Below are some additional interactions on the article: Finding A Team. Read it first.
Words:
Sometimes it can be hard to imagine that God does desire good things for us, especially if we have dealt with a lot of hurt in our lives, but he does. Check out this passage. What can you learn from it?
Luke 11:5–13
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you should go to a friend’s house at midnight and say, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. A friend of mine who is on a trip has just come to my house, and I don’t have any food for him!’ And suppose your friend should answer from inside, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking. And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks. Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Wow! It amazes me each time I read it. If our earthly fathers who fall short know how to give us good things, how much more will our Father in heaven give us good things. Ask God to guide you to good community, to guide you as you build a stronger team. He will be faithful.
Quizical:
What things are you doing to strengthen your team?
- I am intentional in sharing the good things I see in my friends? Yes or No
- I go out of my way to include those who may not have close friends? Yes or No
- My friends are not afraid to call me out on poor behavior? Yes or No
- I have taken initiative to lead my group of friends in new adventures? Yes or No
- My friends and I regularly have deep conversations about life, God and our future dreams and goals? Yes or No
- I feel free to be myself around my friends? Yes or No
- My friends feel free to be themselves around me? Yes or No
- I’m not afraid to share the things I am struggling with? Yes or No
- I can recognize the different strengths in my friends and help my friends discover and use them? Yes or No
- I can bring out the best in my friends? Yes or No
- My friends are people who build me up? Yes or No
- My friends and I are intentional in keeping gossip to a minimum? Yes or No
- My friends help me reach my goals and vice versa? Yes or No
- My friends and I look out for one another? Yes or No
- My friends and I have fun together sharing in life and joy? Yes or No
What are other ways you know your friends and you are in a healthy place, building a strong team? Write it out. If you answered No for any of these, you have found an area to work on with your friends. Sometimes that may mean being the one starting the trend or talking to your friends, but either way, now you know. Take action!
Stories:
Tyler looked across the lunch room. His Club Beyond leader had recently challenged him to be more inclusive, to reach out to those in need of friends… whatever. He would think about it more tomorrow. Then he spotted Luke. Crap!” Tyler thought to himself. Luke had been the first person to come to mind when his leader had challenged him. He had tried to ignore it, but this… this was too much. He didn’t think God could be any clearer and the last thing he wanted was to be struck by lightning or something weird if he didn’t listen up.
Well… maybe God didn’t do that anymore. He was new to this whole God thing. He hadn’t heard of it happening any time recently, but… “Luke!” He called out. Luke whirled around confused and startled to see Tyler. It’s just one lunch, he thought to himself, I can do this. Tyler motioned for Luke to sit down and he timidly walked up.
“You going to sit or what?” Tyler said. Oh. Maybe that had been a little harsh… sorry. Who was he talking to? Sorry God… “Sooooo… ummm… my name is Tyler.”
“I know,” Luke said, “We go to the same church.”
“We do?” Weird.
Suddenly Tyler’s mind started to fill with questions, a lot of them. He had been going to church and Club Beyond for a few months now, but there were still so many questions. Before he realized it he and Luke were neck deep in a religious conversation. Maybe there was something to this community thing.
Maybe, just maybe, Tyler realized, God does have a plan for each of us and maybe Luke would be just the beginning of many others who would answer questions Tyler had been wondering about, and it all started with one short lunch period and a step of courage.
Audio:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Scripture:
Jeremiah 1:5—Before we even existed, God chose us to do great things!
Ephesians 2:8–10—The Bible tells us that each of us has been created specifically by God for a purpose. All possible because of Christ’s sacrifice.
Proverbs 3:5–6—Trust God to lead you in all that you do, including relationships with friends.
1 Samuel 16:7—Christ looks at our heart and knows us. Trust he will guide you through this journey; he knows your desire for a team.
Matthew 5:14–16—Know that you belong to God and his kingdom and you are a part of community. Let the light of Christ inside you shine so that others may see and be drawn to to you because of Christ.
Small Group Guide:
Large Group Guide:
Life Questions:
Go back and read 1 Samuel 16:7. Are there people not in your circle that you have left out because you think they don’t fit? Remember that what matters is what is inside a person’s heart. Think about those around you. Is there someone you need to reach out to? Take action today.
Do you feel the freedom to be yourself? That can be something that is really hard to do in school, but it is also something that can bring you freedom. What are different ways you can bring this out in yourself and others? Write it out, make it happen. Be yourself.
What are good things you have experienced on past teams or communities you have been a part of? Do you have that now? Write it out. Think about different ways you can implement in your new team the things that made your past team an A Team. Take initiative.
Ask God for guidance. Pray that he would direct you as you try to take your friendships to a deeper level. Maybe share with your friends your desire for a stronger team. Ask them questions; see where they are at.
