Fbcj Solid Youth

There's a lot of talk in youth groups across America these days about what a successful Christian looks like: unfortunately most of this comes from taking principles of the world and tying an out-of-context Bible verse to them. We're going to let the Bible have final say on the matter. Growth is a process!

*Opening testimony by Sammy Chutas* We end with what inevitably are the two most important rules of bible study; because both have to deal with the heart's preparation to receive the word of God. Are you willing to change if God is asking you to? Are you willing to wait if God is telling you to wait? Time will ultimately tell...

With “The Prayer Closet” and “The Quiet Time”, we’ve taken the “basics” of the Christian life and gone deeper into them. Now, it’s time to evaluate how much we are allowing prayer and the word of God to continually change us. The first 5 books of the Bible present a great picture of our spiritual growth process as seen in the Nation of Israel.

A lot of "theologians" these days love to point out the "complicated" verses of scripture at the expense of clear ones; and a lot of Christians tend to grab ahold of one single verse or passage in order to back their belief. Thankfully, the Bible has built in keys to help prevent against these fallacies.

Andy presents a "Personal Worship" series tie-in by taking a look at the pillar of cloud & fire and it's practical elements to us on moving when God is moving and staying when he wants us to wait.

If God meant for his word to NOT be literal, he would have told us (John 14:2). Paul was persecuted for taking the Bible literally (Acts 24:14), and he even called out people in the church for spiritualizing a literal truth (2 Timothy 2:16-18). I think God is serious about this topic. When God decides to use figures of speech in the Bible, it is abundantly clear.

We've looked at the need, the privilege, and how to have a meaningful quiet time. There's only one common denominator keeping you from his presence: YOU. Let's look at 5 ways self can keep us from reaching our maximum potential with Christ.

*Opening testimony by Grant Bruno* The Law of First Mention is one of the most powerful factors of Bible Study...and if you listen and follow along, you'll see that first hand.

BE NOT DECEIVED! Maybe the dry season you're going through in the word has its solution in one of the points & scripture references listed. Approach this message like it's your first time hearing these things, and the word will have an effect on you (1 Thess. 2:13).

All contradictions in the Bible can be worked out with a two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). Let the Bible interpret itself. When you have a faith-based approach to the Bible, you find that God really did write the Bible and that those contradictions only appear to be such.

Your need for a quiet time MUST go beyond the typical Sunday School answers we give for why quiet time is important. Do you come to him only to learn more or to "get something out of it"?

Creation can be pretty moving (You can start by checking out this article on ants when you download your study sheet). With this factor of Bible study, allow God to speak to you through his word about creation, and allow him to move you to action.

We continue our series on "Personal Worship" with another miniseries born out of The Prayer Closet. October tends to be the month where the momentum of summer begins to drift. Many have grown up being told to "read your bible daily" and that it's called "quiet time", but in reality, many have no clue how to go about effectively doing that. Don't be deceived into thinking you're beyond this.

Click here for a video skit introducing the rule first! While you're there, download a study sheet. The rule that destroys the "that's just your interpretation" argument. Let the Bible interpret itself by comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Cor. 2:13).

Before you listen, click here to download the study sheet and try your hand at our examples. Pay attention to every word and ask yourself "what is God trying to show me through this"?

What does it look like to pray boldly? Even more so, what does it look like to be put into a situation where you have no other option but to trust God to do the impossible? Doesn't your heart bleed to want to be in a battle like that with the Lord? Elijah's was...

The Spirit was stirring on this one. Are we as a nation in the midst of revival? What does the Bible say? You better pay attention to every individual word especially in the so-called "boring" verses that we so easily skip over in our reading.

What is your heart reaction when trials come in your lives? Okay, now that you know how you should answer, ask how you genuinely react when trials come your way, and then tune in to hear how Paul and Silas responded. If we're only thankful when things go our way, we're missing the point of unconditional gratitude.

The core rule that highlights the questions "What does the Bible say?", "What is God teaching?", and "How does this apply to my life right now?". Plus, we FINALLY get to apply all 4 rules to Hebrews 6:4-6.

The first 3 weeks focused on why and how to pray. Now we shift gears to look at examples of prayer in scripture. The defining trait for our 3 examples is simply earnestness. This will help us fight praying as a routine.