Summer of Purpose

I. God is real.

I’m really excited to talk to you guys tonight—most of our time is going to be spent in small group—but I want to prime the pump.

Visualization of scripture.

Exodus 19:16–20 “On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.”

Exodus 24:9–11 “Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.”

Q. What did you see as you were visualizing scripture? (Allow Answers)

I’m taking my Bible content exam on Friday—Do you know how the first 5 books of the Bible are classified—what their title is? HISTORY. The gospels are the same way. They don’t read like ancient myths—they read like eye witness accounts. BECAUSE THEY REALLY HAPPENED.

First thing I want you to write down. God is real and He really does want me to know Him.

Transition: Okay, so hold onto that and let’s switch gears for a second.

Summer = Time.

Q. Who is ready for summer? What are you most excited about for summer? (Allow answers)

How many hours a week do you think you spend on school work/school activities during the school year? (40-60)

And then summer comes and with it comes an easier pace of life for a while—there’s room to breathe—room to rest—room for trips. This summer you are going to have a lot more time on your hands.

The God who is real—who really wants you to know Him—is calling you this summer to more than just rest…

Rest is good and deserved and necessary and you are going to get it. You’re so close.

God is calling you to a SUMMER OF PURPOSE. Amongst the sleeping in, lounging around, vacations, youth events, and adventuring God is calling you to a SUMMER OF PURPOSE.

What is a summer of purpose? A summer of purpose is where you take about 10 hours a week and commit that time to growing in one area of your faith that you want to grow in. It might be understanding your Bible, prayer, evangelism, mercy—maybe it is believing that God loves you—or rooting your identity in Him.

Or something else—your leaders and peers are going to help you think about this in small group time.

I’m not sure what that area of growth is for you but I am sure that God is calling you to a SUMMER OF PURPOSE.

How do I know? Well one reason is because I’ve prayed about it and because I’m here telling you as a representative of God.

God’s people knowing Him more and more is one of the major themes of teaching through the whole Bible.

The premier message of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is that Jesus is the creator God of the universe who came to Earth to give Himself for us; so that we can live with Him.

It’s the greatest blessing of salvation—relationship with God—not being rescued from Hell.

The premier message of the Bible is not that Jesus is the creator God of the Universe who came to Earth to give Himself for us; so that we can avoid Hell.

That’s a given. God’s people will be where He is and God’s does not dwell in Hell.

What’s my point here—please listen to me—if the most comforting, greatest part of your relationship with God is that you won’t go to Hell YOU ARE MISSING OUT on the relationship that God saved you for.

Centering your relationship with God around an event that you won’t face until the end of your life sets you up to live your life like God is only important at the end.

And for some of you—you are living that way right now—we all live like that sometimes—but God saved us for so much better.

The creator God of the universe saved you so that YOU WOULD KNOW HIM. SO THAT YOU WOULD LIVE WITH HIM. So that you would know His love for you and experience it in your life now.

We get a foretaste here of what eternity will be like—a life lived with God.

Second thing to write down—I can know my God.

Small Faithful Steps

“Jacob, summer isn’t even here yet and now you’re telling me God wants me to do something intentional this summer? Something I’m not even sure how to do? This is too much!”

Is that hitting close to home for anyone?

Okay—everyone take a breath.

Here’s the good news—a SUMMER OF PURPOSE is not a grueling task—it’s not something that you have to white knuckle. And it’s not going to ruin your summer.

Getting to know God and living life with Him happens in small, faithful steps.

Your leaders want to help you identify an area you want to experience some growth in and then over the course of the summer we want to help you grow in that area—whatever it is.

Something I always liked about a new school year starting is seeing how much everyone had changed over the summer. What if at the end of the summer you weren’t just a little taller or had different hair—but what if you also were a little more wise or knowledgeable or faithful or you understood a little better how much you are loved by God? What if you experienced life with God this summer with a bit of intentionality and help from leaders who loved you?

What if your summer wasn’t just a break from school but a SUMMER OF PURPOSE?

Okay, you notice there are three points on your paper and I only told you to write down two.

On the third point write, “This summer, an area I’d like to grow in is ________________________.

We’re about to go to small groups and start thinking about what this could look like. Let me pray.