SCHOLARS believe that the word SEX is related to the Latin word Secare which means “to sever, to amputate, to disconnect.”
Our sexuality then has 2 dimensions:
Our awareness of how cut off/ disconnected we are
Its about all the ways we go about trying to reconnect.
Remember: Our sexuality is all about the ways we strive to reconnect with our world, each other and God. ITS ABOUT CONNECTION!
You can’t be connected with God until you’re at peace with who you are. If you’re still upset that God gave you this body or this life or this family or these circumstances, you will never be ablt to connect with God in a healthy, thiving, sustainable sort of way. You’ll be at odds with your maker. And if you can’t come to terms with who you are and the life you’ve been given, you’ll never be able to accept others and how they were made and the lives the’ve been given. And until you’re at peace with God and those around you, you will continue to struggle with your role on the planet, your part to play in the ongoing creation of the universe. You will continue to struggle and resist and fail to connect. - Rob Bell, SEX GOD
Last Weeks Thoughts on Sexuality
C LVL - (July 21-26th)
C LVL - (July 21-26th) - “Take Your Mind For A Swim / Rinse and Repeat”
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2
The greatest single way to increase your faith is to get to know the Father. What better way to do that then spend time with Him reading his Word. The Bible is an intimate look at the heart of the Father through historical stories and parables. The Bible is not a cave full of gems, but the largest gem ever discovered. Unearth it from your shelf and dig in. Spiritual Living books are also a great way to grow your faith as people have spent countless hours scouring the Bible to get answers about specific topics you may be struggling with or wanting to grow in. Discover more about God and his ways - and you will only become more clear about this crazy thing we call LIFE!
Commit: To dedicating at least an hour a day. You have two options - Read 3 books of the Bible this week or read a chapter a day and pick up a Christian Book.
Pray: That you’ll put aside any distractions and stay to your commitment. Pray that your mind will be open and you will understand what God has put before you. Pray that you’ll enjoy this challenge and that it will change your life by becoming a daily occurrence.
Read: For at least an hour a day. See the list of suggestions below. READ: Psalm 119, Col. 3:16, John 1:1-18
The Goal: To discover the power of reading the Word of God. It is powerful (Heb. 4:12-13) and needed in your everyday life. As leaders we want to see you actively pursuing and hungry for God’s word.
Suggestions: Velvet Elvis - Repainting the Christian Faith, by Rob Bell Battlefield of the Mind, by Joyce Meyers How People Grow, by Henry Cloud The Shack, by William Young The Way of the Wild Heart, by John Eldredge (for men) Captivating, by John Eldredge (for women) Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, by John Piper
Books of the Bible: Jonah, John, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, James
*look up these books on Amazon to see what most interests you.
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matthew 4:4 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
The Truth Project
Thursday Nights as you have known them are changing. I introduce to you:
The Thursday Night Small Group Truth Project Experiment
We have heard the voice of the people as they have been chanting for a deeper small group format based on discussions about following God and growing in relationships. Coming up is a 12 week study as we are closing down the “typical” Thursday night programing. This experiment will be limited to 20 people and will be hosted at Mike Bowe’s house. It will run from 7-9p and will be a closed group (please bring friends Sundays and to other activities we have outside of this time). The students must sign up and commit themselves to all 12 weeks - to coming, participating and showing up on time. This time will be about developing relationships and growing deeper in our faith. This will not be a time of entertainment but we do promise it will be fun and challenging. We, as leaders, are also promising to pray for each teenager everyday for the duration of the small group. The Truth Project begins February 28th so please turn in the application as soon as possible to guarantee your spot in the Truth Project.
The Truth Project is a DVD-based small group study designed to equip believers with a comprehensive biblical worldview. Practically and personally, participants will be reintroduced to the truth claims of God. Twelve one-hour lessons discuss in detail God’s design for living out the Christian worldview in daily life. Most importantly, it addresses the need to marry our actions to our core beliefs. What this curriculum does is nothing short of transformational.
“I wholeheartedly recommend The Truth Project. It is worthy of its name and its intent. I hope and pray that many will get behind it and take advantage of it. The content of a project like this is the best gift you can give your children and yourself.”
-Ravi Zacharias, president of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Truth Project INFO:
Truth Project Begins Feb. 28th and meets every Thursday until May 29th. We will not be meeting March 27th and April 10th because of Easter Vacations.
All twelve weeks will be hosted at Mike Bowe’s House is 27932 Catalonia Court, Mission Viejo CA 92692. His home phone is 949-348-0566
The small group starts at 7pm sharp and will end right at 9pm. Do not be late!
Bring Bible, notebook, pen every week.
Limited to 20 spots, you are committing to all 12 weeks. Make-ups are possible.
This is a coed group
REMEMBER TO GET A SIGN-UP SHEET!