The Youth Fellowship have started YF+ a bible study and worship group (every Sunday from 7:15-8) after normal YF (every Sunday from 6:15-7). Details can be found on their Facebook group if you know a young person from P7 upwards who would like to join us.
We are using resources from Roots (exploring passages from the Revised Common Lectionary (the same readings Kenny will have read in his service)– as a source of wisdom and insight in our lives today, equipping everyone to feel confident in joining the conversation about the Scriptures).
What we did is below:
Listened to One way, Hillsong United as we gathered.
Opening prayer
Spirit of truth, come close to us.
Unite us into the body of Christ.
Enable us to worship God in Spirit and in truth.
Help us to support and encourage each other.
Help us to love as we are loved.
Spirit of truth, come and abide in us.
Amen.
If…then…
Come up with good endings to complete each sentence, then discuss the concept of consequences.
‘If you train hard at running, then…’
‘If you go to bed late every night, then…’
‘If you treat people with respect, then…’
‘If you message people, then …..’
‘If you keep social distancing rules, then ….’
‘If you don’t press stop on Netflix, then ….’
John 14.15-21
Have two columns on a bit of paper, or your phone, one for asks and the other promises (One column ‘what Jesus asks’ and the other ‘what Jesus promises’).
Read together.
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
- Last week the reading in church was Jesus saying I am the way this week it’s how we put it into action: by loving Jesus and keeping his commandments.
- not a case of ‘if you love me, prove it!’, but rather by loving Jesus we are keeping his commandments. (This is not a rule-keeping exercise but a reminder that Jesus’ commandments are all rooted in a loving relationship: loving God and loving others.)
We are not expected to do this on our own, we have the Holy Spirit, or ‘Spirit of truth’, as our ‘advocate’ (The Greek word literally means the one ‘called to your side’) someone who will never desert us. - The holy trinity of God and Jesus and the Spirit as one – God that ensures that we are not left on our own
Questions to discuss
- What might it mean to show Jesus that we love him.
- Ask the group what they think the commandments are that Jesus is talking about. (how many do you have in your list)
- What does Jesus promise us? (look at your list)
- Do you find this passage reassuring or challenging? Why?
- What do you think of when you see this picture?
- What sort of things do you regularly do for other people, just because you love them?
Say together:
Holy Spirit,
help us to live together as community,
keeping your commandments,
loving you and loving one another.
With the sending out prayer:
Go in peace to live in love,
to show God’s love,
to receive God’s love
– everywhere, and at all times.
Amen.
Live your faith
Wherever you go this week, look for examples of Jesus’ command being fulfilled, opportunities to demonstrate love in action. If you can, do it.