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”.