Embracing Faith: A Journey of Growth and Community
Summary
### Summary
Today, we reflected on the incredible journey our students experienced during their recent trip, which was filled with moments of spiritual growth and community building. We began by acknowledging the foundational moments many of us had in our faith journeys during high school, encouraging our current students to look around and see the legacy of faith they are part of. The trip was a testament to the support and investment from our church community, which made it possible for so many students to attend, many of whom were on scholarships.
We shared stories of how our students were recognized for their kindness and good behavior, even when no leaders were present. This speaks volumes about the character and upbringing of our youth. The trip was not just about attending a conference but about embodying the teachings of Christ in every interaction, whether with each other or with strangers.
Throughout the week, we explored various themes centered around the concept of rest in Jesus. We started with the idea of pausing to recognize God's presence, moved to understanding our posture in Christ, and then delved into the importance of being present and acknowledging Jesus' presence in our lives. We also discussed our purpose in Christ and how we can discern it through our gifts, holy discontent, and the call to empower others. Finally, we talked about pacing ourselves for a lifelong journey with Christ, emphasizing intentionality, community, and inclusivity.
The week was a powerful reminder that the experiences and lessons learned during such trips are not confined to those moments but can and should be integrated into our daily lives. We encouraged everyone to continue sharing their stories and reflecting on how God has shown up in their lives. The trip culminated in a beautiful moment where several students lit candles, signifying their personal encounters with God and their commitment to walk with Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Power of Community Support: The trip was a success due to the collective effort of our church community. From financial support to prayers, every contribution played a crucial role. This highlights the importance of community in nurturing and supporting the spiritual growth of our youth. [12:44]
2. Living Out Our Faith: Our students were recognized for their kindness and good behavior, even in the absence of leaders. This demonstrates that true faith is lived out in everyday actions and interactions, reflecting the teachings of Christ in all circumstances. [14:44]
3. Themes of Rest in Jesus: Throughout the week, we explored the concept of rest in Jesus through various themes like pausing, posture, presence, purpose, and pace. Each theme provided a deeper understanding of how we can find rest and purpose in our relationship with Christ. [16:40]
4. Discerning Our Purpose: We discussed how to discern our purpose through our gifts, holy discontent, and the call to empower others. This process involves recognizing our unique abilities and how they can meet the world's needs, driven by a righteous desire for betterment. [19:50]
5. Integrating Experiences into Daily Life: The lessons and experiences from the trip are not confined to that week but can be integrated into our daily lives. We encouraged everyone to continue sharing their stories and reflecting on how God has shown up in their lives, making these experiences a part of their ongoing faith journey. [21:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:46] - Acknowledging Foundational Moments
[12:44] - Community Support and Gratitude
[13:45] - Student Ministry Culture
[14:44] - Recognizing Student Kindness
[15:40] - Theme Days Overview
[16:40] - Religion or Relationship
[17:44] - Theme of Pause
[18:50] - Theme of Presence
[19:50] - Theme of Purpose
[20:46] - Theme of Pace
[21:30] - Integrating Experiences into Daily Life
[22:22] - Reflections on the Week
[23:18] - Bonds and Relationships
[24:08] - Jesus is Still on the Throne
[25:07] - Lighting Candles and Personal Encounters
[26:24] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
> "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
2. Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
> "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"
3. Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV)
> "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were some of the foundational moments in faith that were shared during the sermon? [11:46]
2. How did the students demonstrate their faith through their actions during the trip? [14:44]
3. What were the five themes explored during the week, and how did they relate to finding rest in Jesus? [16:40]
4. What were the three ways suggested to discern our purpose in Christ? [19:50]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of rest in Jesus, as discussed in the sermon, compare to the rest described in Matthew 11:28-30? [16:40]
2. In what ways did the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42) illustrate the theme of posture in Christ? [17:44]
3. How can the imagery of Psalm 23:1-4 help us understand the theme of presence discussed during the trip? [18:50]
4. What does it mean to have a "holy discontent," and how can it guide us in discerning our purpose? [19:50]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced significant spiritual growth. How did community support play a role in that experience? [12:44]
2. Think about a recent situation where you had the opportunity to demonstrate kindness and good behavior. How did your faith influence your actions? [14:44]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of pausing to recognize God's presence in your daily routine? What specific steps will you take this week? [17:44]
4. Identify one area in your life where you feel restless or burdened. How can you apply the teachings of rest in Jesus to find peace in that area? [16:40]
5. What unique gifts or abilities do you have that can meet the needs of those around you? How can you use these gifts to serve others this month? [19:50]
6. How can you be more intentional about integrating the lessons and experiences from spiritual retreats or trips into your everyday life? [21:30]
7. Think of a person in your life who might benefit from hearing about your faith journey. How can you share your story with them in a meaningful way this week? [25:07]
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Community Support
The recent trip our students embarked on was a profound testament to the power of community support. It was the collective effort of our church community that made this journey possible, from financial contributions to the prayers that covered every step of the way. This support allowed many students, including those on scholarships, to experience moments of spiritual growth and community building. The trip highlighted the importance of a nurturing and supportive community in fostering the spiritual development of our youth. It is a reminder that we are all part of a larger body, working together to uplift and empower each other in our faith journeys. [12:44]
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (ESV): "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt supported by your church community. How can you extend that same support to someone else in need this week?
Day 2: Living Out Our Faith
Our students were recognized for their kindness and good behavior, even in the absence of leaders. This speaks volumes about the character and upbringing of our youth, demonstrating that true faith is lived out in everyday actions and interactions. It is not just about attending church or participating in religious activities but embodying the teachings of Christ in all circumstances. This recognition serves as a powerful reminder that our faith should be evident in how we treat others, reflecting the love and compassion of Jesus in every interaction. [14:44]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Identify one specific way you can demonstrate Christ-like kindness in your daily interactions this week. How can you make this a consistent habit?
Day 3: Themes of Rest in Jesus
Throughout the week, the students explored the concept of rest in Jesus through various themes such as pausing, posture, presence, purpose, and pace. Each theme provided a deeper understanding of how we can find rest and purpose in our relationship with Christ. Pausing to recognize God's presence, understanding our posture in Christ, being present in the moment, discerning our purpose, and pacing ourselves for a lifelong journey with Jesus were all integral parts of this exploration. These themes remind us that rest in Jesus is not just about physical rest but a holistic approach to living in His presence and purpose. [16:40]
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: Reflect on your current pace of life. Are you allowing yourself to rest in Jesus? What changes can you make to ensure you are living in His presence and purpose?
Day 4: Discerning Our Purpose
Discerning our purpose in Christ involves recognizing our unique gifts, understanding our holy discontent, and responding to the call to empower others. This process is about identifying the abilities God has given us and how they can be used to meet the world's needs. It also involves a righteous desire for betterment, driven by a sense of holy discontent with the status quo. By empowering others, we fulfill our purpose and contribute to the growth of God's kingdom. This journey of discernment is ongoing and requires intentional reflection and action. [19:50]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What unique gifts has God given you? How can you use these gifts to address a need in your community and empower others?
Day 5: Integrating Experiences into Daily Life
The lessons and experiences from the trip are not confined to that week but can be integrated into our daily lives. It is essential to continue sharing our stories and reflecting on how God has shown up in our lives, making these experiences a part of our ongoing faith journey. By doing so, we keep the flame of our spiritual encounters alive and allow them to shape our daily actions and decisions. This integration helps us to live out our faith authentically and consistently, drawing strength and inspiration from our past experiences with God. [21:30]
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (ESV): "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."
Reflection: Think of a significant spiritual experience you have had. How can you integrate the lessons from that experience into your daily life starting today?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "Our kind of challenge for the week was to not let our worship experience stay within the realm of music and feelings and emotions, but to let our posture of worship go beyond in how we treated others. How we interacted with people of different cultures and contexts that unite, how we treated each other within our group and engaged and held confidentiality and cared for each other in small groups, and even how we treated ourselves." [15:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Are we coming to these experiences just to check a box, just to feel good, catch a feeling? Is this an opportunity for us to feel better about a past mistake or to throw another feather on our cap? Are we in this call to rest, that theme at Unite? Do we recognize it's a call to Jesus himself and that we are called to know the shepherd's voice and to walk with him?" [16:40] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I can rest because Jesus has everything that I need. We looked at the story of Mary and Martha. And recognize that there's warning lights for each of us, whether it's worry or doubt or anxiousness or bitterness, that we need to pay attention to those things of how we get distracted and become restless so that we're not just like a water bottle going through the motions of once having poured out water, now being emptied and just being an empty vessel." [17:44] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Are we only ever looking at the storm? Are we looking at the one who's resting in the boat? And as we look to that, we see the rest of the character of Christ throughout scripture. Are we recognizing that he's not there to punish, but he's there to take the weight and burdens of our lives and say, follow me home." [18:50] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If the devil can't make us bad, he can make us busy. So we got to be intentional with it. We got to commit to our community in all ways and be there for each other. And that everyone, the E is everyone is involved in that. If we're all made in the image of God, we're all deserving of this love and forgiveness, mercy and redemption." [20:46] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "We are very, very privileged and grateful to be a part of this student ministry culture that's been going on for several decades, of a church, to be able to share with these people that we cross paths with. At the back home, we have a church that supports us financially, through prayers, that we have more students on this trip that are under scholarship than any of the previous four trips, of a church that values our students and provides a place for them to be themselves, but also a place for them to play and sing and teach and speak and read and participate in the service and the ministry of the church." [12:44] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We have small group leaders and cooks that commit to your students year after year, not just fill in a gap, but they walk with them for four years. As a student said, that is so significant. And you families that prioritize us in your students' lives, so significant. To be able to share of your investment in this as well. And our students as well. There's a reason why we had them share. They are special too." [13:45] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I can rest because Jesus is with me. In the morning, they talked about holding two things true at the same time, embracing the nuance that we can be in a dark valley and the Lord is my shepherd, that we can acknowledge our dark valleys, but even when we don't feel it, as Kaylin said earlier, we can acknowledge God's presence with us." [18:50] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We drank from the fire hose. And there were seminars throughout the week as well. But all this was kind of synthesized and processed as we camped that final weekend. Having time in small groups to affirm the gifts and the character traits that we saw in each other and having an opportunity, much like our students did this morning, to share what God had done in our lives this week." [20:46] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "My encouragement to you all is to continue, you students, continue sharing your stories. Adults, to reflect on your own. Remind yourselves of how God has shown up in your life. But also share them with the folks around you. Share them with the students who may have just experienced something very similar to you. It is... It is a gift to do these things." [25:07] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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