Feb 24: C10 Dating

Goals:
1. To see God's view of dating, love and marriage.
2. To establish Christ-honoring attitudes toward the opposite sex.

God created people to be sexual beings Genesis 1:27-31
God was pleased with his creation of man and woman.
God created us for companionship.
God created us for a sexual relationship with the union of marriage. Genesis 2:24
One flesh - mental, physical and spiritual union.

God created marriage as a gift of companionship between a man and a woman.

John 13 Love one another.
Gal 6 Carry each others burdens.
Phil 2 Consider others better than yourself.
Col 3 Put up with one another, forgive.
1 Thes 5 Encourage each other.
James 5 Confess sins to each other.

*Remember that physical qualities do not make up for character flaws!
*Worldly dating can turn into practice for divorce; full of bitterness, anger, fear, loneliness and sorrow.
*Christian dating should be practice for marriage; full of forgiveness, patience, encouragement, love and hope.

PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN DATING


1. ALLOW GOD TO CONTROL YOUR DATING AND MARRIAGE PLANS.

a. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 What does God desire to give His children? Psalm 84:11
Favor and honor.

b. You have the freedom of choice in companionship. Your choice can be made in the flesh or in the spirit. Flesh leads to disappointment, the spirit leads to peace.

c. There is peace in being single. Not all relationships lead to marriage; God created friendships too.

d. Commit your dating life to the Lord. Any date can be with your future spouse.

2. GOD INSTRUCTS CHRISTIANS NOT TO DATE UNBELIEVERS.

a. "Do not be bound together with unbelievers...what has a believer in common with an unbeliever.? II Corinthians 6:14 -15

b. Think about the verses. What things would you not have in a common with a non-Christian date? The word, God's truth, prayer, hope in salvation, Jesus, authentic fellowship, God's favor and honor.

c. Read Titus 3:3 , Ephesians 4:17 to see what the words says about non-Christian traits. What are the dangers of establishing a dating relationship with a person who is controlled by these motives? The dangers associated with foolishness, disobedience, malice, envy, hatred, immaturity, addictions, idols.

d. What are reasons for dating a Christian? To mutually encourage each other, to bring you closer to God, to sharpen each others faith and walk. Proverbs 27:17

3. GOD REVEALS QUALITIES THAT A DATING PARTNER SHOULD POSSESS.

a. Guys should look for girls who:
-Love and seeks after God. Proverbs 31:30
-Has a gracious spirit.
-Is modest in clothes, conversation and conduct.

b. Girls should look for guys who:
-Love and seeks after God. Psalm 27:4
-Is a leader. Ephesians 5:23
-Shows courtesy and thoughtfulness toward others.

4. GOD TEACHES THAT SEX IS TO BE RESERVED FOR MARRIAGE.
God created sex for reproduction (Genesis 1:28), for pleasure (Proverbs 5:18-19) and for marriage (Matthew 19:4-6).

a. Sex is to be reserved for marriage. Matthew 19:4-6
b. Christians are to stay clear of sexual sin. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 -5
c. Realize your body is a temple. Romans 12:1-2
d. Know that love and lust are not the same. Philippians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 13: 1- 13, Colossians 3:5

5 REMEMBER THAT GOD'S WORD ESTABLISHES MARRIAGE AS A PERMANENT UNION.
Matthew 19:6
Who binds the union? God
Who is not to separate the union? Man

When separation happens it is due to selfishness in the flesh and not trust in God.

Even in our selfishness, God can heal the broken hearted and can make the broken new.

Feb 10: C9 Parents

GOAL:
1. To understand the position of authority parents have over children.
2. To gain insights into having a peaceful, healthy relationship as a family.

Parents had good intentions when the decided to bring you into this world. They had dreams of raising you in love and comfort. Their best intentions may be under worldly stress but that doesn't not mean that their hopes and dreams for you are any less. Only your heavenly Father is perfect without mistakes, expect perfection from him and extend his grace to your parents.

WHY PARENTS
God gave you parents to be authority figures in your life. An authority figure is any person God has placed over you to help you accomplish His purpose in your life.

HOW TO HAVE A LOVING RELATIONSHIP
1. See your parents as real people.
a. Your parents were once your age and probably struggled through similar things as you, why don't you ask them? Their authority is because they want to make your life better than theirs.
b. Parents have big dreams for you, your family and for themselves; with these dreams comes many pressures.

2. Maintain good communication with your family.
Spend time with your family so that it's easier for everyone to communicate openly. Show your parents evidence in why they can trust you.
a. Be truthful with your parents. Ephesians 4:25
b. Avoid raising your voice. Proverbs 15:1

3. Take your share of responsibility around the house.
You have an obligation to tend cheerfully to your chores. Increased responsibility equals increased freedom.

4. Obey and Honor your parents.
Take pride in your family and its reputation. Seek to uphold good character in your community and church. Proverbs 22:1
a. Biblical principles found in Proverbs.
1. Proverbs 10:1 wisdom = joy, foolishness = grief to parents

2. Proverbs 13:1 wise children take parents advise and listen to correction
3. Proverbs 15:5 fools reject discipline, accepting correction = exercising good judgment
4. Proverbs 12:1 love for discipline = love for knowledge, those who hate correction are stupid
5. Proverbs 15:20 wisdom = joy, foolishness = despise
6. Proverbs 17:21 foolishness = grief and joylessness
7. Proverbs 22:6 trained children will not turn from what they know
8. Proverbs 22:15 folly is the heart of the immature, discipline destroys folly
b. God uses parents to discipline for the following reasons:
*to give warning
*to help develop you
*to love you
Proverbs 15:31 - 32 accept correction and gain understanding

RESTORING A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP
There is no parent / child relationship that can not be restored.
1. Seek the forgiveness of your parents.
- admit and confess to them attitudes and actions.
2. Cooperate with your parents.
- ask God to help change you
3. Tell your parents your love them.
- thank them for what they have done for you
4. If there needs to be a change of mind in your parents, let GOD bring about that change. Proverbs 21:1

CHRIST AS A TEEN
Luke 2:51 -52
He was obedient, had stature, was wise, favored and treasured.
Be like Christ!

Feb 3: C8 Friends

Goals: To see the importance of developing good friendships. 2. To better understand the causes of broken friendships and how to mend a broken friendship.

God thought of man and thought that he could enjoy paradise better if he has someone to share it with. Today is no different, God wants us to share our lives with each other, life is best when shared with friends. Be the friend you want to have; imitate Jesus!

FRIENDS ARE IMPORTANT

1. They can be a source of encouragement.
Ecclesiates 4:9 -12, Proverbs 17:17, how can friends help each other?
Friends help each other up, their return for their work is doubled, they can comfort each other, they love in all times, they can defend each other

2. They can give counsel.
Proverbs 27:5-6
God created us to be authentic!

3. They can see potential.
1 Timothy 4:12
Youth is not an excuse for unholiness, at all ages we are called to be our best and seek ways to increase our faith and testimony.

CHOOSING GOOD FRIENDS
1. Select a person that will grow you up closer to Christ!

2. Select a person who can identify (feel) with you when you go through both good and bad times.
a. What is the depth of feeling a person should have for another?
Romans 12:10, Romans 12:15
Devote yourselves to each other in brotherly love and share in their joy and sorrow.
b. Think of a time when a friend 'felt' what you were going through. What did it mean to you?
c. Who do you know that needs someone to reach out and 'feel' with them right now?

3. Select a person who can be trusted.

4. Select a person who will not hold a grudge or become jealous.
Proverbs 22: 24 - 25
Keep away from those you easily anger or become jealous -- do not be this person if you want to have good godly friends!

MEETING NEW FRIENDS
1. Take special notice of new people who may come to your church, group, or school.
a. Reach out to them.
b. Show them God's grace.

2. As a friendship grows, it needs to take on these qualities:
a. A willingness to share joys and sorrows.
b. A willingness to share spiritual insights.

WHAT BREAKS FRIENDSHIPS
1. Cutting remarks. Don't say them!
a. What does the Bible say about cutting remarks?
Proverbs 15:18, Proverbs 18:19
Be patient and avoid quarrels, they destroy your ability to do any good

b. What does God desire in your relationship with others?
I Peter 3: 8-9
Live in harmony, sympathetic, loving and compassionate, let evil go and return blessings to your enemy.

2. The SILENT TREATMENT leads to a broken friendship. What kind of behavior does God desire instead?
Romans 12:10
Love each other with brotherly love and honor each other

3. Unwillingness to go to another person and ask for forgiveness leads to broken friendships.
Colossians 3:13
Forgive one another and our Lord forgave us!

MENDING BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS
1. Confess to God. Psalm 139:23 -24
2. Study. Romans 12:17 -21
3. Go to the person. Colossians 3:13, Romans 12:9-10

Jan 27: C7 Self Image.

Goals: 1. To learn to accept oneself and understand one's worth in God's eyes. 2. To learn that one should develop one's talents for the glory of God.

God, let our eyes see ourselves through your eyes. We fall short of world standards and we will never be good enough. But God, you make us good in your presence, thank you!

GOD DOESN'T MAKE JUNK
You were created in God's image. Genesis 1:27


HOW DO YOU MEASURE UP?
Where do you feel you have shortcomings in your life?

Read Psalm 139: 13 -16 , what was God's involvement in your life, even when you were in your mother's womb?
God created me and I am wonderfully made.

PROBLEMS IN ACCEPTING SELF
1. Youth magazines where all young people have a perfect bodies and clear complexion.
2. Movies and TV where sexual beauty is shown as highly desirable.
3. Commercials portraying a false connection between brand name products to your success.
4. A strong emphasis on athletics or others make it easy to feel like inferior.

Be aware, if watching certain TV shows or movies or commercials or reading magazines make you doubt God beauty in you then avoid them!

CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE

Read Romans 12:2.

1. What should a Christian's attitude be toward the standards of the world?
To not conform to the patterns of the world.
2. How can a Christian break out of this mold to see God's standards?
By renewing her mind.
3. How can a Christian 'renew' her mind to develop these Biblical values?
Read scripture. Avoid negative influences and cling to positive influences.

HOW TO DEVELOP A HEALTHY SELF-IMAGE

1. Realize how God views physical appearance and strength.

2. Be concerned about the development of the inner person rather than placing so much emphasis on external appearance. 1 Peter 3: 3 -4 , beauty comes from within. Unfading beauty is found in a gentle and quiet spirit.

3. Thank God for making you a unique person. Romans 12:1 , offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing as worship.

Guard your body from sin: eyes, ears, hands, mouth and mind.

4. As you discover weaknesses in your body and life, choose to let God work Through you all the more.

a. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 indicates that God's strengh can be seen because of our weaknesses.
b. 2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 Paul talks to God about a weakness.
c. God's grace comes to us in our weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9
d. Claim this as your truth!

5. Use the body and talents that God gave you to glorify him.

a. God has made you unique, Ephesians 2:10. What instruction is give for using spiritual gifts 1 Peter 4:10? To serve others.

b. Ask yourself:

What do I enjoy doing? What do I get better at when I serve? What do others confirm in me?

6. Put Christ first in every area of your life.

a. Colossians 3:17 , do everything in the name of Christ
b. Matthew 6:28-30 , Matthew 6:31 - 33 , do not worry about your needs, God knows them!

Corinthians 6:19 -20 , our body is a temple to Christ

Jan 20: C5 Temptation

Goal: 1. To gain an understanding of how yielding to temptation can weaken a person's Christian life. 2. to gain insight as to how to deal with temptation and bad habits and how to have victory in Christian living.

There is nothing that brings a more painful journey then looking back on a path that has been paved with sin. Create a community that will walk along side you, keeping your eyes on Jesus and the Cross. True joy (which is what our hearts deeply desire) is found only in giving our life to God.

What does the Holy Spirit do for you?

Romans 8:16 testifies we are God's children

Galatians 5:16 keeps us from being fulfilled in sin

John 16:13 speaks truth

TEMPTATION and LUST
James 1:12 -15
1. What is temptation? When evil desires drag us away from God
2. Can a person be tempted by God? NO. ...why would God drag us away from His presence?
3. What can temptation lead to? Sin
4. What is the reward for those who do not give in to temptation? Crown of life

1 Peter 5:8
What is the source behind temptations? Our one and only enemy, the devil

Romans 6:16
choice:
slave to sin = death
slave to obedience = righteousness
What we obey, we are slaves to!

HOW TO BREAK A BAD HABIT
1. Realize it's a bad habit.
2. Confess.
3. Ask for forgiveness (from God and others).
4. Avoid situations.
5. Change your pattern.

JESUS' EXAMPLE

Matthew 4:1 -11
1. Three temptations
a. turn stone to bread
b. throw yourself down
c. bow down and worship the devil

2. Each temptation was handled the same way. What did Jesus do when He was tempted?
He called on God and used scripture

3. What can you learn for your life from the example of Christ?
Don't give in, the angels are waiting to attend to us as we resist temptations!

Jan 13: C6 Indwelling

Goal: 1. To understand the principles of living a day-by-day victorious Christian life. 2. To understand the principles of discovering God's will.

Who needs comfort food when we have a comforting God? The Holy Spirit roams the earth for places to dwell -- keep your soul, body and mind open at all times for Him to reside in you!

FILLING
1. What does god command in Ephesians 5:18?
a. Negatively - debauchery
b. Positively - filled with the Spirit

2. To be filled with the Spirit is a command of God.
a. Why? He doesn't want us to be filled with other less significant, less rewarding, less rejuvenating junk...
b. What does 1 John 5:14 mean? God wants us in His will
c. If you ask God to fill you with His Spirit, do you think he will? Yes!

A CONTRAST
Galatians 5: 19 - 21
sinful immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambitions, envy, drunkenness
Galatians 5:22 -23
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control

1. Ephesians 4:30 - do not grieve the Holy Spirit by doing wrong
2. What are acts that grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:25 - 32, 5: 3- 7
lying, hypocrisy, staying in anger, stealing, not working or helping others, gossip, hoarding, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, malice

STEPS TO A SPIRIT-CONTROLLED LIFE
1. CONFESS.
2. ACCEPT.
3. ASK.

GOD'S WILL
1. What should we desire? Ephesians 5:17 to understand God's will
2. God wants to lead you ... trust him!
3. Proverbs 3: 5 -6
a. What does God promise? He will make our path straight
b. What are the conditions? 1. trust in the Lord, 2. seek His understanding, 3. acknowledge Him
4. What are some means which God uses in order to help His children understand His will?
a. Psalm 119:105 His word
b. 1 Corinthians 2:12 His spirit
c. Proverbs 15:22 His counsel and the counsel of strong godly men and women

SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES
1. FOLLOW SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES.
Matthew 6:33 seek God first
Matthew 22:37-39 love God with everything we have
1 Peter 1:15; be holy in all we do
2 Peter 3:18 grow in grace and knowledge
1 Corinthians 10:31 do everything to glorify God

2. OBEY WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY SHOWN YOU IN HIS WORD
James 1:5 ask for wisdom, He gives gererously without finding fault
Romans 12:1 -2 living sacrifice, be pure and blameless and not of this world
Psalm 37:31 keep the law of God in your heart and your walk will be firm

3. BE OPEN TO GOD'S LEADING
Ephesians 5:15 - 17 make the most of every moment, let God rule your heart
Colossians 3:15 let the peace of God rule your heart
John 7:17 choose God's will
John 6:38 do God's will

Jan 6: C3 Prayer

Goal: 1. To gain a sense of the importance of prayer for the Christian. 2. To learn important aspects to include in prayer.

There is no communication that is more important that that which you have between you and your creator. He desires to hear from you every moment of your life! Walk in prayer, let everything you do start and finish with a conversation with God.

Prayer is crucial because it does several things. Look up the following verses and note what prayer does.

1. John 14:13 brings glory to God
2. John 16:24 asking and receiving, completing our joy
3. Proverbs 15:8 pleases the Lord
4. James 5:17-18 gives us what we ask for

Prayer is powerful. It produces wonderful results and the Christian should take advantage of the opportunity to utilize God's power.

CONDITIONS:
Consider the following conditions or requirements:
1. Psalm 66:18, 1 John 1:9 confession
2. John 14:13 asking in God's name -- talking to God with the authority that Jesus has with the Father
3. John 15:7 remaining in God and in His word
4. 1 John 5:14 asking in his will
5. James 1:6 -8 Positive condition - believe and receive / Negative condition - doubt and perish
6. Mark 11:25 to forgive others

Read:
Hebrews 4:16
Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4:6 -7
Our attitude must be confident with out anxiety and with thankfulness
God's work includes mercy, grace, he meets our needs, peace, guards our heart, transcends all understanding

ACTS
Matthew 6: 9 - 13 The Lords Prayer.
Adoration - Reflecting about God Himself -- adoring God for who He is
Hallowed be your name
Confession - Agreeing with God that certain things in your life are sin
Forgive us
Thanksgiving - Expressing gratitude to God for what He has done
Your kingdom come...on earth
Supplication - Requests for other and for yourself
Give us our daily bread...forgive us...deliver us...