Bible Study Wrap-Up

Hello, dolls!

I hope your week is off to a great start. We had a great time together this week at Girls Bible Study, but we missed several of you! In case you couldn't make it, or if you just want to review our discussion, here are our notes. Please feel free to comment as you please! :)

Chapter 9: Lies about Faith

Who are role models in your life? What makes them your role models?

We all need mentors and role models to help guide us and pour into us, but sometimes we get ourselves into trouble when we place too much emphasis on our leaders and not on our Jesus. The first lie we explored this week was that "My youth pastor/church leader is my connection to God."

Have you ever placed a leader so high in your mind that they could do no wrong? Or have you ever considered what a role model or mentor thought before you considered what God thought?

Pastors, youth leaders, and volunteer leaders are such important spiritual examples in your life, but we have access to God through Christ and Christ alone. Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6. In the Old Testament, before Jesus came to earth, people went through a High Priest in order to communicate with God. The High Priest was appointed by God to be the mediator, the go-between. But now, what does 1 Timothy 2:5-6 tell us about that mediator? Jesus is it! He's the way we access God--not through man, but through God in man form.

What's the danger in placing a human, even the most solid Christian you know, as the go-between for you and the Lord? Inevitably, that human will mess up; it's our nature. What's your reaction when someone in leadership makes a mistake, or hurts someone around you, maybe even you? If he/she is the mediator between you and God, there are going to be serious issues with your relationship with God.

We are each held accountable for our own actions and reactions. It's always our decision how we react. God designed us to work as a family, and our family works best together. No matter how many times people in the church mess up or hurt you, the best place for us to grow, serve, and be discipled is in a local church body. Just like we don't get to drop out of our birth family when things get tough, we don't get to drop out of our spiritual family either.

Lie #2: Everyone at church judges me.

Have you ever felt judged at church? Let's be honest; each of us has felt judged at least once within the walls of our church home. In fact 91% of girls surveyed said they always or sometimes felt judged at church.

MAJOR ISSUE: Church is a family. It's supposed to be a safe place. Two things happen with judgment: 1) judgment causes us to feel pressure to be fake and 2) we are less likely to be honest about our struggles and sins when we feel judged.

Read John 7:24 and Matthew 7:1-2.

How should we respond when we are judged? What about when we see others judging?

Important Point: Sometimes we confuse judgment and discipline. We must guard against that. Discipline is helpful and meant for edifying; in fact, it's biblical. Check out Romans 12:10 and 1 Peter 2:17. Sometimes confrontation is necessary; but that doesn't mean that judgment is inevitable. God desires for us to help each other grow by holding each other accountable. It's not always easy, but it's meant for our benefit and His glory!

A thought to consider: Is it possible that we perceive as being judgment may in fact not be actual, real judgment, but perhaps the mere fear of judgment? In other words, do you ever feel being judged so much that you actually convince yourself that you are judged?

Know this truth: You are loved beyond measure, first and foremost by your Creator, but also by wonderful, caring people within your church home too. Allow me, if you will, a moment to share from my heart directly. I think the world of you girls and love you like crazy. I know I can speak for other leaders in the church when I say there is nothing you can do that will throw us for a loop or cause us to stop loving you. You are so significant and treasured. Find rest and safety in knowing that you are loved and accepted, regardless of what your fears or past experiences tell you.

Onto our next lie for this week... "Of course I'm a Christian. I ___________."

How do you hear people fill in that blank?

How do YOU fill in that blank?

53% of American teens believe you get to Heaven through a personal relationship with Christ. Praise the Lord it's that high! However, that means that 47% of American teens believe it's another way, be it through acts of kindness, religion, or something else.

What does Jesus say on this topic? Read John 14:6.

The ONLY way to spend eternity with God is through Jesus. Period. End of story. It's believing in Him and following Him that makes you a Christian.

1 John 2 outlines several characteristics of a true follower of Christ. Check out this list:

A true believer...

-obeys God's commands (vs.3-4)

-acts like Jesus (vs. 5-6)

-loves others (vs. 9)

-does not conform to the world (vs. 15)

-does not wander from her faith (vs. 19)

Now to the tough part. Does those characteristics describe you accurately? What areas do you struggle with?

While growing up in a Christian home is a blessing, it doesn't make you a Christian. Neither does going to church, doing good things, going on a mission trip, singing in the church band. The only way to know God is through Jesus. There's nothing you can do to make yourself a Christian; it's gotta be Jesus in you.

That wraps up this week's Bible study session. However, given the nature of this topic, I would be terribly amiss if I did not extend an invitation to you. If you're not sure where you stand and want to talk about it, or if you've never given your life to Jesus and want to do so, please talk to a spiritually solid person in your life--a parent, youth leader, small group leader. I would love to talk with you!

I'm praying for you, girls, specifically that you would seek Truth and lies would diminish in your heart and life. You are loved and valued!

-Jessie