Nocturnal

Parents!

I am so excited about our High School Winter Retreat to the mountains of North Georgia. This year, 45 of us are making the trip, and it is going to be a great chance for us to continue to connect as a community of believers. This weekend is about taking some time to cultivate the vital relationship we have with Jesus by looking into His Word. Jesus calls His people to follow Him, to live differently, and then to help other people follow Him. The theme this weekend is: NOCTURNAL - we want to be awake (alert, aware, ready) while the world around us sleeps (misses opportunities, deceived, lazy). It may seem dark now, but the Day is coming! We have 6 sessions of Bible Study planned to help us dive into these ideas. We will be leaving Friday, Feb 15 @ 3pm. Please eat something before you arrive; we’ll eat a light dinner in Helen once we get settled. We will provide all meals on trip but you may want to bring some money for snacks or souvenirs if we go into town. We will be back on Monday, Feb 18 @ 3pm. The cost is $75 and can be paid the day we leave. Please bring the attached Permission Form with you Friday as well. The responsible adult chaperones and teachers for this trip are me, Rodney Eslinger, Craig Tognarina, Jonathan Murphree, Anne Marie Andrey, and Lisa Meyer. We will be staying at cabins in Helen, GA. Guys and girls will be sleeping in separate headquarters. Here’s what we’ll be expecting from our students while we’re http://gone...these guidelines will help us as we strive to create and maintain an atmosphere that glorifies God by honoring Christ with our group witness. Maybe have a chat about these as a family before you send your kids my way! • Our youth will participate and contribute • They will show respect to all adults • They will respect the personal property of others • They will not possess or use controlled substances • We don’t want to be immature, impure, or negative Here is a quick ‘what-to-bring’ list: • Clothes: we will be both indoors and outdoors so be prepared as it could be cold. Make sure you have shoes for hiking. The cabins also have hot tubs so you may want a swim suit. • Personal Hygiene Items: shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste. • Life Items: Bible, notebook, pen, guitars, music, ocarinas, Eno, etc (but don’t bring inappropriate things that will get you hunted down by The Law). • Bring some of your own snacks if you are picky or are a bottomless pit of hunger. • Bring a towel and pillow just in case. I’m really looking forward to a great trip! Call me if you have any questions.

Schedule

Friday Arrive: 6p Dinner: 7p Session 1: 8p Roll out: 10p Saturday Be at the cabin: 10a Session 2: 10:30a Lunch: 12p Hiking: 12:30p Dinner: 6p Session 3: 7p Roll out: 9p Sun Be at the cabin: 10a Breakfast: 10:30a Session 4: 11p Lunch: 12:30p Helen/Golf: 1p Dinner: 6p Session 5: 7p Roll out: 9p Monday Clean / Pack: 8:30a Be at the cabin: 10a Session 6: 10:30a Lunch: 11:30a Load up / Roll out: 12:30p

the Day

Craig

Review: -being ready for Battle - know the Word 2 Kings 6:17 the servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots to see and trust the promises of God -we aren’t alone in the battle and we must understand the spiritual nature of the battle Romans 12:2 - be renewed James 4:8 - no more sleepwalking, tolerating sin and laziness in our lives -equipped to be sent out -the Spirit helps us in our weakness Proverbs 25:2 - search it out! Perseverance -the ability to not give up - comes from Hope -Christian hope is more than a worldly “wish” - it is confidence in the promises of God - not a wish but a knowledge that He will do what he has said -perseverance is needed in the battle - not when things are easy / we fight the good fight -encouraging others to persevere is part of our Christian responsibility -prayer shows where our trust is, involves the Lord in the details of our lives 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 We are of the day: because we have been united by faith to Jesus who is the light references the armor of God (see session 2) we are destined for life, not wrath - there is a day coming when salvation will be fully known part of the ministry of the body of Christ to think of others and encourage them in the truth 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 encouraging the Corinthian church to persevere as they are renewed day by day - with eyes fixed on Jesus Romans 13:11-14 these verses are pure power the armor of light! Dawn breakers he is using us and ministering through us as we wait for the Day to fully come salvation nearer - the reward of the presence of God fully known 1 Corinthians 13:12 - then I will be fully known Hebrews 13:14 - seek the lasting city Further up, further in / there is more of Him to know

Serve

Jonathan

you a have been a witness of God’s glory called to share what we have witnessed to others Luke 10:29-37 look at the 2 guys before the Samaritan have you ever turned a sense off? staring, not smelling a normal smell your ability to sit and stare at a wall in our heart Do we miss out on opportunities to serve people what contributes to our ability to shut out the spiritual opportunities? environment - who we are surrounding ourselves with sin and temptations laziness lack of practice just too busy fear / afraid to be a different kind of person a basic need for growth and spiritual maturity James 1:22-27 religious people sometimes walk on by because they hear the word but they don’t do it Why would we serve? our response to his serving us to identify with Jesus serving comes from a humble heart James 2:1-7 favoritism: what determines the way we value others? make it it’s for more than what they do for us; the danger of serving with an agenda or to from poor motives

Witness

Rodney

Witness, then witness experience something and then share something Jesus wants us to witness His glory and then witness about his glory Luke 19:10 Zaccheus saw the glory of God as being more valuable then his money John 20:21 As the father is sending me, so I am sending you 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 default: blinded to the glory of God the creator who made light now enlightens the blind to see the glory of God -in the face (beauty, character, person) of Jesus John 1:5 the Lord overcomes darkness - this is what the light of the world does “shine bright” the light we shine is a reflection of the glory of God John 4:7-35 she’s got man-issues, shes there in the middle of the day to avoid people, Jesus goes out of this way to meet her she comes to see the glory of God, runs to the people she was running away from, and runs to them to tell them about Jesus the disciples are like “why would you talk to her?” -miss the opportunity to minister/care/encourage -do you not see what is going on? Jesus knew the response to glory is to share glory and he knew this was his purpose - to do the will of the Father to finish his work! -but the distractions are so prevalent -the temptations are overwhelming -callous to the needs of people around us (the need for a savior, the need to be loved) Vs 35 / lift up your eyes! God will provide opportunities to witness - the fields are prepared and you are invited in to join the Father in his work of changing lives and advancing the kingdom the Holy Spirit can help us - we prepare and trust Him to bring fruit; Luke 12:11-12

Walk in Light

Lisa

Walk in Light - not darkness Ephesians 2:1-5 we used to do these things: in rebellion, darkness, under control but now, you have been made alive John 8:12 Jesus sets himself apart as Light and calls us to follow Him Ephesians 5:11-17 Paul is equipping children of the Light the only thing you have control over is our own obedience; discover what is wise and what is foolish 1.have nothing to do... we have to know what is fruitless seek wisdom and find! wisdom 2.expose...contrasted with the light 3.don’t even speak of http://it...if there is shame, it’s probably cuz it’s dirty “guilty pleasure” noooo, don’t you know that we should be different and not fill our minds with garbage Romans 16:19 “wise about what is good, innocent regarding evil” we cannot love God wholeheartedly if we have lesser gods occupying the throne of our heart no “me time” in the life of a Christian - we have made our lives about what Christ is about Wake Up! Paul was so excited about what was happening in Ephesus and yet saw in them the potential to sleepwalk through it maybe we end up making foolish choices for a while but in a heart where God reigns, repentance comes quickly the Holy Spirit: “this is not God’s best for you” the accuser: “you just mess things up” conviction vs accusation Wisdom - received through God’s Word not really a word the world uses a lot but it gives us the ability to discern (the ability to make sound judgments) we are not judgmental but we are discerning make the most of every opportunity: the best is yet to come and blessing lies ahead - the days are evil and yet it doesnt have to control us John 8:42-47 these people aren’t teachable - they are deceived and content with being deceived to the point where they can’t even hear God we can’t hear from God if we don’t belong to Him Eph 5:18-20 filled with joy about the greatness of God and what he’s done so that it overflows into our conversations

Battle

Anne Marie

What is the battle? Who is against us? 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 walk in the flesh - the physical but our war isn’t physical - it is spiritual but we have someone to help us in the battle the enemy wants you to be rebellious Revelation 12:7-17 waging war how is the enemy defeated? the blood of the lamb and a testimony of Jesus Ephesians 2: Genesis 3:13 deceptive, accuser, make you feel bad about yourself - the battles are part of a bigger war - the war is won; the battles change based on circumstances and what’s happening in our lives How does he “get us”? Do not be ignorant of the enemy and his schemes and traps - wake up! 1 Peter 5:8 be watchful, be alert not obvious unless we are alert when we advance the kingdom by serving - we can expect attacks to come makes us smarter, wiser, we fight differently as we learn how to battle spiritually any battle has an outward expression but it’s really a war that isn’t physical we aren’t creating anything new and evil - it has been around since Genesis - but the evil grows as it festers the enemy can’t have your soul but he can have your mind and keep you from being effective as a believer **we create a playground in our minds for the enemy - we must be sober minded **we don’t rely on our own resources to defeat him - he has experience going back to the garden - he is an experienced warrior - he knows how to get you - he is stronger than you but you have the indwelling power of the Lord he is an accuser but he has been conquered William Bridge - “he will tell us a hundred true things to get you to listen to the 101st which is the lie by which he traps us” Romans 8:1 no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus Accusation vs Conviction 2 different outcomes, 2 different purposes this is a foothold for the enemy - don’t allow him to condemn you but grow up and move on Romans 8:37 but we are more than conquerors - in Jesus who loves you even in the small areas - he’ll take the win and start somewhere and take you further than you intended The Armor of God more than the kid version Ephesians 6:10-20 Shield of Faith **their shields were the size of a door protects like a wall when United put their shields together not an individual defense - united as believers opportunity to protect each other can we be for one another and recognize our responsibility for one another - exercising faith, belief that God has something more/better for us faith - refusing to believe the lies don’t get lost in the metaphor Belt of Truth: used to uphold the consistency and integrity of the Word -is what we uphold changing because of convenience and political correctness -“the OT doesn’t apply”, it is still important -we don’t make scripture fit our agenda Breastplate of Righteousness -the righteousness Christ provides is irrevocable -you have been made righteous Shoes of the Gospel of Peace -secure foothold, help you stand secure, some of you slip and fall and aren’t practiced in resisting the Devil be http://ready...how can we be ready to help someone if we’re unprepared **panic and guilt can overwhelm us - when we know have confidence in our own salvation we will be able to help others find their place in God’s kingdom 2 Timothy 4:2-4 preach the Word, be ready Helmet of Salvation -there is a starting point, minds settled on the hope of salvation, not wavering, look to the things the Lord has done for you and know he will do it again Sword of the Spirit offense - Jesus used the Word when tempted and we should to - we need to have prepared for the battle - Psalm 119:11 Prayer we recall the Word in prayer - always praying / recognizing the involvement and presence of the Lord - a lifestyle of communication / dialogue with God do we have a spot for Jesus where we just have to talk to him demonstrating a reliance - actively submitting our mind, thoughts to Him Watch and pray in the battle

Wide Awake

Marc

This weekend is about Seeing - eyes open while everyone else is asleep Not fooled into thinking that this is all there http://is...there is a reality to our lives that not everyone experiences the complete world is understood when our 6th sense is awakened - when we see what others cannot see - physical + spiritual How Do We Know God? 1 We Have to See Matthew 13:11-17 “blessed are your eyes, for they see...” what is there to see? go back to the beginning God creator sin chosen Redeemer Gal 3:13-14 how was it that their spiritual eyes were opened? Faith See it again in Paul’s testimony: Acts 26:18 Paul - spiritual eyes closed until he met Jesus he was a law breaker (Eph 1:18) Are your eyes open? Conversion / Born Again / New Life / Made Alive A question everyone must deal with... What do I do with the invitation? if you aren’t sure now, you won’t be sure tomorrow - deal with it today! Many people say Yes, and have a testimony as a witness of the power of God John 5:24 - moved from death to life How Do We Know God? 2 We Identify with Him - this is my new life! Life of obedience - that’s what the rest of this weekend will be about We don’t always use our new ability to see Obedience begin with baptism baptism isn’t necessary for salvation but it is necessary for Christian growth and maturity why? it is given to us as a next step (I didn’t make it up, Jesus did, he thinks it’s important) It is important Matthew 28:19 1 people follow Jesus 2 people are baptized 3 people begin to learn what following means •Identifying with the Death and Life of Jesus •encouragement to the Church •it sets you in the right direction •it is all about Jesus •my life will be one of obedience 3 We walk with Him restored Relationship with the creator what was broken in the garden is fixed No more hiding - but rather intimacy with God Made possible in Jesus Cultivated through the Word It’s time “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” CS Lewis Are you settling for less than the fullness that God has planned for you? There is an invitation to everyone of us - to taste and see that the Lord is good! Come in! Stop fooling about with things that will leave you empty Hebrews 12:1-2 now is the time to evaluate what is holding us back from godliness - must be a personal pursuit as we take personal responsibility for our futures The Anchor lines (family, friends, familiarity, fun) that hold you to faith and keep you involved with a body of believers are going to be cut (sooner for some of you than others = Graduates) What happens then? Is your relationship with Jesus enough for you? What kind of college student will you be? what kind of young adult will you be? What kind of parent will you be? What kind of old dude will you be? The choices you make today affect the kind of person you will be in the future So set your eyes on Jesus Colossians 3:1-4 Climb the mountain Taste the drink Open your spiritual eyes, fill them with the goodness of The Lord Small Group Questions: 1 What does darkness look like in today’s world? What “mud pies” have you fooled about with? (referencing the CS Lewis quote) (maybe...selfishness, self-promotion, worry, laziness, wasting time, normalization of sexuality immorality, negativity, http://discontentment...its more subtle and tricky than just like “murder” or “drugs”) 2 When did you come to know the Lord? (see if some of the students would share their testimony, be ready to share some of yours) 3 What have you been learning about the Lord lately? What aspects of God’s character or presence in your life are you seeing more clearly? (referencing the 6th sense of seeing spiritual realities and growth in the knowledge of God) 4 What have you had to change recently that is now helping you see the goodness of the Lord (referencing Hebrews 12) 5 What next step in following Jesus do you need to take as someone who has chosen to Identify with Him? http://(maybe...make some changes? add some discipline? start new habits? strengthen some friendships) 6 What are some of your favorite passages of Scripture? (have some ready)