1. Take a moment and list all the things that are important in your life. Now place a number beside each according to its priority (1 being the highest).
Colossians 2 talks about standing firm in your faith and not being swayed by those who believe differently than those found in the bible. Take some time to talk to god before you begin. Links to two versions of this chapter are linked below.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. - Colossians 2:6-7
After reading, think about these questions. Copy and paste the questions into the comments section if you want to share your answers with the group! Remember not to use names! Also, remember that there are no wrong answers :)
1. Why do you believe in God and the Bible?
2. Where do you think the strength of your faith comes from?
3. What would you do if the person you trust most concerning God's word, such as a pastor or parent, suddenly told you that their faith was not true. Would you still believe as strongly?
4. What are the four things Paul warns the Colossians about in verses 4, 8, 16, and 18?
5. Are the four warnings relevant today to Christians? What are some examples?
Remember, if you have questions you can post them and we will talk about them too! :)
Before you begin, take some time to talk with God. Ask him to open your heart and mind to what he has to teach you as you read.
Paul states that the reason he wrote to the Colossians was out of great concern for their spiritual health. In the first chapter, he claims that he had not stopped praying on their behalf.
Chapter 1 is a bit long, so plan to have 30 minutes for this study.
Memory Verse: Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because ofyour evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - Colossians 1: 21-22 (NIV)
After reading, think about these questions. Copy and paste the questions into the comments section if you want to share your answers with the group! Remember not to use names! Also, remember that there are no wrong answers :)
1. Think about the people that you care about. Have you ever needed to help any one of these people? If so, how did you do it?
2. In the situations above, was prayer involved in the way that you helped? Explain.
3. What does it mean to be concerned with another person?
4. Why is God or Jesus Christ represented by light and evil or Satan represented by darkness? How are these symbols helpful to our understanding and an accurate representation of the truth? If you have more questions about things that don't make sense, you can post them too! We can try to discover the answers together!
I wanted to share some background info for you about Colossians before we jump in to reading this week. The info below comes from my bible :) You may have information in yours too! You can also do a google search for "background info Colossians" if you want to know even more!
Why read this book? - Some people have been surprised to discover something new about a friend they thought they knew well. That's one of the exciting things about a relationship with Christ: There's no limit to the things we can learn about him. Reading Colossians is one way we can discover a few more things about Jesus and learn how we can honor him.
Who wrote this book and to whom was it written? - While under house arrest in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote to believers in the small city of Colosse, located in the southwest interior of what is now Turkey.
When was it written? About AD 60 to 60, during the time Paul awaited trial on an appeal to the Roman emperor Nero.
What to look for i n Colossians: - The supremacy of Christ and what that measn for our everyday lives. Look for insights that show specific ways we can develop attitudes and actions to honor the lord.
Look for discussion questions for Chapter 1 tomorrow! :)
Ok ladies, I spent some time at the Christian book store today and lots of time looking online, and I have a couple ideas for a study. I want to do one that is written for girls your age so that the content is more appropriate and readable. I have a few choices below...check them out and see what you think. The links will give you access to look at the table of contents and excerpts from the book so that you can see what they are all about!
You can reply by leaving a comment and let me know what one you would prefer, or if there is one you really DON'T want to read. You and your parents would be responsible for purchasing the book and would need to have it by our first meeting in June.
I will decide and make us a schedule after hearing some input! :)
1.Head-to-Soul Makeover Participant's Guide: Helping Teen Girls Become Real in a Fake World
None of us will ever feel confident that we have ALL the answers when it comes to Christianity. As we continue to learn and grow, it is important that our lack of knowledge not limit our ability to share our love for God with others.
This website has more answers to questions than I have ever seen!
Remember though, no website, no matter how awesome, can take the place of prayer. Often prayer will lead us to the right decision...if we are brave enough to make it! But for those tricky questions, sometimes it is good to seek the wisdom of others. This site seems to be an awesome resource for that!
Don't forget, you can always talk to your leaders and your parents if you need help! :)
Hey girls :) Check out this video (awesome!) and read the lyrics(even awesomer!).
So true! If only all girls BELIEVED this!! Comment below and let me know what you think! :)
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight
Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are [Chorus]
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you
Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead
Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are
[chorus]
So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
[chorus]
Hey girls! These are 3 of my favorite songs to listen to when I do my quiet time. God has always used music to "talk" to me, and these songs always make my heart happy! You can add them to a youtube playlist of your own, or download them on itunes! Or, you can just click on each one to listen from the blog post :)
Hey girls! What an awesome service we had this week! It was so wonderful to hear you all ask such good questions! That's what small group is all about! :)
Since we missed most of the scripture from our actual lesson this week, I thought I would post some of the verses so you could check them out. With each one, read it to yourself, and then take some time and think about the questions that come after. The links will take you to Bible Gateway. You can change the translation by clicking on the drop-down box. The Message is the "translation" that will be easiest to understand! You can read that after the NIV version if that will help you understand!
Feel free to post a response as a comment below!
1. Psalm 119:105 (That means chapter 119, verse 105)
- What does this verse mean when it calls God's word a light for our path?
Once you have read those, you can try this "practice" quiet time!
1. Read Romans 8:1-17
2. Summarize - You can write it down or summarize in your head: What is God saying to us here?
3. Appy - How can you use what he is teaching you in your daily life?
Having a daily quiet time with God is just like playing sports, doing well in school, or playing an instrument well. It takes practice and a plan!
Would you enter the olympics if you had never played the sport? Will you pass Algebra if you have never been to a class?
How about this. Would your best friend still talk to you if you didn't see or talk to her for a month? A year?
God WANTS to spend time with you every day! But fortunately, God is perfect and forgives all of our shortcomings. So even if you have never had a quiet time before (or if you miss one...or two...or ten) he isn't mad! He will welcome you back every time and meet you where you are!
The more time we spend one on one with God, the more we will discover who he created us to be and how to go about becoming that person! How exciting is that!
So, we know why...but what about how? It's not like we can call him on the phone to chat...right?
Fortunately God is everywhere! We just have to be quiet and still enough to listen and hear Him.
So, pick a spot, any spot. Somewhere quiet, where nobody will disturb you for at least 15 minutes. Make a sign that says "This is God's time...come back later" for your door if you have to.
All you really NEED for a quiet time is yourself. If you have nothing else, just be still and talk to God. Don't forget to stop sometimes just to listen. Sometimes we miss what God has to say because we are so busy talking!
If you have a bit more time, take your bible, your devo card if you have one, a journal if you want to write down your prayers to God, some sticky notes or paper (in case you need to write down any questions) and a pen. You may want to bring chapstick, tissues, and a snack with you too :) I like to keep all of these things together in a pretty basket in my "spot". That way I won't be tempted to get up until I am done. DO NOT bring your cell phone. You will be okay without it for 15 minutes. Put it in another room if you have to. I promise you will survive ;)
Start by praying. I like to do this in my journal. I talk to God just like a friend. I tell him what I am grateful for. I thank him for being in my life and for loving me no matter what. I confess if I need to ask for forgiveness. I ask him questions about things I don't understand. Your devo card will have specific things you can pray about every day, but mostly it should just come from your heart.
Then, spend some time reading your bible. Your devo card will have a chapter for you to read, or you can just open up and read a chapter from somewhere. If you need suggestions for what to read let us know! We are happy to guide you in the right direction. That's what your leaders are here for!
Then, ask yourself what you think about what you just read. Again, your devo card has some questions to think about. If you don't have your devo card, just spend some time thinking or writing about what you read. What do you think God was trying to teach us when he put this section in the bible? This could be God's way of showing something to you! :)
Then, pray again! Thank God for anything that became clearer to you. Ask him to help you apply what you have learned in your life that day or the next. Again, there are examples on your devo card, but you can talk to him like a friend who loves and cares about you, because that is who He is! Don't forget that you can ask for things you desire...he loves to hear from you! Just remember, things will work out according to his plan. Just because you don't get what you want doesn't mean he wasn't listening! :)
And don't forget how important it is to memorize bible verses, especially those that are relevant to what you are going through! God will bring those verses back into your mind when you need them the most (He does this! I promise!) but he can only do that if you know them!
Hope will recommend some each week on the devo card, but you may find some others too! Underline them! Write them on a sticky note and put them on your bathroom mirror! You will memorize them before you know it!
This weekend the VeggieTales story I mentioned was based on Daniel 3, which is about 3 guys who knew they were only supposed to worship God, and their King wanted them to worship a giant idol (in the VeggieTales version, it is a giant chocolate bunny!)
You should check this story out! (It is a lot longer than Daniel 6...you may want to watch the veggie tales version first to help you understand!)
This is a 6 minute version of the story. Some parts are cut out, but it gives you the general idea :)
Don't forget to read the real story!
You can look it up in your bible, or click on the links below! :)
