Archive for the ‘Resources’ Category
May 20th, 2012 | 
Author: Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
– 2 Corinthians 11:23 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
As the apostle Paul is defending his status, he uses a different set of standards than we are used to hearing. Instead of his accomplishments, Paul uses his suffering to justify his position as an apostle. Many leaders may use their achievements to gain our ear, but it is the pain that we suffer in this life that uniquely qualifies us to speak to others. To lead from weakness is precious to God, for it gives us an empathy with others that cannot be accomplished through achievement.
Posted in As you come to him, the living Stone —rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
– 1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
Many people refer to the church as a building. They may say, “That is where I go to church”, but Peter has a different view of the people of God. He sees a building as well, but this one is made of people. In the Biblical sense, we don’t GO to church; we ARE the church. Seeing this fresh vision of God’s people will change the way that we view and participate in our communities of faith.
This
resource from our SPIRITUAL
GROWTH AGENDAS page will give students a chance to model some of the
Bible’s most faithful men and women, as well as thank the faithful men and
women in their lives.
Discussion Starter: FAITH MVP List
The only supplies you need to pull this one off are pens and 3X5 cards for
every student. When it comes time
to start your small group discussion, hand each student an index card and pen.
While
Brought to you by The Source for Youth Ministry
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“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
– 1 Kings 3:7-9 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
Young Solomon knew that he was over his head; he was the new king of Israel at the peak of its power. Yet instead of asking for riches or a long life, he asks for a discerning heart, and this was the prayer that pleased God. When we are faced with overwhelming circumstances, do we ask for the ability to know right from wrong, or do we look to resources as a way to avoid the issues? God wants to use opportunities to mature us; he uses the challenges of success for His purposes in our lives.
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
– Acts 15:28-29 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
When faced with Gentiles coming to know Jesus Christ, the Jewish council in Jerusalem instructed the Gentile believers in Antioch with only a few things. These requirements are simple, yet very effective, for the Antioch believers grew into a powerful multi ethnic community that sent missionaries all over the world. How about us today? What self imposed requirements hinder our ability to empower leaders to go out and impact our world for Jesus?
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
– Romans 16:20 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
Have you ever equated peace with crushing Satan? Just before this, Paul tells the Roman believers to be wise about what is good and innocent in what is evil. The Bible shows us that good is far stronger than evil, even though the media depicts something different. Don’t be swayed by the images around you, for the God of peace is so strong that He will crush any evil that opposes Him. Satan is defeated by the very nature and character of God. Trust in Christ and victory is yours!
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
– 1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
For the Christian, suffering is not in vain. The Bible describes suffering as a part of God’s growth process. So don’t be ashamed if you are suffering and don’t glorify it. Suffering is a means to another end: making us strong, firm and steadfast. Pain can make us bitter or better; it is all in how you view suffering in your life.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
– John 11:25-26 (NIV)
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
Jesus has promised that death is not the final statement to those who believe in Him. There is a resurrection life promised to anyone who calls upon the name of Jesus. Death will claim all of us, but Jesus says that something even greater than this life is waiting for his servants. Do you believe this?
Dare to hope in Jesus the Christ as one widow of a Soviet ruler…
MORE FROM: YouthWorker.com
Jesus the Christ must be our first priority.
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