The LORD has made.

i love our teens, and i know you do too.

Please pray for them, everyday. All the time! They need it.

Love you all.

Pastor Tim

Luke 9:51-11:13

Following Jesus is costly. What is the significance of the cost Jesus asked His disciples to pay?

_No place to lay His head (9:57-58)

_Let the spiritually dead care for their own     dead (9:59-60)

_No one looks back (9:61-62)

_As lambs among wolves (10:3)

_Love with all your heart (10:26-28)

_A neighbor to the man who was beaten and robbed (10:29-37)

_The one thing worth being concerned about (10:38-42)

_Forgive as we are forgiven (11:4)

What did following Christ (or doing what was right) cost…

The disciples?

The seventy-two messengers?

The Good Samaritan?

4.   Mary?

What might or does following Jesus (as described in Luke 9:51-11:13) cost you in your…

Lifestyle?

Decisions?

Relationships?

Goals?

5.  Finances?

Following Christ means doing what God tells you to do. What has God told you to do that you are hesitating over because of the cost?

What can you do this week to OBEY Jesus?

Jesus: The Son of Man

Luke 6:12-8:3

How do Jesus’ values compare to our world’s values today?

In what ways does Jesus challenge your values (your sense of what’s important)?

What are some examples of “good fruit” (6:35-45)? What kind of fruit are you producing?

What kind of person builds a “house without a foundation” (6:46-49)? What does Jesus identify as a solid foundation for our life? How can you build on this foundation?

How can you acknowledge the truth about someone’s sin without judging the person (6:37-42)? How can you help someone without being judgmental?

FOR WORSHIP:

Read Luke 7:36-50

What has Jesus saved you from? How do you show your gratitude? Does your “worship” for Him, prove that He has worked in your life?

 Jesus: The Son of Man

Luke 4:14—6:11

How do people see you? Friends? Family? Coworkers? Is that accurate? Do you change who you are depending on who you are with?

How do your family/friends respond to Jesus? How do you respond to Jesus? Does this change depending on who you are with?

What does it mean to publicly live out your faith? Do you do that? Why/Why not? What does that look like for you?

What has it cost you to follow Jesus? What have you had to give up? What have you lost?

Jesus (The Son of Man)

Luke 4:1-13

Like Jesus are you ever tempted to do something that is not considered a sin outright (Luke 4:3-4), but you have the wrong motives of why you are tempted or actually do it? Is it a short cut to what God has for you? What are your real motives? Do you think it is a sin? Do you think that this is Satan trying to get you off track?

Satan many times will tempt us where we are strong, not week (Jesus had power over the stones), and we will give into pride, and self-motivating attitudes and actions. Are you sinning in that way? Being strong in your own eyes?

Jesus defeated this battle over temptation with the devil, but the war was not over yet. He was still tempted the rest of his life, what areas in your life right now is the devil tempting you to sin against God?

What would it take for you to sell out? What is in the world that would or is cause or causing you to compromise your faith?

From the example of Jesus what was the ONE thing that helped Jesus overcome the temptation? Do you think you should know that ONE thing so you can defeat the devil? Why do we think that that ONE thing isn’t that big of a deal, even the devil uses it to try and trick Jesus, if the devil uses it, do you think all the more we should use it? What are some practical things that can help you know that ONE things so you don’t give into temptation?

Jesus: The Son of Man

Luke 2:39-52

Do your parents “fulfill” the lax of the Lord today and help teach you how to worship? What does that look like? Do you want them to be more active in your walk with God? If so why don’t you ask them today?

Jesus “grew up healthy and strong”. What does that mean to you? How can you follow His example in this?

Jesus “was filled with wisdom”. What does that mean to you? How can you get filled with wisdom? What practical steps can you take in your life to make this happen?

“God’s favor was on Him”. What does this look like? Can you give other examples from Scripture where God’s favor was in their lives? What has God’s favor looked like in your life? If you have never experienced God’s favor, why is that?

Jesus was “obedient” to his parents. Are you obedient? What areas have you not obeyed your parents? Why have you chosen to disobey them? Do you think it is ok to continue to disobey your parents, or should you repent, and ask your parents to forgive you? What will obedience to your parents look like from now on in your life?

Jesus continued to grow up in “wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” That is my prayer for you, so make it your own today during our time of worship.

Why did Jesus cal himself the “son of man?” What was that about? That is exactly what we investigated over 8 weeks. We learned about Jesus’ character so we can live and be more like Him. So please look at the Scriptures you teens studied and the questions they had to answer and wrestle with. Love you all. _Pastor Tim

These are just a few simple leadership steps that can get us going in the right direction.

Draw them closer to Jesus. This sounds like a no-brainer, but there is a subtle temptation to become "the wise one" and cultivate greater loyalty to you and/or the ministry. Instead, make it your goal to help want to be more like Jesus instead of you.

Be committed to their self discovery. It's so much easier to get out the soapbox, step up and preach. Instead, be a guide in your relationships and set the course, but allow them to set the pace and take breaks along the way. They may not want to go as deep as you do right away, that's okay. Slow, incremental progress is perfectly okay. Occasionally getting stuck in confusion is fine, too. New vistas of insight are often discovered beyond a plateau of confusion. A common tendency in discipleship is to assume others will grow the same way you do.

Ask questions. A strong, definitive statement typically mutes a response or is met with shallow agreement or hesitant ambivalence. The beauty of a question is that it puts the ball in the teenager's court and gives him/her space to reflect. When they ask you a question, slow down, don't rush an answer and when you do answer, do so carefully. Sometimes the best answer can be another question.

Listen well. It's a gift to a teenager when someone fully pays attention and isn't preparing an answer while pretending to listen. If good listening results in a short time of awkward silence (because you're thinking about a response once the teenager has finished) that's totally acceptable! When you say, "That's good… let me think about that for a second," you affirm their question.

Don't interrupt. Let them finish. Everyone knows you're passionate! How can you not be? But the expression of a little self control will net big results.

Focus on being faithful rather than successful. It's okay if they don't get it (what you're trying to convey/convince them of), rarely do we learn something the first time we hear it. Planting seeds is success, even if they don't yet sprout.

Joseph (The teen who saved more than a generation)

Do you favor cretin people over others (family included, are you nicer to your mom than your dad)?

Do you think that favoritism causes conflict, jealousy, or disappointment from others around you?

Do you have unresolved conflict with your family or friends? How does unresolved conflict affect you at home or with your friends?

Is any of the conflict your fault? If yes, do you think you need to repent? Even if it is not ALL your fault, what can you do to try and resolve the conflict issues?

Do you get jealous about others successes? Do you treat them different? Do you in your own way “toss them in a hole, or wish them dead?”

If you do get jealous, do you think you need to repent? If yes, during worship ask God to change your heart, and to learn to “rejoice with others when they rejoice.”

Do you have a calling like Joseph in your life (Josephs calling is to save and lead his family)? If yes, have you appropriately “pondered [your calling] in you heart?”

If not, do you believe you have a calling, but you just don’t know what it is? Does it even matter to you if you have a calling from God or not?

Samson: He did what again?

Do you believe you have been set apart like Samson? Why or why not.

How do you live like you are set apart, even when your parents are not watching? How do you not live like you are set apart? Do you have any secret sins?

In what areas have you given your heart to the world?

What things have God asked you not to do that you still do (maybe it is time to talk about the secret stuff)?

Why have you not stopped doing what God has asked you not to (we all have something, so everyone has to answer this one)?

What is holding you back from doing what God has asked you (what is your excuse)?

Do you think there will be consequences to your actions if you continue to be disobedient to God? What could they be?

Have you ever told God all of your heart? During worship give it all to God and ask God to “remember you”.

QUESTIONS????

Do you give God the glory for the victories in your life?

What does that look like?

Do you spend more time worrying about what people will think about you than concerned about what God wants? What do you do in your life to show God you care more about Him than anything else? What else can you do to show God you care about Him more than anything else?

Do you know what God wants from you? Why do you hold back? Do you trust that God can make you successful like Uzziah?

If pride was the number one reason that brought Uzziah out from under God’s protection, do you see areas in your life you are trying to control (out of pride) and they do not look like God is taking care of them? What does that look like?

If pride is such a big deal to God, why do we not worry about it in our own lives?

Timothy “The Greek who is also a Jew”

Do you feel like an outcast?

Why do you feel that way?

What about your personality is attractive to people?

What about your personality turns people off?

Do you have a good reputation?

In what ways do you have a good reputation?

In what areas do you not have a good reputation?

How can you fix your reputation?

Do you bring Joy to people? In what ways do you bring Joy? If not how can you start?

Would you be willing to do anything if it would help to share the Good News?

"If I perish I perish" _Esther (the young woman who sets the standard)

What character traits in Esther do you want for your life? (Don’t say hotness, the question was “traits”)

Do you believe that you can have an influence like Esther?

In what way today do you influence people? It can be good or bad.

In what way today can you influence for good?

By Esther submitting to people in authority, did she lose her personal identity or become a robot just doing as she was told? What good came from her willingness to submit?

Do you think if Esther did not submit or honor her authority she would have been as successful as she was?

Who are the people in your life you need to honor and submit to?

Can you follow her example and honor those in authority over you?

Paul, I mean Saul.

What Character traits in Paul do you see that are some traits you want?

Before Paul became a Christian he went to a lot of school and did well, do you think all that hard work in school was a waste after he became a Christian, or was he able to use the education he worked for, for the work of Christ?

After Paul became a Christian, what did he go and “immediately” do? (Acts 9:20)

Why do you think that is what he did?

Was it easy for Paul to go and “immediately” do what he did?

If it is so hard for us to share the Truth with strangers, how much harder is it to share it with people that we know? When was the last time you shared your faith with someone you know? If you haven’t shared your faith lately, or you can’t remember, why have you not shared it (be honest, and you have to answer everyone in the group)?

How did it go? Were you rejected? How did they respond? Did you have any follow up with them?

If you did not directly share the truth with them, have you ever invited someone to church? How did that go?

After they went to church with you, did you talk about it? Did they like it? Did they go back, or think you were crazy?

Do you still pray for them?

Do you think Paul was successful in sharing the Truth with his friends, family, colleagues, etc.?

Why was he successful? Was it because of what he knew, or his great personality?

Do you pray for power from the Holy Spirit to help you share the Truth?

Joseph “a just man”

Questions:    

What character traits in Joseph do you identify with, good or bad?

What character traits in Joseph do you want for yourself?

At times Joseph was motivated by fear. What do you think he was afraid of? (Matt 1:18-25 & Matt 2:19-23)

Did God take care of him every time?

What do you fear in life?

Have you ever trusted God with your fear

Have you ever asked God to help you with your fear?

What does the Bible say about fear? And how can you apply these verses about fear in your life?

1 John 4:18, Matt 10:26-33, Proverbs 29:25, Luke 12:32, Isaiah 43:5, 2 Timothy 1:7

These are the questions posed to our teens from their small groups.

Questions:

Mary was a great example of surrender and obedience.

How can you in her story identify with her (I know most of you are not pregnant without having sex, and many of you are boys, but what can you identify in your own life that you need to surrender, think hard)?

Why have you not surrendered or obeyed God in that area?

Have you surrendered to God in the areas of truth you know and have been taught by those who love you? What is God asking you to surrender yesterday, to prepare you for today?

An area we see that Mary had surrendered before the pregnancy (which is where most of you are at) was her relationship to her future husband, and that is it. But that says a lot, have you submitted fully to your God, parents, and pastor in your relationship with the opposite sex?

Do you know what you are supposed to do in your relationship with the opposite sex?

Not what the “people” around you are doing, but what God says?

Do you dismiss it as old fashioned?

Do you dismiss it, as that is not how God works today?

You need to think about it, and know how it will affect you the rest of your life.

Mary did not worry about the cultural consequences, she did not worry about her reputation, she did not worry about her physical well being, and she just trusted and obeyed. What is holding you back? Be honest and open, this is not easy to talk about.

UTURN is one of the most important things in all of our lives, UTURN represents the word and action of “REPENTANCE”. We as Christians everyday must understand, and live out what that title means in our lives. My desire is to see our teens mature in Christ through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and then proved by our Character. This season in UTURN we have focused on the lives of 8 Characters; Mary (the mother of Jesus), Joseph (the father of Jesus), Ester (the fine Jewish girl that saved God’s people), Paul (I mean Saul, no wait Paul), Timothy (a Greek Jew), Uzziah (the king with a funny name), Samson (he did what?), and lastly Joseph (ya, that guy who is almost perfect).

I want to take you on the journey I have been taking the teens on over the last few weeks, as we see the character of these Godly and ungodly people that God used for us to learn from. You are loved.

_Pastor Tim

GIVING was a 3 week series of teaching with practical implications at the end of the series. We studied Acts 2:44-45 and how we could practically live the verse out. Through the series we partnered with, Help The Children, a non-profit organization here in Santa Clarita, which focuses to help children of need in poor areas. Through that organization we were given 10 families that needed help with getting gifts for their Children for Christmas, and oh boy did our teens step up. Over the next couple of Blogs I will update their progress and show you what we studied over the weeks. It was awesome.

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. Acts 2:44-45

What do you think about that?

What are you going to do about that?

These are the last 22 comments made by our teens.

1. Good fruit that I am producing now is forgiveness. Bad fruit I was producing was lying
2.  I have been reading my bible every single day, and feel much closer to God
3.  I have been trying to not blame people for my mistakes
4.  I learned to truly seek God and turn to Him for everything
5.  I learned that what I think in my heart and what God knows is what really matters
6.  I have wanted to seek God. I want God in my life, I want to be different
7.  TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
8.  God has tested me like crazy and I haven’t realized it. But this verse helps me understand the why, He wants me to stay connected with Him
9.  Don’t use the “I’m young and I just want to live life” excuse
10.  If someone does something good, be happy not jealous
11.  God takes all the junk from our hearts to get to the gold
12.  Others should know I am a Christian by my speech and actions
13.  I can not blame my sin on anybody or anything except me
14.  You can tell so much about a person based on their actions, its our choice
15.  When God is testing me I have to ask what is He trying to show me, rather then why is He doing this to me
16.  The things I say is what I am judged by
17.  Purity is not only of sexual purity, but thoughts, actions and whatever we wear. God will do whatever it takes to get the most of us
18.  With our bad fruit God prunes us when we allow him to. This changes our lives
19.  I need to think before I speak
20.  I learned that God is really looking for faith
21.  I learned that we have to be pruned so that we can grow more. And good fruit is good actions, and bad fruit is bad actions
22.  You are what you do