JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

THE THIN GREEN LINE (1): GIVE

Random acts of kindness can have a huge impact. Watching people give makes us feel good inside. We feel wonderful watching others give, but painful when we give. Sometimes we focus on our inconvenience.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV).

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need (Acts 4:32-35 NIV).

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36-37 NIV).

Giving connects you to something bigger. In giving, you join with God with what he is doing. Giving connects you to the heart of God.

Giving is a reflection of how you see God.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Thin Green Line

Series Overview

We live in a culture that moves fast. We can get a burger and fries in less than three minutes, and we can download new music in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, this fast pace usually means we don’t stop to think about the money that constantly comes and goes, passing through our hands feeding our desire for more. But did you know throughout Jesus ministry one of His most prevalent topics was money? That’s right. The way we use our resources is important to God. The next three weeks we are going to take a look at the way we give, spend and save our money, and how these habits reveal the thin green line between our hearts and our money.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Over the past few weeks we collected gift cards. Tonight we had a party at yourfriendlyneighbourhoodyouthpastor's house. We got 'carded' at the door (each person had to bring a gift card to get in). We raised $385!!! We're going to donate the gift cards to a charity called 5 with Drive http://www.5wd.ca/

They are going to distribute them to people in need in the Markham area.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

It was our first night back after March Break. We had around 35 boys out tonight. Congrats to our MVC's (Most Valuable Character) CJ and Jacob. We're off next week and back in April.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Session 3: Sunday March 13

Most of you want to be seen as an individual—as a unique person—different from anyone else.

No one wants to be just like everyone else.

We don’t want to be just average. But the truth is, we put a lot of time and effort into “fitting in” too. There are certain ways you and I approach and react to our world that are universal—there are certain things about us that are the same for everyone.

We all have reflexes. We all respond to life in certain ways that seem natural.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12 NIV).

Responding in the way that seems natural for us may lead us somewhere we don’t want to go.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for an eye’” (Matthew 5:38 NIV).

Jesus was notorious for taking a likely response and calling for a completely unlikely response.

“But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:39-42 NIV).

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matthew 5:43 NIV).

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:44-48 NIV).

Those who were created in Christ Jesus for good works respond differently and live lives that look different and unlikely in the world we live in. Take every way that you want to respond, every way that comes naturally, every way that’s likely, and try something different. I want you to respond in a way that is unlikely.

Because you are an unlikely person that God has chosen to use. He calls us to act like Him, to love like Him, to live like Him in an unlikely world. We all have places and people that are difficult to love. Think about those places and those people, and for each one, write down one thing that would be like an unlikely response. Now is the time to choose to love. God wants to show up in your world. He wants to do something amazing in the place where you think nothing good could happen. He wants to use you in those unlikely places to bring peace, joy and redemption to people who have never experienced those things before. You are an unlikely person who God puts in unlikely places to respond in unlikely ways.

Bottom Line: God asks unlikely people in unlikely circumstances and places to respond in unlikely ways.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Session 2: Sunday March 13

You are a masterpiece and your willingness to be available to be used by God pleases Him. Monet’s masterpiece isn’t a masterpiece because of the location. The location is ordinary.

If there is a temptation that a lot of us fall into, it is that we see life and the circumstances in our lives as something ordinary. We don’t see the beauty. We don’t see the potential. Most of us feel like our life is ordinary or plain. Maybe you believe that God may have made a masterpiece out of you personally, but what about your circumstances?

Life just seems ordinary.

TRUTH

We look at our life and circumstances and wonder how anything extraordinary could come from it.

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked (John 1:45-46 NIV).

It is the question we ask ourselves, whether consciously or subconsciously, when we take a look at our everyday lives: “Can anything good come from where I am? This is the most unlikely place for God to show up.” Where we come from—the ordinariness of our daily lives, what makes up day-in and day-out life for us—doesn’t determine whether or not God can do something extraordinary in us. And whether or not we really believe this determines how we will respond to some of the biggest opportunities of our lives and see significant things happen in and around us. Do you wonder if anything good could from your situation?

It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength (1 Corinthians 1:22-25 NLT).

What may seem unlikely and improbable to us may be just the right kind of place for God to work. We need to get rid of our preconceived notions and open our minds to what God just might want to do in and through our circumstances.

God wants to use unlikely people in unlikely places to do something more.

We see things differently than God does. God sees potential where you may not and where the world may not. Jesus works through the unlikeliest places and circumstances.

Bottom Line: God uses unlikely people in unlikely places to do something extra-ordinary.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

STARKIDS BASKETBALL PROGRAM!

We are starting up our first season of StarKids Basketball for kids 4-7 years old!

We know how to put the "FUN" in 'FUNdamentals!'

First priority: to make Basketball as FUN as possible by taking popular kids games and modifying them into a basketball setting.

Second priority: to teach solid fundamental basketball skills such as dribbling, defence, shooting, footwork and more! Your kids will develop great team work, co-ordination, physical fitness, and basketball confidence!

The two StarKids basketball instructors have over 20 years combined experience of instructing as physical education teachers, also having graduated from the UofT Physical Education Program.

Ages: Children 4-7 years old

When: Saturdays

Dates: April 9 - May 28, 2011 (8 sessions)

Times: Session 1: 12:15-1:15pm

Session 2: 1:15 - 2:15pm

Where: Greensborough P.S., 80 Alfred Patterson Drive (9th Line and Bur Oak)

Cost: $60/participant for 8 weeks, including a cool T-shirt and basketball

To Register:

Please email Mike at starkidsbasketball@hotmail.com to reserve a spot, as space is limited to 12 participants per session.

FRIDAY NIGHTS

Friday March 11th, 2011

Tonight we hung out at TMC for our pre-march break fellowship. We played games including "Noodling Around." Our topic was "Am I Normal?" Growing up can be hard! Everyone grows at a different rate and some people don't think they're normal. God does know what it's like to grow up - Jesus was once a youth! He went through challenges like other youth. God understands all our fears and emotions because He created them and knows each of us better than we know ourselves.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

We had over 30 boys for our final night before the March Break. We continued talking about perseverance - We stick to goal and work hard even in the face of obstacles and challenges. We complete all tasks and assignments. It was a great night of basketball for all but our two MVC's (Most Valuable Character) were Ivan and Calvin. Congrats and have a great March Break!

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday March 6th, 2011 - Session 1

Stories of the unlikely inspire us. Stories about unlikely people—people you wouldn’t expect—doing big things feel almost mythic, like a great screenplay or book. When it comes to following God, we hear about people who are used by God—people who see God work in their lives in amazing ways. He doesn’t just invite “the beautiful and the strong” to participate with Him in the work He is doing.

He invites all of us, even those of us who see ourselves as a little less than beautiful and far from strong.

Most of us don’t feel likely to be used by God. God won’t just fit you in to the mold of who you think an influential person is.

But here is the good news: He doesn’t have to fit you in that mold in order to make you influential.

The Bible is full of examples of people used by God to do great things—people who came to realize their potential as an unlikely person God had His hand on.

Rahab (Joshua 2)

Gideon - “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12 NIV)

That was the common theme in every single one of those stories. It wasn’t their appearance, athleticism, popularity, family or talent that made them stand out.

It was their willingness.

When it comes to being used by God, He is not limited by our fears or our failures.

He wants us to be a part of what He’s doing in people’s lives, in our world and in everyday moments.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

Even though you may feel insignificant, unimportant or unworthy, God says you are valuable. Masterpieces don’t just have to be associated with art. God sees masterpieces in the making. He takes people that they world considers unlikely and uses them for His purposes. God is in the business of making masterpieces out of the most broken people—as well as those of us who may not feel as broken but feel just plain ordinary, purposeless and directionless. The good news is that God looks at you and sees His masterpiece. Even if you have a broken past, broken relationships or broken confidence, God sees beautiful art.

You were created by God. He says you’re likely.

Bottom Line: God’s not attracted to your abilities—or distracted by your inabilities.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight we had around 35 boys out. It was a great night as we started a new month with our Character Matters Trait of the of the month - perseverance - We stick to a goal and work hard even in the face of obstacles and challenges.

We complete all tasks and assignments.Congrats to our MVC's (Most Valuable Character).

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Series Overview

If you haven’t noticed by now, we’re going to clue you in on something big about God—He doesn’t exactly operate like most of us. What we mean is, He chooses the most unlikely people to work through. He shows up in the most unlikely places. And then He asks us to respond in ways that are unlikely and go against our normal response. And what it all boils down to is this—you and I are unlikely people God uses in unlikely places to respond in unlikely ways.