Passing on the Baton - Rev. Blake Jones

Judges 2:10

In a relay race the most important part is when the Baton is passed from one runner to the other. We're living in the passing zone. We are in the process of passing to our family frineds and another generation of really knowing Jesus. Not just knowing about Him, but really knowing Him. It's knowing his power, his presence, his peace.

I. Link to the Past

When I know Jesus Christ, that intimacy is my connection with those that have run behind me. If you have Godly parents that have handed you the baton, don't pass it up.

II. Link to Present Reality

No amount of preaching can ever substitute for knowing God. What is really real is knowing God. It's lasting, it's eternal, it's the only thing that matters. My grip on present reality is my grip on knowing God.

III. Link to Present Victory.

It doesn't know who the runnner beats, he has to have the baton in his hand. In this world having Jesus Christ is our hope for victory. You've been given the baton of Spirituality. Grasp it, then pass it onto somebody else.

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Q. How important is it that we have a good relationship with God to be able to pass on the baton?

A. You cannot pass on anything you don't have. You have to know Jesus if you want to pass the baton to others

Q. What exactly do you do when you have to deal with those kind of setbacks form adults who are supposed to encourage you, but are putting doubts in your mind?

A. If the input that you are getting is negative, remember that God is using every one of us. Do your best to be polite and respectful.

Q. What are some tips that I could use in passing on the baton.

A. One of the best ways is to be sweet when things are tough. Do your part of the work well and cheerfully.

NEW Accountability Evaluation Form

Click on the "Leadership/Group Materials" Link and then click on "Powerline - Accountability Evaluation Form"

This will allow you to access the new form we are going to be using for our accountability.

Love and Relationships - President Michael Avery

It's not just the physical when we talk about love and relationships. Because we're made in the image of God, all of us are made for intimacy.

I. A relationship begins by finding someone with whom we have some common ground.

II. Our relationship deepens and we start sharing life together. We can only do this by developing trust with this person. Trust is the fundamental that enables us to have a relationship.

III. A relationship requires being vulnerable with that person, and sharing details of your life.

IV. It goes deeper when you can share conflict with that person.

V. Finally, you begin to do things for the other person's good. You naturally want to build them up. Once you are doing all these things, it moves onto love.

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Q. IF you feel you've got the right one, and they feel the same, do you still need to ask God for guidance?

A. You need to have been asking God for guidance up until this point. Sometimes we can't trust our emotions when we're young, so we might need to ask our parents. You could ask someone with spiritual authority over you, or, someone that knows the other individual well. If all three converge along with your personal feelings, it's a pretty good indicator.

Q. Why do teens now days feel it's so necessary to be in a relationship?

A. 1 Our culture. It makes everyone feel second class if you are not dating all the time. 2 Insecurity. People feel like if they have to have a significant other to make them complete. If we have to have somebody outside of ourselves to be complete, then we are not truly complete. Until you learn to be happy within yourself, there's no person that can bring you happiness. 3 A lot of teenagers feel empty, and try to fill that emptiness with others.

Q. How necessary do you think it is for a 16 year old guy to be in a relationship?

A. I don't think it is necessary. You can have so many fulfilling relationships with your friends. Sometimes starting a relationship out so young it deprives you of being a blessing to a larger group of people.

Q. What would be some must have building blocks to a relationship?

1. Trust. If you don't have trust then you won't really have a relationship at all.

Q. I feel like I need a deep relationship with God before I start dating, but people I'm around are all dating. Because I don't do that, I'm shunned by the opposite sex and friends around me. What would be a good answer for them when they treat me like that?

A. The bottom line for friendship is common ground. You need to find friends who are on common ground with you. Surely there's someone out there with common interest, especially with our modern world of technology. Don't run away from relationships.

Having a Biblical Education - Tim Makcen

ABC's of why you should have a Biblical Education

A. Atmosphere - The atmosphere at a secular college will probably be pretty anti God, and the faculty can have a lot of negative peer pressure. At a Bible college, however, you will have friends to give you positive peer pressure, and the faculty will want you to succeed as a person.

B. Biblical Training - Matthew 28:19 Therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Are we able to take things from the Bible and teach them to others? Can we give a logical argument for Christianity? Do you know why you believe what you believe what you believe? These are all things you will learn at a Bible college, and are very important in defending your faith.

If you want to learn about the Bible you need to learn from people who know what they're talking about.

Christian things are:

I. Biblical

II. Logical

III. Comprehensive

C. Christian World View - Your world view is your basic perspective. At Bible college you get a solid Christian world view.

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Q. Why should we come to Bible college even if we are going to be working in the secular world?

A. If you're working as an engineer, nurse, etc., you need a Biblical education even more. You'll need to know how to answer co-workers when they ask you tough questions. Also, you will be in bad environments, and will need a solid foundation.

Q. What would be the difference between someone with a Biblical education and someone without?

A. If you don't have a Biblical education it doesn't mean you're a bad person, but most of us average people need it.

Q. If we aren't planning on going into full time ministry how long should we go to Bible college?

A. Even if you're not a preacher, the great commission still applies to you. The longer you're there the more you'll learn. Two years is a good amount.

We had a great call last week with Rev. Darren Formen on keeping a clear conscience. Sorry there's no notes but you can listen to the call by clinking on the playback link. :)