Lean On Me Moving Parts It's Your Move Work Zone and High Way  At 5 min. till start "Lean on Me" -Club Nouveau and a 4 min. video countdown. When the songs done, welcome, & introductions Make announcements · What are we doing for effort & attendance? · What's the plan for choir?   Which Way Are We Moving Work Zone & High Way Begin with a large group&ldots;  Imagine driving up to Canada and stopping at a restaurant to get a bite to eat. While you're sitting at the table, an enthusiastic person comes over to you and says in an excited voice, "Are you an American?" You reply, "Yes, I am." The person says, "Oh, too cool, I rarly get to talk to fellow Americans." "Have you lived in Canada a long time?" you ask. The person replies, "Oh yes, all my life. I was born here." You say, "Oh... So your parents were Americans?" "No, sadly my parents remained Canadian all their lives." "Then how did you become an American?" "Well, one day I found a pamplet that told me about American ideas. I was transfixed by their power and adopted them as my own. From that day on I have believed in Americanism. I have memorized all of the Declaration of Independence and portions of the Constitution, and I have a subscrition to Obsquer Liberty Quarterly ." Whether or not you're an American does not simply depend on whether or not you believe certain things in your heart. That's part of the picture, but not all of it. Every Sunday many people go to church while others are sleeping or engaged in other weekend activities. Since our weekends are limited, why should we spend part of it in church? What if mealtime was just desert, or just bread, or just veggies? What if school just consisted of P.E., or just math, or just band? What if you only knew your family; you didn't speak to anyone else, or need them for any of your needs? Cool! Right? Dinner is just desert, school is just one class and nobody else can bug you. What a life! How long before boredom, malnutrition, and loneliness kick in? Tonight we're going to look at what it means to go to church, to "Lean On Me." Break into Journey Groups   Moving In Work Zone & High Way (Work Zone - break into smaller groups) Church is boring. Say: "Church is boring, it's repetitious, predictable and a meaningless ritual. I would rather sleep in. I go to school all week and I deserve my sleep!" Ask:  · Who has a good definition of "Church"? (It should include worship, Sunday school, UMYF, and other activities.) · Who here agrees with the statement church is boring? ·  What could we do to make church interesting to you/others? Say: Church can be repetitious but so is life. The days of our lives are structured around cycles of work, eating, family and recreation times. Any of these activities can become boring if we don't strive to find something interesting or enjoyable about them. Sunday mornings at church are a time to make new friends and see old ones; to learn about the Scriptures and share problems as well as thank God for His blessings. The objective in going to church is to seek to build our relationship with God and others. Many people go to church to fulfill an obligation through some ritual and so are reduced to actions without meaning. Remember, we should be Christian in our actions and use words if necessary.  Not going to church on a Sunday morning because you deserve a sleep-in does not explain why you would still miss church on Saturday or Sunday night. The problem is much deeper than the time of the day - it is a matter of selfishness.   Moving on Work Zone & High Way People who go to church are a bunch of hypocrites! Say: "People who go to church are a bunch of hypocrites. Churchgoers pretend to be good for a few hours on Sunday morning but they are like everyone else the rest of the week." Ask:  · Give an example of a hypocritical Christian. (Someone who says one thing and does another.) · Give an example of a hypocrite at school. · Would you agree that we all are somewhat hypocritical? Why or Why not? · Do you think people try to be hypocrites Say: A common misunderstanding about church is that it should somehow make us better people. It's not the action of going to church, but the encounter with God and others that changes our lives for the better. Most people who go to church do not understand this and thus do not seek to have life enriching experiences through worship and church activities. Christians can be seen to be hypocrites more easily than someone who does not profess any beliefs because Christian standards are characterize in the Bible, whereas personal standards can be changed to fit circumstances. The bottom line is that all humans are hypocrites because we all fail to consistently live up to any standards of behavior that are defined. The difference is that Jesus forgives the hypocrisy of believers and has sent His Holy Spirit to guide and transform those who know Him.   Moving up Work Zone & High Way Churches impose a bunch of rules. Say: "Churches impose a bunch of rules and then make you feel guilty if you don't measure up." Ask: · What are some "church" rules that might make someone feel guilty? · If someone says they don't feel guilty, does that mean they are selfish? · Is it possible to not feel guilt about right and wrong and not be a self-absorbed person? · Is it guilt that should make people go to church or something else? Could it be love? Say: One of the biggest reasons for selfish "Me, me" people is the lack of moral standards. Some people who call themselves Christians cannot even say the Ten Commandments much less live by them. Without moral standards, it is easier to do your own thing and not feel guilty about it. Guilt is part of our conscience and is a gift from God to help us do good. It is true that sometimes people make us feel guilty. During these times it is important to seek God's view through your experiences, tradition, reason, and scripture. This means it is necessary to be familiar with Christian values enough to discern whether others are making us feel guilty or if God is trying to get our attention. I am convinced that there are many Christians who are doing good works out of guilt rather than because they want to love and serve God and one another. Moving out Work Zone & High Way Needed: "My Friends" hand out   Pass out a sheet to everyone and give the youth a few minutes to make some choices. Below are some situations that happen between friends. Which three would bother you the most? Your friend- · Says they'll be some where, then stands you up · Makes a move on your girlfriend or boyfriend · Gets into trouble-and blames you · Asks you to help cheat at school · Won't go over to your house, but will go to your friend next door · Makes the team or club-and you don't · Dumps you for a new set of friends · Lies to you · Steals from your locker · Gets involved with drugs · Won't admit having borrowed something of yours · Gets you in trouble with your mom or dad Ask:  · Which one of these would bother you the most? · Is one of your top reasons for coming to church to be with your friends? · What if you were the one doing these things to your friend; what do you think would bother them the most? · What if the "friend" you are doing these things to is Jesus?  · Do you think loyalty is a good character trait?   Still Moving Work Zone $1000 Bill Exchange Needed: Caravan Bucks Give each person 10 bucks. They are to try to win as many as possible from their peers by challenging them one on one doing one of two things: Rock, paper, scissors Flipping a coin Rules: You must accept any challenge - sudden death - no two out of three - challenger has to have a coin and is "heads" on the coin toss. Keep playing until someone runs out of money. After the first person runs out of money stop the round and see who has the most. Declare a winner. Say: This game is like going to church. If you are low on cash it's like being a giving person, you're taking care of others. If you wind up with lots of bucks, it couldn't have happened with out lots of people. If you limit who you play with to one, your highest possible gain is 10, if you play with 10 people it's 100. Also, just like the game some times you are giving and some times you receive. Church is just that. If you don't play you have limited chances to grow. If you don't play you affect your chances to help others. Play again if there's time.     Still Moving High Way Take a poll of your group and see what actions would normally be offensive      ____ A polite person      ____ Someone who compares themselves to others      ____ Someone who is there when you need them      ____ Someone who constantly talks about others      ____ Someone who appreciates you      ____ Someone who really knows you      ____ Someone who brags about their exploits and daring  deeds      ____ Someone who has ideas that inspire you   Point out the things that are less offensive. Ask: · Is a relationship a two-way arrangement? · Is a two-way relationship possible with God? · Can you have a healthy relationship with only two people? Explain. · Do you feel good when someone compliments you? Why or why not? · How does it feel to be complimented and appreciated? Discuss what people like about genuine praise. (Does God like praise?)  Say: Jesus can be met everywhere.  Even, presumably, in your spare time!  But we are not everywhere. We need our friends including God. To go to Church is to put us in touch with Jesus in a unique way. He speaks to us through the words of Scripture and challenges us through the sermon; He encounters us as we open ourselves to Him in prayer, humbles us through the acknowledgment of our faults, and lifts our spirits through song. Many experiences of church just can't happen one on one. Come back together in the FLC   Closing Work Zone & High Way The Leader Closes: Gather in a circle. Sum up the lesson Say: Like our Canadian friend, I mentioned at the beginning of tonight, whether or not you're an American/Christian does not simply depend on whether or not you believe certain things in your heart. That's part of the picture, but not all of it. The world and its selfishness is very much with us. It tugs continually at us, urging its deflated values upon us at every turn. If we are to resist, we must take action. We need many sources of support and knowledge and those things happen in worship, in Church.  We need a "time out."  Oh, certainly, we can get by for a while, perhaps, on momentum.  But finally, the friction of life drags us down; our lives begin to clutter up and to lose direction. We think less and less of God and more and more about ourselves. What little peace we had wears thinner and thinner. As you face the coming week, think about how many ways we need each other to lean on, how many things aren't complete without more than one or two parts. How many hours a week do you spend with your good friends? Are you forgetting that one friend that asks nothing of you but gives you His all? So, this next week I challenge you to not put sleeping in and more free time ahead of your "Best Friend." Close In Prayer: Dear Lord, we've come together as a group again this week and continue to do your work. Thank you for You're Love that can fill us to overflowing. Help us to realize we need others and their views and opinions to help us see You clearly and forgive us for falling away from renewing habits. Help us to lean on you and have an attitude that is loyal, pleasing, patient, generous and kind. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.  Sing Sanctuary UMYF Benediction  Gather these for the Lesson: "My Friends" hand out, about 250 Caravan Bucks, "Lean on Me" -Club Nouveau and a 4 min. pp. video countdown.