Bigger Than Us (Part 2)

Introduction

Attention:

Glasses/Contacts

Helps me see

Purpose and vision: helps us to see the ministry clearly

Part 2

Need:

Worth continuing to talk about

Where we are at now

Where God is leading us

Continuing to seek clarity

Body

One last note on “making your faith your own.”

Talk about my youth group growing up

They never made their faith their own

THIS is what makes youth ministry important.

Also, Bob’s purpose statement for the church:

“We exist to develop authentic followers of Jesus Christ who impact the world.”

Everything ultimately falls under this

Direct connection to Matthew 28.

The Big Idea: EBC|YOUTH is a “bigger than us” ministry.

The Question: What does it mean to be a “bigger than us” ministry?

We realize that every teenager desires to live for something bigger than themselves.

We are passionate about making student disciples.

Our desire is to help students develop a faith of their own.

We want students to see that the Bible is relevant to their daily lives.

Explanation:

“The Bible is old” = “it’s not relevant”

But it is!

And its not just relevant; its bigger than us

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

What words key you into the idea that the Bible is “bigger than us” as it is described in this passage?

“All Scripture” is bigger than us.

The Bible is a big book

Its all relevant (theological principles)

“Breathed out by God” is bigger than us.

Theópneustos:

Theo: God

Pnein: to breathe

Theópneustos God-breathed (sometimes translated as “inspired.”)

Only occurance in NT

Rarely found in pre-Christian literature

Breathed out by the relevant God (outside of time)

Inspiration and inherrancy

“Profitable” is bigger than us.

Also “beneficial”

Profitable = relevant

“Teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness” is bigger than us.

Bigger than teaching

Reproof, correction, training in righteousness = relevant teaching

“Complete, equipped for every good work” is bigger than us.

Completion requires relevance.

Equipping requires relevance.

Doing every good work requires relevance.

This passage is best lived out through relevant teaching of God’s inspired Word

How?

Topical teaching

Student input on topics/Scriptures

Illustration:

“If it isn’t fun, why bother?” -Reggie Fils-Aimé, Former President of Nintendo of America

“If it isn’t relevant, why bother?”

God intended for His relevant word to be taught in a relevant way.

Application:

Does the Bible seem relevant to you?

Have you been treating the Bible like its relevant?

The Big Idea: EBC|YOUTH is a “bigger than us” ministry.

The Question: What does it mean to be a “bigger than us” ministry?

We realize that every teenager desires to live for something bigger than themselves.

We are passionate about making student disciples.

Our desire is to help students develop a faith of their own.

We want students to see that the Bible is relevant to their daily lives.

We exist to be a safe and loving environment, where teens can grow in relationship with God and create lasting friendships with other believers .

Explanation:

Providing a place for this

Youth room and beyond

Scripture for this.

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

The original church model

How does this passage describe a safe and loving environment?

Devotion is bigger than us

This meant something to them

And it should mean something to us too!

“Fellowship” is bigger than us.

What does the word “fellowship” mean?

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Fellowship)

FELLOWSHIP Bond of common purpose and devotion that binds Christians to one another and to Christ.

Where there is fellowship, there will always be safety and love.

Common purpose and devotion lead to this

“The apostle’s teaching” is bigger than us.

Why did they devote to this? Growth.

They devoted themselves to growing together

Church goal; grow in relationship with God and in relationship with others

The “breaking of bread” is bigger than us.

2x

Eating food = spending time together

EBC|YOUTH as a place to spend time together

Eat food

Snacks/drinks

Games

“Having all things in common” is bigger than us.

Not socialism

Adds to the “environment” and the “relationships”

“Having favor with all of the people” is bigger than us.

Enjoying each other’s company

Unity (not cliques)

How can we avoid developing cliques?

Meet new people

Say hi to everybody

Be kind to everybody

Don’t gossip

Call out gossip

Other ways that we create this environment:

Small groups

Doors open at 6:00

Adding stuff to do in the youth room

Monthly fellowship events

Open Gym

We want to create a space that is all about relationships

Illustration:

Church sign: “To whoever stole our mower, God will get you.”

Example of what not to do

Application:

How is God calling you to help us create this environment?

What can you do to help?

Commit to helping us make this the place that God wants it to be.

The Big Idea: EBC|YOUTH is a “bigger than us” ministry.

The Question: What does it mean to be a “bigger than us” ministry?

We realize that every teenager desires to live for something bigger than themselves.

We are passionate about making student disciples.

Our desire is to help students develop a faith of their own.

We want students to see that the Bible is relevant to their daily lives.

We exist to be a safe and loving environment, where teens can grow in relationship with God and create lasting friendships with other believers

We are going to be a light in our community.

Explanation:

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

What are the “bigger than us” concepts in this passage?

“The light of the world” is bigger than us.

Not just the light of Jerusalem; the light of the world

Not just the light of Hillsborough/Durham; the light of the world.

Representing Jesus around the globe

“A city on a hill” is bigger than us.

We are on display

E.g. passing by a big city at night

It “can’t be hidden”

Faithfulness in Jesus shows itself

Light necessitates action

A lamp on a stand is bigger than us.

A lamp under a basket is pointless

In the same way, a ministry that isn’t a light to the community is pointless.

Letting our light shine is bigger than us.

We do this by getting involved with the community

“See your good works”

We want people to see us do good in our community and for God to get all the glory

How?

Master’s Garden service project

Once a month service projects

Public schools

What are some other ways we can get involved in the community?

Illustration:

Why does Jesus use the metaphor of “light” to describe doing good?

Light is noticeable

We should do good works that are noticeable

But not so that we are noticed; so that God is noticed!

Application:

Does the idea of being a light in the community make you excited? Bc it should!

What can you do to get more excited about being a light?

What is it going to look like for you to contribute?

Conclusion

Visualization

We’re a youth ministry that is on the move

So let’s get on board with God’s agenda

Reiteration

As we break into small groups, be thinking about how you can contribute to the different things that we have talked about today

What is your your?

Don’t be a passive participant: contribute!

PRAY

Small Group Questions

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by dayattending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Why do so many people think that the Bible is irrelevant to their lives?

What can we do to help open people’s eyes to the relevance of God’s Word?

Why is it so important for a youth group to provide a safe and loving environment?

What are some ways that you can help create this environment?

What are some tings that make it difficult to be a light to our community in 2023?

How can we overcome these challenges in order to be the light that God has called us to be?