Due to some schedule constraints, I won’t be posting Filipino translations at this time. Hope you understand friends.

Listen Up Y’all: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Opening Salvo

Who are rebels? What do they do? Can you share your idea of rebels to the group?

Some rebels are suicidal and destructive while others are just silent.

The suicidal rebels. These rebels can sacrifice their very lives for their beliefs. Some people who espouse revolution do this. Some young people are also suicidal rebels, they destroy their lives and their dreams because they are rebelling against their parents and their world.

The silent rebels. These are rebels who are silent and who look successfully outwardly. But inside their minds and their hearts, you will see a different reality. They don’t show it but they are actually rebelling inside their hearts.

There is a different kind of rebel, which we will discover towards the end of our session.

Do you consider yourself as a rebel? Why? How? What are you rebelling against? Teachers, parents, adults in the church? God?

What Was That All About?

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most popular parables shared by Jesus to his students. It shows the relationship of two brothers and their father.

The younger son is a true blooded rebel. He took his inheritance from his father, went off to other lands, hurt his father and abandoned everything he knew. Yet, he experienced hardships, difficulties, bankruptcy and humiliation. Eventually, he went back to his father when he remembered all the good things in his father’s house.

Let’s examine the response of the father to the prodigal son’s return. Did he get angry? Did he drive away the son?

He welcomed the prodigal son with arms wide open. That is what God wants us to do—to return to his will and to his love.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21 shows the transforming power of Christ. He changes us inside out! When you are in Christ, you are a new creation.

You become transformed and then you are called to become a Transformer!

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

How did you display rebellion in your youthful lives? Do you feel like you are a “prodigal child”? How can you return to God?

Roll Out

Watch and analyze the song “Home” by Daughtry by visiting this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzYyBYLc9kQ. Share your reflections about going home to God’s loving arms!

Lyrics of Home by Daughtry

I’m staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I’m going to the place where love
And feeling good don’t ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel’s a different kind of pain.

Well I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,
So I’m going home.
Well I’m going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I’ve not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love remains true.
And I don’t know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,

Be careful what you wish for,
‘Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don’t want.
Be careful what you wish for,
‘Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I’m going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I’m not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don’t regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old,
So I’m going home.
I’m going home.

image credit: http://www.traceymcnee.com

Mighty C. Rasing
Bible Study for January 24, 2010

Listen Up Y’all: Psalm 19

Opening Salvo

Have you ever heard God speak? How did He sound?
What usually goes on in your mind when you read the Bible? Boredom? Sleepiness? Or excitement?

What Was That All About

Psalm 19 speaks of God’s word, the greatness of the world He has created—the sun, the evening sky, the moon and all that we see all around us. God may not speak to us just like our parents. He does not shout at us. But if you open your eyes to the beauty of your surroundings, you will notice God whispering to you, telling you to revel in His creation and in the beauty of this world.

God speaks to us also through other means. We have the Bible as God’s word passed down to us through the generations. What does the Bible contain?

Instructions and decrees. God put forward a number of instructions to guide us in this world. If you read about the lives of the prophets and of Jesus and the apostles, you will see how God moved in their lives and how we can emulate their lives.

Commandments and laws. God also set forth guidelines for living. Some people consider the commandments and laws of God as very strict. For these people, they view God as the “Pulis Pangkalawakan” who is out to punish us for every little thing that we do against his will.

If we obey the word of the Lord, we can find peace and protection:

It revives our soul.
It makes the simple wiser. The bobo becomes intelligent and wise.
We experience joy in our heart. Our hearts beat with happiness.
We gain insight for living. We learn how to show love to God and to those around us.
God’s word keeps us from degenerating to a sinful lifestyle.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

How can you show reverence to God’s word?
Do you have a quiet time? How can you nurture your relationship with the Lord.

Roll Out!
Watch the video of MercyMe’s song “Word of God Speak” and end in worship and prayer. Download MercyMe’s song here.

image credit: J.Star via Flickr