This past Wednesday night in Surge began a new series we're talking through that has everything to do with the technology and multimedia that our kids are constantly exposed to and the potential that they all create. Of course, the things in and of themselves are absolutely neutral, so the potential for good or ill comes from how we use those things.
We started with movies, asking the good ol' question of "Why can't I see PG-13 Movies". Obviously for some of them, this is less of an issue, but we looked at the top 10 box office hits of 2011 (so far) and the ratings of those films. There were 2 G rated movies, 2 PG rated movies, only 1 R rated movie and 5 PG-13 movies. In all the years I've taught this lesson, the numbers are almost always exactly the same. And if you look at the vast majority of movies put out, the PG-13 rating is hands-down the most popular.
We talked through Philippians 4:8 and Romans 12:2, how we are supposed to be different from the world and how we should focus on thoughts that are pure, lovely and worthy of praise. We also talked about the things in movies that go against those virtues and why guarding ourselves against them are so important. However, the conversation didn't stay on movies as we branched out to talk about other things in life that work in much the same way - from music and books to tobacco and alcohol. We also talked about how the rating system doesn't mean that the movie is bad or that if you're old enough to see it that you should. There are some great movies out there that are rated R because of the graphic nature of modern cinematography. (Passion of the Christ was mentioned) And there are some PG movies that aren't as appropriate as the rating might suggest. (Rango was brought up by the kids)
The main point that we ended on was that just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Being old enough to get into a movie doesn't mean that it doesn't have images or thoughts that affect us, no matter how old you are. And the Bible is clear that our thoughts should be focused on the good and honorable things around us rather than the bad that is in our world.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Rebel without a clue
To wrap up our 4-week topic on the enemies of God, we look specifically at those who rebel and stand opposed to Him. There are countless stories in the Bible that deal directly with rebellion against God, from the story of Adam and Eve eating the fruit to Armageddon, the Bible is filled with stories of how man rebels, God punishes and man either repents or is destroyed. We talked about how rebellion is the basis of sin; how when we put our wants and desires ahead of God's, we are in rebellion.
As we looked at a few stories in the Old Testament, we saw how God's righteous judgement was poured out on those who opposed Him. This was done in a number of different ways, from God's hand directly to Him allowing enemies of the nation of Israel to inflict the punishment. We talked about how mean and harsh God seems, but that in reality, it was because of His great love for His people that He punished their rebellious actions. But we saw the great consequences of His punishment as entire families were swallowed up by the ground. We talked about how unfair it seems that wives and children of rebellious men would be killed, but we were also reminded that everyone sins and that the wages for those sins are death and separation from God. So, even though it seems unfair, really they are simply getting what they've earned. The only reason we don't when we sin is because of His mercy and grace.
Not only did this give us a great opportunity to talk about God's discipline out of love, but how it works with our parents too. Parents aren't being mean when they punish or discipline, but rather, are acting out of love to correct and teach. As parents, we have a great model in our heavenly Father.
Lastly, we looked at the scripture in Isaiah 53 where the prophet eludes to the wrath that Christ would take for our rebellion. The consequences of our sins were placed on the one who was blameless. And his act of love has given us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and found clean in the eyes of God.
As we looked at a few stories in the Old Testament, we saw how God's righteous judgement was poured out on those who opposed Him. This was done in a number of different ways, from God's hand directly to Him allowing enemies of the nation of Israel to inflict the punishment. We talked about how mean and harsh God seems, but that in reality, it was because of His great love for His people that He punished their rebellious actions. But we saw the great consequences of His punishment as entire families were swallowed up by the ground. We talked about how unfair it seems that wives and children of rebellious men would be killed, but we were also reminded that everyone sins and that the wages for those sins are death and separation from God. So, even though it seems unfair, really they are simply getting what they've earned. The only reason we don't when we sin is because of His mercy and grace.
Not only did this give us a great opportunity to talk about God's discipline out of love, but how it works with our parents too. Parents aren't being mean when they punish or discipline, but rather, are acting out of love to correct and teach. As parents, we have a great model in our heavenly Father.
Lastly, we looked at the scripture in Isaiah 53 where the prophet eludes to the wrath that Christ would take for our rebellion. The consequences of our sins were placed on the one who was blameless. And his act of love has given us the opportunity to be forgiven of our sins and found clean in the eyes of God.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Watch your step...
This past Wednesday we unpacked the issue of pride as being one of the biggest things that opposes God. While it differs a lot from the first two weeks of the devil and other religions, this one hits a lot closer to home with us. We talk about SIN, focusing on the "I" in sin to describe doing what "I" want instead of what God wants. The pride of elevating ourselves or our ideas and plans above God is a huge issue now, just like it was then. So many stories in the Bible are directed toward the people on both extremes that had pride issues. On one end, those that oppose God by rejecting Him as God and elevating themselves as being sufficient enough to save themselves. And the other end are the religious leaders who were so wrapped up in the pride of their religiosity that they put their actions of religion above God and everyone else.
We looked at the example of King Manasseh and the fluctuation we find of good and bad kings in Israel and Judah. With King Manasseh, we see the typical cycle of sin, punishment, repentance and redemption that was so prevalent during the kingdom years of the Old Testament. When God allows the Assyrians to capture King Manasseh, put a hook in his nose and take him back to Babylon, we see his pride fall away and he humbles himself before the Lord. And when he does, God forgives him and allows him to return to Jerusalem. And while this cycle is shown all throughout the Bible, it is still very much a part of our life now. Of course, the main difference is that we now have Jesus interceding on our behalf and the Holy Spirit convicting us to keep us from getting to far into sin and our pride, if we're willing to listen.
We also read some great advice from James who was trying to convince a group of people to turn from their prideful ways and repent. And while we don't necessarily fall into the category of the people that James was writing to, we certainly move through times of sin where we put our desires and plans above those of God's and need to humble ourselves.
It's always a good reminder to me that, while a Christian, my actions and decisions can sometimes put me in opposition to God. Just because I have been saved by faith through grace does not give me license to sin. While redeemed, I am still sinful and pride is always going to be something I have to keep watch for. However, our God is merciful and gracious and is very quick to forgive when we ask. God is good!
We looked at the example of King Manasseh and the fluctuation we find of good and bad kings in Israel and Judah. With King Manasseh, we see the typical cycle of sin, punishment, repentance and redemption that was so prevalent during the kingdom years of the Old Testament. When God allows the Assyrians to capture King Manasseh, put a hook in his nose and take him back to Babylon, we see his pride fall away and he humbles himself before the Lord. And when he does, God forgives him and allows him to return to Jerusalem. And while this cycle is shown all throughout the Bible, it is still very much a part of our life now. Of course, the main difference is that we now have Jesus interceding on our behalf and the Holy Spirit convicting us to keep us from getting to far into sin and our pride, if we're willing to listen.
We also read some great advice from James who was trying to convince a group of people to turn from their prideful ways and repent. And while we don't necessarily fall into the category of the people that James was writing to, we certainly move through times of sin where we put our desires and plans above those of God's and need to humble ourselves.
It's always a good reminder to me that, while a Christian, my actions and decisions can sometimes put me in opposition to God. Just because I have been saved by faith through grace does not give me license to sin. While redeemed, I am still sinful and pride is always going to be something I have to keep watch for. However, our God is merciful and gracious and is very quick to forgive when we ask. God is good!
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Other Guys
As we continued to talk through God's enemies this past week in Surge, we discussed other religions and how they distract and take away from the one true God. This is a really hard topic to discuss, especially in such a racially and religiously diverse area because so many of the kids have friends and acquaintances that believe different things and practice different religions. But the Bible is clear that there is only one way to God... and it ain't the fat, golden statue at the Chinese buffet.
Most of our lesson revolved around the scripture in Matthew 7 where Jesus talks about the wide and narrow roads and the trees producing good fruit. Anytime Jesus uses this kind of imagery to make a point is such a great tool for discussion with kids. Both of these pictures clearly depict that the majority of people don't have a relationship with God and that those that do stand out because of the life that they live.
A large part of the lesson was spent talking about the fairness of Jesus being the only way to God. For a lot of people, this is really unfair. The reality is that it is completely unfair; that the fair consequence for sin is death and separation from God completely and eternally. It is the wages of what we earn when we sin. The unfair part is that a holy God loves us so much that He gave us a way to cover our sin by allowing His son to die in our place. It is the best unfair thing that has ever existed.
We finished by talking about how important it is for us to help those who don't have a relationship with God to find that narrow path that leads to the small gate. We do that by sharing the gospel, by living lives that bear good fruit so that the world sees Christ in us and by standing up, in love, for what is true. Those are not easy things, especially when the world looks down on those that say and do things that they don't want to see or hear. But thankfully, God has given us His Spirit to guide and strengthen us as well as fellow believers that we can seek support from.
Most of our lesson revolved around the scripture in Matthew 7 where Jesus talks about the wide and narrow roads and the trees producing good fruit. Anytime Jesus uses this kind of imagery to make a point is such a great tool for discussion with kids. Both of these pictures clearly depict that the majority of people don't have a relationship with God and that those that do stand out because of the life that they live.
A large part of the lesson was spent talking about the fairness of Jesus being the only way to God. For a lot of people, this is really unfair. The reality is that it is completely unfair; that the fair consequence for sin is death and separation from God completely and eternally. It is the wages of what we earn when we sin. The unfair part is that a holy God loves us so much that He gave us a way to cover our sin by allowing His son to die in our place. It is the best unfair thing that has ever existed.
We finished by talking about how important it is for us to help those who don't have a relationship with God to find that narrow path that leads to the small gate. We do that by sharing the gospel, by living lives that bear good fruit so that the world sees Christ in us and by standing up, in love, for what is true. Those are not easy things, especially when the world looks down on those that say and do things that they don't want to see or hear. But thankfully, God has given us His Spirit to guide and strengthen us as well as fellow believers that we can seek support from.
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