Do No Harm
It's Your Move
Work Zone and High Way
Chicken Noodle dinner is next Sunday, please sign up for at least 1 of the 2 prep days.
Which Way Are We Moving
Work Zone & High Way
Begin with a large group
Through Love be Servants of One Another.
Read: Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another.
Say:In fairy tales, love is fresh and exciting. It's soft and beautiful. It overcomes obstacles. True love always wins.
The most powerful love story of all time isn't a fairy tale; it isn't a story line of the latest carefree sex TV show. It's a true story. It's a harsh and shocking and often ugly true story. This story's central theme is not beauty and romance, but sacrifice.
Cultural notions of love tend toward the make-believe variety, where everything works out perfectly skipping the harm and pain that comes from easy track love. Biblical love doesn't wait for perfection. It's a love that doesn't wait at all. It loves before love is returned, before love is earned, before love is even sought. It loves without condition. And not only does this love complete you, it sacrifices for you. It found perfect expression through Jesus giving his own life for our sake. That is the kind of love God has for us. And it's the kind of love we can have for God and others.
Tonight we're going to examine the difference between human notions of love and God's loving nature. We're going to examine loving in such a way as to do no harm and we'll be trying to help you understand that though human love has ups and downs, God's love doesn't and won't-ever.
Break into Journey Groups
Moving In
Work Zone
How We Know What Love Is
Needed: Note cards, pens, Silly Quiz
Stay in a large Work Zone group. Distribute pens and note cards.
Say: Do you know how much God loves you? Take this silly quiz privately to find out. Just mark your answers on your card. There are only 4 questions.
Give the quiz.
Silly Quiz
We Know What Love Is
1. Which of the following best describes how you came to life?
A. stork
B. I'm a Chia-Kid
C. computer-generated animation
D. God made me
2. Jesus reaches out only to:
A. people with red hair
B. Moses
C. people who make fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy for him
D. anyone who encounters him, regardless of whether he or she likes popcorn with or without butter
3. I see the great talents I have as:
A. a bad reaction to eating too much peanut butter
B. forced on me by a secret government plot
C. a result of an alien abduction
D. a miraculous gift from God to me
4. God knows the exact number of hairs on my head because:
A. he's a former barber
B. he has a very good calculator
C. counting grass blades is boring
D. he knows everything about me
Say: Tally up the points based on how you answered the questions. Give yourself one point for each A, two points for each B, three points for each C answer, and four points for each D.
Give students a moment to calculate.
Say: If you received twelve to sixteen points, you know that God loves you! You are a seeker of knowledge, and you easily share God's love with others in more ways than one.
If you received seven to eleven points, well, you've got a lot to learn, but you're anxious to understand how God uses you.
If you received four to six points, don't be discouraged. God loves everyone, even storytellers!
Moving In
High Way
Blind Kisses
Needed: blindfolds, two sets of numbers 1-15, one quarter, 2 washable markers. Use Fellowship Hall
Before the actual activity, have numbers in two different containers, one for boys and one for girls. Then have genders draw from their respective container and write his or her number on the back of the hand. This game is set up so that not all will play. Line the boys up in order on one side of the room and the girls on the other. It will be easier to see if someone is cheating. Be sensitive to those that are extremely shy and really don't want to do it.
Say: We're going to call out a number. If there's a match the couple will come to the front and demonstrate the ancient art of kissing by lightly touching noses together. However, to make it interesting, one of the partners in each pair will be blindfolded. We'll flip a coin to see who that will be. The lucky couple starts two feet apart, then the blindfolded person moves forward slowly and tries to touch his or her nose to the tip of his or her partner's nose. The partner who is not blindfolded must not talk and cannot move (except in the case of height) or assist the blindfolded partner. If you're having difficulty, the partner who is not blindfolded may growl or make some other peculiar noise to guide your partner.
Afterward, have everyone gather together in the library.
Read: 1 John 4:20 If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
ASK:
* What type of love comes out of non-committed relationships?
* What type of love exists besides the one that exists between romantic partners?
* How many types of love are there?
* What was it like to try to "love" someone you couldn't see?
* What was it like to try to "love" someone you could see?
* What encourages you to love God, whom you haven't seen?
Moving On
Work Zone
Just Desserts
Needed: pens, snacks/prizes, task list, Matthew 20:1-16 scripture
Have at least twenty tasks, enough to last 15 minutes. Make one copy of the list for each person.
Say: Each of you will have the same list and a pen. You'll have a few minutes to work through the list. There will be rewards at the end of the game. When you perform a task, you'll need to get a witness to initial your list, verifying that the task was actually completed.
Have youth start their tasks. When a few people have finished or time is getting short, declare that time is up.
Do these in order. For each task listed below, have a witness initial next to it. You must have three different witnesses before you can use the same witness again.
1. Find a partner and sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" together.
2. Move three chairs from one side of the room to the other side.
3. Stand on one foot, and call out the names of the last four U.S. presidents.
4. Take one shoe off and carry it under your arm for the next 3 tasks.
5. Find a partner and play 3 rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissor.
6. Find a partner and recite the ABC's alternating each letter.
7. Sit in a chair and invite a friend to sit on your lap.
8. Stand on one foot with your arms straight out at your side (like a T) and slowly touch the tip of your nose with each index finger.
9. Do 5 jumping jacks
10. Do 5 sit ups
11. Do 5 push ups (not on your knees).
12. Get a drink of water and gargle your full name.
13. Bunny hop around the circle at mid court.
14. Go "one high" table sledding on a food tray three times.
15. Find a partner and wheel barrel at least 6 steps.
16. Recite your first 4 period teachers for Mondays.
17. Say: A box of biscuits, a box of biscuit mix, a biscuit mixer - three time in a row.
18. Find a line on the floor and walk backwards right on it for at least 10 steps
19. Hold a folded chair over your head for at least 20 seconds.
20. Pick one of your favorite previous tasks and do it again.
Reassemble everyone into two small groups.
ASK:
* Who got the most tasks accomplished?
(Then, without comment, give everyone the same treat.)
* How does it make you feel when everyone receives the same treat?
READ: Matthew 20:1-16
"For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.' But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'So the last will be first, and the first last."
ASK:
* What do you think is the meaning of this parable?
* What does this parable say to you about God's love?
* How does it make you feel to serve a God who is so loving?
* How can we let others know that God loves them in this manner?
Moving On
High Way
Chocolate
Needed: markers, 4 pieces of poster board
Set the fish on a table in the library for later. Form four mixed-gender groups and give each group a marker and a poster-board piece with one of the following phrases written at the top: Losing Virginity, Making Love, Messing Around, Having Sex.
SAY: When it comes to sexual purity, there's a problem: What does it mean, exactly? Teenagers who refuse to have intercourse until their wedding nights may not view oral sex as blemishing their purity. Is sexual purity something you do, something you don't do, or something you think about? Yes. It is all three. Jesus connected thoughts with actions in Matthew 5:27-28 : "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Teenagers who draw a line and say purity is on one side and not on the other are missing the point: Sexual purity isn't primarily a matter of self-discipline or self-denial. It's embracing a life-changing relationship with God that brings healthy, whole thinking to every relationship-sexual ones included.
Sexual purity isn't simply not having sex with one's girlfriend or boyfriend. Rather, it's having a Christ-inspired, God-pleasing relationship with that person.
Instruct the groups to brainstorm and list words or phrases that describe our culture's perspective on their topic, using the following questions as sparks: How is it depicted in movies and on TV? How would your peers at school describe it? What's the typical age of the people involved? What's the setting? What emotions are involved? What's the commitment level?
After a few minutes&ldots;
Say: Flip your posters over and do the same thing, but this time brainstorm from the perspective of the church.
When students finish,
ASK:
* In general, what messages do you get from Christian adults, pastors, parents, videos, magazines, radio shows, or music on your topic?
* Can you explain both sides of your group's poster? ( Give each group a turn)
* When it comes to sexual issues, what's wrong and what's right about the culture's perspective? about the church's perspective?
* How do you determine what's right and wrong?
* Why is there so much disagreement between the culture's perspective on sex and the church's perspective on it?
Moving Up
Work Zone (2 small groups)
Quotations
These quotes can help start a discussion on love. Share these quotations with teenagers and ask them to discuss their reactions:
- "Immature love says: 'I love you because I need you.' Mature love says: 'I need you because I love you.'"-Erich Fromm
- "Love means never having to say you're sorry."-Erich Segal
- "'God is Love,' we are taught as children to believe. But when we first begin to get some inkling of how He loves us, we are repelled; it seems so cold, indeed, not love at all as we understand the word."-W. H. Auden
- "Comfortless was my religion, anxiety of the anxieties, for I believed God was not love, but courage. Love came only as a reward."-Norman Mailer
- "Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."-Franklin P. Jones
Moving Up
High Way
Fish Out of Water
Needed: fishbowl and fish, small fishnet, Song of Songs
Ask for three volunteers to describe God's perspective on sex. Then read the scriptures from the Song of Songs sheet.
Song of Songs
Sgs 1:2 O that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth! For your love is better than wine,
Sgs 1:3 your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is oil poured out; therefore the maidens love you.
Sgs 1:4 Draw me after you, let us make haste. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.
Sgs 1:14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Enge'di.
Sgs 1:15 Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.
Sgs 2:6 O that his left hand were under my head, and that his right hand embraced me!
Sgs 2:16 My beloved is mine and I am his, he pastures his flock among the lilies.
Sgs 5:16 His speech is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.
Sgs 8:6 Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is cruel as the grave&ldots;
ASK:
* What surprised you about these scriptures? Why?
* How would you finish this sentence: "God created sex to be _____?"
* What are the differences between the Bible's perspective on sex and the culture's?
* What role does God want sexuality to play in our lives? Is it a positive thing? a negative thing? both? Explain.
Say: God created this fish for a particular environment-water. It can breathe, it can swim, and it looks beautiful. What will happen to the fish if I take it out of the water? (Use the fishnet to briefly hold the fish out of the water for the teenagers to see.) The fish can live for a short time out of the water, but it's out of its element. It can't breathe, it can't swim, and eventually it will die. In the wrong environment, the fish can't thrive.
ASK:
* How would you describe the environment God created for sex to thrive in?
* What makes it thrive in that setting?
Say: When sex is taken out of the environment God created it for-a committed relationship-it can become twisted, painful, and destructive. Like the fish out of water, casual sex often doesn't have an immediate negative impact-but it's only a matter of time.
Moving Out
Work Zone
Love Shuffle (Combine WZ groups)
How to Play: The group pairs off and forms two circles, one inside the other, with one partner in each circle. The outer circle travels clockwise while the inner goes counter-clockwise. The leader randomly calls out a combination of body parts - i.e. hand to toe; elbow to nose; head to stomach. Partners must place their parts together as quickly as possible. The last couple to "shuffle" is out and must say, "The last will be first, and the first last" then do #19 on the "Just Desert" list. The next out repeats the quote and does #18 and so on.
Moving Out
High Way
Waiting for Sex
Needed: several yummy snacks and one gross snack, tainted water(opened and white vinegar added), fresh water bottles for everyone.
Bring out a tray of yummy snacks with one gross one included and invite the youth to take one.
ASK:
* What are some strategies that will help you stay away from casual sex, (such as "Don't hang out in a bedroom")?
* No one chose the gross snack I put out on the table-what strategies did you use to avoid eating it?
Say: It probably wasn't very hard for most of you to avoid eating the gross snack because it didn't appeal to you. It's easy to say no to "bad" things like a lame movie or a gross pizza topping. But saying no to sexual temptation isn't like that. Often it feels like saying no to a good thing, and that's much, much harder.
Let's all toast to purity. (Pass around the bottles of vinegar-ized water and drink together.) "To Purity"! (Wait for reactions.) This water looks clear, but the taste isn't quite what it should be.
ASK:
* How is bitter water similar to the way casual sex can affect what God intended for marriage?
Pass around fresh bottles of water.
Come back together in The Family Life Center
Closing
Work Zone & High Way
The Leader Closes: Gather in a circle.
Sum up the lesson
Say: The title of this lesson was "Do No Harm". It doesn't say that exact quote anywhere in the Bible. It's a way of thinking that promotes God's love. It's the way we treat each other Christians and non-Christians alike. It's the way we respect His word and try to let it guide our lives. It's one of "Three Simple Rules" West Heights will be studying over the next few weeks.
Close In Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we want to see things in our own way, we want to make our own rules and we know that the truth is hard to see. Help us to fully understand Your word. Help us to understand our own way leads us to your true message. Give us strength to see through our own selfish desires and bless us in your service. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
UMYF Benediction
Gather these for the Lesson: Note cards, pens, 25 Silly Quizzes, 2 blindfolds, two sets of numbers 1-15, one quarter, 2 washable markers, snacks/prizes, task list, Matthew 20:1-16 scripture, markers, 4 pieces of poster board, fishbowl and fish, small fishnet, Song of Songs, several yummy snacks and one gross snack tray, tainted water (opened and white vinegar added), fresh water bottles for everyone
