Youth Blog

Everyday we have choices to make, the choice to speak to someone, the choice to hang out with a certain kind of person, the choice of what we watch, but sometimes we make bad decisions with those choices. If you had the choice of helping someone in financial need or buying a Nintendo wii (ultimate gaming experience) most people would pick the wii, because it’s awesome, but also because as humans, we all have selfish desires. We all make bad decisions from time to time (if you don’t, let me know because I would love to know your secret).

‘The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature, will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the spirit, from the spirit will reap eternal life.’ Galatians 6:8

Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians and he was trying to say that even though it’s our nature to make sinful decisions we must change and make spirit focused decisions. As Christians we need to be reflecting Christ in our lives, which includes decisions that we make. I remember in college I made a decision to use my phone in class which was against the rules, and the teacher (who was an atheist) made an example of me to the entire class. Then he went a step further and said “YOU CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN!” That made me think about what I did, and if my actions in that class were representing Christ in the right way.

I want to challenge you all this week to not only make good choices, but make choices that are outwards focused, to stand out from the crowd and honour god. “Do you dare to be different?”

Hi guys

I hope you have a great half term. What you all up to? Over the next five weeks (after half term) we are going to continue looking at the theme ‘Walking with God.’ This is going to be a personal look at our relationship with God and how we are all called to walk with Him each day.

On Sunday 28th we will be looking at ‘Living in the light.’ If you’ve got time take a look at Ephesians 5:6-17 in preparation - its really quite challenging. Have you ever been to a place where it has been completely dark, where you can’t see a thing, not even your hand in front of face - and no matter how long you’ve waited your eyes just won’t adjust? Then all of a sudden someone turns a torch on or lights a match, then all of a sudden you can see where you are and what you are doing.

Paul in this reading describes those who don’t know Jesus as those who are in the dark - they don’t know what they are doing because they cannot see. So those of us who are in the “light” can shine the light into the dark places not just expose the darkness but also be a guide. This is a massive challenge for us all. And it encourages us to think about our own lives and how we are trying to ‘shine our lights.’ I know there are some situations where I’ve actually found it easier to reflect the darkness instead of the light just so I could fit in. What About you guys?

It’s not always easy but God promises to be with us always. And His light is better than the world’s darkness. (John 16:33)

God bless you and have a great week

James

For the last few weeks on Sunday evenings we have been thinking about friendship and praying for friends. We have also talked about how to build up and encourage one another. I believe that friendship is one of the most important things in the world. When I was younger close friendship was something that I lacked in my life, and I missed this very much. I would see people take advantage of their friends and treat them badly and so I thought that this was the way to have a friendship. Obviously I was wrong! The question I have for you to think about and discuss this week is “do we take our friends for granted and do we take advantage of them?”