Meekness

We had a wonderful meeting on Mother's Day weekend before last, and our topic was Meekness... 

Set 3 - Meeting 3: Meekness

　
Meekness: humbly patient under provocation from others

Synonyms: forbearing, unassuming, calm, gentle, kind, submissive

Bible Dictionary: a calm temper of mind, not easily provoked.

Dying to self / Giving up your rights

　
Peculiar promises are made to the meek:
Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”

Isaiah 66:2 “For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”

The cultivation of this spirit is enjoined:
Col. 3:12 - 13 “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies (tender mercies), kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, also do ye.”

1 Tim. 6:11 “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Zeph. 2:3 “Seek ye that LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment (upheld His justice); seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.”

Meekness exemplified in:
Christ
Matt. 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

1 Peter 2:23 “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously.”

Abraham
Gen. 13 Abraham and Lot separate

Moses
Num. 12:3 “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”)

David

2 Sam. 16:10, 12 Shimei curses David

Paul

1 Cor. 9:19 “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.”

Main Concepts:
Arguments, disagreements, and irritations are struggles we all face - probably everyday. Only with meekness will we be able to respond to these conflicts in a biblical way. Just as Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, so a meek response softens hearts and changes attitudes. If you learn this difficult quality now, it will benefit your whole life and all of your future relationships (parents, siblings, friends, marriage, etc.)

Meekness is trusting God to protect us, our reputation, our possessions, etc, rather than “fighting” for these things ourselves. It is important to understand that everything we own actually belongs to God. We can trust Him to take care of His own property and realize that there is no reason for us to respond in anger. This perspective enables us to show meekness in everyday situations. 

Sensitivity

Bright Lights Set 3 Meeting 2 - Sensitivity

Definitions:

- Awareness of the needs and emotions of others

- Awareness of and responsive to the feelings of others

Scripture:

Philippians 2: 1-4

“If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interest of others.”

1 Peter 5: 5-7

“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.”

Mark 10: 42 - 45

“And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to the, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and that their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Galatians 6: 1 - 2

“Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.”

　
Testimonies

Making it relevant

1.) Read pgs. 174 - 176 from Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

2.) Look at the various levels of cliques that occur within groups:

- the rebellious attract the rebellious and form cliques

- the spiritually weak attract others who are weak and can become a clique

- the spiritually strong attract others who are strong and sometimes, at least, appear to form cliques

But the strongest of all are those who are able to see the needs of the people in all the groups and try to befriend and encourage whoever needs it most. Instead of trying to get their own needs met by friends, they are focusing on others.

3.) Discussion:

Why is it hard to show sensitivity?

Why does it seem harder to show sensitivity at home than with friends?

What are some of the consequences of a lack of sensitivity?

What keeps us from being sensitive?

Main Concepts

1. If you can learn to be focused on others rather than yourself, you have reached a point of true Christian maturity. Few are able to unselfishly give to the needs of others - but those who do are truly following in the footsteps of Jesus.

2. Sensitivity is especially important in your own families and can make a TREMENDOUS difference in relationships with brothers and sisters.

"Bright Lights" Swiss Chard!! :)

Activities and Tea

Contentment

This past weekend we began Set 3 materials where the focus will be on "How to Reflect Christ in Every Response"...no small order to be sure!  Our first topic was Contentment:

Bright Lights Set 3 Meeting 1 - Contentment

Definitions:

-adj

1. Mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are

2. Assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.

-noun

Peace of mind, ease of mind, comfort, happiness

-inter

(Brit) (in the House of Lords) a formal expression of assent, as opposed to the expression ‘not content’

From Old French, from Latin contentus contented, that is, having restrained desires, from continere to restrain

Synonyms: complacent, ease, fulfillment, gladness, gratification, peace, pleasure, serenity, satisfaction

Antonyms: discomfort, discontent, displeasure, dissatisfaction, misery, sadness, unhappiness

Scripture References:1 Timothy 6:6-10
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Philippians 4:11-12I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
John 3:27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
Matthew 6:24-3
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Main Concepts:

- Our own wants, desires, and love for temporal things will prevent us from living a godly life and will cause our light to become dim.

- The Lord sees the whole picture of our lives and will provide according to His timing what He knows is best. Those who are willing to trust Him by faith will experience the secret of contentment in their lives…godliness with contentment is great gain.

Activities:

Make a list of the areas of life with which people are often discontent (possessions, looks, reputation, friends, circumstances).

What is one trial you are grateful for…and why?

Think of one area of suffering (or anything difficult being grateful for) in your life. Write at least 10 reasons why God may have allowed this particular “problem” to happen.

Divide into groups…come up with a 1 minute commercial advertising some unnecessary or silly item. Give the audience the impression that they need this item in order to be happy. How does the enemy use the same tactics to “advertise” his products to us?

How To Develop a Ministry

We finished up Set 2 materials yesterday with the topic of Ministry. 

Set 2 Meeting 4 - How to Develop A Ministry
 

What is ministry?

- In a nutshell, it’s seeing a need and meeting it

- examples of different kinds of ministry, both formal and informal

What does it mean to have a ministry mind set?

- The example of David who was focused on doing the work of the Lord wherever he was (when with the sheep he was meditating on Scripture and developing skills to use for God’s kingdom; when visiting his brothers he saw the need, took action, and killed Goliath; when in the wilderness he was “discipling” and training men; while he was king he was planning God’s house, throughout his life he was writing Psalms…which still minister to us today!)

A couple powerful examples:

Story of Arthur Stace, “Mr. Eternity” http://www.mreternity.info/

Story of Nick Vujicic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl58qufXfYk

Who Are You? What is Your Identity?

-Your answer should be: I am a child of God! And your life should show it…

Where is Your Treasure?….Matthew 6: 19-21

Building on the right Foundation?…1 Corinthians 3: 5-15

Where are you sowing?…Galatians 6: 7-10

Main Concepts:

1.) The importance of using our time for eternal things rather than earthly things.

2.) Shining our light requires initiative and courage on our part.

3.) Remember that our underlying motive for ministry must be our LOVE for the Lord and others (Rev. 2:2-4, 1 Cor.13)

BYMPC pgs. 59 - 66

Activity - Write letters of encouragement to Bright Lights headquarters

Tea Time 

Mercy

What a great meeting this past Sunday on Mercy!  I had written my notes up on Saturday, changed them on Sunday morning, and then when the meeting actually came around, the Lord brought up all kinds of things that I hadn't even thought of beforehand...I love it when He does that!  Here are the notes:

 

Bright Lights Set 2 Meeting 3 - MERCY

Define Mercy

(Compassion, pity, tender affection, love, show favor, to be gracious, lovingkindness, to be good or kind)

Opposite of Mercy?

-Bestowed on an inferior.

-A form of love determined by suffering and need - whether or not they be worthy or deserving.

-Forgiveness for offense.

Personal experiences

 1. Our desperate need of the Lord’s daily mercy

To cultivate Mercy, we first must recognize how much we’ve been forgiven (Luke 7: 36-50)
 
2. Importance of having an attitude of mercy and compassion to those who have hurt or offended us. Micah 6:8 (Practical situation that might occur in which it is required to show mercy: family, friends, people at school)
 
3. Focusing on the needs of the person who has hurt you, rather than on their offense. How to think mercifully toward others, as well as act mercifully.

4. Parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35)

5. If we desire the Lord and others to be merciful to us, then we need to show mercy to others. (Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. Matt. 5:7)

Set II Meeting 2 - Presenting the Gospel

Our meeting topic yesterday was Presenting the Gospel, the second meeting of Set II Having Your Pictcher Full of Living Water.  A big thank you to the adults who gave personal testimonies of times where they've shared their faith with others and some outcomes. The Lord really dovetailed all of their stories together with the material that was later presented in the meeting.  I LOVE how He does that!

After testimonies I had the girls watch a fantastic video on one way to share the Gospel using Romans 6:23;

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

We talked about the fact that many people think they're 'good people' and will make it into heaven based on that, as if God grades on a curve...so, we took the Good Person test online and saw the truth of our spiritual condition.  While the girls and I had a fun time laughing at how miserably we failed every commandment...it really pointed out our desperate need for a Saviour.

We talked about how we've heard many people say that "there are many paths to God", but Jesus states clearly in John 14: "I am the way and the truth and they life, no one comes to the Father except through me." 

We've also heard it said how 'narrow minded Christians are', and in this case, it's true!  We understand what scripture means when it says in Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  We took the opportunity to pray a prayer of salvation for anyone who had doubts on that score.

Using copies of the same drawing used in the video, we went over the bridge illustration again and then broke out into groups of Believers and Non Believers to practice witnessing to each other.  The jars contained slips of paper on which were written the parts they were to play...for example, a Believer was intstructed to share the gospel using their own testimony, or the bridge illustration in our drawing.  A Non Believer's response may have been to be interested with lots of questions, or someone who was completely resistant to the truth. 

Our craft today was making orgami hearts, inside of which was tucked a slip of paper with John 3:16...a great way to witness either by handing out to people, or by leaving in places for people to find.  Perfectly timed since Valentine's Day is right around the corner :)

 

 As a side note...we celebrated a birthday today.  I keep my eyes open for neat little things on sale, and then pick them up for our birthday cache - the girls pick which one they want when their turn comes around.

 

 



I aquired 3 new china tea cup sets for the tea table!  We now have a full set and a unique, beautiful piece of art for each girl to sip her tea from...

 

 

Set II Meeting 1 - Truthfulness

Wow...we're officially into Set II!  We had a house full this past Sunday - here are the notes from the meeting:
 
I. Truthfulness

Intro:  Discuss ways  you/others can be deceitful without actually lying...(lots of great interaction here!)

Scripture to set the stage...(girls take turns reading aloud)

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are just: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.

Psalm 33:4
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.

John 17:17
Sanctify them through truth: thy word is truth.

John 8:31b-32If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Hebrews 6: 18
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

　
John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

A.  TELLING the Truth

       - clear conscience = Bright Light & Testimony

       - consequences to lying (oh, what a tangled web we weave...)

       - clearing your conscience / regaining trust

        (1 John 1: 5 - 10)

B.  KNOWING the Truth

      - deceiving yourself

      - being deceived by others or the enemy

WRONG THOUGHTS = WRONG ACTIONS!

We need to be able to combat the lies of Satan with truth. God’s word is truth. (Scripture Activity - See scriptures at bottom!  Present several lies to the girls and have them find the scripture that combats it...have them raise their hands and call on them in order as there are several to fight each lie.)

C.  PROCLAIMING the Truth

     - be excited, valiant, and wise in bringing the message

        of truth...

Does "speak the truth in love" mean we are to tell the truth even if is hurtful?

This phrase, taken from the fourth chapter of the Book of Ephesians, does not mean for you to smile as you tell your neighbor that her dress is ugly. Many people misunderstand the purpose of this chapter and interpret its meaning incorrectly. This whole chapter is about unity of the body of Christ and spiritual growth. Really, the main point is to instruct us to boldly proclaim the truth of the Gospel with love, not judgment, as our driving force. We are never to apologize for or sugarcoat the truths found in the Bible. But, we are, also, never to be judgmentally pious or spiritually proud.

Ephesians 4:1-2 begs this of the believer: "to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." So, long before any talk of speaking the truth in love, we are called to humility, which compels us to put others first.

If we continue to read the chapter, we see that the focus shifts to spirituality and sound doctrine. The appeal for believers to speak the truth is referring to standing against false teaching by not being afraid to say what is right. But, there is a fine line between someone standing up for truth out of love for the Word and for the other person, and someone who knows that he is right and just wants to win the argument. The believer's goal for the body of Christ is plainly stated in Ephesians 4:13: "[That] we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (I Peter 3:15-16)

Note that Peter admonishes believers that their replies be in meekness and fear. Some translations say "with gentleness and respect". The thought that is being communicated here is the attitude with which we speak. When we speak the truth, is it done with kindness?

D. Application

     - make a personal commitment to speak the complete

        and total truth and to keep no secrets from your

        parents.

II. BYMPC (Take turns reading aloud...)

III. Activity - Tea Time Etiquette

　
　

Scriptures used for scripture activity:　

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 John 1:8-10
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Acts 4:12
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Luke 12:
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
John 14:3
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 24:36
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemnworld, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Matthew 5:29-30
If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?