So I back tracked slightly and finally found time to post all my other talks that I've done this term... enjoy!
Firstly I would like to thank all of the young people who have spoken to us tonight. It has taken a lot of courage to stand in front of their friends and guests. I admire them and am very proud of them.
Secondly I’d like to thank everyone who made Youth Alpha happen and especially Carol and Jackie who have really stuck with it throughout.
The young people have already been set one challenge today, and they did amazingly well. There is one final challenge to everyone who is in this room today. Blow out the candles on you tables!
Of course that wasn’t the full challenge. As the clocks go back tonight, we will experience the darkness drawing in dramatically. This happens every year, yet we still take notice of it. How then do we respond? We switch on a light (Light own candle). The Young people heard earlier today how we are the light of the world, an inheritance from Jesus. The challenge to each of us is this, do we keep the light to our selves, effectively turning our back on the world. Or do we spread the light, giving each person we come into contact with the opportunity to have a light in their lives?
Thank you again for coming.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
28th Oct 2006 Youth Alpha 2
We’ve already heard about the darkness that Halloween can bring to the world and some people this time of year. And we know that it isn’t all fun and games. I remember being really disappointed when I was little because my parents wouldn’t let me join in with dressing up. But when I look back I realise that there is some thing so much better than the evil that is around.
During Alpha we have been looking straight into the face of the thing that is so much better… Jesus! We have learnt about how Jesus saved you and me by dying on the cross and taking away all of our sins. We have learnt about how we will no longer die, but share eternal life with Jesus in heaven. And we have pondered on why and how we should share our faith. Basically we have covered an awful lot of things about the faith that we find ourselves in day to day.
If you haven’t been practicing sharing what you have learned, now would be a great time to start. In the bible Jesus is referred to as the ‘Light of the world’. While Jesus was on the earth he told us that we are the light of the world too! We need to shine into the darkness, all the bad stuff that happens, which surrounds us. You are not alone, take a look around! There are older people and younger people to help you. If you have any questions we will try to answer them – and by the way, you’ll never stop asking questions.
We hope that you have had a fun day, and just as we light the candles for tonight we will be praying that you can share your faith with your friends, not just on Halloween night, but throughout the year. Tonight we’ll hear some people’s experiences and what they have learnt throughout Alpha, hopefully that will encourage you to go and do the same.
NOW for the challenge!!! Between now and dinner you have the opportunity to compliment, or add to your outfit for tonight. You will each be given 10 glo sticks, with attachers. It is your task to create something, anything with them. They will be judged as you arrive at 6.30pm. Remember its smart casual tonight!! See you at 6.30pm with your guest!!
During Alpha we have been looking straight into the face of the thing that is so much better… Jesus! We have learnt about how Jesus saved you and me by dying on the cross and taking away all of our sins. We have learnt about how we will no longer die, but share eternal life with Jesus in heaven. And we have pondered on why and how we should share our faith. Basically we have covered an awful lot of things about the faith that we find ourselves in day to day.
If you haven’t been practicing sharing what you have learned, now would be a great time to start. In the bible Jesus is referred to as the ‘Light of the world’. While Jesus was on the earth he told us that we are the light of the world too! We need to shine into the darkness, all the bad stuff that happens, which surrounds us. You are not alone, take a look around! There are older people and younger people to help you. If you have any questions we will try to answer them – and by the way, you’ll never stop asking questions.
We hope that you have had a fun day, and just as we light the candles for tonight we will be praying that you can share your faith with your friends, not just on Halloween night, but throughout the year. Tonight we’ll hear some people’s experiences and what they have learnt throughout Alpha, hopefully that will encourage you to go and do the same.
NOW for the challenge!!! Between now and dinner you have the opportunity to compliment, or add to your outfit for tonight. You will each be given 10 glo sticks, with attachers. It is your task to create something, anything with them. They will be judged as you arrive at 6.30pm. Remember its smart casual tonight!! See you at 6.30pm with your guest!!
28th Oct 2006 Youth Alpha Intro
Good afternoon and welcome to the Alpha Light Party. To start off with I want to do a quick quiz with you. So you all need to listen carefully and stand up. We are going to play a quick game of true or false, so listen carefully.
1. The name ‘Halloween’ means ‘Half-Night’, meaning the night when boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are lowered. FALSE –actually ‘All Hallows Eve’ 1st November is actually All Saints Day. Hallow means to make Holy.
2. Halloween was originally an ancient Pagan celebration known as “Samhain” (pronounced ‘Sah-ween’) TRUE
3. In parts of Yorkshire, a similar festival to Halloween occurs on November 4th and it is known locally as “Mischief Night” TRUE
4. The purpose of Halloween Lanterns carved from pumpkins and originally turnips is to aid casting magic spells FALSE – they are supposed to scare away evil spirits
5. There is nothing dangerous about Halloween; it’s all just a bit of fun. DEBATABLE
That is part of why we are here. Halloween can be a bit of fun for some but for others it is a very serious festival or a very scary experience.
On Halloween night, people traditionally dress up in costumes, light lanterns and call on people to try and scare them with trick or treating. You don’t need to tell me how popular it is, just take a look in all the supermarkets. From September onwards, the shops are full of broomsticks, pumpkins and witches costumes. Most people don’t think whether it relates to anything real. However, there are others who regard this time of year very seriously.
The Bible claims the devil is real, and that he is powerful. He wants people to be afraid, especially of death. But we as Christians believe that although the devil is powerful, he isn’t anything as powerful as God. The devil was defeated by Jesus’ death, and as a result, the grip he had over people has been shaken off.
The book of Hebrews says this about why Jesus came.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus to release people from fear and offer them freedom.
On All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day, Christians remember all the saints who had faith in God to help them over come their fears to help others. This Halloween, rather than frightening others, you might consider some of the things that frighten you. With God’s help we can conquer fear. If we could all live free from fear, imagine what a different world it would be.
1. The name ‘Halloween’ means ‘Half-Night’, meaning the night when boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds are lowered. FALSE –actually ‘All Hallows Eve’ 1st November is actually All Saints Day. Hallow means to make Holy.
2. Halloween was originally an ancient Pagan celebration known as “Samhain” (pronounced ‘Sah-ween’) TRUE
3. In parts of Yorkshire, a similar festival to Halloween occurs on November 4th and it is known locally as “Mischief Night” TRUE
4. The purpose of Halloween Lanterns carved from pumpkins and originally turnips is to aid casting magic spells FALSE – they are supposed to scare away evil spirits
5. There is nothing dangerous about Halloween; it’s all just a bit of fun. DEBATABLE
That is part of why we are here. Halloween can be a bit of fun for some but for others it is a very serious festival or a very scary experience.
On Halloween night, people traditionally dress up in costumes, light lanterns and call on people to try and scare them with trick or treating. You don’t need to tell me how popular it is, just take a look in all the supermarkets. From September onwards, the shops are full of broomsticks, pumpkins and witches costumes. Most people don’t think whether it relates to anything real. However, there are others who regard this time of year very seriously.
The Bible claims the devil is real, and that he is powerful. He wants people to be afraid, especially of death. But we as Christians believe that although the devil is powerful, he isn’t anything as powerful as God. The devil was defeated by Jesus’ death, and as a result, the grip he had over people has been shaken off.
The book of Hebrews says this about why Jesus came.
Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death- that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
The Bible tells us that God sent Jesus to release people from fear and offer them freedom.
On All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day, Christians remember all the saints who had faith in God to help them over come their fears to help others. This Halloween, rather than frightening others, you might consider some of the things that frighten you. With God’s help we can conquer fear. If we could all live free from fear, imagine what a different world it would be.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Christmas Talk
Think of Christmas from Joseph and Mary’s point of view. An unmarried couple, Mary is 14 and Joseph is a lot older. He works as a carpenter; they are struggling to survive. When Joseph hears the news of his fiancée being pregnant he nearly splits up with Mary. But God intervenes.
Then Caesar Augustus, the roman emperor, tells everyone to head back to their home town. This isn’t just a road trip. Joseph has to pay taxes. Christmas has always been expensive, even the first Christmas. They travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, probably on a borrowed donkey, though no where in the Bible does it say donkey. It wouldn’t have been a smooth 60 mile journey. Over hills and on tiny trails, 60 miles would have felt much longer.
Jesus, hope of the nations, LORD, the King, was born in a pig sty (not your bedroom), or possibly a hole in the wall (not the kind you get money from), a cave.
The shepherds left their sheep on the hillside; the cutesy animals were added by a guy call Francis of Assisi, about 1200 years later.
The Wise Men, whoever they were, were a bit late in arriving. There were more than 3 and they weren’t kings. Jesus could have been two by the time they got there. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house.
The real Christmas story is a complex one. It’s God with us in a tiny baby, fighting the kings of the world from the day he was born.
If Jesus had never been born we wouldn’t understand ultimate love, hope and reconciliation. Without Jesus, Christmas would be about praising the gods of the S-U-N and calling the light to come back. But because of Jesus we celebrate family, giving and joy.
Then Caesar Augustus, the roman emperor, tells everyone to head back to their home town. This isn’t just a road trip. Joseph has to pay taxes. Christmas has always been expensive, even the first Christmas. They travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, probably on a borrowed donkey, though no where in the Bible does it say donkey. It wouldn’t have been a smooth 60 mile journey. Over hills and on tiny trails, 60 miles would have felt much longer.
Jesus, hope of the nations, LORD, the King, was born in a pig sty (not your bedroom), or possibly a hole in the wall (not the kind you get money from), a cave.
The shepherds left their sheep on the hillside; the cutesy animals were added by a guy call Francis of Assisi, about 1200 years later.
The Wise Men, whoever they were, were a bit late in arriving. There were more than 3 and they weren’t kings. Jesus could have been two by the time they got there. Joseph, Mary and Jesus were living in a house.
The real Christmas story is a complex one. It’s God with us in a tiny baby, fighting the kings of the world from the day he was born.
If Jesus had never been born we wouldn’t understand ultimate love, hope and reconciliation. Without Jesus, Christmas would be about praising the gods of the S-U-N and calling the light to come back. But because of Jesus we celebrate family, giving and joy.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Christingle
Good afternoon. My name is Karen and I’m the youth worker here at St Hugh’s. Recently we’ve had a few festivals about light. Here in Lewsey we’ve had fireworks and candles for Dwiali and you may have had a chocolate from an advent calendar. We’ve already lit our advent candle to signify that it’s 4 Sundays until Christmas. Christingle is another Christian festival that celebrates light. Each one of these festivals has one thing in common; they all want to chase away the darkness.
I’ve got a few questions for you… make sure you put your hand up nice and high so I can see you.
1st Question: How do you get rid of a dark winter’s night?
2nd Question: How do you see in a dark cupboard?
3rd Question: How do you chase away the darkness when a young child is frightened at night?
So we see, there is only one way to get rid of the darkness that is to replace it with light!
As we had already heard, Jesus is the light of the world. Christians, people here, I, believe that Jesus came to the world to replace the darkness of hatred, jealousy, bitterness, wickedness and death with love, forgiveness and life forever.
I’m going to hold up some words and I want you to tell me the opposite of that word. We’ll start with an easy one. (Love and hate)
Ok, LOVE is going on the light pile and HATE is going on the dark pile… we’ll carry on.
Brilliant. So what do we do with al the dark words? The best thing to do is, chuck them in the bin! We have no need for this in a world where Jesus is.
The light words go by the candle, so that every time we light a candle we remember that Jesus is the light of the world. And that is exactly what we will be doing in a moment. When you are scared or afraid of the dark, remember to get rid of it all you have to do is turn on the light.
I’ve got a few questions for you… make sure you put your hand up nice and high so I can see you.
1st Question: How do you get rid of a dark winter’s night?
2nd Question: How do you see in a dark cupboard?
3rd Question: How do you chase away the darkness when a young child is frightened at night?
So we see, there is only one way to get rid of the darkness that is to replace it with light!
As we had already heard, Jesus is the light of the world. Christians, people here, I, believe that Jesus came to the world to replace the darkness of hatred, jealousy, bitterness, wickedness and death with love, forgiveness and life forever.
I’m going to hold up some words and I want you to tell me the opposite of that word. We’ll start with an easy one. (Love and hate)
Ok, LOVE is going on the light pile and HATE is going on the dark pile… we’ll carry on.
Brilliant. So what do we do with al the dark words? The best thing to do is, chuck them in the bin! We have no need for this in a world where Jesus is.
The light words go by the candle, so that every time we light a candle we remember that Jesus is the light of the world. And that is exactly what we will be doing in a moment. When you are scared or afraid of the dark, remember to get rid of it all you have to do is turn on the light.
Monday, November 27, 2006
26th November 2006 - Love others as we ourselves have been loved
Good Morning. It’s nearly Christmas so I brought some presents for you guys. The sweet you got as you came in! I want to know: Why did you choose the sweet you chose?
We choose the celebration we like because we are naturally selfish. We live in a world that is out for its own gain. We are not excused from it. I’ll say it again, we are all selfish. However, there is always hope. Our God loves by nature.
It’s even more than that (read 7 & 8 together). This is a very broad statement, what does John mean? In Greek there are four words for love.
Éros – pagan, romantic
Storgé – parents and children
Philia - friends
Agapé – unselfish love taught by Jesus, explained in 1 Corinthians 13
In this passage Agapé is the sort of love that John is talking about. We have to remember when this was written, to understand a little bit more about the reason why John writes with such urgency and passion. He was writing at a time where the Christians were being mistreated because of their faith and with that in mind, imagine how hard it would be to love others around you when they are intent on killing you.
Agapé comes without condition. We don’t deserve Agapé. We can’t do anything to earn it, yet at the same time if we do nothing with it we get told off. Agapé is shown in the cross, the shedding of Jesus’ blood which makes us clean from sin and enables us to love as God has loved us.
Do we do that though? The final few verses of chapter 4 highlight the importance of loving others. If we love God, but don’t love our family we will be called a liar! John has already said this earlier in his letter 1:10-11. He talks about light and contrasts it to darkness. I’m sure you’ve got up in the night and walked around without the lights on and had bruises in the morning. We worshipped at Soul Survivor in the dark, because of a massive power cut. I distinctly remember the singing getting louder and torches going on. In the dark with 10,000 people! The lights soon came on and there was a massive cheer. Can you really argue with 10,000 people that it’s better to be in the light than in the dark?
John also sees through the reality of being human. How can we profess to love a God we can’t see if we don’t love those we do see? I think this is about building relationships with those whom God has already placed in our lives. We can practice the love we have from God on our family. Jesus talks about lamps and cities shining. A lamp is a strong light, but a city can be seen from space. If in your family you love each other the way God teaches and has shown, then you’ll be more like a city than a lamp.
The challenge of loving your family like God loves you means you have to break bad habits. Back to 1 Corinthians 13, God doesn’t have bad habits when he loves. For years we called my littlest brother by a pet name. Even now, though he’s built like a sprinter and plays a great game of football, we still call him chubby cheeks. A friend of mine has problems with food and eating because for one week many years ago her brother called her fat. The banter between family members can be dangerous ground, especially if it is many years old. Be aware of the way you talk to your children and you siblings.
Loving others doesn’t just stay in our family. Our schools and work places can benefit from the love that God has too. Remember that no-one, not even us, deserves God’s love. What difference would it make in your school or work place if we firmly believed and practiced what God has set before us? Not ‘love’ that gets people into Church, but love that is simply serving. This love can change the world.
God’s love for us also has personal consequences. We had Southfields Year 3 visit on Wednesday, during our time together we sang a song about God’s love being a never ending circle. Somewhere in that circle we are included. The more we realise God loves us the more we want to and can love others, the more we love others the more we realise God loves us… and so on. This is reflected in Revelation 4v8-11. There is a never ending circle of praise in heaven too. One of the young people I know is really scared on heaven, thinking that eternity will be a really boring place. How so! In the glory of God, all we can do is worship. I want to worship God forever and what a better place to start than right here, right now. Not just on Sunday mornings, putting my hands up and singing, but everyday in sharing God’s love with others, without an agenda.
The problem is we are naturally selfish; we choose the sweets we want, we make others laugh at the expense of one person, we keep the light of Jesus to ourselves because it makes us feel warm. It stops us from loving others as we have been loved. God is our hope, He is love and he loves us all. Let our only response be to love others.
We choose the celebration we like because we are naturally selfish. We live in a world that is out for its own gain. We are not excused from it. I’ll say it again, we are all selfish. However, there is always hope. Our God loves by nature.
It’s even more than that (read 7 & 8 together). This is a very broad statement, what does John mean? In Greek there are four words for love.
Éros – pagan, romantic
Storgé – parents and children
Philia - friends
Agapé – unselfish love taught by Jesus, explained in 1 Corinthians 13
In this passage Agapé is the sort of love that John is talking about. We have to remember when this was written, to understand a little bit more about the reason why John writes with such urgency and passion. He was writing at a time where the Christians were being mistreated because of their faith and with that in mind, imagine how hard it would be to love others around you when they are intent on killing you.
Agapé comes without condition. We don’t deserve Agapé. We can’t do anything to earn it, yet at the same time if we do nothing with it we get told off. Agapé is shown in the cross, the shedding of Jesus’ blood which makes us clean from sin and enables us to love as God has loved us.
Do we do that though? The final few verses of chapter 4 highlight the importance of loving others. If we love God, but don’t love our family we will be called a liar! John has already said this earlier in his letter 1:10-11. He talks about light and contrasts it to darkness. I’m sure you’ve got up in the night and walked around without the lights on and had bruises in the morning. We worshipped at Soul Survivor in the dark, because of a massive power cut. I distinctly remember the singing getting louder and torches going on. In the dark with 10,000 people! The lights soon came on and there was a massive cheer. Can you really argue with 10,000 people that it’s better to be in the light than in the dark?
John also sees through the reality of being human. How can we profess to love a God we can’t see if we don’t love those we do see? I think this is about building relationships with those whom God has already placed in our lives. We can practice the love we have from God on our family. Jesus talks about lamps and cities shining. A lamp is a strong light, but a city can be seen from space. If in your family you love each other the way God teaches and has shown, then you’ll be more like a city than a lamp.
The challenge of loving your family like God loves you means you have to break bad habits. Back to 1 Corinthians 13, God doesn’t have bad habits when he loves. For years we called my littlest brother by a pet name. Even now, though he’s built like a sprinter and plays a great game of football, we still call him chubby cheeks. A friend of mine has problems with food and eating because for one week many years ago her brother called her fat. The banter between family members can be dangerous ground, especially if it is many years old. Be aware of the way you talk to your children and you siblings.
Loving others doesn’t just stay in our family. Our schools and work places can benefit from the love that God has too. Remember that no-one, not even us, deserves God’s love. What difference would it make in your school or work place if we firmly believed and practiced what God has set before us? Not ‘love’ that gets people into Church, but love that is simply serving. This love can change the world.
God’s love for us also has personal consequences. We had Southfields Year 3 visit on Wednesday, during our time together we sang a song about God’s love being a never ending circle. Somewhere in that circle we are included. The more we realise God loves us the more we want to and can love others, the more we love others the more we realise God loves us… and so on. This is reflected in Revelation 4v8-11. There is a never ending circle of praise in heaven too. One of the young people I know is really scared on heaven, thinking that eternity will be a really boring place. How so! In the glory of God, all we can do is worship. I want to worship God forever and what a better place to start than right here, right now. Not just on Sunday mornings, putting my hands up and singing, but everyday in sharing God’s love with others, without an agenda.
The problem is we are naturally selfish; we choose the sweets we want, we make others laugh at the expense of one person, we keep the light of Jesus to ourselves because it makes us feel warm. It stops us from loving others as we have been loved. God is our hope, He is love and he loves us all. Let our only response be to love others.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
28th October 2006 - Disciplined by the Father
Good morning! SLIDE Can some one tell me who this is? Paula Radcliff. What does she do? She’s a marathon runner. Probably the longest race any sane human being would do, and one of the most famous is the London marathon. SLIDE Thousands of people get together each year to run 26.2 miles around some of the greatest landmarks in our capital city. It is also know as an endurance race, to complete it you have to stick with it. There is no hopping on a bicycle and ride to the finish line and although cabbies might try there is no ducking down side streets with the promise of a short cut. If you did that you’d be cheating! You would not have earned the medal the end. Of course the marathon is much longer than 4 hours or more on a Sunday morning in April. The runners start training months before the actual event, running short distances at the beginning to build strength and, that word again, endurance. But even before that there has to be some sort of will-power or discipline to actually want to do the race. Yes we can sit in front of the telly thinking the marathon is a great idea, but what are the chances that we will be on the telly the following year. For me it is slim to none! I lack discipline.
What I need is a trainer! SLIDE Some one who will push me to my limits and give me the encouragement I need to get to the starting line, let alone the finishing line. Some times I get all hyped up and may actually go running, but after a while I wither and start thinking ‘there must be an easier way to exercise than this’ I turn around and head for home at slow walking pace, feeling defeated.
It can often be like this for us as Christians in Luton, whether we have just started our race or feel like we are somewhat nearing the middle or the end, we are all part of it. This passage in Hebrews highlights the discipline that we need to endure the race. With God as our trainer; he is the person beside us encouraging us. And Jesus, well he is the goal. Personal trainers aren’t fat and flabby. How often do you hear the phrase ‘if I can do it, you can do it’? The writer of Hebrews highlights the precedent set before us, the Message writes the first few verses like this SLIDE
“Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we are in. Study how he did it.”
SLIDE Not so long ago I sat my theory test for driving. In a God inspired moment I headed into the Christian bookshop that was next door to the test centre. I shared with the lady behind the counter that I was really scared. She reminded me that Jesus had been before me and seen the test. Of course, I couldn’t ask Jesus for the answers, but I could rest in the assurance that whatever happened was in God’s plan and that God is with me. Months of driving and reading had all accumulated in this one test, and as I sat it I realised I was going to be fine. I passed first time! If I can do it, you can do it! Jesus has already run the race; if he can do it, (and suffer the cross for us) then we can do it too.
Raise your hand if you are a child… Whether you like it or not we are all children and the writer of Hebrews refers to us as children of God. Sometimes we often forget that we are all children. SLIDE My mum and dad remind me constantly and still refer to me as daughter, when I ring home my mum passes the phone to my dad saying ‘daughter 1’. If I want something from my dad I’ll call him daddy and smile lots. Not only does it show an intimate relationship but it also shows an understanding of my place in my family. Just a question to ponder: how often do we call God, Daddy? Not necessarily to get something, but to show our affection and understanding.
SLIDE. I remember when I was little, my sister and I shared a room, we’d only been talking for a bit, but my dad burst in to the room and told us off for not sleeping when we should be. Part of me really hated him, for bursting, for listening to our conversation, for telling me off. But now years later I look back on it and realise that he was concerned because we needed our sleep. We needed to learn the importance of rest. I’m sure that there are stories of discipline that you could share with your family and that when you look at it from the other’s point of view it actually makes more sense. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in verse 7 ‘for what son is not disciplined by his father?’ Discipline happens to be a natural part of growing up and gaining the social skills to live in the world.
A Father’s heart is one of love, growth and protection, amongst other things. Learning to be disciplined is a long process that takes years. From the moment a child can reach out and grab they quickly learn the word ‘NO’. ‘No, don’t touch that it’s hot’, ‘NO don’t go near the edge you’ll fall’. It is used as a way to protect. Usually we see this; with the advantage of hindsight it’s really easy. It is a responsible and loving parent who tells their children ‘no’. SLIDE Programmes like ‘Super Nanny’ and ‘House of Tiny Tearaways’ show us what it is like when children aren’t told ‘no’ and have little structure in their lives. The child behaviourists of the programmes – that have become so popular – spend their time introducing rules and re-teaching parents how to parent.
One such programme showed how a teenage boy was using violence to get money from his mum to get drugs; another showed a four year old ruling the roost because she used her lungs and legs effectively. Rules are used to regain control and structure into family life. It takes time, there is suffering. The pain on the parents face when their child kicks and swears against the authority being asserted. The word ‘no’ can often hurt. But it is part of growing up to become a secure individual. Eventually the children succumb and ‘normal’ family life resumes. I’m sure that the programmes are cut and finished to hook us to watching them where we only see success, but what about the ones we don’t see? What about a few months/years later when the eldest child suddenly turns into a terrible teenager, what happens then? Are the rules still in place; does the structure still work, even when adapted?
SLIDE This isn’t a question for us; the rules and structure of the bible haven’t changed for years, yet some how it is still relevant to how we live. The mystery of God’s infinite wisdom still baffles me. The real question is; are we going to kick against the discipline that God gives to us like the 4 year old who won’t eat anything green? Or do we embrace the discipline like training, taking our strength and encouragement from Jesus who has already run the race that we are in?
What I need is a trainer! SLIDE Some one who will push me to my limits and give me the encouragement I need to get to the starting line, let alone the finishing line. Some times I get all hyped up and may actually go running, but after a while I wither and start thinking ‘there must be an easier way to exercise than this’ I turn around and head for home at slow walking pace, feeling defeated.
It can often be like this for us as Christians in Luton, whether we have just started our race or feel like we are somewhat nearing the middle or the end, we are all part of it. This passage in Hebrews highlights the discipline that we need to endure the race. With God as our trainer; he is the person beside us encouraging us. And Jesus, well he is the goal. Personal trainers aren’t fat and flabby. How often do you hear the phrase ‘if I can do it, you can do it’? The writer of Hebrews highlights the precedent set before us, the Message writes the first few verses like this SLIDE
“Do you see what this means – all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running – and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we are in. Study how he did it.”
SLIDE Not so long ago I sat my theory test for driving. In a God inspired moment I headed into the Christian bookshop that was next door to the test centre. I shared with the lady behind the counter that I was really scared. She reminded me that Jesus had been before me and seen the test. Of course, I couldn’t ask Jesus for the answers, but I could rest in the assurance that whatever happened was in God’s plan and that God is with me. Months of driving and reading had all accumulated in this one test, and as I sat it I realised I was going to be fine. I passed first time! If I can do it, you can do it! Jesus has already run the race; if he can do it, (and suffer the cross for us) then we can do it too.
Raise your hand if you are a child… Whether you like it or not we are all children and the writer of Hebrews refers to us as children of God. Sometimes we often forget that we are all children. SLIDE My mum and dad remind me constantly and still refer to me as daughter, when I ring home my mum passes the phone to my dad saying ‘daughter 1’. If I want something from my dad I’ll call him daddy and smile lots. Not only does it show an intimate relationship but it also shows an understanding of my place in my family. Just a question to ponder: how often do we call God, Daddy? Not necessarily to get something, but to show our affection and understanding.
SLIDE. I remember when I was little, my sister and I shared a room, we’d only been talking for a bit, but my dad burst in to the room and told us off for not sleeping when we should be. Part of me really hated him, for bursting, for listening to our conversation, for telling me off. But now years later I look back on it and realise that he was concerned because we needed our sleep. We needed to learn the importance of rest. I’m sure that there are stories of discipline that you could share with your family and that when you look at it from the other’s point of view it actually makes more sense. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in verse 7 ‘for what son is not disciplined by his father?’ Discipline happens to be a natural part of growing up and gaining the social skills to live in the world.
A Father’s heart is one of love, growth and protection, amongst other things. Learning to be disciplined is a long process that takes years. From the moment a child can reach out and grab they quickly learn the word ‘NO’. ‘No, don’t touch that it’s hot’, ‘NO don’t go near the edge you’ll fall’. It is used as a way to protect. Usually we see this; with the advantage of hindsight it’s really easy. It is a responsible and loving parent who tells their children ‘no’. SLIDE Programmes like ‘Super Nanny’ and ‘House of Tiny Tearaways’ show us what it is like when children aren’t told ‘no’ and have little structure in their lives. The child behaviourists of the programmes – that have become so popular – spend their time introducing rules and re-teaching parents how to parent.
One such programme showed how a teenage boy was using violence to get money from his mum to get drugs; another showed a four year old ruling the roost because she used her lungs and legs effectively. Rules are used to regain control and structure into family life. It takes time, there is suffering. The pain on the parents face when their child kicks and swears against the authority being asserted. The word ‘no’ can often hurt. But it is part of growing up to become a secure individual. Eventually the children succumb and ‘normal’ family life resumes. I’m sure that the programmes are cut and finished to hook us to watching them where we only see success, but what about the ones we don’t see? What about a few months/years later when the eldest child suddenly turns into a terrible teenager, what happens then? Are the rules still in place; does the structure still work, even when adapted?
SLIDE This isn’t a question for us; the rules and structure of the bible haven’t changed for years, yet some how it is still relevant to how we live. The mystery of God’s infinite wisdom still baffles me. The real question is; are we going to kick against the discipline that God gives to us like the 4 year old who won’t eat anything green? Or do we embrace the discipline like training, taking our strength and encouragement from Jesus who has already run the race that we are in?
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