What Do You Remember?

Tonight at large group there will be time to share experiences from this semester; places you've seen God show up, ways you have been transformed, crazy things you've done.  I don't know about you guys, but this semester has been so fast for me.  So it's nice to have time to reflect about how we've changed and what we appreciate about this year.  So look through these pictures and thing about things you've loved about this year.  It's great on a personal level so you can thank God for everything he's blessed you with. But it would also be great to hear these stories at large group tonight.  See you soon!

Are You Going to Invite?

"'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
'After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.'"  Acts 4 : 29 - 30 

What Do You Want to Share With Everyone?

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, ‘Look at us!’ So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

"Then Peter said, ‘Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.” Acts 3 : 1 - 10

Do You Wanna Come Along?

"In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.  He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: 'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
"So when they met together, they asked him, 'Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?'
"He said to them: 'It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'
"After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
"They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.  'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'"  Acts 1 : 1 - 11

What does it look like to run?

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12 : 1 - 3 

What Is Your Testimony?

Tonight we were blessed with the opportunity to hear stories of how Jesus is present in our lives.  We got to listen as fellow students stood up and talked about the prayers God has answered in their lives, the moments where he has showed up and changed lives, and share the ways he has provided abundantly.  It was a huge encouragement to me and I am very thankful for everyone that had the courage to stand up and share.  This excitement to share has provided me with the opportunity to share a post that I've wanted to put up here for a couple of weeks.  Last year God kinda rocked my world and prayer meeting was a place he met me constantly, so this post is about how my life was changed and hopefully it will inspire you to share your stories!

What Is A Joyful Invitation?

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.'" Luke 14 : 23

What Does It Look Like to Live the Gospel?

"This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this!'" Mark 2 : 12 b 

Thirsty?

Bonus post!!  I don't know if you guys have heard about the proxe station that InterVarsity's Evangelism Team is putting on but it's going to be amazing.  Terrifying (at least I think so), but really amazing! Will wrote a little bit about below about why you should take part in this opportunity!

What Does It Mean to be a Jesus Follower at Mines?

"Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, 'Go south to the road - the desert road - that goes down to Jerusalem to Gaza.' So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians.  This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isiah the prophet.  The Spirit told Philip, 'Go to that chariot and stay near it.'

"Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. 'Do you understand what you are reading?' Philip asked

"'How can I,' he said, 'unless someone explains it to me?' So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

"The eunuch was reading this passage of Scripture:

'He was lead like a sheep to the slaughter, 

and as a lamb before the shearer is silent,

so he did not open his mouth.

In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.

Who can speak of his descendants?

For his life was taken from the earth.

"The eunuch asked Philip, 'Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?' Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water.  Why shouldn't I be baptized?'  And he gave orders to stop the chariot.  Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.  Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea."  Acts 8 : 26 - 40 

What is InterVarsity?

"The next day John was there again with two of his disciples.  When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God.'

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.  Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?'

They said, 'Rabbi' (which means Teacher), 'where are you staying?'

'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.'

So they went and saw where he was staying and spent the day with him.  It was about the tenth hour.
Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.  The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said 'You are Simon son of John.  You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter). 
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.  Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'
Philip, like Andrew and Peter was from the town of Bethsaida.  Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote - Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.'
'Nazareth!  Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked.
'Come and see,' said Philip.
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.'
'How do you know me?' Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.'
Then Nathanael declared 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.'
Jesus said, 'You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.  You shall see greater things than that.' He then added, 'I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"  John 1 : 35 - 51 

What does it mean to be a Jesus follower?

"'Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life' ... The woman said, 'I know that Messiah' (called Christ) ' is coming.  When he comes, he will explain everything to us.'  Then Jesus declared, 'I who speak to you am he.'"  John 4 : 13 - 14 , 25 - 26

Is there a God?

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."  2 Timothy 1 : 7 

Application: Amazement

"When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."  Matthew 7 : 28 - 29 

God Answers

God Answers is happening again tonight and I am so excited for it!  Last year, God Answers completely exceeded my expectations.  So many people came, so many questions were asked, and conversations were started.  I can't wait to see what is in store this year. Tom wrote a bit about what he thinks of God Answers and why you should all be there with a friend!  

Application: Change

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7 : 24 - 27 

Application: Health

"'Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

'Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!''"

Application: Risks

Large Group was mixed up a little bit this week.  The older kids were able to learn about finances and practical Christian applications with their money.  The cool kids had the opportunity to manuscript study Matthew 25 : 14 - 30, the parable of the talents.   That's what I will be talking about.  If you weren't able to study this passage on Tuesday night, you should read through it and then join in on the conversation.  

Application: Pursuit

"'Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.'"  Matthew 7 : 13 - 14 

Application: Desire

"'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

'Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.'"  Matthew 7 : 7 - 12 

Wintervarsity and Spring Break Trip

This weekend we will be embarking on Wintervarsity, and then the Spring Break Trip.  Wintervarsity made a huge impact in my life, and I saw it change the lives of others.  I haven't had the opportunity to go on the Spring Break Trip, but I have only heard amazing things.  I know that giving up spring break is a huge sacrifice, but I would encourage you to dream about how your life can change if you do give up your time.  Below are some experiences people have shared.  Add things you remember!!

Application: Worship

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."  Romans 12 : 1 

Application: Judgement

"'Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.'" Matthew 7 : 1 - 5 

Application: Worry

"'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

' And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.'"  Matthew 6 : 25 - 34

Application: Treasures

"'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

'The eye is the lamp of the body.  If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!  

'No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money.'"  Matthew 6 : 19 - 24 

Application: Fasting

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."  Matthew 6 : 16 - 18

Application: Prayer

"This, then, is how you should pray:

"'Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name, 
your kingdom come, 
your will be done on earth 
as it is in heaven.'" Matthew 6 : 9 - 10

The Countdown Shuffle

You guys really got into the crazy clothing for large group and it was amazing to see!!  Here are some pictures to remember.  And at the end, the video!

Application: Finances

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6 : 2 - 4

Radical Vision

"Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6 : 1