Addicted to Love It's Your Move  Work Zone & High Way Gather in a Corner: Make any introductions. LIFE AND A CAN OF PEPSI A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes." The professor then produced two cans of Pepsi from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your health, your friends--things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. "The pebbles are the other things that matter like your clothes, school, a job, a car. The sand is everything else--the small stuff things that obstruct your focus. If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff things that obstruct, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Build your relationships with friends. Know what makes you healthy and what is harmful. Take time for the Sabbath. There will always be time to clean your room, and stay on line for a few minutes more, play to that last level of the video game. "Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Pepsi represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Pepsis." When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 Hours in a day are not enough, FOCUS on the mayonnaise jar........and the Pepsi. Break into Journey Groups, Fellowship Hall and Youth Center Moving in Work Zone & High Way THE STORY OF SAMPSON AND THE POWER OF ADDICTION Break into as many small groups as there are sponsors. Say: ad·dic·tion - the quality or state of being addicted. ad·dict - to devote or surrender (oneself) to something habitually or obsessively. Sampson was the "HE-MAN" of the Old Testament. Born with supernatural strength, he was set apart for the others. Sampson's parents had been visited by and angel and given specific instructions as to how to raise this special child. His mother was unable to have children until this special visit. The angel told his parents that he was to be a Nazarite (a person separated for the specific role of service to GOD).  As Sampson grew, he had strength that was unbelievable and was to be the spiritual leader of Israel. BUT, Sampson had an "addiction", something that he liked way too much&ldots;..WOMEN! 4 STEPS OF ADDICTION PREOCCUPATION Jdg 16:1 Samson went to Gaza, and there he saw a harlot, and he went in to her. In his boredom, Sampson traveled down to Gaza. It seems that after all that he had been through with his wife Timnah, he would've come out a little wiser. He was probably thinking about his earlier exploits in Philistine. Just the thought of women was more than he could handle. His thoughts got the best of him when he Lost his FOCUS and wandered into the red light district. Discuss: Possible addictions for the youth. Video Games, Internet, Drugs & alcohol, sex, porn, shopping&ldots; RITUALIZED THINKING Rituals are activities that we repeatedly do before acting something out. When something excites us, we do it over and over again. For Sampson, his rituals may have been making return trips to Gaza or talking to prostitutes and haggling over their prices. THE ACTING OUT Finally, Sampson steps over the line. On his trip to Gaza, he slept with a Philistine prostitute. No doubt that while he was with her he felt the rush of adrenaline that he longed for. He let his lust get the best of him and gave in to his desires. As we all know, no matter how great a pleasure is guilt will quickly replace it! No matter how strong he was or how fast he could run, he couldn't escape the 4th step in addiction - the shame. SHAME It's amazing how quickly the pleasure was gone and replaced with the shame. Although Sampson had entered her house boldly, he left under the cover of darkness. He wanted no one to see him as he left. We often find ourselves in situations just like Sampson. What we were so excited about and eager to get involved in rapidly fades away, forcing us into the shell of guilt. REPEATING THE PROCESS After he had done it once, I'm sure that Sampson made a vow to himself not to fall slave to his lust again. Yet the power of boredom, stress or lack of FOCUS led him into the addictive cycle again. Once the process is repeated, it becomes a whirlpool that pulls down even the strongest of men. Next we will look at a strategy to help us FOCUS & break free of the pull. Moving up Work Zone & High Way Stay in Small Groups. Breaking Free    Say: It seems that Sampson would've learned something from his experience with his first wife to keep him from making the same mistake again&ldots;..WRONG! We are now going to help you devise a plan to snuff out the smoldering ashes of your distractions and help you break free from the powers of addiction! The Cycle According To James Here's a little food for thought, a man (or woman) who is controlled by their flesh is incapable of obeying God! Our sinful mind is a hostile environment for God, when we're controlled by sin&ldots;we CANNOT please GOD! Rom 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot; Rom 8:8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. How do we solve this problem, GET GOD!  With GOD in our lives we are new creatures. 2Cr 5:17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. Ok, so you've got GOD in your life and yet there still seems to be trouble&ldots;there's a battle of domination that is waged within us. Our human  nature struggles against our Christian nature&ldots;.you know the saying, "if you give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile!" Discuss: What if your distraction is Your Clothes, Procrastination, TV, Computer etc&ldots; how will you stay FOCUSED? Moving on Work Zone & High Way The Cycle According To James James' cycle parallels the addictive cycle. Though it was written around 2000 years ago&ldots;the cycle is SOOO true for today! Preoccupation / Enticement Jam 1:14 but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. It's majorly important to notice the words that James used. He used the words that were used to describe fishing. Distractions have the largest tackle box that you can imagine. Once you're hooked&ldots;.you're hooked. Plan of attack - FOCUS on scripture! 1Pe 1:13 Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, Ritualization / Enticement Jam 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. Notice in this verse that all the fishing references are gone and James has moved onto references to childbirth. At this part of the cycle we're beginning to give life to our thoughts. Once this seed of the act is growing inside us&ldots;.it's virtually impossible to stop the cycle. Plan of attack - FOCUS on what exactly your rituals are, make a list of these rituals and aggressively decide that you will change these rituals. Discuss: What are some of the warning signs that happen just before you fall into a distraction? Acting Out / Birth Birth naturally follows conception. After your distraction has been thought about and planned - it will be carried out! If we fail to stop the cycle at the previous 2 stages, it's unlikely that we'll be able to prevent ourselves from "tasting the bait". James tells us that sin gives birth to death&ldots;birth is a gift from God. It is intended to bring life, joy, & pleasure. When we give in and take the bait our distraction gives birth to death. Instead of life, distraction gives shame, instead of joy, distraction gives death, instead of pleasure, distraction gives pain&ldots;..get the picture? Discuss: Why do we find it hard to give up distractions and stay FOCUSED when we know what the consequences will be? Moving out Work Zone & High Way YOUR AMMO AGAINST ADDICTION A Calendar - live one day at a time! Don't think about breaking free from you addiction forever&ldots;Focus on one day at a time! Mat 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Ask: Why is it easier to take one day at a time? A Support Team - God did not intend for us to go through life alone. Reach out to those around you and SHARE in your weaknesses! Do not leave your youth group! There is power here to keep you FOCUSED. Rom 15:7 Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Ask: Why would you leave your support team? A Patient Hope - Don't be surprised that after a few days your FOCUS fades allowing your distraction to come roaring out of its cave. Addictions are deep-rooted problems that can take a while to heal! Know that you must preserver. Isa 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Ask: Does knowing that you could fail make you want to not try at all? Forgiveness - It's the miracle of Christianity! How can God love us as much as He does after we fail him time and time again? If you're struggling with a distraction, God is there ready to help more than you can understand! Let Him help you. If needed, again and again and again. Ask: How can forgiveness be fair?   Return to the Family Life Center. Form one large circle. Looking Ahead Work Zone & High Way After everyone has gathered in a circle: Make announcements Say: We had a lot of discussion tonight because for the next four Sundays we will WORK and GO and FOCUS in different ways. I ask you all to be a part of this season giving of your self and having fun in Christ's name. Say: Too many times we treat Christianity as a spectator sport. It is not. The word "Focus" in this lesson is a verb, an action word. We are required to be a people of action. Will it always be comfortable? No! Will it always be popular? No! But it is our duty to one another to live a life full of "Focus!" Our youth group has the potential to shine brightly in this church and community of Wichita, Kansas. It is your decisions this day&ldots;&ldots;do the work the Scriptures demand, without compromise&ldots;.or church as usual. Will you be the one that God uses this evening? Will you "Focus" and be dedicated till the end? Sing "Sanctuary" UMYF Benediction