Archive for Youth & Kids

Planting Seeds – Day 39 of 75 Days

// August 3rd, 2011 // No Comments » // 217church, 75 Days, Youth & Kids

Scripture Read:  Psalm 77, 78    (Watch the weekend message “Generations” here)

Key Verse:  Psalm 78:4

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might, and the wonders that he has done...”

Observation:

Asaph had written Psalm 78 to put emphasis on telling the generations of the works of God. It’s a great overview of God’s faithfulness to His people. He knows how important it is to tell the coming generations about the deeds of the Lord & all the 1st steps taken up until the coming of Jesus.  Without the books handed down from generation to generation, so much would have gotten lost and I probably wouldn’t be writing.

Application:

I can remember sitting in my grandfather’s presence listening to his stories over & over again throughout my 25 years with him. I remember the stories of, “When I went to school, I had to walk 5 miles, uphill… both ways, in 10 ft of snow,” and when he served in the war, when bread was a nickel & how he had to share a bedroom with his 8 brothers & sisters.  He was on mission to tell me his story every chance he had so that someone would remember his life & the world as it once was. On the other hand, I had a grandfather in my 20 years who never shared his past because of various reasons, but now, his legacy is lost…

Asaph understands the importance of pouring into our generations with the word of God. If we carry the attitude, that I once had, of ‘youth today are full of issues, they’re ungrateful, spoiled, etc,’ we will loose the importance of generational teaching by becoming selfish & hypocritical. I’ve learned that I do not know everything. It took 23 years, but at the ripe old age of 27 :-) , I have learned I do not know everything, but the knowledge I do possess should be poured into the boys & girls who are not as fortunate as I was & did not have the luxury of being taught simple things like: who Jesus is, how to read the Bible, self respect, having a work ethic & respecting your elders.

It’s all about the younger generation because when you are gone, they will still be here. And as long as the return of Jesus has not yet happened, everyone deserves to know who He is so that they may be saved as well.  Heaven does not have a maximum occupancy.  It’s time to put down our judgments and teach those who we may feel are un-teachable.  After all, we are called to plant the seed and plant the seed only.

Prayer:

Thank you Lord for keeping your people strong and for keeping your words alive throughout the generations!  I feel blessed to be in a country where we can speak of You freely, teach about You freely & praise You immensely! I pray for those who do not know you; may someone on your path plant the seed inside their heart so that they may know your Word. I pray for those who have a hard time relating to the youth today & know it’s only their job to teach your words & not their own. Bring wisdom to those working with our youth & I pray that a new generation of Christ followers will rise up and bring glory to You! I pray for bold prayers to be prayed so that we may take those that do not know you & show them your mercy, grace & love. Thank you for showing us who You are and for loving us enough to save us…Amen.

By Sandy 217staff team

Generations – Day 36 of 75 Days

// August 1st, 2011 // 1 Comment » // 217church, 75 Days, Family, Youth & Kids

This weekend was an amazing experience at 217church!  Our 217youth and 217kids are incredible and we will value them and train them in the ways of Christ.  I love watching them exceed all expectations!  They are the leaders and the church of TODAY!  Let’s encourage them and love them so they become greater than us!

Scripture Read:  Psalm 71, 72

Key Verse:  Psalm 71:17-18

“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

Observation:

All else is lost to David until he proclaims God to the next generation!  David is drawing on the faithfulness of God throughout all generations highlighting the eternity of God and his limitless bounds.  For David he is intentional about making sure the next generation hears of a God who has might and power to protect be the refuge and strength of his nation.  David realizes it is his job to pass the baton and entrust his knowledge and faith to the generation that comes after him.

Application:

My children are more important to me than anything on the face of the earth.  As I prayed for them last night, I pondered their amazing value to God and the tremendous responsibility that I carry.  That responsibility is to teach them to trust in Jesus and his forgiveness of sins for their very lives.  My role is to show them value and to train them up in the ways of Jesus that they may teach their children.  We find these generational responsibilities in other places like Psalm 78:1-8 and 2 Timothy 2:2.  Paul trains Timothy and expects him to entrust the message of Jesus to faithful men who will entrust the message to other faithful men.  That is 4 generations of Christ followers we are responsible to see in just one verse!  Each one of us needs to be pouring into the next generation of Christ followers.  I can’t wait to see how God uses the young people of 217church today and tomorrow!  They are the leaders of today.  Value them and train them.

Prayer:

Lord I pray each of us would take seriously the mission and responsibility of nurturing and raising up Christ followers to the 4th generation!

By Josh 217staff team
P.S.  See you at 217kids camp on Tuesday!