it was chinese nite for dinner

Series: Relationships: The Good, The Bad, and Me (Hosea 1:2)
This week we began a new series on relationships. We spent some time looking at what the Bible says about our relationship with God, and we looked at some insights on dating relationships from Scripture, too.
The Big Idea:  To see the power of God’s unconditional love, and  our tendency to stray from God.  In big group we read through portions of the Old Testament book of Hosea. Hosea was a prophet who delivered a lesson to Israel about God’s radical, crazy, passionate love-a preview of the intense love Jesus has for us. Lots of heads turned and eyes perked up as we  read about how God asked Hosea to marry a prostitute, and even after she left Hosea for another man, God instructed the prophet to return and love her again.
We watched this amazing video before heading to small groups that really helped to get the discussion going.

We used this story to discuss the intimate and unique way that God loves us and God’s desire to be more than just a master or ruler in our lives. Hosea 2:16 tells us, “When that day comes,” says the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’” We also talked about our tendency to stray from God’s love, and we examined how not to stray-and how to respond when we do stray.

If you’re a parent or a student we’d encourage you to think more about the story of Hosea and Gomer and what this story means to your life, especially when thinking about God’s passionate, radical love. Here are some questions you could use to get the conversation going (and don’t forget to share some your own responses right here on the blog in the comments):

• When did you most recently not “feel” like following God? What caused that feeling? How do you handle days like that?
• What’s the difference between conditional love and unconditional love?
• How long do you think most people can go without sinning? Why?

funfactor

home from snow camp.  the temperature worked for us, and the snow was a little scarce but still 19 students (8 from evo and 11 from 3 other churches around Ohio a great weekend.) hung out at our favorite adventure spot phoc.

the theme for our time together was “community“.  Students were challenged to think about 3 friends who they need to invite into God’s Story by inviting them to youth group and other connecting events. The teaching over the weekend looked at the account of the paralytic and his 4 friends in Mark 2. Thinking about how much those 4 friends went through to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus. We also looked at the account of Ananias & Barnabas reaching out to Saul who becomes Paul, and Peter when he joins Paul in helping the church at Galatia.  The big idea for the weekend was…

think faces…our three friends who need to know about Jesus
think dates…those events/opportunities to share and invite others to experience Jesus
think the CROSS…its all because of what Jesus did for us that calls us into action.

Offered the examples of other teens who are changing the world by literally raising millions of dollars and awareness for global issues:   Our pal Austin Gutwein is impacting on the conversation about HIV-AIDS

and Zach Hunter is a modern day abolitionist who is working against the global issue of slavery.

This year worship was led by a cool and talented Malone graduate Mike Coates. Mike currently lives in Nashville. Mike brought lots of energy and passion as we sang. he’s got some amazing talent. he’s got some cool viral videos on youtube.

outside adventure is always part of snow camp.  like the past couple of years a short roadtrip to snowtrails for snow tubing is a highlight.  Back at camp some time on the zip line wrapped up a full day.  At night a modified version of sardines and charades was a great ending to a really full day.

here’s the wrap up video.

What You Need to Know About Grace from Fuller Youth Institute on Vimeo.

Come Together Now – Music City Unites For Haiti from Provident Label Group on Vimeo.

ht aaron grosch

no need for the full armor

no need to gaze in His face

no need to rely on Him

no need other than our need

we can stand on our own two legs ……… in the miry muck

and as we are trapped in the world, in our old flesh, in the
attacks, He pursues and pursues and pursues, His knuckles worn from
knocking

will i relent or will i stay in control control of WHAT?