A Bible Study for Boys - Spiritual Tips 5

A great Bible Study for Boys!
Boys have great energy, so how can we funnel that energy and interest into digging into the Word and conforming to His image?

Use the first 3 movies from Star Wars (episodes 1,2 & 3), in paralleling Anakin Skywalker's steady downfall into negative fruits alongside of Galatians 5:19-25.
Get your dictionary handy as well, as you read through those nasty fruits in Galatians, you'll be mining through each one with that dictionary to really get the kids to understand what each one really means. Then, talk about the movie(s) and encourage the kids to pick out scenes that show that bad fruit in action so that they can begin to grasp by an example (in Anakin).

Not only does this study grasp their interest, but it encourages them to discern and teaches them to investigate based on the Word of God.

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Potter and the Clay

We hear: "He is the potter, we are the clay" (Is 64:8) in the scriptures, but the beauty of a parable is that we are drawn to step into another's shoes to liken our own situation. So as you think of Him as a potter…. place yourself in His shoes…


Let's dig into a very valuable study based on the reflection of a Potter and of the process that a vessel goes through…


We first take a piece of clay and pound on it to get out any air. I liken this as the fact that salvation is offered to every man and woman. We are all offered a choice. We are all put in a pounding place where we must choose light or darkness.


Under those tough times we are proven what we are made of.


Luke 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”


Then we throw the lump of clay down onto the wheel. Within your mind you've already decided what type of vessel you are going to make. Let's look in our cabinets…. we have plates, bowls of various types, platters, sugar, creamer etc. If we are making a set for ourselves, we will make what we will use. Each have a specific purpose in our place setting and we will make enough to fit our family size.


God purposes us individually … He foreordains what part of the 'place setting' we are to be… but He doesn't make junk. He doesn't sit there and say… "Now I need a broken dish just so I can throw it away". No, let's step into a potter's shoes.


Did you know that if you don't beat the air out of clay it can explode in the kiln?


"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (1 Peter 5:5)


Did you know that contaminants in the clay can cause the same to occur? If you have a little rock (contaminant) in a bowl you are spinning on the wheel, it can collapse the whole thing as it catches in your hand and creates a perforating score that then collapses the whole piece.


As we are conforming to Christ Jesus, we are co-laborers in the Kingdom. He created us all good with a purpose, but it is us that must keep out the contaminants of sin… it is us that must take the full gospel… not only bits and pieces.. it is us that must bear good fruit in the 'try times' of purification.


After the vessel is created it must dry and become greenware because there must be no moisture in the firing process because moisture is also an agent that can cause pottery to explode. You can have a kiln full of many beautiful pieces, but one with moisture in it can act as a grenade destroying the whole batch. What is that moisture like? It's like pride because it makes things swell. We can really relate to this one, in that one individual can have the power to destroy the faith of many, or to lead many astray.


But let's get back to this greenware stage…. greenware is very fragile. Does it look finished? Well, maybe from a distance, but is it usable? NO. It will melt if water is reintroduced to it. It must be fired.


After firing it becomes bisque. Is it usable then? To some extent, but it won't hold liquid, but for a short time, because it's too porous. It must be glazed and then fired again.


Are you seeing the parable of the sower in this analogy? Some only go so far with the 'Word' they hear.


It's the same with pottery… He gives us a place in advance, but we have a part in making it. I like song from Eli… it's from the 90's called 'The Lumber Song', in it, it focuses on the concept of how we lay up our treasures in heaven.


song excerpt:

Passed a mansion made of stone

But with each new house he's shown

They get smaller by degrees

Stopped in front of a two room shack

Pete said hope you're happy with that

Man said: "How can this be?"

Pete said:


Chorus:

That's all the lumber--that's all the lumber

that's all the lumber you sent

Looks like the builder--man he's got your number

That's all the lumber you sent


That's all the lumber you sent! It's the same with our hand in pottery… He's already determined the vessel… but like the Lumber song… are we choosing the right clay? (*side note: A different clay could be likened to a different doctrine... in the end however, it's our HEART, and if we are FOR or Against Jesus.)

Are we keeping out impurities? (Sin) Are we going the distance? (Empowered in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit)


So let me recap and flesh out the Parable nature of this "Potter and the Clay"….


On the hard surface:

We must first choose light or darkness. Pounding is inevitable as we are amidst an unseen battle for our souls.


On the wheel:

To some there are too many contaminants in the clay so that a vessel cannot even be formed, which is likened to rejecting God. But, some go on and make it off the wheel.


Greenware:

To some they have the appearance of being a vessel; or we could say an appearance of 'goodness' or ‘godliness, but explode in the kiln because they didn't follow the instructions [Jesus is the only door]. Remember that greenware is brittle… I've got this fun little piece my son made in preschool where they pressed toy dinosaurs into it to get an idea of how fossils were made. A little straggler piece broke off very easily. If I put the whole thing in water the clay will soften and he can do the whole thing over again. Greenware is where a lot of the 'church' is… the appearance of ‘godliness’, but when taken under a faucet… just like in the parable of the sower, greenware is like all the seeds that fell everywhere but on the good soil.


Fun Fact: The finest porcelain wares do not need glazing to render them

impermeable to liquids, but glaze makes them resistant to dirt and staining... How far will the Bride go in adornment?


Bisque:

And others retain their shape, but only have limited usage. They've went through some fire, they are solid… they aren't going to melt. This is likened to receiving Jesus as Lord, but not being Baptized in the Holy Spirit… we must receive the 2nd baptism, if we want to be fully useful in the Kingdom of God!


Jhn 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being ((ie. belly)) will flow rivers of living water.' "


Glazing:

But the ones that are glazed are not only beautiful; tried through the fire several times, but are also true vessels to be set at places of honor at the banquet. With the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, these are able to carry rivers of His life.

The finest porcelain may not 'need' glazing to hold liquids, but it is the glaze that adds that touch of beauty to adorn the finest of tables.


There are many rooms in His Father's house (in OUR Father’s house). Only Bisque and Glazed items are fit for use at all. As we lay up our treasure in heaven, do we have a meager dwelling with cupboards of Bisque or are we producing fine glazed porcelain in palaces of honor in His kingdom? We all need to examine and contemplate, "Am I being used to my full potential? Am I on the path to conforming to the vessel that He has created me to be?"

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‪Damnation in the Streets - My Thumbs Down‬

‪Throughout my life I've been on college campuses, been to rallies and watched hellfire condemnation preachers on video spewing judgment scriptures to the masses‬, with an unsettled churning of the Holy Spirit within. I mean, hey… this is the Word of God, it's got to be good, but why am I disturbed? It must be something wrong with me?

Many people struggle with this same 'feeling'; and I can't make up your mind for you, but what I can do is walk along with you to Emmaus and share the scriptures.

If we really sum up how Jesus operated 'in a nutshell'… He speaks out to the 'crowds' sharing wise parables that draw people in. He heals, delivers and miracles occur as further drawing proof that there is something special about this Man. Some really 'get it' and begin to follow Him… the ones that do so closely get the deeper revelation from those parables… they actually RECEIVE the talents in them and then later we note that He commissions them on to do likewise in more than preaching that the Kingdom of God is at hand, but they share in the manifestation power thereof as well.

As Jesus preached to the crowds (these parables), the 'religious' would come with questions of guile (an agenda) and Jesus would cut to the heart and deal with the religious sternly using the Word, and putting a mirror in front of those railers to shame them. He never railed or shamed sinners (Forgive them, for they know not what they do).

‪Jesus only preached to the masses in parables (Mark 4:34).... He only preached hellfire to those that claimed to be followers of YHWH (Matthew chapter 15).‬ Over and over we see in the life of Jesus that he showed love to sinners, by dining with them-- and who can forget the Mary Magdalene incident-- hellfire surrounded her and He delivered her from that fate!

Forgive them Father…
To understand Jesus' immense compassion with sinners is to understand that sin brings a curse and a veil that block people from receiving the Truth. The veil ‪must be removed before they can even receive the gospel. We'll note in 2 Corinthians 3:16, it says they have to TURN to the Lord BEFORE the veil is taken away. So again, let's look to our original role model of Jesus‬… He does this by non-threatening parables that stir peoples hearts to make a choice… He furthers stirs them by manifesting signs and wonders as further proof as well as exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. ‪In His example we see that love breaks hardness... ...Jhn 13:35.‬ He is all things to all men and only shows an intolerance to those with guile in their hearts.

We are in days where the love of many is growing cold. People are spoiled, proud know-it-alls… they immediately put up a fence especially when being told to do something---be something, but when you come in humbly and address the things that help fix their brokenness-- those things that they've tried everything to fix, but only Jesus can fix-- this is beginning to understand the concept of 'by way of parable'.

But what about the Old Testament? Countless times we can note that the context of Judgment proclamations say they are FOR the people of God. Exceptions are Judgments of Nations--Kings… delivered by a Prophet. Do prophetic judgments and proclamations still go out?-- you know they do… but the problem is, is that everyone is quick to proclaim they are one and use it to feed their fire.

‪We can't even say that preaching judgment is a mandate if we KNOW it's coming! Lot didn't preach to the 'masses'... he went to his own: Gen 19:14--and almost got rejected!‬

If we KNOW God has told us to proclaim a message on the street corner, then we should do so, but if we make it a lifestyle a habit or feel guilty if we do not-- or others guilt-trip us for not doing so, we need to self examine because this is a serious 'Religious Spirit' red-flag.

WHEN RELIGIOUS SPIRITS SNEEK IN, YOU BEGIN TO SEE SOME, IF NOT ALL OF THESE MANIFEST:

(1) TENDENCY TO SEE MORE OF WHAT IS WRONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE OR OTHER CHURCHES THAN WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THEM

(2) TRYING TO FIX WHAT'S WRONG WITH OTHER PEOPLE AS IF THEY WERE APPOINTED BY GOD WITH THIS MISSION

(3) JEALOUSY/SUSPICION OF ANYTHING OUTSIDE THEIR BOX

(4) A PRIDEFUL SENSE OF BEING CLOSER TO GOD THAN OTHER PEOPLE

(5) MECHANIZED PRAYER LIFE

(6) COMPARING ONESELF WITH OTHERS

(7) DO MORE/FEEL BETTER=KEEPING SCORE

(8) SEEKING NOTICE AND ACCEPTANCE OF MAN

(9) GLORYING MORE IN WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN THE PAST THAT WHAT HE IS DOING IN THE PRESENT

(10) OUTWARD CEREMONY AND RITUAL BUT THEY OFFER NO POWER FOR A CHANGED LIFE

We know that our battle is not with flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12), so I find this 'in your face' approach in damning sin and preaching judgment without actually contending with the spiritual problem in a region, a real work of the flesh contrivance. Remember… the veil needs broken over the people so they can receive the gospel. If there are areas that breed sin, it is far more effective to keep one's mouth shut and instead prayer-walk and claim those areas for Christ. How many 'Prophets' actually deal with hitting the veil? Real 'Prophets' are like icebergs behind the scenes in breaking the prince & powers that hold the regions captive.

Sad that hellfire preachers condemn Christians that 'love as Jesus did', calling us weenies that are fearful of 'persecution' -- but it makes sense, as the religious of Jesus' day were the ones that killed Him.
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Children's Church - Wheat, Tares, Yeast and Mustard Seeds

Children and Adults alike...
Thank you for joining us in Children's Church,
we'll be reading from:
Matthew 13:24-43, and having a little fun with mustard seeds.... are you up to a dare??

24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven maybe compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves *said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29 "But he *said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.'"" 31 He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; 32 and this is smaller than all {other} seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that THE BIRDS OF THE AIR come and NEST IN ITS BRANCHES." 33 He spoke another parable to them, "The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened." 34 All these things Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables, and He did not speak to them without a parable. 35 {This was} to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "I WILL OPEN MY MOUTH IN PARABLES; I WILL UTTER THINGS HIDDEN SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." 36 Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field." 37 And He said, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and {as for} the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil {one;} 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 "So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 "The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 "Then THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
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