…Text Messages begins!!!
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Text Messages, Tuesdays 7-8:30PM starting February 7th!
Daily Dying Devotion No. 4: FOLLOW THE LEADER
Our mains Scripture: Luke 9:18-27
vs. 23-24: Then he said to them all: “IF anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and FOLLOW ME."
FOLLOWING JESUS.
We say and hear that phrase a constantly, without really thinking too much about it.
The disciples that day, though, couldn't avoid thinking about it. Jesus had just admitted that He was "The Christ"; the anointed one of God. He told them that the following things had to happen him as Christ:
He would SUFFER.
He would BE REJECTED.
He would BE KILLED.
He would BE RAISED.
And then, Jesus immediately invites them to FOLLOW HIM to where He is going.
They may have really liked the "being raised" part, but probably weren't too crazy about the other stuff.
Honestly, we aren't too crazy about the other stuff either.
The disciples, like you and me, would probably prefer to be "casual followers" of Christ; to watch Jesus like He's on our Twitter feed; getting a little convenient inspiration, grabbing a few cool quotes here and there, but never really investing anything; never really giving-up much.
Funny when we see Jesus talking about suffering and rejection and death, that He then asks his students to FOLLOW. (Kinda makes you realize how hardcore they had to be to accept the invite. :)
This wasn't just some invitation to stand during a worship service prayer, it was a call to DIE.
I don't know what you think of when you think about following Jesus. But I have a pretty good idea what Jesus thought of. He thought of hard places, difficult times and tough decisions. He thought about sacrifice and perseverance and commitment.
And THAT is where Jesus invites you to follow Him to and into; not just to awesome worship gatherings or to fun youth meetings and cool trips, but into places where you will face adversity, discomfort and sacrifice; not relying on yourselves, but on Him.
Jesus invites you to walk behind Him into those places because He knows that is where faith lives.
Because Jesus promises that at the end of everything, at the end of the challenges and heartbreak ... is LIFE; true, real, never-ending life.
Are you still willing to FOLLOW now?
Good, let's go.
Daily Dying Devotion No. 3: HARD WORDS AND HEAVY LOADS
Our main Scripture: Luke 9:18-27
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, TAKE-UP HIS CROSS DAILY and follow-me."
*Jesus doesn't want to change you, he wants to kill you.*
That's a pretty heavy statement, I realize, but it's the best way to understand how radically Jesus wants to alter who you are.
He tells the disciples, (and us) that if we want to be called a Christ-follower, every day, we need to "take-up our cross". We can be tempted to think that means we have to deal with some discomfort or some minor irritation as part of our faith. (As a child, when I would cause trouble, my mother would say that I was "her cross":)
But the cross wasn't just a cool t-shirt symbol or piece of jewelry. It was an instrument of death. It was a form of execution; a very brutal and popular one in the day.
So to those hearing Jesus' words, they understood just how much he was asking. He was asking everything. Not only was he asking them to die, but to participate by carrying the method; to willingly give it up.
Most people (teenagers especially), think that they can have their "Sunday" or "youth group lives", and then their "other" real lives (school, dating, friends, home). But that's too easy.
Faith in Christ means that you wake-up every single day and ask, "What needs to die, so that Christ can live?" What in my heart needs to die? Which of behaviors needs to die? (What on my Facebook page needs to die?:)
Maybe you've been living a "Christianity-light" lately; just giving an hour here, or a prayer there. Maybe that also why things seem so difficult, or why you are not sensing God's presence.
Jesus teaches us with his life that the cross is the way we really live. He shows us that when we surrender everything, that something else is given to us.
This faith thing should not be easy, friends. It cannot be easy. If it is, you probably aren't quite invested yet. If it is easy, you probably want Jesus's life and your life at the same time, but that isn't possible.
Today, put down your agenda, your plans, your preferences, and pick-up a cross, and see what He does.
Daily Dying Devotion No. 2: A SMALL, GIGANTIC WORD
Our main Scripture: Luke 9:18-27
Today: Verse 23: "IF anyone would come after me..."
...
Right after revealing who He truly is to the disciples, Jesus begins laying out the expectations, the requirements, really, to those who would follow Him.
And the first word he speaks is so small and short that we could be tempted to miss it...
"IF"
"IF anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me."
That is a small word with big meaning.
Jesus didn't say, "WHEN you follow me..."
You see, Jesus knew, that even though these young men had already been his disciples, already been learning from Him and experiencing His miracles, that what He was about to ask of them was heavy stuff; all this dying and denying stuff, all this talk about crosses.
Jesus knew about those young men, what He knows about us:
Not everyone invited by Jesus will follow Jesus.
Some find it too hard, too costly, too painful. They will avoid some discomfort upfront, but in doing so, will miss the real, amazing, beautiful things He wants for them. They will opt out-on Jesus and opt-out on "Life".
You are most likely a Christian if you are reading this, (or at least you've been around church and youth group a while). Don't assume becuase you call yourself a Christian, that you are following Jesus. Don't take for granted that you can.
Jesus wants the selfish parts of you, the hateful parts of you to die... IF you will allow Him access.
Jesus wants to free you from damaging habits and negative thoughts... IF you will give Him control of those things.
Jesus wants to relieve you from bitterness and unforgiveness... IF you place it in His hands.
Jesus wants to show you a deeper life than the one you are living... IF you will let Him.
Those are some big IF's.
Praying you opt-in...
(Each day we will look at the piece of Scripture from the past week's BH, and help us all apply it to our lives, and to "make it stick".)
*For more information please contact Kristin Dwyer or visit the FB page!
Hey everyone!
I know it's a little late-notice, but I wanted to share with you all the results of our Leader Summit, specifically as it pertains to small groups.
We would like to invite as many of you as are able, to meet in room 328 at Good Shepherd, this Thursday at 6:30PM. we'll have some great desserts and coffee, and talk about the exciting ideas for this year.
For those who cannot make it, we will gather at the backstage area this Sunday at 3:45.
*You MUST be an Adult or Student Leader to attend this event*
Thanks everyone.
YS PALOOZA COMES TO CHARLOTTE!
A 2-day event geared for youth workers with passionate and relevant teaching on how to communicate to the generation at hand. You will hear from speakers like Duffy Robbins, Doug Fields, Kara Powell, and more! This is a phenomenal chance to get poured into by some of the best minds in youth ministry.
When/Where: January 20-21 @ Grace Covenant Church (Cost TBD)
BUILDING A FAITH THAT LASTS SEMINAR!
There’s so much talk and concern from parents and youth workers about teenagers’ graduating from their faith. In this seminar, Duffy and Doug will address this legitimate concern and present practical ideas for helping teenagers own their faith. The exciting part of this seminar is that it will be for youth workers AND parents. We will help parents understand how vital their support and connection with the youth ministry is toward life-long discipleship.
When/Where: Saturday, February 11th @ Myers Park UMC (carpool from GS)
Cost is only $20! Please register with Thomas Hinson by January 27th if you plan on attending.
Hello BIGHOUSE Students and Parents!
We are so excited to begin another year at BIGHOUSE! We hope your holiday season went smoothly, and was filled with joy and happiness! There is some information that we would love to get out to all of you to keep you updated on everything going on in the lives of our ministry!
HALFWAY HOUSE RETURNS TONIGHT! The return of Halfway House is here! Please join us on Wednesdays from 7-8:30PM in the OutHOUSE for some time of fellowship, worship, and great discussion and conversation.
ADULT/STUDENT LEADER SUMMIT THIS SATURDAY! On Saturday, January 7th, from 10:00AM to 3:00PM, ALL Student Leaders and Adult Leaders are invited to a BIGHOUSE Leader Summit! We will gather at the Corner to share vision, eat, pray and plan for a very important year in the life of this ministry, with some major changes coming. We need YOU at the Summit, as your experience, wisdom and enthusiasm is so crucial to us doing the best ministry we can. This is also a great opportunity for new Adult Leaders to join us and get a taste for youth ministry! Please begin inviting people into the experience of loving teenagers! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
BH TRIP: MIKE FARRIS/DONALD MILLER CONCERT! Two amazing talents in one night: Mike Farris and Donald Miller! A night of music with Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue featuring the McCrary Sisters; and special guest speaker, Donald Miller. We will depart from the Corner at 5:00! Tickets are only $12.00! You MUST RSVP here to attend, to ensure a spot. You will also need a permission slip if you plan to attend! That can be found HERE.
BIGHOUSE RETURNS JANUARY 22nd! Beginnings are awesome! Parties are great! Reunions are sweet! Come join us as we do all of this and more, at the RETURN OF BIGHOUSE!It's a new year; the perfect chance to set new priorities, make new commitments and see with new eyes. Come and find something you need. Life is calling! See you at the Corner Campus at 4:30 PM! Find out more information about it HERE or at our BIGHOUSE Website: HERE.
WINTER RETREAT CHANGED TO FEBRUARY 10th-12th! Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are moving the Winter Retreat Date to February 10-12! We are sorry if you have signed-up and cannot make this date, but hope the extra time after the holidays will actually allow more people to save up the money and be able to join us! We will be posting a new BH 2012 Calendar, so you can see all the amazing stuff happening, but wanted you to know ASAP about this important change. Keep signing-up at our link HERE!
TEXT MESSAGES begins February 2nd! Come take part in an exciting, interactive eight-week journey through the Bible, and learn how to discover and understand what God has to say through its pages, (even when your pastor isn’t there to spell it out for you :) Please register with Kristin Dwyer (kristindwyer@gsumc.org)
Thanks everyone! Looking forward to a GREAT year!
The BigHouse Staff
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Hey BH Family!
THIS SUNDAY, we will be traveling downtown to TWC Arena to see an allstar line-up of awesome bands! So start preparing your faces...that may be melted off! Check out the website: http://www.jamtour.com/ Artists include: Skillet, Sanctus Real, Newsong, Building 429, Group 1 Crew, and MORE! Details: -The cost of the concert is $10. Extra money will be necessary for merchandise, snacks, etc. -We will meet at the Corner Campus at 2:30PM! And will take the bus to the concert. -We should return around 10PM. -You need a signed consent form (found HERE) if you have not been on a BH trip this year. -Please RSVP Here.
-Feel free to invite your friends!
Let's rock, let's rock...SUNDAY! |
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