Thoughts on Romans 5:1-5

Romans 5:1-5: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

At youth last night the kids read this passage and our youth director played a song in the background where the words kept repeating over and over: you have to spend time with me and I will love you. He was trying to get the kids to talk about how they spend time with God – how they could spend time with God.

I just listened. As an adult it’s easy to step in and tell them what to think. It’s harder to wait it out. Wait out the silence when none of them want to speak up. But, I thought about it a lot.

When our youth director told me what he was going to do, I remembered studying Romans in Bible Study Fellowship. When you study a book of the Bible in BSF it takes a whole year. So we probably spent 2 months on the first 4 chapters. Those are some of the most depressing chapters in the Bible. All about man is sinful. We are unworthy. There seemed to be no hope.

Then chapter 5! The “but, then” chapter! Paul opens the door, the sun comes out – God has provided a way for us. Through Jesus Christ we are worthy in His eyes to spend eternity with Him.

When I saw that wasn’t where the youth were going with this verse, but instead to ask themselves how they can put Him first in their lives, I was reminded of the book of Revelation where Jesus talked about the different churches. To one He said, “You are doing many things right.” But, the thing is they were doing many things. Things that were keeping them from truly worshipping Him. Missions, meetings, socials. And Jesus told them to go back to their first love. What was it like when they first knew Him? First loved Him? Go back to that awe, that relief, that Romans Chapter 5 “but, then” miraculous feeling.

How to Walk Consistently with God

My husband and I did another youth service with the kids on Sunday. We took thick white candles (lit) and formed a large cross on the floor. Then we had the kids sit at the foot of the cross.

I started with a story, which I’ve printed in this blog before: http://teachingsundayschool.blogspot.com/2007/01/trust-and-obey.html

Then said, “How do we consistently walk with God so that at the end of our lives we’ve had the kind of life God envisioned for us?

First: we seek God above all else. Let’s join together singing the hymn, Seek Ye First, the Kingdom of God

(John played it on the piano/ words were on power point)

2nd: Know that God is always present. He is with each of us all the time.

Power point responsive reading:

Leader: In this place
In this moment
God is present

All: A mystery of love

Leader: Around us
Within us
Above us
Beneath us
God is present

All: A mystery of love


3rd: Know the Bible. Read it every day. Memorize it! Share your favorite verses

At this point, I had had all the kids write their favorite Bible verses down and we passed around a flashlight so each read theirs. (I’ll share the verses and each kid’s age in tomorrow’s post – the variety is pretty cool.)

And 4th: The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. To keep the channel to God open at all times, so that we can ask for His guidance and directions in everything we do all day long. So that even when we don’t understand why some things happen, we acknowledge that He’s in charge and has a plan.

Played the video song below on the big screen: Bow the Knee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9z6l1PxsFE

We ended with each kid picking up a candle and silently saying something to God, just from his or her heart to His and blowing out the candle.

Youth Worship Service

This is a service we put together for our youth this coming Sunday night. The narrator reads all of this from behind a curtain. The room is completely dark except for one candle in the middle of the room. The kids are lined up at the door, each with an unlit candle.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light"
Candles are often used in worship services to symbolize the presence of Jesus. Jesus said “I am the light of the world” and as you can see, He shines brightly in the darkness.
"In Him there is fullness of joy. There is no darkness at all"

Enter and light your candle from Him. Troy and Nancy will start passing the light. Stand in a tight circle around Him.

The Bible tells us "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden"

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?"

"The Lord is God and He has made His light shine upon us"

"Let us walk in the light of the Lord"

Jesus’ light offers us warmth and comfort. It provides us with light to see and a guide of where to walk.

Take a big step back if you have ever lied to your parents
Take a big step back if you laughed at some one and caused them pain
Take a big step back if you have cheated on your homework
Take a big step back if you didn’t do something your parent asked you to
Take a big step back if you ever had an unkind thought about someone
Take a big step back if you were ever selfish

Blow out your candle if you have every broken one of the Ten Commandments.

Focus on the remaining light, how it looks farther away, and how with your flames gone it’s harder to see. You no longer feel the warmth from the candle's flame.

If you have ever broken the golden rule and treated someone as you would not want to be treated then turn around and sit down.

Even though you can’t see the Christ candle anymore you know its there.
Remember how the light looked when you all had yours lit facing the center light. Sit and think about times when you’ve turned your back on Jesus and walked away from Him.

Play the Lifehouse song Everything

Stand up and turn around if you have ever said, "I'm sorry"

Take a baby step forward if you ever helped a friend
Take a baby step forward if you ever helped your parents
Take a baby step forward if you ever said I love you to someone you cared about
Take a baby step forward if you go to church most Sundays
Take a baby step forward if you ever prayed for someone
Take a baby step forward if you try to do what you are suppose to

OK, if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came to save you from your sins so that you might live with Him for eternity - come the rest of the way back to the candle.

No matter how far away we get from God He is always ready to take us back. WE may turn our backs and run away from Jesus, but he's always there ready to guide us home and give us warmth and comfort. But, no matter how many “good” things we do – that’s not what gets us there. We have to repent and acknowledge Jesus for who He is and accept His gift of eternal life.

Look at everyone in the circle and see how when we're all together we can help one another in our journey of faith and spread a lot of light out into the world.

Nancy and Troy, light your candles and pass the light around.

Play Go Light Your World by Kathy Triccoli

Pray: Lord, thank you for coming into our lives. Help us be lights that show others the way to You. Amen

Everyone can blow out his or her candles.