Bellevue Bright Lights: January 2014

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

GRATEFULNESS

We have officially started the new set of materials, and are now on the back half of the entire program! Set Five Meeting One was on the topic of Gratefulness...here's a quick little video I had planned on showing the girls, but ran out of time. That's the great thing about this blog, I can always add things in that get missed at the meeting :)

SET FIVE / MEETING ONE - GRATEFULNESS

Introduction to the Set

Set 5 “Children of God without Fault” is based upon Philippians 2: 14-15 “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

This verse brings our attention to the fact that in order to be lights in the world, we need to make it through each circumstance of life with no murmurings or disputings. This set expands on that idea encouraging young ladies to examine their words. Complaining, arguing, teasing, gossip, and disrespect will be discussed in detail. The reason that we start with the topic of graftefulness is because it is an underlying trait required to apply to our next meeting (complaining), and it is an important character trait to be working on through this entire set.

Rejoicing is a decision – primarily an act of the will, not of emotions. Do not give into the enemy’s attacks of discouragement. Stop and consider the amazing privilege it is to be a servant of the Most High God. May His joy be yours all the day (Ps. 5:11) “But let all who take refuge in Thee be glad, let them every sing for joy; and mayest Thou shelter them, that those who love Thy name may exult in Thee.”

Stories

The story of the ten lepers (Luke 17: 11-19)

Personal testimony of a time when you complained, instead of showing gratefulness, or when the Lord reminded you to show gratitude in the midst of difficulty. Explain any consequences or blessings resulting from your attitude.

Personal testimony of a time when someone else expressed gratefulness to you (or failed to be grateful) and how this affected you.

Sword Drill

Deut. 8:10 Ps. 119: 62,71,75 Lk. 17: 11-19 Eph. 5: 19-20 Phil. 4: 6, 11-13

1 Chr. 16:8 Col. 3:15 1 Thess. 5:18 1 Tim. 1:12 Heb. 13:15 1 Peter 2:9

Col. 1: 11-12

Main Concepts to Stress:

An attitude of gratefulness is only possible if we are willing trust that God knows best in every detail of our lives. God deserves our thanks and gratitude not only when we are happy with our circumstances, but also when we are suffering, disappointed, or when we do not understand why a difficult situation is happening.

Everything we have has actually been given to us by God. True gratefulness is understanding that we deserve nothing at all.

Gratefulness is not only saying, “thank you,” for the benefits we receive from others; it is expressing to others how God has used them to work in our lives.

Activities

Tea Time

Handout for Parents for further discussion at home:

Gratitude or self-pity: your choice!.

There are lots of reasons to feel ungrateful. Of course these reasons are all bad ones, but that never seems to matter when self-pity comes calling. In contrast, Thessalonians tells us that it is God’s will that we be thankful. So, Christian you have a choice to make – trust God or your own assessment of your circumstances. Gratitude is to identify you as a person. For this to occur, at least three truths must frame your understanding of gratitude:

First truth: gratitude is based upon unchanging truth, not changing circumstances.

God’s goodness to you is never in doubt. Ephesians 1:7-8 says God has lavished his riches upon you. This blessing is certain. Redemption belongs to you as God’s child and you will never lose it. No circumstance can change this certain reality – so no circumstance should diminish your gratitude for God’s grace. Do not allow uncertain and changing circumstances to diminish the joy of God’s faithfulness to you.

Second truth: gratitude is based upon commitment, not the performance of others.

The gospel is all about God’s commitment to you. God works all things for the good of those who love him. The Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing your inheritance (Eph. 1:14). By implication, the gospel means that you don’t have to evaluate the performance of others to determine whether or not you can be thankful. Think about it. How often does discouragement come from what you view as the failed performances of others; If only my wife were not so demanding, if only my husband were not so thick-headed, if only my kids were not so selfish, if only, if only…

God’s will for you is gratitude. The more you focus on the performance of others, the less you will be dominated by gratitude.

Third truth: gratitude is based upon mercy, not expectations.

The story of the ungrateful servant in Matthew 18:23-35 demonstrates what happens when you lose sight of the mercy of God. When this happens you will be more critical when those around you do not meet your expectations. You will be dominated by discouragement and even bitterness, instead of mercy and compassion. God extends mercy and compassion to you even when you fall far short of his commands. Mercy is not something you extend because someone has pleased you. Mercy is unmerited favor. Yet, when your expectations are not met, there is the natural drive of the flesh to be hurt and to withdraw, then gratitude is nowhere to be found. Gratitude should flow from the mercy extended to you when others struggle and fail.

The struggles of those closest to you are God-given opportunities to show kindness, compassion and mercy.

Gratitude is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. You can be thankful for all that God has given you, including the struggles of those you love most.

Self-pity anticipates discouragement. Gratitude anticipates eternity. Your choice.

Article written by Jay Younts and found here

http://www.shepherdpress.com/gratitude-or-self-pity-your-choice/

Jay Younts is the Shepherd Press blogger. He is the author of Everyday Talk and other materials on parenting. He has been teaching and speaking on parenting issues for 30 years. Jay and his wife, Ruth, live in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. He serves as a ruling elder at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Moore, South Carolina. He and Ruth have five adult children.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Standing Alone

Welcome 2014...may the Lord continue to bless us and keep us and provide all that we need to grow in our faith, hope, and most importantly, love for Him and one another! We kicked off the new year with our first meeting, and the last meeting of Set 4 materials. The topic was...Standing Alone.

Set Four Meeting Seven – Standing Alone

Listen to CD

Illustrations:

Jonathan and his armor bearer (1 Samuel 14)

Daniel and his friends (Daniel 3)

Peter’s denial (Matt. 26)

Foxe’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe

Sword Drill:

Joshua 1:9

Acts 5:19-21

Romans 1:16

Luke 9:26

Main Concepts to Stress:

In order to apply all these lessons in Set 4 (Holiness, Discernment, Our Words, Friends, Polluting Influences, Courtship…), we must be willing to stand alone. Friends and those around us may think we’re strange, laugh at us, pressure us to do things the world’s way, or misunderstand our decisions. It will require strength, courage and boldness to follow God’s ways.

Many, many people take the broad path, but only a few are willing to take the narrow road. If we are seeking to do things God’s way rather than man’s way, we can expect to be different, lonely, persecuted, and misunderstood. This will be difficult. It will require faith. But we are seeking God’s rewards not man’s – and the rewards will be worth it. Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”

Activities

Craft / Ministry opp (writing bday cards for the amazing Miss Anna Kirk, without whom Bellevue Bright Lights would never have been started!)

Teatime - a HUGE thank you to our own lovely Vanessa for the donation of the beautiful new teacups!!! :)

What is a Bright Light?

It is a girl who has given her life to Jesus Christ, trusting in Him alone for salvation and for the grace to live each day according to His will. It is a girl who knows how to respond "just right" to people and circumstances, demonstrating godliness in her actions and attitudes. It is a girl who has Biblical convictions and commitments (holiness), and is able to go through her teenage years strong for the Lord without stumbling as many do. It is a girl who touches the lives of others by her servant’s spirit, her radiant countenance, and the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ (testimony). God wants bright lights! There is a great need for more of them in this generation of darkness.

Bright stands for Being Radiant in Godliness, Holiness, and Testimony. The first Bright Lights group was started in 1996 by a 17-year-old young lady named Sarah Mally. The Lord had given her a desire to encourage younger girls to be strong for the Lord in their youth, and she decided to begin a discipleship group in her living room in order to give these girls vision, encouragement, and teaching in godliness. Since that first meeting, Bright Lights has seen God’s hand of direction and blessing in many ways. There are now hundreds of groups that have started worldwide. Bright Lights continues to train leaders to begin groups, host Strong in the Lord conferences and Radiant Purity conferences, and provide discipleship material for moms and daughters. It is exciting to see many young ladies making commitments to seek the Lord and shine their light brightly for Him. To find out more about Bright Lights, visit http://www.brothersandsisters.net/

What does a typical meeting look like?

What is a Typical Meeting Like? If you were to attend a Bright Lights meeting, what would it be like? At each meeting the leader shares a lesson covering important topics that are essential for girls in order for them to be strong for the Lord in their youth, such as:

Developing a Close Relationship with Parents
Gaining a Clear Conscience
Spending Time in God’s Word Everyday
Keeping Yourself Pure from Polluting Influences
Accepting the Way God Created You
Choosing Wise Friends
Contentment
Sensitivity
Humility
Self-control

The lesson is reinforced by testimonies from older girls in the group. At Bright Lights meetings, we also enjoy singing, fellowshipping with likeminded young ladies, listening to biographies of great Christians from history, preparing for future ministry opportunities, enjoying other activities together, and snacks (often with tea in china tea cups).

Each girl receives a Bright Lights binder that she brings with her to the meetings each week. After each lesson, she receives a new handout to add to her binder. The Bright Lights curriculum is organized into eight sets which you can view here.

Statement of Faith

1. Everyone has sinned and broken God’s laws. Because the penalty for sin is death, each of us deserve to spend eternity in hell in separation from God. We are totally incapable of achieving heaven on our own. There is no way we can be good enough to attain forgiveness from sin or achieve eternal life by our own works.
2. God so loved the world that He gave His only son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from our sin. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. He paid the penalty for our sin and took the punishment that we deserved.
3. Forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life is offered to anyone who will repent of their sin, and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Redemption is wholly by the blood of Christ, and salvation is by grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God, and the final authority for our lives. It is literal, historical, and infallible.
5. There is one God, eternally existent in three Persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
6. The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God, born of a virgin, sinlessly perfect. His sacrifice is substitutionary and representative. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended to His Father’s right hand, where He now ministers as our Great High Priest.
7. Jesus Christ is coming again to rapture His church, and subsequently to return and reign over the earth.
8. God created the universe ex nihilo (out of nothing) by His spoken word in six literal days as the Bible states.
9. There will be a resurrection of both the saved and the lost to either eternal life or eternal judgment.
10. A true child of God who is justified by the blood of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit is safe and exempt from God’s judgment and thus secure for eternity.