CHRIST IS
THE ANSWER FAMILY CHURCH (CITAFC) YOUTH MINISTRY RETREAT
Saturday, 11
April 2015
Venue: Marian
Retreat House, Verdun, St. John
Retreat
Theme: "Striving Youth"
Bible Text: Daniel, Chapters 1-3
Topic: Equip to be used by God? Why would He use
me?
Time:
9:00am-10:30am
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Presenter’s
revision of topic: "Equip(ped) to be used by God!?!? Why would He use me?"
Daniel: "God [el] is my judge." Name changed to Belteshazzar: "Bel, protect his life." Bel, also called Marduk, is the chief Babylonian god.
Hananiah: "the LORD shows grace." Name changed to Shadrach: "under the command of Aku (the moon god).
Mishael: "who is like God?" Name changed to Meshach: "who is like Aku (the moon god).
Azariah: "the LORD helps." Name changed to Abednego: "servant of Nego/Nabu (god of learning and writing).
1.
Being/Becoming equipped (for service)
2.
Used by God (as a servant in His Kingdom)
Why would God use me? Why wouldn’t He?
Specifics of Presentation:
A.
Biblical reference to Dan.1-3
B.
Case study — character profile of Apostle Thomas,
aka "Doubting Thomas"
C.
Being equipped with spiritual gifts
D.
Conclusion: Daniel’s prayer of repentance and
consecration
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A. Biblical reference to Dan.1-3: What’s in a name?
Aspiring to
high office: The life of Daniel
- Chief civil servant/governor (Dan.2:48-49)
- President during the reign of Darius (Dan.6:1-3)
- Appointments and struggles occurred under the monarchies of Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus.
Notable Citations:
- Joseph — from prisoner to Prime Minister/Governor (Gen.41:39-46)
- Esther — Queen (from Jewish exile to queen) — Esther 2:10,15,17 & 4:12-14
- Samuel — Future Prophet of Israel (mentored by Eli to obediently discern the voice of God and explore the role of a prophet while still a young boy — 1 Sam. 3:15–18)
- David — from forgotten shepherd boy (1 Sam.16:10-13) to armour-bearer and royal musician (vs. 21-23) to king (2 Sam.2:5-7 & 5:3-5)
THEME & PRAYER POINTS: Interceding for Fairview's Youth
- Youth Ministry (NYI)
- Sunday School (NDI)
- Audio Visual Technicians
- Worship Ministries (musicians and singers)
- Youth helpers
2) That our youth will grow in the faith of God, acknowledging Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour:
- Listening for God's call to embrace him via his WORD
- Publicly declaring and demonstrating their faith in Christ at home, in their community, school, and work.
- May God help them as well as us, the older church members, to grow together in the Fruit of the Spirit —
- Fervent supporters in prayer, in giving of our time and physical resources
- Making room for our youth to 'shine' for Jesus within our church by helping them to develop their spiritual gifts —
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B. Case study of Apostle Thomas:
BIBLE PASSAGES:
❶ JOHN
11: 7-8 & 16:
7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go
back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the
Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to
the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
❷ JOHN
14: 3, 5-6 & 8:
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will
come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4
You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t
know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus
answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father
as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip
said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”
❸ JOHN
20: 19 & 24-29:
19 On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish
leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 24
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus),
one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So
the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them,
“Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails
were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week
later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my
hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him,
“My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen
me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed.”
❹ JOHN
21: 1-5:
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his
disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon
Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus),
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples
were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and
they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but
that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood
on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
❺ ACTS 1:
12-14:
12 Then the apostles
returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s
walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the
room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew;
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and
Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14
They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary
the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Little is recorded of St.
Thomas the Apostle; nevertheless thanks to the fourth Gospel his
personality is clearer to us than that of some others of the Twelve. His name
occurs in all the lists of the Synoptists (Matthew
10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6, cf. Acts 1:13), but in St. John he plays a
distinctive part. First, when Jesus announced His intention of returning to
Judea to visit Lazarus, "Thomas," said to his fellow disciples:
"Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). Again, it
was St. Thomas who during the
discourse before the Last Supper raised an objection: "Lord, we don’t know
where you are going, so how can we know the way?" (John 14:5). But more
especially St. Thomas is remembered
for his incredulity (disbelief) when the other Apostles announced Christ's
Resurrection to him: "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my
finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe"
(John 20:25); but eight days later he made his act of faith, drawing down the
rebuke of Jesus: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
Thomas, one of
the twelve disciples is believed to be the twin brother of Matthew. He was
first called Jude the son of James and grandson of Alpheus. Some texts have
stated that Thomas is the twin of
James not Matthew, so little is truly known about Thomas. Didymus in the
Greek means twin. Thomas was given
the nickname “doubting Thomas”
because he was continually looking at the worst in all things. No matter what
it was Thomas was able to find
something wrong. After the death of Lazarus Jesus said He was going to Bethany.
Since Bethany was so very close to Jerusalem it was thought that the religious
leaders might find Him and kill Him. Thomas
shows a very rare character for him by standing to the aide of Jesus and saying
that the others should go with Jesus and be by His side.
Although Thomas was truly a doubter once he was given the
facts and shown what it was he was asked to do his loyalty and dedication was
unsurpassed by any. Once Thomas
believed in something you could not persuade him differently. Thomas felt they would all die by
following Jesus to Bethany but he insisted they all go to stand by the side of
the one they loved and followed. It is believed that Thomas preached in Persia, Parthia and also in India. Thomas was the one that helped build a
palace in India and credited with the founding of Christianity in that country.
Thomas is believed to be buried at
Edessa and to have been killed with a spear. The spear and a builder’s
square are the symbols of Thomas.
As to the works of Thomas
it seems his only writing was the Gospel
of Thomas. This is a Gnostic Gospel and is not considered to be inspired by
the majority of theological leaders. This book of the Gospel is said to be
entirely made up of the sayings of Jesus from a very early age onward. The
words of Christ as a child, teen, and into young adulthood are said to be in
this book and told as Thomas remembers them.
A personal note: Do we have “doubting Thomases” in our churches today? How
are they received and treated? Discuss.
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C. Being equipped with spiritual gifts: THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT AND GIFTS FROM THE SPIRIT:
1.
Romans 12:6-8 6 We have different gifts that are consistent with God’s grace that has
been given to us. If your gift is prophecy, you should prophesy in proportion
to your faith. 7 If your gift is service, devote yourself to
serving. If your gift is teaching, devote yourself to teaching. 8 If
your gift is encouragement, devote yourself to encouraging. The one giving
should do it with no strings attached. The leader should lead with passion. The
one showing mercy should be cheerful.
2.
Romans 12:9-21 9 Love should be shown without pretending. Hate evil, and hold on to what
is good. 10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be
the best at showing honor to each other. 11 Don’t hesitate to
be enthusiastic—be on fire in the Spirit as you serve the Lord! 12 Be
happy in your hope, stand your ground when you’re in trouble, and devote
yourselves to prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of God’s
people, and welcome strangers into your home. 14 Bless people
who harass you—bless and don’t curse them. 15 Be happy with
those who are happy, and cry with those who are crying. 16 Consider
everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else.
Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so
smart. 17 Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with
evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good. 18 If
possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people. 19 Don’t
try to get revenge for yourselves, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s
wrath. It is written, Revenge belongs to me; I will pay it back, says the
Lord. 20 Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if
he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of
fire upon his head. 21 Don’t be defeated by evil, but
defeat evil with good.
3.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Brothers and sisters, I don’t want you to be
ignorant about spiritual gifts. 2 You know that when you were
Gentiles you were often misled by false gods that can’t even speak. 3 So
I want to make it clear to you that no one says, “Jesus is cursed!” when
speaking by God’s Spirit, and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the
Holy Spirit. 4 There are different spiritual gifts but the same
Spirit; 5 and there are different ministries and the same Lord;
6 and there are different activities but the same God who
produces all of them in everyone. 7 A demonstration of the
Spirit is given to each person for the common good. 8 A word of
wisdom is given by the Spirit to one person, a word of knowledge to another
according to the same Spirit, 9 faith to still another by the
same Spirit, gifts of healing to another in the one Spirit, 10 performance
of miracles to another, prophecy to another, the ability to tell spirits apart
to another, different kinds of tongues to another, and the interpretation of
the tongues to another. 11 All these things are produced by the
one and same Spirit who gives what he wants to each person.
4.
1 Corinthians 12:28-31 28 In the church, God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third
teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, the ability to help others,
leadership skills, different kinds of tongues. 29 All aren’t
apostles, are they? All aren’t prophets, are they? All aren’t teachers, are
they? All don’t perform miracles, do they? 30 All don’t have
gifts of healing, do they? All don’t speak in different tongues, do they? All
don’t interpret, do they? 31 Use your ambition to try to get
the greater gifts. And I’m going to show you an even better way.
5.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 If I speak in tongues of human beings and of
angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. 2 If
I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else,
and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have
love, I’m nothing. 3 If I give away everything that I have and
hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love,
I receive no benefit whatsoever. 4 Love is patient, love is
kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, 5 it
isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t
keep a record of complaints, 6 it isn’t happy with injustice,
but it is happy with the truth. 7 Love puts up with all things,
trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. 8 Love
never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues,
they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. 9 We
know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect
comes, what is partial will be brought to an end. 11 When I was
a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child.
But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. 12 Now
we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know
partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been
completely known. 13 Now faith, hope, and love remain—these
three things—and the greatest of these is love.
6.
1 Corinthians 14:1-40 Pursue love, and use your ambition to try to
get spiritual gifts but especially so that you might prophesy. 2 This
is because those who speak in a tongue don’t speak to people but to God; no one
understands it—they speak mysteries by the Spirit. 3 Those who
prophesy speak to people, building them up, and giving them encouragement and
comfort. 4 People who speak in a tongue build up themselves;
those who prophesy build up the church. 5 I wish that all of
you spoke in tongues, but I’d rather you could prophesy. Those who prophesy are
more important than those who speak in tongues, unless they are able to
interpret them so that the church might be built up. 6 After
all, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I
help you unless I speak to you with a revelation, some knowledge, a prophecy,
or a teaching? 7 Likewise, things that aren’t alive like a harp
or a lyre can make a sound, but if there aren’t different notes in the sounds
they make, how will the tune from the harp or the lyre be recognized? 8 And
if a trumpet call is unrecognizable, then who will prepare for battle? 9 It’s
the same way with you: If you don’t use language that is easy to understand
when you speak in a tongue, then how will anyone understand what is said? 10 It
will be as if you are speaking into the air! There are probably many language
families in the world, and none of them are without meaning. 11 So
if I don’t know the meaning of the language, then I will be like a foreigner to
those who speak it, and they will be like foreigners to me. 12 The
same holds true for you: since you are ambitious for spiritual gifts, use your
ambition to try to work toward being the best at building up the church. 13 Therefore,
those who speak in a tongue should pray to be able to interpret. 14 If
I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind isn’t productive. 15 What
should I do? I’ll pray in the Spirit, but I’ll pray with my mind too; I’ll sing
a psalm in the Spirit, but I’ll sing the psalm with my mind too. 16 After
all, if you praise God in the Spirit, how will the people who aren’t trained in
that language say “Amen!” to your thanksgiving, when they don’t know what you
are saying? 17 You may offer a beautiful prayer of
thanksgiving, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I
thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But
in the church I’d rather speak five words in my right mind than speak thousands
of words in a tongue so that I can teach others. 20 Brothers
and sisters, don’t be like children in the way you think. Well, be babies when
it comes to evil, but be adults in your thinking. 21 In the Law
it is written: I will speak to this people with foreign languages and
foreigners’ lips, but they will not even listen to me this way, says the
Lord. 22 So then, tongues are a sign for those who don’t
believe, not for those who believe. But prophecy is a sign for believers, not
for those who don’t believe. 23 So suppose that the whole
church is meeting and everyone is speaking in tongues. If people come in who
are outsiders or unbelievers, won’t they say that you are out of your minds? 24 But
if everyone is prophesying when an unbeliever or outsider comes in, they are
tested by all and called to account by all. 25 The secrets of
their hearts are brought to light. When that happens, they will fall on their
faces and worship God, proclaiming out loud that truly God is among you! 26 What
is the outcome of this, brothers and sisters? When you meet together, each one
has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All
these things must be done to build up the church. 27 If some
speak in a tongue, then let two or at most three speak, one at a time, and
someone must interpret. 28 However, if there is no interpreter,
then they should keep quiet in the meeting. They should speak privately to
themselves and to God. 29 In the case of prophets, let two or
three speak and have the rest evaluate what is said. 30 And if
some revelation comes to someone else who is sitting down, the first one should
be quiet. 31 You can all prophesy one at a time so that
everyone can learn and be encouraged. 32 The spirits of
prophets are under the control of the prophets. 33 God isn’t a
God of disorder but of peace. Like in all the churches of God’s people, 34 the
women should be quiet during the meeting. They are not allowed to talk.
Instead, they need to get under control, just as the Law says. 35 If
they want to learn something, they should ask their husbands at home. It is
disgraceful for a woman to talk during the meeting. 36 Did the
word of God originate with you? Has it come only to you? 37 If
anyone thinks that they are prophets or “spiritual people,” then let them
recognize that what I’m writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 If
someone doesn’t recognize this, they aren’t recognized. 39 So
then, brothers and sisters, use your ambition to try to get the gift of
prophecy, but don’t prevent speaking in tongues. 40 Everything
should be done with dignity and in proper order.
7.
Ephesians 4:1-16 Therefore, as a prisoner for the Lord, I
encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God. 2 Conduct
yourselves with all humility, gentleness, and patience. Accept each other with
love, 3 and make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit
with the peace that ties you together. 4 You are one body and
one spirit, just as God also called you in one hope. 5 There is
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father of
all, who is over all, through all, and in all. 7 God has given
his grace to each one of us measured out by the gift that is given by Christ. 8 That’s
why scripture says, When he climbed up to the heights, he captured
prisoners, and he gave gifts to people. 9 What does the
phrase “he climbed up” mean if it doesn’t mean that he had first gone down into
the lower regions, the earth? 10 The one who went down is the
same one who climbed up above all the heavens so that he might fill everything.
11 He gave some apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and
some pastors and teachers. 12 His purpose was to equip God’s
people for the work of serving and building up the body of Christ 13 until
we all reach the unity of faith and knowledge of God’s Son. God’s goal is for
us to become mature adults—to be fully grown, measured by the standard of the
fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we aren’t supposed to be
infants any longer who can be tossed and blown around by every wind that comes
from teaching with deceitful scheming and the tricks people play to
deliberately mislead others. 15 Instead, by speaking the truth
with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, 16 who is the
head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all
the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself
up with love as each one does their part.
8.
1 Peter 4:7-11 7 The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and
clearheaded so you can pray. 8 Above all, show sincere love to
each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. 9 Open
your homes to each other without complaining. 10 And serve each
other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s
diverse gifts. 11 Whoever speaks should do so as those who
speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God
furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus
Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.
9.
Acts 18:24-28 24 Meanwhile, a certain Jew named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was a
native of Alexandria and was well-educated and effective in his use of the
scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord
and spoke as one stirred up by the Spirit. He taught accurately the things
about Jesus, even though he was aware only of the baptism John proclaimed and
practiced. 26 He began speaking with confidence in the
synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they received him into their
circle of friends and explained to him God’s way more accurately. 27 When
he wanted to travel to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and
wrote to the disciples so they would open their homes to him. Once he arrived,
he was of great help to those who had come to believe through grace. 28 He
would vigorously defeat Jewish arguments in public debate, using the scriptures
to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
10.
John 20:19-22 19 It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the
disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish
authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After
he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the
Lord, they were filled with joy. 21 Jesus said to them again,
“Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” 22 Then
he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
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D. CONCLUSION:
Daniel’s prayer of confession/repentance and consecration (based on Daniel chapter 9):
Father, we come to You in the name of our
Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. We honour and praise Your matchless name,
Heavenly Father, for You are great and greatly to be praised. O Lord,
righteousness belongs to You, but we are ashamed. We, Your people all over the
world, have sinned against You. We confess our sins and the sins of our
forefathers. We have sinned against You. We have lived wickedly, and have
rebelled, disobeying Your voice and Your will. We have allowed ourselves to be
deceived and distracted. We have not walked with the Holy Spirit, whom You gave
us to guide us, teach us, and show us all truth. We have become spiritually
immature, worldly, and unable to live out the truth. We have failed to do Your
will. We confess and repent of the sins of idolatry, witchcraft, sexual immorality,
theft, lying, greed, pride, murder, adultery, dishonouring our parents,
unbelief, lack of love, and countless other sins against You, O Lord. Because of
our sins and disobedience, our land and people have been cursed. But You are a
merciful God, full of grace and love, and we ask that You forgive us our sins
and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. O Lord, hear our prayers, open Your
eyes, and see our despair.
O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord,
listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your people are
called by Your name. Break the curses that have come upon our land and people,
we humbly ask, O God. We bind all ruler spirits Satan has sent to carry out
those curses against us, in Jesus’ name. Your Word says, “Whatever we bind on
earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in
heaven” (Mat.16:19; 18:18). Free the souls of men, women, and children who have
been bound by Satan, and take the blinders off their minds. We humbly ask You
to send angles with chains from heaven to bind up all of Satan’s ruler spirits
that control our land and people. We cut off all the cords of the enemy and
cast them away. Hide us beneath Your wings and cover us with Your feathers to
protect us against the enemy (Ps.91:4). We give You all the praise and honour
and glory, O Lord God.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
