30, 2008

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