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Winterfest 2021- Post-Event Lesson Plan – 4 This lesson is designed as a follow-up to the sessions experienced at Winterfest and would be good to use in a Wednesday night class or Sunday morning class the week immediately following Winterfest._________________________________Scripture Basis: John 8:31-3231?Jesus said,?“If you hold to my teaching,?you are really my disciples.?32?Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”Introduction:One of the most enticing aspects of sin is the promise of “freedom.” Even from the first temptation in the garden of Eden, mankind has assumed that defying God is a way to control his own destiny. In fact, just the opposite is true. Nothing enslaves like sin—it corrupts our thinking, controls our actions, and destroys our peace. Worst of all, it separates us from God (Ephesians 2:12) and condemns us to an eternity of loneliness and shame (Matthew 8:12). Jesus, on the other hand, represents the truth—that is, Himself. This is a topic that Jesus speaks about often in His teaching (John 14:6; John 8:12). Nothing but truth can really make us free.?Comforting lies are never as beneficial as loving truth. Even when the truth is not what we want to hear, we can't expect to make good decisions or correct choices when we're operating under the control of a lie. We need the truth!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Show this picture (below) to your students. Have them look closely at it and discern its message. Ask them to share their thoughts with the group. What IS the message? Why do people prefer comforting lies over unpleasant truth?5080004445000Satan is the father of lies. He is cunning and crafty in using them against us. He knows what works on each of us. When we know the truth, we’ll know the lies; and when we know the lies, we can combat them and make choices that lead us toward freedom.Ask the class to make a list of as many lies from Satan as they can think of. (Below is a list of just 20 lies from Satan to help spur your thinking as you help your students.) GOD doesn't exist.There is no such place as hell.This life is all there is. When you die, you cease to exist.Just be a good person. That’s what really matters.GOD would want you to be happy, so do what makes you happy.Getting more stuff will make me happy.GOD doesn't love you or care about you.You are garbage. You’re not worthy.I can't be saved, I'm too far gone.GOD is holding out on you.GOD cannot be trusted.You can be your own God.If it feels right it can’t be wrong, so do it!You’ll know when to stop, don’t worry!You’re not as bad as some people.It’s not that bad depending on how you look at it.A little bit won’t hurt. It won’t kill you.It won’t hurt you at all.No one will ever know.Everyone’s doing it, so should you!-------------------------------------------------------Illustration - It’s the Water?????The islands around Indonesia are among the most beautiful in the world—crystalline tropical water, beautiful reefs with fish colored in every hue of the rainbow, powerful waves, and tranquil bays.?Tourists, surfers, and scuba divers from around the world have discovered these hidden jewels and pay large sums of money to enjoy this unspoiled aquatic playground.But many of the locals won’t swim. Neither will they dive, surf, wade, bathe, or do anything else that places their bodies in the warm, inviting water. Their fear of the water is so powerful that even though they are surrounded by ocean and must sail out in fishing boats for their daily sustenance, hardly any of the islanders ever learned to swim.Why do they deny themselves the pleasure of exploring the natural wonders all around them? Because a long time ago, someone told them a lie. Someone told them that the ocean was full of demons and that swimming in it would bring harm to themselves and their families. And many islanders still believe it.Just as for centuries those island people have missed out on the joy of frolicking in the surf and exploring their underwater world, so there are many people today who are missing out on the joy of knowing Christ and walking in fellowship with God. They believe that God is some kind of cosmic killjoy who wants to take away their fun and make their lives dull, boring, and utterly miserable.Nothing could be further from the truth. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8). Jesus came to give the best life possible, life “to the full” (John 10:10). Don’t believe those who want to deprive you of the truth. --------------------------------------------------------------------For centuries, the motto on Spain’s Coat of Arms was ne plus ultra; Latin for “there is no more beyond.” The Spaniards believed all that could be discovered in the world had been discovered. That is until a man named Columbus sailed off and found the Americas. A statue has been erected in his honor. It’s a lion eating the first word of Spain’s motto so all that’s left to read is “more beyond.” We must continually seek truth. Strive to seek and know the truth. We should never arrogantly assume that we have “arrived” and there is nothing more to learn.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Look at John 8:31-32 and what Jesus said,?“If you hold to my teaching,?you are really my disciples.?Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”Later in John’s Gospel, John tells the purpose for writing this account of Jesus.In John 20:31, he said “But these are written that you may believe?that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,?and that by believing you may have life in his name.”John wants you, and me, and everyone else who reads His Gospel account to believe the Truth, to believe in Jesus. Jesus is saying… very clearly, and without apology – that He is the truth, and what He teaches is truth… and if you believe something other than what He teaches, then you are believing a lie. Jesus is the truth. Followers of Jesus abide in His Word, and are set free by His Word.In today’s world; believing that there is objective truth is seen as being narrow minded. Most people in our world are relativists. Christianity isn’t evaluated on its truth claims, but whether or not it makes you feel good, and whether or not it’s helpful to you in some way. Jesus, however was saying, “There is truth! And we have a choice: believe that truth or believe a lie. Jesus and the Father are one! He came down from heaven. He knows what is real, and He knows all truth. So when we get right down to it… it’s not about “Does this religion or world view contribute to my self-esteem or self-concept?” It’s about what is true. There’s a million things out there that can make you feel better for a while… a hot bath, a shower, a massage, a movie, a song, medicine. But only one thing will set you free from sin. Actually, One Person… One Man… Only one Person can set you free from believing a lie and living a lie. Only one Person can deliver you from the wrath of God.His Name is Jesus. The truth of which He speaks is not some general understanding of what is true, but rather the truth that Jesus Himself is the Son of God. Jesus is the Incarnation of God Himself. Jesus did not come to give us truths but to give us Himself, THE Truth.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Next is an exercise that will enable students to further explore the true freedom offered to us in Christ. The exercise will help us to recognize what He has freed us from and what He has freed us for. Assign a scripture to an individual or a group then have them report back to the group.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Many times, our human idea of freedom doesn’t match with God’s plan. We usually take freedom to mean that we can do anything we want. But when we choose a way that’s opposite God’s way, we often end up with painful consequences and regrets, and ultimately end up separated from God. This is not what Jesus wants for us. Let’s explore the true freedom he offers by understanding what He has freed us from and what He has freed us for. Read the scriptures to discover the answers.Jesus Has Freed Us FROM:Romans 5:9 ___________________________________________________________________Romans 6:22 __________________________________________________________________Romans 8:1 ___________________________________________________________________Galatians 3:13 _________________________________________________________________Colossians 1:13 ________________________________________________________________Jesus Has Freed Us FOR:Matthew 25:31-40 ______________________________________________________________1 Corinthians 12:25 _____________________________________________________________Romans 6:18 __________________________________________________________________2 Corinthians 5:21 ______________________________________________________________Romans 12:2 __________________________________________________________________Ephesians 4:16_________________________________________________________________ 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ___________________________________________________________2 Corinthians 9:6-11 ____________________________________________________________1 Timothy 6:18 ________________________________________________________________1 Peter 4:2 ____________________________________________________________________ Jesus Has Freed Us FROM:Romans 5:9 “Since we have now been justified?by his blood,?how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath?through him!”Romans 6:22 “But now that you have been set free from sin?and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation?for those who are in Christ Jesus”Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law?by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.””Colossians 1:13 “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness?and brought us into the kingdom?of the Son he loves”Jesus Has Freed Us FOR:Matthew:25:31-40 ?“When the Son of Man comes?in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.?All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate?the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.?He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. ?“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.?For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me,?I was sick and you looked after me,?I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ ?“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink???When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you???When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’?“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’1 Corinthians 12:25 “…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.”Romans 6:18 “You have been set free from sin?and have become slaves to righteousness.”2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin?to be sin[a]for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”Romans 12:2 “Do not conform?to the pattern of this world,?but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.?Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing?and perfect will.”Ephesians 4:16 “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows?and builds itself up?in love,as each part does its work.”2 Corinthians 5:18-20 “All this is from God,?who reconciled us to himself through Christ?and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:?that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.??We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors,?as though God were making his appeal through us.?We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”2 Corinthians 9:6-11 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.?7?Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give,?not reluctantly or under compulsion,?for God loves a cheerful giver.?8?And God is able?to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,?you will abound in every good work.?9?As it is written:“They have freely scattered their gifts?to the poor;?their righteousness endures forever.”10?Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food?will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.?11?You will be enriched?in every way so that you can be generous?on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”1 Timothy 6:18 “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds,?and to be generous and willing to share.”1 Peter 4:2 “As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,but rather for the will of God.”Life and freedom are found in Jesus.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Illustration: The Flat TireTwo students were taking organic chemistry at the university. Having done well in their in-term work and labs, they were both going into the final exam with solid A’s. So far so good. Trouble was, they were so confident that they decided to party the night before the big test. It was a great night; one thing led to another, and they ended up sleeping late the following morning. They missed the exam! Disasterville!Being inventive souls, though, they went to see the professor to explain that they had been visiting a sick, out-of-town friend the night before. On the way home they had got a flat tire. With no spare tire and no car jack they were stranded. They could only manage to hitch a lift back to town mid-morning, which is why they missed the test. They were really sorry to have missed the exam, they said (they were so looking forward to it!) but wondered whether they might be able to take it that afternoon.The professor thought about it for a moment and decided that this would be permissible since they hadn’t had time to discuss the exam with any of the students who had already taken it. After a short break for lunch the two students were ready for the test. The professor placed them in separate rooms, handed each of them an exam booklet, and told them to begin.Page one, question one. A simple one for 5 points. This will be easy! Having answered the first question each of the students turned the page for question number two: It read: “Which tire?” (95 points).??The first thing those students realized when they saw the final question was that their professor wasn’t nearly as stupid as they thought he was. Second, they realized that they were caught in a lie with no way out.If you’ve ever been caught in a lie, you already know that lying makes it impossible for anyone to trust you. A life built on lies leads to confusion, disappointment and heartache. The Bible emphasizes truth and honesty. The admonition to tell the truth is one of the Ten Commandments. Jesus taught that “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). It’s often most difficult to be truthful and honest with ourselves. Close out the class by asking students to take this opportunity right now to stop and answer these seven questions as the teacher asks them aloud one by one. It will be helpful if each student can be given a paper and pen to write the questions down as they are asked. Give a couple of minutes for them to consider each question.Do I know the truth of Jesus?Do I believe the truth of Jesus?Am I holding to the teaching of Jesus? Am I free from sin? Have I bought into some of Satan’s lies? If so, which ones?What do I need to do to make sure that I know the truth?What do I need to do to make sure that I follow the truth?May God bless you to live in the Truth, experiencing the freedom that He intends for you.______________________________________Extra Resource: 6 Tips for Sharing Christ with Skeptics by Dan Dewitt ................
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