Thursday 6/28/2012 Announcements and Prayer Requests

Hi Everyone,

Here are Thursdays Announcements and Prayer Requests

A big "Thank You" to Frank Delaney for coming out last night to speak at the Youth Group.  Frank's message was well received by everyone.  There was lots of good information and very cool items for a show-and-tell.

Frank spoke about outdoor activities like fishing, hunting, shooting, and just being outside.  We got hear about some of Franks hunting and fishing experiences.  He brought in an animal call machine, a bow, and a spear gun.  Frank also had two full photo albums we looked through, and he brought in some outdoor magazines.  It was a great evening.

My apologies to the Youth Group members that were waiting to hear about my ideas and suggestions.  I am still gathering some additional information on my plans.  I hope to have something to announce next time we meet.

The July Verse of the Month is now on the "Verse of the Month" page.  Go check it out.  One of the Youth Group members will not be quizzed this month for successfully completing the Paper Air Plane challenge at Youth Group last night.  Everyone else, start memorizing.  I'll start quizzing you on July 15, so consider this your warning.

I ask for continued prayers for some of my friends and church family members.  Times are still tough.  Thankfully, the Lord continues to provide.  Prayers are always welcome, though.

As a reminder, there is no Youth Group Meeting next Wednesday.  It's July 4th, so enjoy the day.  The following Wednesday, we may have a surprise guest speaker come in, but if the Guest Speaker can't make it, then we'll still meet and hang out.

That's all for now.

-Michael

Monday 6/25/2012 Announcements

Good Morning Everyone!

It's time for the Monday morning announcements and prayer requests.

Sometime over the weekend, the blog hit the 500 page view mark.  Yay!  Thank you to anyone who checks out the blog.  (In case you are wondering, blogger.com tacks the page views.  I did not install a page counter anywhere on the site.)

Verse of the Month Pop Quiz:  *HH* and *JD* both passed the pop quiz yesterday morning.  Thank you for memorizing the verse.  July is a new month with a new verse.  When I get the new verse, I will post it on the website.

Youth Group Summer Speaker: A big thank you to Pastor Jim as he spoke with the Youth Group on Wednesday.  I have heard only positive reviews, and I am very thankful that Pastor Jim was able to speak on such short notice.  Thank you, Pastor Jim!  This coming Wednesday, Frank is coming to speak.  So, come out to the Youth Group Wednesday night.

General Announcement: Can you believe that this is my 3rd year as one of the Youth Group Leaders?  The time has gone by so quickly.  One of the things that I enjoy about being part of the Youth Group Leadership is that I can help mold the Youth Group into a fun, holy, and God-centered program that can make a positive difference in Youth's lives.  Thanks to the Youth Group Summer Speakers, the time that I would normally devote to lessons, I devoted to brainstorming some ideas to improve the Youth Group.  I'll be presenting some of my ideas to the Youth Group this Wednesday before Frank takes center stage.  


I have a prayer request for some of my friends and church family members.  I'm intentionally keeping this one vague as it's very sensitive.  Please pray for them as they are going through a tough time.  Please pray that God continues to provide for them in their time of need.  Please pray that God grants them wisdom and clarity in all of their decisions.  Please pray that God comforts them and grants them peace during their trials and tribulations.

I have another prayer request for the father of one of our church family members.  He is not doing well, and the Lord may call him home at any time.  I am at a lose for words, so please, pray that the family feels the mighty hand of God working in their lives, and pray that God eases his suffering.

While I was writing the last two prayer requests, a song popped into my head.  It's called "Blessings" by Laura Story.  It's a simple, longing song.  The song is a (poignant) reminder that what we pray for may not be what we truly need.  One verse of the song says "The pains reminds this heart that this is not, that this is not our home."  We should all thank the good Lord that the life that we have is not the end of what we have. This world will fade away, but God's kingdom and glory will last forever.

-Michael

Song of the Moment: "Blessings" by Laura Story  Click Here to Listen to "Blessings" on YouTube

Friday 6/22/2012 Announcements

Hi Everyone!

Happy Friday to everyone!  I am tired today, so I apologize on the tardiness of the Friday post.  Without further ado, here are the Friday announcements and prayer requests.

I hope everyone is staying cool.  It's been a hot past couple of days.  Drink water and wear sunscreen.

This is the last Sunday in June, so take a minute to review June's Verse of the Month.  I'll be quizzing people, so be prepared.

Have you prayed for Pastor Jim today?

That's all I have for now.

-Michael

Wednesday 6/20/2012 Announcements

Good Morning Everyone!

It's time for Wednesday Announcements and Prayer requests.  Youth group members, you can always ask me to post any Announcements and Prayer requests on your behalf.

Tonight Only!  Pastor Jim Hoffecker!  Come one, come all!  Doors open at 6:30PM.  Pastor Jim takes Center Stage at 7:00PM.  Don't miss this opportunity to peer into the professional life of our beloved pastor.  

Tonight is the Kick-Off of the Summer Speaker Youth Group Schedule.  Ron Cochran and I are taking a break from speaking during the summer.  Both of us will return to our speaking schedule starting in September.  So, relax and enjoy the Guest Speakers that we've lined up.  

Congratulations to all of the Youth on surviving another school year!  Yay!  Everyone I've spoken to has been doing well, and I am very happy to hear that.  So, take a minute to congratulate yourselves and get ready for summer.

Youth Group Members, We are going to start doing community outreach activities in July.  I will be asking for your ideas next Wednesday, June 27.  Current ideas are to do yard work for the elderly, do fund raisers to get food for a local food pantry (not food bank), and to do Random Acts of Kindness.  Bring your thinking caps for a quick 10-15 minute brainstorming session, and then be prepared to start doing work for God's kingdom.

We have one last shot at memorizing June's Verse of the Month before July's verse is released.  I am going to start testing all of you on the Verse of the Month starting in July, so be prepared.

Have you prayed for your Pastor today?  Take a minute to thank God for bringing Pastor Jim to Loving Grace Alliance Church, and ask for God's continued blessings and wisdom upon the pastor and his family.

-Michael

Monday Announcements

Hi Everyone!

Some quick announcements and prayer requests.

The Summer Speakers for the Youth Group starts this Wednesday.  The meeting time and location are the same as usual.  I am excited for this change of pace.  Pastor Jim is the opening speaker.  He will be speaking on what a Pastor does Monday through Saturday.  I hope everyone can make it to the meeting.  


Don't forget the make-up homework for those that didn't do last week's homework.  I am warning you now that this is the only redemption assignment.  If you don't do the homework this time, then I'm not reassigning the homework for a third time.  Homework is due June 27th.  

I ask for some prayers of thanks as the Church member who went to Russia is now back home with her newly adopted daughter.  Yay!  The family is now united, and I pray that the transition and adjustment process goes as smoothly as possible.  Thanks to everyone who has been praying.

Please continue to pray for God's will to be done regarding the new building.  I know I am excited for this opportunity.  I pray that God's will be done, even if we are not meant to get the building.  God will provide for us what we need.

We have one more try at getting June's Verse of the Month memorized.  Let's all make a solid effort to memorize this verse.

Kind regards,

Michael

Meeting Notes from 6/13/2012

Hi Everyone,

Sorry about the tardiness of this posting.  It was the longest posting I’ve ever prepared, and I needed more time to get it ready.  The Redemption Homework assignment is after the lesson as well.  

Last Wednesday we learned about the Jesus and the Ten Commandments.  Here are the answers to the homework. 

The Ten Commandments   (Exodus 20: 1-17)

Commandment 1: You shall have no other gods before me.

Commandment 2: You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Commandment 3: You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

Commandment 4: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Commandment 5: Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

Commandment 6: You shall not murder.

Commandment 7: You shall not commit adultery.

Commandment 8: You shall not steal.

Commandment 9: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Commandment 10: You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Here are the answers to the second half of the homework.  Jesus validated 9 out of the 10 Commandments.  He did not specifically verbally validate Commandment 4.  I will explain after the answers. 

Commandment 1:  "You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Mat 4:10). Also,  Mat 22:37, Mk 12:30, and Luke 4:8. 

Commandment 2:  "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). Also, Mat 4:10 and Luke 4:8.

Commandment 3:  "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men" (Mat 12:31). Also, Mat 15:19-20.

Commandment 5: "For God commanded saying, 'Honor your father and your mother' and 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death'" (Mat 15:4). Also, Mat 19:19, Mk 7:10, Mk 10:19, and Luke 18:20.

Commandment 6: "You shall not murder" (Mat 19:18).  Also, Mat 5:21-22, Mat 15:19-20, Mk 7:21,23,  Mk 10:19, and Luke 18:20.

Commandment 7: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery'. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Mat 5:27-28). Also, Mat 5:32, Mat 15:19-20, Mat 19:9, Mat 19:18, Mk 7:21,23, Mk 10:11-12, Mk 10:19, Luke 16:18, and Luke 18:20,  

Commandment 8: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts...thefts...These are the things which defile a man" (Mat 15:19-20). Also, Mat 19:18, Mat 21:13, Mk 7:22-23, Mk 10:19 and Luke 18:20.

Commandment 9: "Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord. But I say to you, do not swear at all" (Mat 5:33-34). Also, Mat 15:19-20, Mat 19:18, Mk 10:19 and Luke 18:20.

Commandment 10: "...covetousness...All these evil things come from within and defile a man" (Mk 7:22-23). Also, Mat 6:25 and Mat 15:19-20.

So that brings us to Commandment 4: Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Jesus does not specifically say those words in affirmation.  This gets tricky because remember, Jesus lead a sinless, perfect life.  He also said “I have kept my Father’s Commandments” (John 15:10).  So how is this possible if he did not validate this commandment? 

I told the Youth Group that night that if they listen to only three words, listen to the next three words: Context, context, context.  (It was pointed out that I said the same word three times, but let’s not dwell on semantics.)  A single Bible verse can be dangerous in the wrong mind. We must always examine the verses before and after the verse in question.  Then we must always examine the complete chapter.  Then we must examine the chapters before and after.  Finally, we must understand who wrote that specific book, and why they wrote it.  At that point, we might have an understanding of that specific verse, if the Lord allows us such wisdom. 

So let’s dive into this verse using context, context, context as our means of examination. 

First off, what Sabbath was God referring to?  Hint: it is not Sunday or Saturday or Friday or really any specific day.  The word “sabbath” means “any special day of prayer or rest.”  (Dictionary.com). The Sabbath day is a day of prayer.  The Sabbath day is a day of rest.  Remember, on the seventh day, God rested. 

As a joke, I told the Youth Group that it is a little known fact that existence actually started on a Tuesday.  (That is an Animaniacs reference for those of you who are into Warner Bros cartoons).  I said that to illustrate that the Bible does not say God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light … and the day turn to night, and that was … Monday!  No!  The Bible says the first day, not Monday.  We don’t know what day of the week the world started.  Christians chose Sunday as our Sabbath.  The Jews hold Saturday as their Sabbath.  So… which one is right?  (That’s a rhetorical question). 

***WARNING!!! BIBLE HISTORY AHEAD!!!***

We’ve established that the Sabbath day is any day of prayer and rest.  Within Exodus 20, we see that Moses received the Ten Commandments from God on Mt Sinai.  The Book of Exodus is called Exodus because this is the book where the Israelites exited Egypt, and are on their way to the Promised Land.  The writer of the Book of Exodus is credited to Moses, though there are some scholars that dispute that.  However, we are going to by-pass that discussion because we have it on good authority that the Ten Commandments were actually written by God directly.  That’s right, for the purposes of the Ten Commandments, God is the author. 

So why would God write the Ten Commandments for us?  They were written for our benefit.  God gave his people ten laws for them to follow.  And God used himself as an example for some of them.  God rested on the seventh day.  God did not need to rest.  Yet, God did.  But I digress.

The Ten Commandments serve as the basis of the Jewish laws and traditions that we see in Jesus’ time on Earth.  By this time, the Ten Commandments have grown to the point where they are not easily all remembered.  Humans, in their infinite need to mess things up, decided that the Ten Commandments were not clear enough, and that a complete set of laws must be developed and adhered to so that the common man can understand what “God really meant.”  (I say that sarcastically.)   

***BIBLE HISTORY LESSON ENDED.  YOU MAY NOW RETURN TO YOUR NORMAL ACTIVITY.***

So, what did Jesus do regarding the Sabbath?  Jesus executed God’s will on the Sabbath.  Jesus challenged the laws where they were in direct conflict of God’s Commandment.  Jesus said, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" (Mat 12:11-12). Jesus also said, “there would be no reason to pray this if the Sabbath was not going to be in existence. "And He said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (Mk 2:27). 

Jesus remembered the Sabbath day, and he kept it holy through actions.  Jesus would challenge the Pharisees and Sadducees, for the Jewish laws in place were a contraction to the fourth commandment.  The laws actually prevented man from doing holy and good things on the Sabbath.  "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?'...And they could not answer Him regarding these things" (Luke 14:3,6). "are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?" (John 7:23).  "The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath...Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?" (Luke 6:5,9).

To further this point, Jesus would teach on the Sabbath.  “this verse tells all who will see which day is the Lord's Day. "And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue" (Mk 6:2). "And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read" (Luke 4:16). "Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths" (Luke 4:31).

So, yes it is true that in the Bible, Jesus did not say “Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy.”  But his actions reflected that.  He upheld all of the commandments, even without giving specific, verbal directions.  We, as Christians, should emulate Jesus Christ to the best of our God-given ability.  So, do not let a day of prayer and rest prevent you from doing good deeds for God’s kingdom. 

Maybe I am splitting words.  I am guilty of that more than I’d like to admit.  I pray that if I have said or written something pleasing to God, then please let people remember and understand God’s word.  And, if I have said something blasphemous or heretical, then let those words be forgotten immediately.  I pray these teachings promote and glorify God’s kingdom, not any earthly kingdom.  Amen.

**HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT**

This is a redemption homework assignment for anyone who did not do the homework, but still wants a marshmallow shooter.  Remember God is merciful, but God is also just.  I want a 10-15 sentence history lesson and interesting facts on the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Here is an example based upon the book of Acts. 

Example: Acts was written by Luke.  It is sometimes referred to as the second Gospel of Luke.  This is the fifth book in the New Testament and the first book after the Gospels.  Acts is called Acts because it records the first acts of Christians after the ascension of Jesus Christ.  Saul is introduced, who then becomes Paul.  Acts gives us a summary of the mission’s trips by Paul around the Mediterranean.  Modern missionaries should constantly reference Acts to help them on their journeys.  Acts is one of the few books in the New Testament not written by Paul.  Acts is also where we see gifts of prophecy, tongues, and healing.  Interestingly, Luke will jump in and out of first person and third person pronouns as he talks about the journeys of Paul. 

Have a good weekend, everyone.  I pray to see everyone in Church on the Christian Sabbath. 

-  Michael

Monday Announcements

Happy Monday Everyone!

A couple quick Monday announcements.  No announcements will be posted tomorrow or Wednesday by yours truly.  

The Youth Group Summer Meeting Schedule is now posted with a list of Guest Speakers!  This Wednesday is the last regular Youth Group Weekly Meeting before we go into the Summer Program.  I'm excited, as we have a great list of Guest Speakers lined up.  There are no changes to the meeting time and location for the Summer Program.  I look forward to seeing everyone.  

Valerie Cromwell posted a short bio about herself.  I added her information to the Youth Group Leaders page for future reference.  Thanks for sharing, Val!

For those who were unable or unknowing, Loving Grace Alliance Church had a Growth Banquet on Saturday night.  It was a blessing to see what God is doing in this church.  I pray that God's Will be done in our church, and that we always remember that the church is people not the facility.  

Also, don't forget the Youth Group Homework, if you haven't completed yet.  

-Michael

Hi everyone. Here is my bio I will try to keep it short. I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic school. While there me and my brothers were taught all the traditions and belief of being a Catholic. I knew God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost. Yes Holy Ghost. By the time I was in high school I had a few questions. No answers. I graduated high school in search of answers. While in college I dabbled in New Age/Magic/witchcraft and still proclaim my belief in God. Well God had his hand on me during this time. He place several Christians students in my path. It was because of them that I found who Jesus really was and not what I though. So on April 14, 1986 I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Since then my walk/journey with God has been a growing one and an adventure. If you have questions please ask me I will try to answer them as best I can.

Thanks
Valarie

Friday Announcements

Hi Everyone!

Some quick announcements and prayer requests.

Don't forget about the Youth Group Homework.  It's due Wednesday June 13.

I merged the Weekly Meeting Info Page and the Calendar of Events Page into one.  Check out the Weekly Meeting Info and Events Schedule Page.  On that page, I posted the summer schedule so everyone can see the Guest Speakers and when they are speaking.  More Guest Speakers will be added soon.

I added the June Verse of the Month to the Verse of the Month page.  Quiz every Sunday, so study up.  This one is short, only 17 words.  I am making a strong effort to learn this month's verse.

Thank you for your prayers for my friend who was in the hospital.  Sadly, she was called up to be with the Lord earlier this week.  My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Continued prayers for one of our church members who went to Russia to pick up her newly adopted daughter. I pray that everything goes well.  While I am writing this, they should be together, and about to spend their first evening together.  :-)

That's all for now.  I hope to see everyone Sunday!

-Michael

Youth Group Game: Marshmallow War

We've been playing a game at the previous two Youth Group parties called "Marshmallow War."  Here are the rules and set up.  I think 4-6 players per team is a good balance.  If you have enough Youth, you might want to increase the number of marshmallows.

Objective: Be the first team to knock over the opposing team's cups using marshmallows

Materials Needed:
(2) Bags of full sized marshmallows
(2) Folding Tables
(2) Folding Chairs
(12) Paper Coffee Cups

Set Up:
Divide the players into two teams.

Set Up Diagram:

Set up the two table about 20' apart, with the chairs in between the tables.  The backs of the chairs should be touching the tables, with the seats of the chairs facing each other.  Stack the cups in a pyramid shape on the seat of the chairs.

Game Play:
Give each team one bag of marshmallows.  They are to throw the marshmallows at the cups or at the opposing team.  The safe area is behind the table.  Anyone hit by a marshmallow while they are standing behind the table is not out.  Anyone hit with a marshmallow while they are between the tables is out of the game for 30 seconds.  

Players are allowed to run in between the tables to get closer to the cups.  Players can get as close as they want to their opponent's cups, but only marshmallows can knock a cup over.  No kicking the chair either.  Players caught illegally knocking over cups are out for 30 seconds, and any cups knocked over are reset.

Players can reset their own cups, but they must be in front of the table while doing so.  No hiding under the table while setting up cups.  No leaning over the table to set up cups either.  The player's body needs to be between the tables.  Any player caught setting up cups illegally is out for 30 seconds, and any cups they set up are knocked over again.

Notes:
The games go by pretty quickly.  Usually a game is over in under 5 minutes, so the 30 seconds of "out" are huge handicaps.  If games go past the 5-minute mark, then I announce "Sudden Death", and any cups knocked over are out, and cannot be set up again.  We also play best of 3-games before we switch up the teams or play a new game.

General Announcements

Hi Everyone!

Just a couple of quick announcements and prayer requests.

I'm happy to announce that the Church family welcomed a new member this past weekend.  A new baby girl was born on Saturday.  I certainly hope that everyone lifts up a quick prayer of Thanksgiving, as we welcome our newest Church Family member.  Births are always a momentous and happy time.  I pray that New Mom is able to get her strength back quickly.  I pray that the baby girl feels the love of God and this church family.  I pray that New Dad is able to get some rest, too.  Please see Pastor Jim or one of the Youth Group Leaders for more information.

The Youth Group is going to continue to meet through the summer.  At one point, we were thinking about taking a summer break, but we've decided to keep going.  We are going to bring in a few guest speakers over the summer, so stay tuned to see who will be speaking and when.

I lift up prayers of Safe Travel to one of our church members as she heads off to Russia to pick up her newly adopted daughter.  It's been a long process, and I know everyone is excited for the family.  The process is just about done, and now it's time to bring her home.  It takes a special kind of family to adopt.  I know I am personally excited and thrilled to have witnessed this process.    

I'm requesting prayers of healing for one of my friends.  She is in the hospital, and not doing too well.  She has some sort of infection.  I am not very skilled at remembering medical specifics, so please bear with me.  She is on a ventilator, though she is (mostly) breathing on her own.  She has been this way for a few weeks now, and I pray she recovers soon.  She's been improving slowly, so I pray she returns to her energetic self soon.  

Lastly, please pray that God's will be done regarding our Church building status.  We are looking at renting/buying a new facility, and there are a lot of hurdles in front of us.  I pray that God's will be done, and that we never forget that the church is the people, not the building.

We must always remember that we are sons and daughters of God, and we are the brothers and sisters of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

-Michael

"We're looking at things totally opposite.  You want to fill in the marshy area.  I want to expand it, and stock it with fish!"
- One of the Church Elders to me regarding the cattails in front of the church building we are looking at renting/buying.    

Notes from 5/30/2012

Hi Everyone,

My apologies for the delay in the post.  Without further ado, here are the notes from Wednesday along with the homework.  (Oh, and I blatantly used notes from House Church for this lesson.  Thanks, Ryan for doing all of my work this week.)

We are in the book of Romans, chapter 4.  The night's discussion was "The Example of Abraham."  We had a quick discussion about Abraham, and who he was, and when he lived, before we went into Romans.  Here are the notes on that section.

Abraham is held in high regard by Jews and Christians.  He is first mentioned in Genesis.  Abraham was the first real patriarch/leader in Genesis.  Abraham lived before Moses, and therefore, he lived before the Ten Commandments.

With that background in mind, we read Romans 4:1-8.  After reading that section, here are the questions I asked the Youth Group.

Q: How was Abraham justified to God?  If Abraham lived before the arrival of the Ten Commandments, how can Abraham be justified?
A: Abraham was not justified by works.  By believing in God and having faith in God's promise to him, Abraham was justified.

Q: What does justification mean?
A: To be blameless, absolved of guilt, in God's eyes

Q: Who did the work in justifying Abraham?
A: God.  It is important to remember that no amount of "Good" works by humans can ever come close to erasing our sins. It is only by faith that we can be saved.  Abraham had faith in God's promise to him, but it was God that did all of the work.

Q: How did Abraham demonstrate his faith? (read Genesis 15: 1-6)(note: at this point, Abraham was still called Abram.)
A: Abraham believed God.  Even though Abraham did not have a son at this point, when God said that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, Abraham still believed.

We had lots of good side discussions based upon these questions.  It is really amazing to see the Youth Group engage with the word like this.

HOMEWORK!!!!!
That's right.  I assigned homework.  This is a little bit of a trivia hunt.  There are multiple parts to this assignment, but it's not all that long.  It took me about 30 minutes to complete it.  Here is homework:

Jesus Christ talks about all Ten Commandments during his ministry.  He validates 9 out of the 10.  Your homework has multiple parts.  First, what are the Ten Commandments?  Second, what commandment does Jesus not validate, and where?  Lastly, where does Jesus validate the remaining nine commandments?

I did receive some questions on this assignment.  For clarification, the Ten Commandments are located in Exodus 20.  Also, I am referring to the four Gospels as the ministry of Jesus.  Lastly, Jesus specifically says the commandment in some form.  For example, if someone asked Jesus if they should not steal, and Jesus said "yes," and nothing else, then that does NOT count.  Keep searching.

I did make a promise that next time I came to Youth Group on June 13, I would have Marshmallow shooters for the Youth Group members that correctly answer the questions.  (One girl is the exception.  She requested $1.00 lip gloss instead).  Good Luck!

-Michael

"Other than the name of a tank, who was Abram?"
-me, asking the Youth Group