Thank you note from Judi Clayton, after YA prayed for her Grandson

THANK YOU!!!

To all the young adults who prayed for Chris on friday night. Your prayers broke through powerfully.

Chris was suddenly very sick with Septecimia however the lab has not been able to culture any bug from blood taken!

The break through began after 7:00pm Friday evening, Dr's were unable to control his temp until then (he also has a genetic condition and has no sweat glands). 

This was a noticeable event even to staff and Chris's family. The enemy cannot prevail against the army of God. 

Bless you all, 

Judi  xx

Youth & Young Adults with Andy Harrison

Friday 8th October 2010
7pm - 9pm
Door of Hope
 
Yo get yourself down to Door of Hope on the 8th of October for a combined Friday night youth and young adults event. Special guest Andy Harrison from Planetshakers City Church Melbourne will be sharing, he is an amazing man of God with a heart to see God glorified and all people living in the power of the Spirit of God. Andy grew up in Hobart and is now the High School's Pastor at Planetshakers. Zions will be leading the way in worship, and this night is open to all youth groups across the city, Gateway Baptist, City View, Zion's Hill and Door of Hope youth and young adults will be there...this is a night not to be missed!

Hey Young Adults,

Well it's been an amazing journey so far!! It amazes me how much people have committed to the study of the Word and how everybody seems to draw different revelations out of the same stories and texts. 

 

I am very proud of the dedication you have all made to study. It is not usually a popular practice, 'bible study', especially among young people. 

 

Big shout out to Anna for her active involvement, jim for his cameo appearances, Bek Williams for being like a Berean (Acts 17:11), Luke Bone for stepping up and the Barnes girls for being characterised by faithfulness, as usual. Also all the students who have invested extra time in the courtship series, you permeate the YA ethos....  

 

peace, 

Ps C

The Discipline of Scriptual Meditation Part 3

Adapted from the book 'Celebration of Discipline - The Path to Spiritual Growth' by Richard Foster 2008

"Sitting I am most at rest, and my heart most upward." Richard Rolle

 

 

In preparing to meditate, it is important to set time aside each day even 5 or 10 minutes to begin with. Those who are proficient in the discipline are able to meditate anywhere and at any time. Regardless, it is important to remember that it is not a religious act but more like on-going contemplative prayer. In 1 Thess 5:17, Paul encourages us to 'pray without ceasing.' Thus our aim is to learn to develop this skill until it becomes a natural way of living life.

 

Some tips to help you get started.

1. One of the many benefits of learning to meditate is that it has the capacity to set the tone for the whole day. It also helps us to achieve a sense of balance and peace even when things get busy. This is referred to as 'holy leisure.' To this end it is beneficial that meditation occurs in the early morning in particular as well as at various intervals during the day if desired.

 

2. Find a place which is comfortable, peaceful (turn the phone off!) and which has a pleasing view.

 

3. Our outward posture often reveals our inward state e.g. tension. So concentrate on dropping the shoulders, deep, even breathing, stretching the toes and fingers and relaxing the entire body...and avoid vigorous chewing of gum!

 

4. Position yourself in the most comfortable position and least distracting position and place your open palms on the knees to receive from Him.

 

5. Close your eyes. Focus on one thing in particular. For example the Lord Himself, a flower, a tree etc. Begin to center all the attention of the body, mind, emotions and inner man onto that object of your focus until "the glory of God in the face of Christ" emerges. (2 Cor 4:6)

 

6. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring His Word to you and let your mind and emotions dwell on these. As you concentrate in this way, you will begin to internalise scripture in a wonderfully personal way. Try to avoid analysing and dissecting His words to you and just simply and humbly receive it like Mary did in Luke 2:51. The most important thing is not to rush but be still before God.

 

7. Another method of meditating is taking a verse of your choosing and then bring all of the senses to it-smell, taste, sight, hearing and touch. Experience the verse so it takes root in your inner man and in your emotions. Be an active participant in the verse you have chosen. Don't be afraid to use your imagination eg playing the part of one of the apostles or those whose life Jesus touched in a special way. Let it become your own reality.

 

For some, taking time out in this way is a sacrifice. However it is essential that as believers, we recreate the silences and return to the deeper place of contemplation. Our adversary would have us continue to be too busy. (It has been quoted that 'Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil.' Carl Jung.) As you practice the skill of meditation daily, you will notice the blessings of His nearness in a new and more intimate way. Learn to activate your being through meditation until the entire Word becomes an autobiography of you.

Why study the Word?

In Hosea 4:6 the Lord says 

                "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..." 

 

So to those who love Him,  let us add to our faith knowledge. His desire is for us to know and understand the mysteries of the Bible.

The Discipline of Scriptual Meditation Part 2

Adapted from the book 'Celebration of Discipline - The Path to Spiritual Growth' by Richard Foster 2008

"The contemplation of the saints is fired by the love of the One contemplated: that is, God." - Albert the Great

What is the purpose of meditation?

1. It brings us closer and closer to Jesus. Spending time in this manner, it cultivates daily walk with Him which is characterised by an intensity of intimacy and an 'awful reverence'.

2. Meditation is the doorway which allows Jesus access to the deepest recesses of our heart. It is during this process that we are changed and our inner personality transformed.

3. Meditation is designed to fill our mind only with the Lord, leaving the rush and confusion and busyness of everyday life behind. In this way it aims to help us to live our life more successfully and with less stress.

4. It can help provide insights and solutions to pressing problems as well as guidance and clarity to everyday situations.

5. As a divine encounter with our God, it brings joy to the Lover and the Beloved.

6. Meditation is a discipline which requires the Christian to assume individual responsibility by choosing to come into His prescence himself, not through a mediator.

7. We develop the ability to hear His voice and sense His presence more clearly. This in turn, encourages us to seek Him more.

...to be continued....

The Discipline of Scriptual Meditation Part 1

Adapted from the book  'Celebration of Discipline - The Path to Spiritual Growth' by Richard Foster

"True contemplation is not a psychological trick but a theological grace." Thomas Merton.

In order for Christians to move into a deeper place in their daily walk with the Lord, we need to be 'willing to enter into the world of contemplation.' This discipline was practiced by those who were close to the heart of God - Moses (Ex 33:11), Elijah (1 Kings 19), Isaac (Gen 24: 63, and David ( Ps 63:6, Ps 1:2, Ps 119:148) etc. 

The term 'meditation' refers to listening to the Lord when He speaks: reflecting on His works and thinking about His laws, principles and statutes. It differs from the eastern practice of meditation by the fact that there is a change which occurs deep in our inner man as we spend time with Him in this way, culminating in repentence and obedience. One is changed through this Godly encounter.  

Throughout the gospels we read about how Jesus Himself spent time maintaining intimate time with the Father, modelling for us the importance of hearing and obeying. In John 5:30 it states'The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, that the Son does likewise.' He knew how to abide in the Father, thereby establishing a living, fulfilling fellowship with Him.

Genesis Brief

Vital Statistics

Purpose: To Record God’s creation of the world and His desire to have a people set apart to worship Him

Author: Moses

To Whom Written: The people of Israel

Date Written: 1450-1410 BC

Setting: The region presently known as The Middle East

Key Verses: “So God created people in His own image, God patterned them after Himself; male and female He created them” (1:27), “I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you” (12:2,3)

Key People: Adam, Eve. Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Joseph

The Blueprint

The Story of Creation (1:1-2:4)

God created the sky, seas and land. He created the plants, animals, fish, and birds. But He created human beings in His own image. At times, others may treat us disrespectfully. But we can be certain of our dignity and worth because we have been created in the image of God.

The Story of Adam (2:4-5:32)

1) Adam and Eve

2) Cain and Abel

3) Adam’s Ascendants

When Adam and Eve were created by God, they were without sin. But they became sinful when they disobeyed God and ate some fruit from the tree. Through Adam and Eve we learn about the destructive power of sin and its bitter consequences.

The Story of Noah (6:1-11:32)

1) The Flood

2) Repopulating the Earth

3) The tower of Babel

Noah was spared from the destruction of the Flood because he obeyed God and built the boat. Just as God protected Noah and his family, he still protects those who are faithful to Him today.

The Story of Abraham (12:1-25:18)

1) God promises a nation to Abram

2) Abram and Lot

3) God promises a son to Abram

4) Sodom and Gomorrah

5) Birth and near sacrifice of Isaac

6) Isaac and Rebekah

7) Abraham dies

Abraham was asked to leave his country, wander in Canaan, wait years for a son, and then sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Through these periods of sharp testing, Abraham remained faithful to God. His example teaches us what it means to live a life of faith.

The Story of Isaac (25:19-28:9)

1) Jacob and Esau

2) Isaac and Abimelech

3) Jacob gets Isaac’s blessing

Isaac did not demand his own way, He did not resist when he was about to be sacrificed, and he gladly accepted a wife chosen for him by others. Like Isaac, we must learn to put God’s will ahead of our own.

The Story of Jacob (28:10-36:43)

1) Jacob starts a family

2) Jacob returns home

Jacob did not give up easily. He faithfully served Laban for over 14 years. Later he wrestled with God. Although Jacob made many mistakes, his hard work teaches about living a life of service for our Lord.

The Story of Joseph (37:1-50:26)

1) Joseph is sold into slavery

2) Joseph and Tamar

3) Joseph is thrown into prison

4) Joseph is placed in charge of Egypt

5) Joseph and his brothers meet in

Egypt

6) Jacob’s family moves to Egypt

7) Jacob and Joseph die in Egypt

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and unjustly thrown into prison by his master. Through the life of Joseph, we learn that suffering, no matter how unfair, can develop strong character in us.

Welcome to our Young Adults Blogspot!

Hey there young adult-ites!

Here you'll be able to review teaching notes from previous weeks and even download notes in advance to study over and bring along with you.

This is a perfect equipping tool for those wanting to go deeper into what we’ve been studying at Young Adults. You can now get the same great teachings wherever you are and stay connected and on the journey with us as we delve into the word of God and become a strong community around the word! It’s ideal for those who can’t make it due to work commitments, travel or practical limitations but still want to stay on journey with us.

So remember, check the blogspot weekly for regular updates, testimonies and blogs from Young Adults, and feel free to post up comments under the blogs as they’re posted.

Peace Out!