POP Youth and Family Ministry

  v -           Review – Psalms o    What kinds of things do the Psalms talk about? (Feelings: joys, sorrows, struggles & successes) -           Topic intro o    Wisdom – “In the Old Testament, the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon (or Songs) are known as “wisdom literature.” This is not to say that other books of the Bible aren’t wise, but rather to indicate that the goal of these books is to help us think more deeply about what it means to be human & how we ought to live our lives.” - Colaborate   Discussion starters:   -           Is there a funny/quirky saying your family says?   -           How do you decide if something is true or valuable?   -        ...

  I don’t understand why we need to confess if we’re already forgiven…? Topic intro o    In confession we confront our own sin, and the forgiveness we receive comes from Jesus Christ. Key verse 1 John 1:9 If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Discussion starters: -           Share about a time you were caught doing something wrong…   -           Do you think it is easier to ask for permission to do something, or forgiveness (after you’ve already done it).   -           How can you forgive when there is no acknowledgement of wrongdoing, when someone doesn’t seem to care if they are forgiven? -           Ho...

  Small Group night -           Topic intro o    Psalms – The book of Psalms is a collection of different prayers & songs each evoking different emotions & experiences of what it means to be human. Some express outrageous joy & praise to the God who created & gave us life. Some give a voice to ways of being that instruct & inform us as people of faith. Some come from the darkness of life, honestly wrestling with what it means to live faithfully when suffering & sorrow are all around. Psalms teaches us to bring our whole selves to God, whether we are in joy or pain or anything in between. Discussion starters:   -           If you had a soundtrack to your life, what would be the first song/title track?   -           What kinds of music do your parents listen to? What do you listen to? Is the...

    * Apologies if the formatting is showing up weird for you. I can't make it go away :-(*     Prophets- In the Old Testament, prophets were appointed by God (often at a very young age) to speak on behalf of God. Prophets informed the kings about what God waned for the people- advice the kings didn’t always follow. There was no official prophet selection process, which often led to some significant skepticism about the credentials of those who claimed to speak for God. Discussion starters: - Have you ever had to tell someone something that they did not want to hear? - Have you ever felt shunned by a community that you thought you were a part of?     - Do you think that God still communicates with people directly or do they communicate in a different way or not at all?     - Do you think God still needs prophets today? If so, what would the job of a prophet look like today?     - Could you be a prophet or are you a prophet in s...