Week 3: What You Put Hope In, Matters: HOPE

WHAT YOU PUT YOUR HOPE IN, MATTERS

We can hope in a lot of things. I hope that I don't fall down today. I hope that all my wildest dreams come true. I hope that my wife forgets that I forgot our anniversary. I hope I pass this test... even though I didn't study. I hope that God is who He says He is and will do what He's promised to do.

Obviously, "hope" can carry a lot of meaning. But, after 18+ years in youth ministry, 1 thing about teenagers hasn't changed: The need for something to "hope" in. 

If their hope is in stuff (money, popularity, friends, career, grades, etc.), then they tend to live with a lot of disappointment. Those who hope in things that are unpredictable tend to throw words around like "depressed", "life sucks", "YOLO", etc. Or they use excuses for their behavior and choices, simply to cover up their disappointment in things they have "hoped" for.

But those who put their hope in God... they are different. They stand out. There seems to be something different about them. It's like they get "it". They appreciate Jesus' sacrifice differently than most. People want to be around them. Some people may be put off by them... but many end up wanting what they have... hope.

Tim Tebow is a great example of this... in the pro football world, he drives "experts" crazy. They can't understand how he can put his hope in God, even when life doesn't work out perfectly. Why does he give God glory, even when life "sucks"... he gets traded from a team whom he played his heart out for, led them to the playoffs and into a big win (while throwing the ball over 300 yards)... he gives God the glory. He endures a terrible season with a team who didn't want him. He gives God the glory. He gets cut from another team after an amazing performance with guys who weren't going to make the team... he gives God the glory. He uses phrases like "I don't know the future, but I know the One who does. I'm trusting that He knows what's best for me." Even when life doesn't make sense. That's hope... hope in a future that is unimaginable with a God who loves us more than we can imagine.

So where is your hope? What about your teen? What about your family? Take a look at the following passage:

Read: 

1 Peter 3:14-18

What does it mean to give a "reason for the hope that is in you..."?

Discuss: 

• What are some things we should put our hope in?
• What are some things that have happened that we haven't liked?
• How can we put our hope in God through those situations and ones like it in the future?

Week 2 - What You Do Now Prepares You For What Happens Next: PREPARED

WHAT YOU DO NOW PREPARES YOU FOR WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

After playing 4 years of college basketball, I can easily look back and see how all those hours of practice prepared me for each game. But little did I know that all those hours at practice was preparing me to be a father, a husband, a pastor, a counselor, a mentor, a coach, a leader, and a follower of Christ. Sometimes, we don't realize how important "being prepared" really is 

In 1 Peter 3:15 (and as we saw last week), Peter challenges us to begin with honoring Christ in our hearts... our bottom line last week was, "Standing up begins in the heart". If you want to stand up for something, then who or what we are honoring should be first and foremost in our minds. When we do put Christ first and honor Him as holy, people will notice... they will question... and when they do, Peter wants us ready to give an answer. 

He uses the word "prepared" on purpose. We see throughout 1 Peter 1 & 2, that what we do now, prepares us for what(ever) happens next. If our actions are full of hate, retaliation, deceit, hypocrisy, and/or to slander others (see 1 Peter 2:1), we will actually be limiting our future. Peter wants us too look past the glass being half empty or half full... quit dwelling on this moment or feeling. What is beyond the glass? You are chosen, a royal priesthood, a child of God with the promise of an inheritance... so what happens today, pales in comparison to what will happen in the future.

The key is this... looking past the now, and preparing for what could happen next. That's why going to youth group, family devotions, church, personal devotions, prayer, memorizing Scripture, serving others... all are so important. Because each of those faith-skills is preparing you for whatever may happen next.Take a look at the following passage:

Read: 

1 Peter 2:9-12

What does it mean that you (and your family) are a chosen race, a royal priesthood?

Discuss: 

• How is submitting to authority preparing someone for later on?
• Have a dating discussion... how is dating preparing a person for marriage? (See 1 Peter 3:1-7)
• How have you seen God's mercy at work in your family?

Week 1 - Standing Up Begins in the Heart: Honor

STANDING UP BEGINS IN THE HEART

This week, we began by looking at 1 Peter 3:15. Peter speaks into the idea of standing up for what's right (being righteous) and suffering for it. This is all too common in our kids' lives today. Being a Christian is not a popular thing. Christians are seen as judgmental, arrogant, hateful, and exclusive... all things that are the opposite of what being a Christian is. But how do you combat a worldview that you can't control? The early Christians were in the same predicament... and Peter wanted to help them with "giving an answer for the hope" they had in Christ. Our students can learn this as well. 

Peter says that standing up begins with honoring Christ as Lord in your heart. In 1 Peter 1, he gives them the perspective a Christian should have... most people see the glass as half-empty or half-full... he tells the early Christians to look past the glass and focus on the inheritance God has for them. When struggles come, when pain comes, when rejection comes, look past the glass. 

He goes on in 1:13 to focus on being "holy", even when no one else around is trying to live to that standard. Then, in 2:1-5, he challenges them that they are to be "living stones" (click here for further insight: Living Standing Stones Article). They are to be an example of what God has done.

None of this is possible if an individual's heart is not focused in the right direction... on honoring Christ in everything they do. Take a look at the following passage:

Read: 

1 Peter 1:13-20

What are you and your kids doing now, that is preparing their minds for action?

Discuss: 

• What are you doing to prepare, as a family, for standing up for what you believe?
• What is 1 thing, as a family, we can do better to be more prepared?
• What are some "living stone" moments that our family has experienced where we have seen God at work?

LIVE 315: Intro

"How do I stand up without sticking out?"

Big question. Initially, we may think the one asking the question lacks faith or is embarrassed about what they believe. But when you dig deeper and listen, it's not about fear of being wrong... it's a fear of being rejected. But the beauty of being a Christian is that everyone can be accepted. In fact, Christianity should be the most loving, welcoming, and life-changing religion. 

But we know the being a Christian isn't about religion... "it's a relationship". But what if what we believe will actually hurt that relationship? Sticking out for what we believe may be a deeper issue than just saying, "You have to have faith." Peter gives specific principles that will help any teenager who is "working out their own salvation", figure out how to stand up without sticking out.

Read: 

1 Peter 2:1-3

• Our kids are growing up. Hopefully they aren't still drinking baby's milk from the bottle... actually, I hope they aren't drinking baby's milk. I hope we don't think that by sending them to church, that will make them grow up to be like Jesus... it will help, but it won't make them like Jesus. Our kids will become like the ones they spend the most time with... their greatest influence isn't TV stars, movies, music, friends, teachers, or even church. It's their parents. And what their parents show them within their faith, will become their faith. Our kids are trying to own their own faith. Physically or emotionally hurting someone, lying, saying one thing but doing another, wanting what other people have, making fun of people and making other look bad... those are all "childish" reactions... issues of a bigger heart issue. Open up the discussion this week and contrast "childish faith" vs. "adult faith". Are there any differences? Make sure you answer the questions honestly, too.

Discuss: 

• What is the difference about acting like a child and acting like an adult?
• Which childish behavior are you most prone to?: Angry reactions; Lying; Hypocrisy; Envy; Putting others down
• In what ways has God been good to us?