Dear Parents
Has God ever told you to do something He knew you could not do? Would God even do such a thing? In Mark 6, Jesus tells His disciples to cross over to Bethsaida after He fed the 5,000. Later that night, Jesus went up on the mountain to spend time with His Father, and when He looked down on the disciples in the middle of the lake, He saw them battered by the waves and unable to cross.
Now, you could argue that Jesus did not know the storm was coming, so this particular instance does not count, and that could be true. But Mark gives a specific detail that makes me ask, “What?” Mark tells us that Jesus saw His disciples struggling and unable to cross because of the wind, and He meant to pass by them (Mark 6:48). He was just going to let them continue on, but the disciples saw Him, cried out for help, and He saved them.
Just because things do not work out, or there are insurmountable obstacles in front of us, does not mean God has not sent us. Our role in this life is not to be successful or to see things through. Our role is simply to be obedient. This can bring us such great peace, because the results and the future lie squarely where they belong: with God.
This week in Sabbath School, we will be talking about this concept of simply following Jesus today and leaving whatever may come, whether ease or struggle, in the hands of God. We will simply trust Him and obey.
Now, you could argue that Jesus did not know the storm was coming, so this particular instance does not count, and that could be true. But Mark gives a specific detail that makes me ask, “What?” Mark tells us that Jesus saw His disciples struggling and unable to cross because of the wind, and He meant to pass by them (Mark 6:48). He was just going to let them continue on, but the disciples saw Him, cried out for help, and He saved them.
Just because things do not work out, or there are insurmountable obstacles in front of us, does not mean God has not sent us. Our role in this life is not to be successful or to see things through. Our role is simply to be obedient. This can bring us such great peace, because the results and the future lie squarely where they belong: with God.
This week in Sabbath School, we will be talking about this concept of simply following Jesus today and leaving whatever may come, whether ease or struggle, in the hands of God. We will simply trust Him and obey.
Connection Points
To spark conversations about this topic, sit down with your teenager and read Mark 6:45-52 and go through these questions together:
• Would you rather stay up all night praying or a few hours rowing in a canoe battling the winds until you make it to the other side of a lake?
• What is something you believe God told you to do but it didn’t work out like you thought it would?
• What were Jesus’ words to the disciples once they saw Him?
• What is something we can do as a family to encourage each other when it looks like things won’t work out like we hoped?
Have a great time exploring these topics. Thanks for your prayers and support!
• Would you rather stay up all night praying or a few hours rowing in a canoe battling the winds until you make it to the other side of a lake?
• What is something you believe God told you to do but it didn’t work out like you thought it would?
• What were Jesus’ words to the disciples once they saw Him?
• What is something we can do as a family to encourage each other when it looks like things won’t work out like we hoped?
Have a great time exploring these topics. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Announcements
Refocus - Our next Refocus will be May 6 and be our Messy Mayhem night. Teens need to come ready to get messy, have a ton of fun, and make a memory they'll never forget.
Evangelism & Neighborhood Cookout - The end of our evangelism will be on April 26 from 12-5pm at Trago Park near downtown. As we go out all this month we are inviting everyone we talk with to come to the cookout. Jesus told us when we host a dinner to not invite our friends, family, or rich neighbors but instead to throw parties for the poor, lame, maimed, and blind (Luke 14:12-14). We will have a free BBQ, activities, games, services, as we try to make this the best day our guests can imagine. Jesus said what you've done for the least of these you've done it to Him, and all we want to do is throw an amazing party for Jesus. Please join us to help make this day amazing.
Final Vespers of the School Year - May 1 from 6-8pm is our Passing of the Torch Vespers where we gather outside at the Henton's house to play games, eat, enjoy a fire, sing, worship, and pass the torch from one generation of leaders to the next. I hope your teen will join us.
Bible Study Small Group - Almost every Friday night Mic and Tori host a small group Bible study in their home from 7:15-9:00pm. This is a time for your teen to be able to ask questions about life, eternity, God, or really anything. We open up the Bible and dive in discovering what it means for us and our faith journey. This is one of the best things we do.
Our Home Address:
130 Winfield Rd.
Lincoln, NE 68512
Evangelism & Neighborhood Cookout - The end of our evangelism will be on April 26 from 12-5pm at Trago Park near downtown. As we go out all this month we are inviting everyone we talk with to come to the cookout. Jesus told us when we host a dinner to not invite our friends, family, or rich neighbors but instead to throw parties for the poor, lame, maimed, and blind (Luke 14:12-14). We will have a free BBQ, activities, games, services, as we try to make this the best day our guests can imagine. Jesus said what you've done for the least of these you've done it to Him, and all we want to do is throw an amazing party for Jesus. Please join us to help make this day amazing.
Final Vespers of the School Year - May 1 from 6-8pm is our Passing of the Torch Vespers where we gather outside at the Henton's house to play games, eat, enjoy a fire, sing, worship, and pass the torch from one generation of leaders to the next. I hope your teen will join us.
Bible Study Small Group - Almost every Friday night Mic and Tori host a small group Bible study in their home from 7:15-9:00pm. This is a time for your teen to be able to ask questions about life, eternity, God, or really anything. We open up the Bible and dive in discovering what it means for us and our faith journey. This is one of the best things we do.
Our Home Address:
130 Winfield Rd.
Lincoln, NE 68512