Parent Cue February/March

I have been lax in updating the Parent Cue portion of the Blog (or any portion for that matter)  Hopefully this will get you up to speed. 

Two weeks ago we asked the question, “If pastors can’t even agree about the Bible, how is a teenager supposed to get anything useful out of it?”

Since so many leaders have different opinions on some pretty big issues, it isn’t enough to believe something just because someone told us we should, we need to know why we believe it. 

What we need is some way of taking the thousands of verses in the Bible and transforming them from words on a page into passionate personal beliefs.

Thankfully this is not a new problem in 2013.  2000ish years ago people were wrestling with the same issue.  Since Jesus left, different of His faithful followers had different ideas on how Christians were supposed to live.  Paul gave some advice in his letter to the church in Rome, that we’ve been unpacking for the last few weeks

Some ideas from Romans 14:

·         I should live like I belong to God.  That means that I care what He thinks about everything I do. (that requires that I find out what He thinks, by using my Bible)
·         I should not do anything that will make it easier for someone else to sin.  We all have the power to influence.  How am I using it?
·         If I am not sure what God thinks about it, I shouldn’t do it (But I should find out, using my Bible).
·         If I feel the need to be sneaky about it, I shouldn’t do it.

We also get some help from 1^st Corinthians:

·         God decides right and wrong, not my feelings.  Just because I don’t feel guilty about something doesn’t mean it is right.
·         Everything is allowed, but not everything is helpful.
·         Everything is allowed, but I will not become addicted to anything.

So when a decision comes up we can now run it through this filter. When we open the Bible we can look for how it reveals God's character, rather than just looking for rules.

But how does this apply to the behavior of others?  1 Corinthians and our passage in Romans 14 have some tips for us here as well.

1.       Let non-Christians off the hook.  Don’t expect people who aren’t Christians to act like Christians. 

a.       We (Christians) have given ourselves a really bad name, for being “anti-sinner”.  That’s odd because Christ was known as a “friend of sinners”.

b.      Instead, know why you personally choose to refrain from a certain activity or behavior (or why you choose to participate) and feel free to explain how happy you are with your decision. (avoid telling them that what they are doing is dumb or just wrong…)

2.       When it comes to other Christians, leave room for disagreement. Remember for 2000 years people who have devoted their lives to the study of the Bible haven’t been able to agree on a list of behaviors we should and shouldn’t do, or even a list of facts about God.  Here are a few ideas to help you navigate such disagreements. 

a.       There are certain lines you don’t cross.  There are behaviors that all Christians should be able to agree are wrong.  It is a short list, so get to know it well: Sex outside of marriage, Greed, worshiping anything other than God, abuse, drunkenness, and stealing/cheating. (1 Corinthians 5:11) If anyone tries to tell you that God is cool with one of these behaviors, they are lying to you.  The Bible is clear, if someone claims to be a Christian but are doing one (or more) of these, don’t have anything to do with them until they stop. Period. (remember these are the standards for Christians, if they aren’t claiming to be a Christian, then don’t hold them to Christian standards.)

b.      Something not on that short list might be a sin for you, and not be a sin for someone else.  A certain behavior might be perfectly okay for you, but it could be a sin for them.  We are all unique in our strengths and weaknesses, unique it what could easily distract  us from living like we belong to God. 

c.       When you have a disagreement over whether something is a sin, ask yourself, does the other person live like they belong to God, and do they have biblical reasons for what they believe?  Are they the kind of person who generally loves and serves others? (are you?) If so you can probably agree to disagree.

d.      Instead of lecturing, have conversations about where you disagree.  Remember Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.  It could be that you have something to learn or that you have something to teach, but it doesn’t matter which if you don’t have love.

e.      If they are sinning against you, there’s a proper way to deal with it.  You can read about it in Matthew 18. 

f.        If they are just doing something you’ve chosen not to do… Judge, but don’t condemn.  This is an important difference.  We need to be think through our actions, and our motives.  We don’t have to accept everyone else’s ideas.  We should have deep convictions. This is judgment.  But whether or not the other person is really a Christian, is up to God, not up to me.  I can't condemn someone, and it isn't my place to punish them for disagreeing with me.

That’s a lot of information.  So let me sum it up.

·         There are standards God has set.  But it’s a pretty short list.  Get to know it.

·         Don’t hold not-yet-Christians to Christian Standards

·         Know what you believe and why.

·         Make every decision like God cares deeply about what you are going to do.

 

Over the next few weeks we  will try to apply these ideas to some real life scenarios, so that we can practice.  If you have any scenarios you'd like to suggest, I'd love to hear from you!

Bye Bye Bhani

One of our friends is headed to the West Coast.

Bhani! We will miss you!

If you are interested in saying good bye to Bhani, please join us on Saturday Night at 24/7, as this will be her last week in town before moving west.

Storm Cancelled

No youth group tonight. They aren't even plowing broadway in Bangor at this point... I Hate to cancel, but I am not even sure I could get there, let alone get all of us there safely...

Update

Reminders:

No 24/7 on February 2nd

SUPERBOWL PARTY February 3rd 6-10pm at the Hodsdon's house.  Bring your family and your favorite munchies.  If there is enough interest we will be having a talent show during half time.  (Feel free to lip sync, because we know Beyonce will be lip syncing the real half time show)

Parent Cue for January Week 3

I need to go on a diet. And not just a a food diet. I need to seriously take a look at what I am putting into my mind.

Philippians 4:6 tells me not to be anxious about anything, but every time I turn I the news, read the drudge report or listen to talk radio, I am reminded about just how much is wrong with the world. As a dad and husband it is hard not to worry. Taxes going up, incomes going down, government growing and growing, wars and rumors of wars... It is a wonder I get any sleep at all.

The big one Many of my Facebook friends are really worked up about right now is the 2nd amendment, and I think there is plenty of reason for concern... But... Some trust in chariots (guns) but I will trust in the name of The Lord my God. Politics aside (because seriously, any rifle I want to own won't do me a lick of good against a tank or a jet) have you ever stopped to think about how what you worry about reflects what you really think of God?

Last week at 24/7 we talked about how what we do reflects what we really think of God, but what we think about, or worry about can also tell us where our treasure is.

Check out Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-9. Read each passage once a day for a week. Preferably one in the morning and one in the evening. Read them as a family. When worry comes, no matter what form it takes, from "how will I pay the bills", to "what's wrong with my marriage", to "where is our country going and why is it in this hand basket," or "why is parenting so hard", remember that worrying isn't the answer, Faith is.

Worry and faith are enemies. You can't trust God and worry at the same time. If I am going to live like I believe that, then I need to change what I'm taking in. A little less bad news and a whole lot more of the Good Book, and plenty of prayer.

What worries are getting in your way of seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness?

January week 2

If someone followed you around all day, and was then asked to report on your top 5 priorities, based only on what they had seen, what do you think they would say? If they looked back through your Facebook timeline, what would they come away thinking mattered most in your life.

The way we spend our time reflects our priorities. People act according to what they believe. Or as Jesus put it, "the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

But what do you do if you don't like what is coming out of you? If you realize that what you think want your priorities to be and what you are actually spending your time doing are not lining up? Or as I like to think of it, what do you do when you want to loose weight, but your love of whoopie pies is getting in the way?

Maybe that is a bit silly, but spiritually speaking we all have an unhealthy craving or two (or ten) that takes up more of our time, money or energy than it should.

This week at 24/7 we looked at Matthew 6:19-24. We discussed the idea that we need to be putting good things in, if we want to be able to bring good things out later. We've all been in situations where we wished we had the right thing to say, or we wish we had been able to just keep our mouths shut, or that we could take back a careless deed. If we want to be ready to do good, we need to be storing it up, so that it will be there when the time comes. If we are filling up on junk, then junk is all we will have to offer.

So, what do your actions say about your priorities? Are you living like the person you want to be? More important, are you living like the person God wants you to be? If not here are some real steps being taken by real 24/7 students that might help you.

Abby is taking K-love's 30 day challenge to listen to only Christian music for 30 days. Through this she has found her attitude is changing and her friends are noticing. Many think she is crazy, but some are finding a new respect for her, and are starting to see God in a whole new light.

Michelle set a reminder on her IPad to help her remember to spend time reading her Bible. The first week she mostly ignored the reminder, but after asking friends to keep her accountable she followed through all week last week.

Marissa committed to memorizing a chapter of the Bible. In doing so she inspired Braden to do the same thing, and he is using his competitive nature as motivation to write God's word on his heart.

Please comment and share your ideas for moving God up your priority list.

Parent Cue

A new year, means that it is time to make new habits, and one of the many new habits I am shooting for is keeping parents more informed about what their students are learning and doing at 24/7. I am going to try to make a weekly Bible Study part of our routine... all I'm asking from you is a few minutes if reading each week. After all I will be motivated to write if I know you are going to be keeping me accountable by reading it.

January Week 1

Tough Question - what is Jesus worth to me?

Scripture - "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (Matthew 10:37, 38 NASB)

Application - Most of us would say that God is more important to us than anything or anyone else, but Jesus is asking us to take another look and search our hearts to see if it is true. So, think about the things in your life that take up most of your time. Chances are that you are passionate about one of these things, maybe even too passionate. Nothing, not even our closest relationships are supposed to be more important than following Jesus.

I think Jesus put these two thoughts side by side for a reason. Something that we love may need to be put aside, if we are going to be worthy of Jesus. That's a tall order. If we didn't love these things they'd be easy to but aside, but because we love them it will be a struggle to show God that we love Him more.

You can read about how Jesus put this kind of love on display in Philippians 2:5-11
You can also read about how God asked Abraham to demonstrate this kind of crazy love in Genesis 22. (Extra credit if you read them with your kids - double extra credit if you discuss them...)

I think about my two little boys (one with the same name as Abraham's son in the story) and wonder if my love for God is really stronger than my love for my boys...

What about you? What great love vies for top spot in your live?