Follow this link to see our progress!
Surge is getting on "The Same Page!" We want to read our Bibles together, as a community! Every week we will update our Community Bible Reading form. Simply check off the chapters you're able to read. If you're able to read every chapter, you'll have read the Bible in a year! Even if you're able to read one or two chapters a day, we'll still be in God's Word together!
We're doing this because being on the "same page" as a youth group begins with being in the pages of God's word. We will stay connected by the verses we read each week.
As you prepare to read your chapters for the day:
- Pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal God's Word to you!
- Be Strategic. Make it E.P.I.C.?.!
- Worship. Praise God for who He is and how He is helping you become more like Jesus.
- E Did this chapter (or a verse) ENCOURAGE me? The Lord knows exactly what you need!
- P Does this chapter (or a verse) have a PROMISE for me? What the Lord says He'll do, He'll do!
- I Did this chapter (or a verse) INSTRUCT me? What choice can you make based on this?
- C Did this chapter (or a verse) CHALLENGE me? Ask for God to give you strength to change!
- ? Did this chapter (or a verse) leave me with QUESTIONS? Ask someone for help!
Being on the same page doesn't mean being perfect. NEWS FLASH - It's difficult to read our Bibles everyday! I expect a few days may go by sometimes without a single check mark! Instead of being discouraged, have a plan. Doing this together as a youth group may help us stay motivated. You could even ask your family to do this with you!
We don't want you to think that reading your Bible is about checking off a list or completing a homework assignment. We do believe that reading your Bible is an absolute essential because it's where you learn about the character of God and how He feels about you and how He feels about the world.
It's not the only thing we must do, but just like bacon (in my opinion) is a part of a balanced breakfast, reading the Bible is a part of a balanced plan to deepen our relationship with God.
~BJ
Today's chapter in Numbers was really good! I thought it was cool how Balaam told the king of Moab that he would only do what God told him to... but then he ruined it! Balaam got impressed with the gifts and important people trying to get him to go to the king of Moab -so he asked God again if he could go. God let him, but wasn't happy about it. He met him on the way to set him straight! Once Balaam was ready to NOT go for his own reasons God let him go so he could do HIS purposes.
It led me to pray that I wouldn't try to push God to get my own way, and that I would listen to Him when He leads me (even if it's through things that might seem dumb -like a donkey!)
Hope you guys got a lot out of your reading, too =) Now I'm off to read the last 3 chapters for today... I love it!
Posted by: Cheryl Q | August 31, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Well if you all read Numbers 22 yesterday you read about a talking Donkey!
If you didn't, you're thinking, "What? A talking Donkey?!?" You should read the chapter if you have time today because it is an entertaining and applicable story.
I took my E.P.I.C.? from this story yesterday.
C Did this chapter (or a verse) CHALLENGE me? Ask for God to give you strength to change!
God used Balaam's donkey to teach him how "blind" he is. That's funny. And ironic. This guy is known to be a holy man, someone you go to if you need a favor ("can you put a curse on the nation of Israel for me? Thanks!").
Yet he is unable to see the angel of the Lord.
The donkey, however, can see the angel of the Lord with the fiery sword and refuses to go on.
Then what happens... "The Lord opened the donkey's mouth..." In this story God is in rare form as he allows a donkey to help Him teach Balaam a lesson about... humility.
The great holy man-soothsayer from the banks of the Euphrates is humiliated by a dumb donkey.
God used this story to remind me of how often I look down on people. How often I say snide comments under my breath and how I'm able to look at people with utter disdain. Sometimes, I could use a donkey to kick me in the rear.
My challenge is to live in humility today. I will actively look for ways to put others above me, both in my thoughts and in my actions.
Posted by: BJ | September 01, 2009 at 08:58 AM