Youth Rally - "Invitation to Jump"

May 15-16

Midway Church of the Brethren

Youth Rally

Sunday Morning

John 4

The Woman at the Well is greatly impacted by the love shown her by Jesus. She goes back to her town and tells them about a wonderful man who knows everything about her. Skeptics and unbelievers question the validity of what she says. Her response is not to turn to logical argument or presentation of facts, and not to condemn them as sinful unbelievers. Her words are simply, “Come and see.” She invites them to come and see the giver of life. She invites them to see for themselves. Because faith is something we invite people to, not threaten them with. We need to invite people to come and see the power of a resurrected Christ. If all people had to see was our life, would they believe Jesus has risen from the dead? Is our life and example of new life? Do we defend or invite?

I’ve heard faith in Jesus compared to a trampoline that we jump on. I can give you a logical explanation of why jumping on a trampoline is good for you. It’s exercise that keeps you in shape. It’s fun to be creative while jumping on the trampoline. It’s fun with friends. But perhaps the best way to convince you that a trampoline is fun it to invite you to join me on one and experience it for yourself.

Who would you invite to come and experience faith?

Who would you invite to come and jump?

Youth Rally - "No Plan B"

May 15-16

Midway Church of the Brethren

Youth Rally

"No Plan B"

John 4

Jesus had all kinds of people as his followers. He had a liberal tax collector and conservative, militaristic zealot. And in John he has a woman who has been married multiple times, who has been used and abused. She’s an outcast even among the Samaritans. Jesus uses anyone and everyone to reach our world. Uneducated fishermen, foreign outcast women, tax collectors, doctors, former persecutors of Christians. And no plan B. We are all called to make a difference in the world around us and be an example of the good news to all people.

The woman had lots of junk in her life. Jesus knew everything. In fact he told her he knew everything. But he didn’t pass judgement on her. He showed her love and gave her worth. Jesus had every reason to not talk to this woman. He was a Jewish Rabbi. She was a Samaritan woman sleeping around. But because he showed her love she went and shared with her village. She’s not perfect, in fact she’s sinful and carries around all of this baggage. But it’s through her that this town first hears about Jesus.

What "problems" in your own life keep you from sharing faith?

Who are the people around you God has called you to love?

Youth Rally - "Fan Into Flame"

May 15-16

Midway Church of the Brethren

Youth Rally

Saturday Night

2 Timothy 1:3-7

Whether we grew up in the church or are new to the church we have been influenced by someone else’s faith. Their lives and the way they lived out their faith somehow made a difference in our lives. (2 Tim. 1) We have to take the faith and make it our own. In other words it’s not enough for us to rely on someone else’s relationship with Jesus; we need to have our own relationship with Jesus. Too often we rely on someone else doing all of the thinking, praying, worshipping, and serving.

In John 4 there’s a story about a Samaritan woman who meets Jesus at a well in the middle of the day. She’s been raised on a Samaritan upbringing and way of believing. When she meets Jesus some of the ways of believing change (where and when and how to worship). But this faith becomes a part of who she is and she can’t help but go and share it with those around her.

Perhaps you have been baptized or accepted Jesus as Savior, but this is not the end of a faith journey. It’s only the beginning. Growing in faith takes a lifetime. Paul even wrote that he had not taken hold of the final product of faith yet. He said he was always striving to grow and learn what it means to follow Christ.

Who is someone in your life who has been an example of living out faith?

What about their faith has been attractive to you?

How have you made that a part of your own life?