Winterfest 2015

“WATCH”

THEME:The Winterfest 2015 theme is “WATCH.” We are in the third year of a four year series on THE WAY. The first year’s theme (2013) was “Withdrawal” (getting away from the world and all its trappings). Last year (2014)centered on the idea of“Weave,” (the essential and vital nature of the church). This year (2015), we want our teens to grow in their understanding and practice of discipleship. Our goal is that each teen be encouraged and inspired to more closely FOLLOW in the footsteps of Jesus. How do we do that? We WATCH Jesus Christ and we learn from him.

In this “pre-event lesson,” as well as at the Winterfest event itself, we willtake a deeper look at what it means to follow Jesus. We are praying for you and your ministry as you mentor young people in the faith. May God bless you and your teens as you lead them in followingJesus.

Schedule of Winterfest 2015 Sessions

Time / Teacher / Topic
Friday Night / David Skidmore / Watch
Saturday Morning / B. Chris Simpson / Apprentice /Available
Saturday Morning / Chris Seidman / Testing/Transformation
Saturday Night / Jeff Walling / Community/Cooperation
Sunday Morning / Jeff Walling / Help Another/Hand-Off

Winterfest 2015 Pre-Event Lesson -1

“WATCH”

Before the lesson:

1. Say a prayer for your students and for your time together. Ask God to speak through you so that your students may hear His Word.

2. Go over this plan and make it your own. Use what works for you. You may not want to use all of this material. Adapt this plan (edit, delete, add, subtract) to make it fit you and your situation.

3.This plan includes a 15-minute sermon/lesson by Francis Chan on video. Watch the video ahead of time to make sure it works for you in your context and if it does, to determine how to most effectively incorporate it into your lesson plan.

4. Practice leading the game, “Simon Says” or find another person who is goodat it and ask them to lead that portion of the class.

Keep in Mind: The aim of this lesson is to prepare students for the messages they will hear at Winterfest 2015. The thoughts in this “pre-event lesson” will “prime the pump” in your teens’ hearts and minds as they get ready for Winterfest.

Introduction

Begin by playing a quick game of “Simon Says.” At the end of the game, ask the participants, (maybe especially the winner of the game) what they believe was the key to winning the game. (Answers like: “good listening,” “watching,” “paying close attention,” and “focus” should come up.)

Transition by saying: Those same elements are also key factors in having an effective walk with Christ.

To be a successful disciple, we must WATCH Jesus Christ. We WATCH was he does. We WATCH how He behaves. We learn from His words and actions how to best live our lives. We, of course, can’t see Him in person any longer, but we can see Him in the Bible and we can see Him in the lives of His committed followers.

Begin by reading Matthew 4:18-20 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.”

To get us ready for Winterfest, we will watch this short, 15-minute presentation by Francis Chan on the idea of discipleship—following Jesus. Just as Jesus called Peter and Andrew and the other apostles to come and follow Him, He calls you to do the same today.

Below is a youtube link to "Basic. Follow Jesus”featuring Francis Chan. It isthe second film in a seven-part short series.

[Note: If you wish,you can purchase the “Basic. Follow Jesus” DVD from Christian Book Distributors for less than ten dollars or a digital download from Worship House Media for three dollars.]

As you watch and listen to Francis Chan, also pay close attention to the doors and the red path in the video. See if you can determine what the film makers are trying to say with their creativity.

At the conclusion of the video, use these discussion questions for follow up/application.

[You may want to divide your large group into several smaller groups for the discussion.]

Discussion Questions:

  • Last year, Winterfest 2014 discussed the importance and the vital nature of the church, the body of Christ. How are the ideas of “church” and the “discipleship” connected? How have you done over this past year living out the ideals of what “church” is supposed to be all about?
  • What are some of the ways we humans have distorted the concept of following Jesus?
  • “Follow me” was one of the first things Jesus said to His disciples. It was also one of the last things He said to them. Why do you think this might be significant?
  • Jesus called His original disciples, many of whom were fishermen, to leave their boats and nets and follow Him. What is it that Jesus would need to ask us to leave today to follow Him?
  • Lots of people call themselves Christians but don’t act like Jesus. Without using specific names, what are some examples we often see of this?
  • Read Luke 6:46-49. Why do we call Jesus “Lord” but don’t do what he says? When we don’t do what Jesus says, how are we like the foolish builder he talks about?
  • ReadMatthew 7:21. According to this verse, what is the key to entering into the kingdom of heaven?
  • Read John 6:60-69. Why did a lot of people quit following Jesus? Discuss Peter’s response when Jesus asked him if he wanted to leave, too. Why did Peter say that he would continue following Jesus? What does this have to say to you today?
  • What is Jesus really saying when He says, “Follow me”?
  • What were some of the words Francis Chan used to describe the path that Jesus asks us to walk? (difficult, challenging, have to face temptation and hatred, narrow)
  • Chan says that it’s not so much about HOW we should follow Jesus, but WHY. WHY should we follow Him? What was one of Chan’s reasons for following Jesus? What are some other reasons?
  • Did you notice the doors and the red path in the video? What do you thinkthe film makers were trying to say with their creativity?

Conclude with a prayer asking God to bless our time at Winterfest. Ask that God enable each of us to be better followers of Jesus.

Scripture References:

Matthew 4:18-20 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Luke 6:46-49

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Matthew 7:21

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

John 6:60-69

60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”