CSCC - ignition - Young Adult Group, 2240 E Calumet Street, Centralia, IL (2026)

03/24/2023

Today's thought: Have you seen spiritual growth in someone else who has gone through trials? Tell them so, encourage them to continue to grow! Pray for them!

03/23/2023

Take a moment today to pray:

Consider others you know who are going through difficulties. Ask God to help them grow.

03/22/2023

Don't forget to work on memorizing James 1:2-4!!

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

03/21/2023

Go back to your journal and jot some notes in the margins about how God might be making you “mature and complete.” Use a different color pen to notate so it stands out.

03/20/2023

Journaling: Write about your struggles. Don’t hold back. Complain all you want! Pour out your heart to God on the pages of your notebook!

01/20/2023

Who is Satan?

In John 13:2, we read that “the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him [Jesus].” And later in the chapter, during supper, “After Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him” (13:27).

Who is this devil, also called Satan? What do we know of his motives and strategies? What is his end? The Bible reveals him to us progressively as Scripture unfolds from Genesis to Revelation and is very clear that he is our supernatural opponent. What is your understanding of Satan? How has he been described to you?

In the New Testament, many supernatural adversaries are called demons (daimon). They are corrupt and hostile to God, dedicated to thwarting his will, sometimes causing death or anguish (Mark 5:2–13), and overpowering people physically and mentally (Matthew 17:18). Second Peter 2:4 and Jude 6 describe them as beings cast out of heaven and awaiting their final judgment.

Their leader is called Satan, a Hebrew title meaning “adversary” or “accuser.” Two prophets give us more background on Satan. Read Ezekiel 28:1–19 and Isaiah 14:12–15.

These passages are laments, primarily about human kings (Tyre and Babylon). But many scholars believe the prophets are comparing these tyrants to a divine rebel—the evil being who spoke through the serpent in Eden, tempting Eve to disobey God.

Putting all the texts together, we conclude that the serpent of Eden is the same devil that tempted Jesus and the one who influence Judas to betray his Lord. He is the one we fight against even now, as the apostle Paul encourages us in Ephesians 6:11–12, “Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.”

Thinking too much about the devil can scare some people. How do you deal with thoughts and discussions about supernatural evil? In what ways has your perception of Satan changed since you became a Christian?

While he is a tempter, deceiver, accuser, and adversary, Satan will not win. He will be defeated once and for all and evil will reign no more. Revelation 12:9 says, “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”

We do have a spiritual opponent, but God is greater than he is. We don’t have to worry about Satan or his demons because we have been saved by the sovereign God who holds our life and hope in his hands. What can you do to balance the tension of the reality of Satan’s presence in the world today with the knowledge that Christ is superior to him in every way? How does knowing that Jesus has already planned out Satan’s defeat give you hope for today?

We respect and honor our leaders because of their presence, their accomplishments, and their position. But true leaders humble themselves as servants, giving their lives for the benefit of others. Jesus did not come as a stereotypical CEO or power broker; he came as a loving servant.

Love is not glamorous—in fact, it is hard work. But love, real love, is a requirement for all Christians. Our God is a self-giving Lord, and all disciples mimic their master. As Dr. Evans put it, “Fake Christian or plastic saint? We’ll know by the love you show.”

01/18/2023

“I Am He”

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus makes several “I am” statements in his teachings, calling himself things like the bread of life, the light of the world. But these statements are more than simple metaphors. They are markers of Jesus’s true nature and mission.

In our series The Gospel of John: Part 1, Dr. Tony Evans highlighted Jesus’s “I am” statements:

John 6:48 I am the bread of life.
John 8:12 I am the light of the world.
John 8:58 Before Abraham was born, I am.
John 9:5 I am the light of the world.
John 10:7, 9 I am the gate
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd.
John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life.

In John 13:19, Jesus predicted Judas’s future betrayal so that, when it happened, the disciples would believe “I am he.” This statement is our translation of God’s Hebrew name, Yahweh. Jesus was equating himself to the God of Israel. What was it that convinced you Jesus was God?

Jesus revealed himself as “I am” knowing he would soon be crucified for the sins of the world. He was about to do more than wash feet; he was about to lay his life down to save his people. What does it mean to you for Jesus to love you so much that he would lay his life down for you? How does his humble, sacrificial love cause you to worship him more?

01/16/2023

Foot Washing

During Jesus’s time, roads were rocky and occasionally steep and pack animals could be expensive. The average person walked everywhere they needed to go in sandals or barefoot. As a result, their feet were always dirty—caked with mud, cut and bruised by stones, and dirtied by dung.

Jewish culture prized hospitality. A Jewish host was expected provided their guests with water so they could wash their own feet upon arrival (see Genesis 18:4; Judges 19:21). To show a higher level of honor, a host might even provide a servant to wash his guest’s feet. How do you offer hospitality? What makes you feel welcome in someone’s home?

What might be the equivalent of foot washing today?

Read Luke 7:36–47. A woman interrupted dinner to pour perfume on Jesus’s feet. She washed his feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Though horrified that Jesus would allow a sinner to touch him, Simon, the host, had neglected to offer even the basic courtesy of water for Jesus’s feet.

The woman, a sinner, served Jesus in a greater way than his host, Simon, who felt his status made him worthy of Jesus’s presence. When we forget the debt Jesus paid for us, we can become like Simon, feeling like we deserve Jesus’s presence and service while withholding service from others. In what ways can we take God’s presence and forgiveness for granted?

Just as we saw in this session, godly love lays down its reputation, honor, status, comfort to serve others. Jesus showed us how to serve one another. By following his example, we both remind ourselves of how much he has forgiven us and show others how he serves sinners. What motivates you to serve others? Where in your life are you regularly showing love to those without the ability to serve you back?

In God’s kingdom, humble service is essential. We do not only serve those who are important but—like the woman—those whom society sees as unlovable and unworthy of our attention. Who has God put in your path that you can sacrificially and humbly serve today?

01/13/2023

Metaphor of Light

In John 8:12, Jesus proclaimed that he was the light of the world. In John 12, he revisits the metaphor of light, contrasting himself with the darkness that inevitably overtakes any who reject him. Without the light, how are we to see through and push back the darkness? He pleads, “Believe in the light so that you may become children of light” (John 12:36).

Biblical authors consistently use the theme of light versus darkness to picture ethical dualism. Together, the words describe the opposite ends of the good–evil battle. Light is a symbol always connected with the presence of God, while darkness represents all that opposes God.

In Genesis 1:3, God created literal light. Light established the boundary to darkness and brought order and function to the chaotic void (Gen 1:2). Throughout the rest of Scripture, light is associated with God’s presence, truth, and order.

Read Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 6:23. The psalmist describes God’s Word as light to illuminate one’s path. Similarly, in the proverb, wise advice is compared to a lamp, a light, a way to life. To walk in the light is to follow God and choose wisdom. To what extent do you rely on God’s Word to guide your decisions and actions?

Walking in the light requires that we follow God’s ways, looking to him for guidance on what is good. As we walk in the light, we also gain fellowship with him and other believers. Read 1 John 1:5–10.

“God is light.” Therefore, we must be honest about when we fail. His goodness overflows into forgiveness, so we don’t need to hide from him when we sin. What has repentance looked like in your life? What would it look like for you to turn to God first when you sin so that you can “walk in the light”?

Light and dark are not equal powers. Though darkness can impact us, we know that God will prevail over evil. His ways of wisdom and justice are always better than selfishness and hate. The ultimate darkness is death, and Jesus has conquered it, giving us bright hope for an eternity with the light of the world. How do you allow the hope of God’s victory over evil impact your daily life? What can you do to keep the hope of a living future with God central to your thinking?

As Jesus approaches his last days, anticipating his coming suffering and death, he is more and more willing to reveal his identity. He challenges his followers with real-world truth about the cost of identifying with him. It won’t be easy for him or them, but he assures his listeners that they can trust him. He has come from the Father to save them, if only they would listen and believe.

Are we listening? Do we love our lives too much, or are we willing to lose our lives for his sake? Jesus is telling us that giving ourselves to him is worth the cost. Are we willing to see the world through the light of Jesus’s life?

01/11/2023

Old Testament Prophecies Alluding to Jesus

One of the big questions in the Gospels is the identity of Jesus—was he the long-awaited Messiah? Jesus often asked people not to say anything or refused to answer the question when asked. But the Gospel writers clearly understood that Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecies in the Scriptures. Scholars have found dozens of predictions that were accomplished by Jesus. We will examine just a few here.

Read the prophecy from the Old Testament and the way Jesus fulfilled that prophecy in the Gospels. Then, consider the questions that follow.

Zechariah 9:9 and John 12:13–15

By embodying the prophecy so specifically—riding a donkey into Jerusalem, allowing them to call him king of Israel—Jesus was accepting the crowd’s acclamation. The people thought he was the coming king, and he was. But they wanted him to lead a military revolution, a return to Israel’s independent glory days. What kind of salvation was he bringing instead?

Psalm 69:9 and John 2:14–17

After Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers, the disciples recognized that he was fulfilling Psalm 69:9. Why was Jesus upset with the moneychangers? How did his attitude and action honor God?

Isaiah 53:1 and John 12:37–38

Despite all the miracles Jesus had performed, some people refused to be convinced he was the Messiah they’d been waiting for. He did not meet their preconceived notions of who the Messiah would be. Has Jesus ever disappointed you? What do you expect him to do or do differently? How do you reconcile your disappointment with God’s plan?

Isaiah 42:1–4 and Matthew 12:15–21

Jesus delighted his Father as he taught about justice and brought healing to the crowds who followed him. We are among “the nations” mentioned in this prophecy, people who live half a world away from Israel and look to Jesus as our hope. His mission to save humanity includes us. How does seeing Jesus fulfill Isaiah’s words help you worship him more?

In his grand scheme of salvation, God placed hints and predictions about the hopeful future he had in store for his people. From his birth to his death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled every prophecy and proved that he was the Messiah. But only those whose hearts were aligned with the Father’s could see and understand what Jesus was doing. If you feel like you struggle to know Jesus, be encouraged—even the disciples, men who were with Jesus every day, needed a lot of time before they grasped just how amazing Jesus was. Take heart, he’ll be patient with us too.

01/09/2023

Religious Groups in Jesus’s Day

During his visits to Jerusalem, Jesus was repeatedly confronted by a contingent of religious leaders who questioned his teachings, attempted to trap him into saying something heretical, and plotted to kill him. But who were they, and why did they consider Jesus a threat?

There were two primary Jewish groups in Jesus’s day: the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Members of each group could have been priests or members of the Sanhedrin, the authoritative religious council for Jews.

The Pharisees were a large group of spiritual leaders who demanded exacting obedience to the Mosaic law. But, in their zeal to honor God’s Word, many of them did not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. Their desire to maintain Jewish religious identity and purity while under foreign oppression led them to develop additional rules and traditions to the law.

Read Mark 7:1–8.

Verses 3 and 4 explain the extra rules and traditions the Pharisees insisted everyone follow. What were Jesus’s disciples doing that upset the Pharisees? In what way did the Pharisees’ extra rules take away from the intent of the original law?

When following rules—and appearing to be more holy than the people around us—becomes more important than loving God and our neighbors, we’ve traded true devotion for a mask of spirituality. In what ways was the Pharisees’ zeal to do “right” things actually an empty ritual that missed the point of the law?

It is very easy to vilify the Pharisees, but their legalism and judgmental hearts are not so different than our own. How have you seen a tendency in yourself to rely on habits, rituals, and man-made rules to prove your spirituality?

In what ways is it easy to judge people whom you do not perceive as very spiritual?

Jesus’s insightful interpretations of the law and his willingness to call out those who were righteous in their own eyes angered the Pharisees. As Jesus’s ministry progressed, the religious leaders felt increasingly threatened by his popularity, leading to their repeated attempts to trap or kill him. In the end, they succeeded.

Mentioned less often in the Gospels, the Sadducees were another group of Jewish leaders. Contrary to the Pharisees, they valued the supreme authority of Scripture to the exclusion of oral traditions from former generations. They tended to be wealthy, aristocratic, and elitist, often siding with Romans to keep regional peace. They also denied the resurrection (see Mark 12:18; Acts 23:6–8) and the existence of fate. Jesus consistently warned against their focus on the letter of the law rather than the intention behind it.

Read Luke 20:27–40.

The Sadducees asked Jesus what Scripture taught about a highly unlikely scenario. Their focus on details and hypotheses caused them to miss the rich truth Scripture revealed about God himself. Jesus’s answer pointed out that they were focused on lesser things, like marriage, when they should have been rejoicing that the very words they used revealed the reality of the resurrection.

We are not all that different. Sometimes we are so busy bolstering our own positions that we miss the main revelation of the Bible—the person and love of God himself. What topics or points of contention in the church can distract us from our purpose and calling?

What steps can you take to keep God at the center of your study of his Word?

CSCC - ignition - Young Adult Group

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