Sorry we missed this for the previous newsletter which is why your getting another newsletter right now The seniors have been a little slack in getting there one up. If you have any questions about seniors give adrian a call on 0404294692

Last Friday at Junior Youth we had a ball! In fact, we had stacks of balls
flying round in Dale’s ’system of fun-making’. It was a little bit crazy,
it was a little bit hectic, but it was so, so, soooo much fun. We also
spent some time thinking about the super important question, “Who is
Jesus?”. It was great to see a bunch of new faces there so keep up the good
work inviting your friends.

This Friday night we’ve got loads more fun-packed activities in store, so
start inviting your friends now and get excited for another big night of
Junior Youth.

And now for the big, big news…

At Operation 24/7 on Sunday morning we released the first devotional
booklets for Junior Youth! It was an exciting time. Really, it was. If you
weren’t there on Sunday or missed out on getting a copy, then don’t fear,
you can still get your hands on one of these fantastic booklets. If you’re
in year 7, go here. If you’re in year 8, then shoot over to here. And if
you’re in year 9, then you can find your booklet here. These booklets are
a great way to help you read God’s word every day and a great place to
write down any questions you might have so that you can ask your leaders.
Make the most of these great resources.

Year 7 - Download Here

Year 8 -Download Here

Year 9 – Download Here

Download 2 Corinthians Summer Holiday Bible Reading Notes (right click ’save as’)

WHY READ THE BIBLE THESE HOLIDAYS??

The Bible is like no other book.

In 2 Timothy as Paul is writing what is probably his last letter, he is keen to make sure that Timothy will continue the work of proclaiming Jesus. In chapter 3 he gives some key thoughts on how to get it right:

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:14-17)

What is it that makes the Bible so special?

According to v15 it’s in the Bible that we are made wise for salvation. What does a cook book do? It makes you wise for cooking. What does the Bible do? It makes us wise for salvation. How does it do that? According to v15 it’s through faith in Christ Jesus. So as we read the Bible we are constantly pointed to Jesus. We understand that faith in ourselves will only bring death and judgment. But faith (or trust, believe, dependence) in Jesus leads to salvation… to new life… to an eternity knowing God!

In v16, the Bible claims to be the very breath of God. ALL Scripture is God-breathed. ALL Scripture is the word of God. As we read the Bible we are listening to the very words of THE Creator of the Universe! That’s seriously special stuff! We can trust that the Bible is reliable and trustworthy because God is reliable and trustworthy. What a privilege to listen to the God of the universe speak to us.

The Bible is useful. When I went to school I struggled to understand how anything in my mathematics textbook was useful! The Bible is different from maths. The Bible is actually useful! According to v16 it’s useful for teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. And… not just in a superficial way. In v17 we see that Bible can thoroughly equip us to serve God.

Why read the Bible?

• It makes us wise for Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
• Because It’s the very word of God
• It’s useful in lots of ways.

If you want to keep going and growing as a Christian these holidays: Stay close to the Bible. Read it. Delight in it. Learn from it. Study it. Pray from it. Share it. Remember it.

Maybe spend some time each week talking about the things that you have learned. Chat to your family, chat to your friends, your leader, leave a comment on the website. READ THE BIBLE… IT’S GOOD!!

Download 2 Corinthians Summer Holiday Bible Reading Notes (right click ’save as’)

The following reading notes are for year 9-12 G-TEAMS. Matthew 25-28 will be studied this term in conjunction with the CCEC Nite Church (630pm Sunday’s @ EHS Hall) sermon series.

Matthew 25-28 reading notes (Right click ‘Save Target As’)

Extract:

Matthew’s majestic account of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus slows down and concentrates on the last few days of Jesus’ ministry towards the end. In these chapters, we pick up the action 3 days before Jesus’ execution. In this section of Matthew, we are warned to expect a delay in the return of Jesus, and we see the New Passover instituted, the agony of Jesus at what he knows must soon take place. We see his betrayal, arrest and trial. And we read of Jesus death and resurrection and his Great Commission to his followers.

THE JESUS BRIDGE – 17th – 23th September AD2007: Year 7 & 8 Week 5

THE JESUS BRIDGE – 10th – 16th September AD2007: Year 7 & 8 Week 4

THE JESUS BRIDGE – 3rd – 9th September AD2007: Year 7 & 8 Week 3

THE JESUS BRIDGE – 27th August – 2nd September AD2007: Year 7 & 8 Week 2

Read Luke 24:36-49 (download full booklet)

We begun in Study one answering the question WHO IS JESUS? Who is he? He’s the one who comes to seek and save the lost in fulfilment of Isaiah 61.

In this final passage from Luke we see that Jesus again fulfils an Old Testament Bible passage. Which one? All of them!! The “Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms” is just another way of saying the whole of the Old Testament.

2 Corinthians 1:20 says that “no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.”

All of God’s promises and purposes are summed up in Jesus.

Life is all about Jesus.

And in Luke 24:36-49 Jesus (who is physically risen and eating) helps the disciples to understand that everything that happened to him was done according to the scriptures. He suffered, he died, he rose again, and now repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name.

Life is all about Jesus.

We were made by Jesus and for Jesus.

We were saved by Jesus and for Jesus.

Being a Christian is all about Jesus. It’s not about religion. It’s not about doing stuff. It’s about Jesus. Trusting Jesus. Believing Jesus. Loving Jesus. Suffering for Jesus. Delighting in Jesus. Proclaiming Jesus. Praying to Jesus. Worshipping Jesus. Living for Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

When the lost are found by Jesus. Life is no longer about living in darkness. Life is about living in the light of Jesus. Living differently because of what Jesus has done.

What will it mean to now live as one who as been found?
What will it mean to be part of the fellowship of the found?

The rest of the New Testament is about what it means to gather as part of the fellowship of Jesus. In Luke’s second volume, The ACTS of the Apostles, he gives some insights on what it meant for the early church to live the new life.

Have a read of Acts 2:42-47 & Acts 4:32-37 and see something of the radical changes in the lives of the first followers of Jesus: The Fellowship of the Found.

Are you found?
What’s stopping you from coming to Jesus to be found?

Read Luke 23:32-43 (download full booklet)

John Lennon said of The Beatles: “We’re more popular than Jesus.” Noel Gallagher said of Oasis: “We’re going to be bigger than the Beatles.”

Noel Gallagher in effect is saying that Oasis will be bigger than Jesus!

Lots of people in pop culture have an opinion on who Jesus is… more often than not many quotes about Jesus may seem positive or simply be neutral. Different religions are happy to say that Jesus was a great teacher. But often when Jesus is mentioned in popular culture it is done in a mocking tone. Jesus is ridiculed.

Why do people ridicule Jesus? Why do people reject Jesus?

In Luke 23:32-43 of the many responses to Jesus, they can be summarised into 2 categories.

Those that reject Jesus.
Those that accept Jesus.

The people. Reject Jesus.
The rulers. Reject Jesus.
The soldiers. Reject Jesus.
The sign writer. Rejects Jesus.
The criminal #1. Rejects Jesus.

The criminal #2. Accepts Jesus.

Of all the responses that Luke records for us (in this passage) there is only one where Jesus is not rejected.

Criminal #2 has a good set of glasses on. He can see clearly.

1) He sees himself clearly
“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.” This guy isn’t deluded. He’s probably spent the last day or two reflecting on his life that is about to end. He’s done the crime. Now he’s about to pay. He is being honest – he knows he is lost. He’s under no illusion.

2) He sees Jesus clearly
“But this man has done nothing wrong… Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” While others throw insults at Jesus this guy is bowing his knee to the Lord of the Universe. He recognises that Jesus is without sin – and he recognises that Jesus is the King of an eternal kingdom.

Criminal #2 knows that he is lost. Criminal #2 knows that Jesus can find him.

What about everyone else? Not just those at the scene but for the last 2000 years of history? Everyone who rejects Jesus has failed to 1) see themselves clearly and 2) see Jesus clearly.

Have you recognised that you are lost?
Have you recognised that it’s only in Jesus death that you can be found?