Christian Father Faces Jail for Taking Daughter to Church

Parents

I read this article today on the Missionary Church's News Letter, maybe you have already heard about the story. Here is the link to it ( http://publications.mcusa.org/ShowIssue.aspx?I=53&SF=1&A=587&S=423243 ).

Im interested in your thoughts on the story, and thought you my be interested in checking out as well, it is a story that really gets you thinking. The first thought that came into my mind was how a judge could do something so blatantly unconstitutional and get away with it, lets hope the judge doesn't. Nevertheless it does bring to the surface how the United States in so many ways is becoming more and more a country of freedom of relegion, except for Christianity. I am sure you all have many stories like this one where an injust act has occured against a Christian, simply for being a Christian. We should be thankful everyday that God has given us the freedom to worship and glorify Him without persecution, because it seems that someday we may not have that same oppourtunity.

Who Did He Say He Is?

Tonight we are going to be looking at who Christ said he was himself. It is important to look at Christ view of himself so we know how we should look at him, did Jesus ever claim that he was the 'Messiah'? Did anyone else ever claim that Christ was the 'Messiah'? If Christ did or did not make these claims what does that mean for us today? These are the kind of things we will be looking at tonight in the High School version of Amplfied Youth Group.

Jr. Highers, have you ever been knocked down by someone (not literally) so that they could get something they wanted? Have you ever trampled on or used someone to get what you wanted? Why do we do that? Well if you come tonight that is exactly what you will find out, talk about it at home, a time when you really wanted something so bad, you would do whatever it took to get it, come ready to share that story! Cant wait to see everyone.

Love and Sacrifice

What is "love" and what does it mean to "sacrifice"? What is Sacrifice? Yesterday I ate macaroni and cheese for lunch instead of the sandwich I wanted because that is what Lindsey wanted, is that sacrifice? I also hear about the countless soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan for our freedom in the United States, is that sacrifice? Tonight we are going to be talking about love sacrifice and Resurrection, which is a word, you might look at. Come tonight for more, and find out about the love Sacrifice and Resurrection of Christ.

Broken Arms And Broken Rules

I remember one day when I was in elementary, maybe 2nd or 3rd grade, we were loaded on the bus getting ready to pull out to start the route which would take us home. We always passed all the other buses waiting to pull out and we would see all of our friends on the other buses getting ready to go their separate ways and we would wave and make faces at them and all kinds of crazy stuff. There was one day that I remember particularly well we were doing just those things only one of my friends was waving at me with his middle finger stuck up...so i waved back. Apparently there is something wrong with waving at your friends on another bus with your middle finger up, I had no idea, the bus driver did, the principal did, and worst of all my grandmother did, but I didn't. So I got in trouble. First trip to the principals office and when he asked me if i knew what i did, I knew I did something on the bus I wasn't supposed to cause the bus driver yelled at me, but beyond that, I was just scared and confused. Well the story could go on, my family still laughs at me about it, it was an innocent wave, but big trouble, and none-the-less a rule was broken.

Jesus Broke Rules. Some rules are just not good rules, and Jesus Broke them, he asked the question "Which is lawful on the Sabbath (day of rest): to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?" Immediately afterwards he broke a rule. So if Jesus can break rules....cant we? talk about the with your family, what rules are okay to break, and not to break, and we will discuss this further tonight at group. Cant wait to see you all!

The HOLIdays Series "Who is Jesus?"

Dead Man Walking

Have any miracles happened in your life? Take a moment and think about that, when and what was the last miraculous thing that has happened to you? I encourage you parents to share this with your students, and students, share this with your parents, and we will talk about it tonight. There are two very different aspects to our God, first He is our very personal, very close intimate savior, who lives within us, who guides us, directs us, and gives purpose to our lives, but on the other hand, God is huge, and able to do things outside the realm of our thinking. This is what we are going to be talking about tonight, the difference between the way God works, and the way we think He should work because of our limited perspective, and God shows us this through His miracles. Suppose your dog Betsy was sick, and you knew if you didn't get her to a vet now she was going to die, so you call the vet, and explain frantically that Betsy is dying and needs your help, the vet calmly responds, i have an opening a week from today, we can squeeze her in then..."you don't understand" you reply, "Betsy is going to be dead in hours if she doesn't see you now", the vet replies "well just bring her in, in a week and we will get her taken care of." you hang up, hours later, Betsy dies, hopeless now, Betsy is gone. A week goes by, and in spite you take Betsy's dead body to the vet and set it on the table, "she's dead because you wouldn't listen." You walk out, head to the car, and moments later Betsy is jumping on your side ready to go home and play, and you have no idea what has just happened, and don't know what to tell the vet, but an embarrassed, confused, "thanks."
Jesus works much in this manner, out of the box, out of the world. He is able to work even death to the glory of his father, tonight we will read a story similar to Betsy's' and explore what the purpose of such a miracle is, its going to be good. Hope to see you there.

Student Speaker

On Ocassion we like to mix it up and allow the students to teach one another and lead discussion (with a little help of course) and tonight is one of those nights. Ryan Pruitt is a student who has been faithfully attending our group meetings and is definately a student of the gospel. He and I will be working through his lesson and he will talk to the students about what he learned in his study and discussion with me. Its a great time for everyone the students really get involved and ask alot of questions when one of thier fellow students lead the discussion and it can get pretty heated sometimes (in a good way, the students fighting out what thier faith really is). So pray for Ryan today and tonight as he prepares and teaches his lesson and leads discussion with the students.