Held for grades 6-12 on Wednesday nights at Shady Grove UMC. Contact chappell.eric@gmail.com to confirm that class is happening on a given Wednesday night.
a thing given in recognition of one's service, effort,
or achievement.
Questions:
What purpose does a reward
serve?
What activities should we be
rewarded for?
How much appreciation do we
express for the rewards we receive?
What is the greatest reward
you have ever received from a parent/grandparent for something great that
you did?
Discussion Points
and Scriptures:
1
Thessalonians 2:19-20
For what is our
hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not
you? For you are our glory and joy
Last week
we discussed endurance, resilience, and sacrifice all of these occur or are
developed by us going through challenges and storms in our lives. They mold us over time into our best selves
possible. But what is the reward for
going through the struggles and battles?
What do we have to look forward to for suffering, sacrificing, and
struggles we face? How are we to keep
going when we can hardly see or understand the "ultimate goal"?
Jeremiah
17:10
“I
the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man
according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds"
There are two rewards we are striving for in the life, one is an earthly reward that is self-satisfying obtained by being the hands and feet of Christ. The joy we get or give to/from others when we do something selfless for them demonstrates our ability to show humanity that people still have a heart. We truly show the world what Christ has done for us and can do for them when we act selflessly, the reward is nothing more than pure joy, and the warmth we feel in our heart and soul. Being willing to share the reward of Christ is enough for me to keep going through the struggles.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
The other is an eternal reward that we cannot do any works to obtain. It is only granted by begging God for Mercy, and truly accepting him as your savior. This reward is only obtained when our days here have concluded. We cannot alter how and when we will be judged, or the outcome of that judgement. We can simply demonstrate the mercy we were given; and hope to receive by Christ during our life. At our time of judgement the decision is out of our hands, but that does not mean we shouldn't be complacent in life and not share and demonstrate what we hope to receive. That hope helps others push through their storms and challenges.
Ephesians 6:8
Knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free
When we stop trying to obtain the reward of salvation and accept that it is better to put our eternal existence in the hands of the only one who can provide salvation we free ourselves from the burden of being perfect, because we are far from it. We can then focus our attention on giving hope and rewards to others. We become a selfless example of Christ, we allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit and continue Christs work on earth. Only then do we have the ability to give that hope to others.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore
With us being in the beginning of the Lenten season we need to remember a few key things: Endurance, Resilience, and Sacrifice. As Christians we are tested more than we care to be on these matters. Jesus resonated each of these even until he breathed his last breath. His Sacrifice was because humans were/and are incapable of following the covenant that was established by God; because we continue to cave to temptation, we continue to be stubborn and go about doing things our way instead of God's way. The challenges we are presented in our lives are not designed to break us or cause us to fail; but to get us to rely on the one who can, will, and has saved us. To get us to realize that our life is meant to be sacrificed for others, to endure challenges that make us stronger. Jesus came into his eternal state only after enduring the pain of the crucifixion and holding onto his faith. Once Aga...
Open Mic March 28th. Point to You - We are Messengers Songsheet God wants a relationship with us, he doesn't care how broken, scarred, damaged, or lost we are. His intent is to have us rely on him, build a relationship with him. When we are asked by others how we have accomplished so much, or survived so many struggles our response should simply be "Point to God". Even in our times of joy and happiness as well as our struggles and storms. Relying on God to show us the way, show us how to get through our life, show us how to embody him demonstrates our willingness to reciprocate the relationship God wants. Psalm 34:17-19 "The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your hea...
Open Mic Music List With the growing list of music for our class, we have decided to list out the songs we will try to get on our playlists. If you have any requests please add them in the comments. Bleed the Same - Mandisa He Knows My Name - Francesca Battistelli Brother - NeedToBreathe Point to You - We are Messengers Ghost of a King - Gray Haven God of Wonders - Chris Tomlin Do It Again - Elevation Collective, Travis Greene, Kierra Sheard Come to the Alter - Elevation Worship Reckless Love - Cory Asbury What A Beautiful Name - Hillsong Worship Fear is a Liar - Zach Williams Back to God - Reba McEntire, Lauren Daigle Great are You Lord - All Sons & Daughters Broken Things - Matthew West Different - Micah Tyler Control - tenth ave north It is Well - Kristene Dimarco Even If - MercyMe
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