"The bumps are what you climb on"

I'm lagging behind on posting my lessons. My life is just getting crazy. Too many things going on and so much to do before this baby arrives. I'm stretched in more ways than the obvious. :) But, God's giving me the strength to get through. It's just alot of time management. My down time is at work. That's just backwards. Anyway, no complaining. Things could be much worse. This lesson helped me tremendously. Just leave everything at God's feet. He will work out all the details as you do your part. He has blessed me in so many ways and continues to as I lean more and more on His strength.

Thank you God for the blessings each day and for the humility I'm shown each day as I see that you are the only one that can provide that perfect peace at the end of the day for me. It's not up to me. It's all in your hands. I'm comforted knowing that you are there supporting me and telling me to "Keep playing." In Jesus' name. Amen.

Roles, Responsibilities and Relationships
Winter Quarter ’06 -‘07
Teen Girls Class – Wednesday nights
“the bumps are what you climb on.”

Song

Ground rules

1. Respect others and their points of view.
2. There are no “dumb” questions. (must be relevant)
3. Only one person speaks at a time.
4. No "Put Downs".
5. Open up and have fun!
6. Always bring your Bible.

Handout - Write down the top ten things you worry about the most. Then, write down the top ten hopes or dreams that you have for your future.

Take a few minutes to write them down. We’ll come back to them a little later in class and each of you will share yours. So, as we talk, if you think of others, continue to write.

First, let’s talk and review a little. What are some of the things we’ve talked about in this class? Those things we talk about, are they helpful?

Tell me something you have gained or learned from this class. Well, first, are you enjoying this class? So, what have you gained or learned? Or maybe a particular way you have been encouraged to change something in your life?

Jesus tells us in John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

We’ve talked many times in this class about trials and tribulations. We’ve talked about ways to overcome them. We talked last week about how the Holy Spirit can help you to see the right way and to deal with anything that comes along in life.

If God is a loving and caring God, then why does He let us suffer? We often heard “what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger”. “No pain. No gain.” Many times when we are suffering with the worries of the world we can’t see beyond that point. We get so wrapped up in the now that we forget that God knows what’s ahead. He knows so much about us that He knows what we need in order to have a home with Him in heaven one day. Does that mean that all these trials are helping me to get to heaven? Maybe. Only God knows. I do know this. They are making you a stronger person. Job 23:10 – “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me I shall come forth as gold.” If you ask a goldsmith how long to keep the gold in the fire, he will answer, “until I can see my reflection in it”. God often keeps us in the fire until He can see His own face reflected in our life.

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

So can God make good things come out of the bad things that happen in life? Can you think of things in your life that this happened? One of the things I remember in high school was when my boyfriend dumped me. I was just devastated. We had been dating for almost two years. I just knew there was nothing that could come along that would ever break us apart and that we would get married and the whole “happily ever after” thing would happen. Fortunately, I was wrong. I prayed so hard during that time though that God would change his mind. But God had a better plan for me. God allowed me to stay in that relationship for much longer than I should have. But, it was my choice. In the end things happened that changed that situation for the better. I couldn’t see it at the time. But looking back, I realize how stupid and naïve I was. God was leading me to my fairy tale ending.

The other thing with trials is that as you learn to give them to God, you are able to trust Him more. This in turn causes you to give more things to Him. It makes life so much easier to bear when you know that He will take care of you no matter what. But, you have to let Him and be patient. Also, remember Isaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. He may not do things the way you want them done. Trust and accept that His ways are best.

Trials and suffering also make you better equipped to deal with other people who are suffering. God commands us to do just that. Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Romans 15:1 – “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”

Helping others has a healing effect.

Trials also make us long for a better place. You want to stay here on earth forever when things in your life are going good. But what about those times when you spent many nights crying your heart out?

Now, let’s go back to our top ten lists. You’ll notice that many of us have the same worries and maybe even the same dreams. As you go through the rest of the week, look back at these lists. Pray about these lists. These are the most important things in your life right now. Why not go ahead and put them in God’s hands? Step back and watch what amazing things He can do.

This is from an e-mail I received not too long ago...

The Master…
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear: “Don't quit.” “Keep playing.” Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played - Only the classic, “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, “Don't quit.” “Keep playing.” May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the “called.”

Prayer Bracelet:

Color: Black and White
Subject: The black represents your worries. They bring your spirit down and really darken your life. The white represents your hopes and dreams. You always hear, “The sky is the limit.” So as you reach for the clouds, lean on God to make those dreams come true. Pray this week for both your worries and your dreams.

Warm Fuzzy assignment:

Write an encouraging note to someone you haven’t written to in this class. You’ve now seen what their worries and dreams are, so encourage them regarding one of those.


Prayer