Number 6: Get In Or Get Out!!!

Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane with an oversize bed sheet strapped

to your back. it's called skydiving. Some call it S.T.U.P.I.D. So call me stupid, 

I want to try it.

 A group of guys went together. They climbed into the plane and cruised up to altitude. 
 They each had an instructor strapped to them so they couldn't mess up too badly.
 The one thing the instructors repeated over and over was, 
  "when we say jump... JUMP! Don't just half-way do it, but jump with all you got."  
 See, here was the deal. The plane had a metal bar that went from the 
 plane to the wing. You have to jump hard enough to get past the bar.

It was RJ's turn. He got up the the door and his instructor secured himself to RJ's back.

Like they asked every jumper, the instructor shouted, "Are you in or out?" RJ shouted
back, "I'm in!" 1, 2, 3, Jump! RJ hesitated. He didn't really jump. he just kind of let

himself fall out of the plane. Rembere the bar? RJ's foot hit the bar and spun them

around. The instructor smacked against the doorway and sent them flipping towards

the earth. The instructor recovered, gained control, and landed them safely.

The lead instructor turned around and looked at the rest of the group waiting in the plane

and shouted, "You're in or you're out! there is no middle ground!"

  THE WORD

   Get out your Bible, and check out Matthew 26:57-75.

   did you see it? Peter -- did you see him? He followed Jesus.

   but did you see it? He followed at a distance. This was the guy

   who just a few ticks earlier was claiming, "I will die for you!" Now

   he is close enough to see Jesus. But not close enough to touch him.

                     Close enough to say, "I'm in His sight," but not close

                     enough to say, "I'm in His shadow." Oh yeah, Peter, that

                     sold-out believer who knew that Jesus was Savior, was not

                     committed enough to stand under pressure. peter wasn't

                     in or out. He was trying to live life in the middle.

    LIFE LINK!

      I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish

      you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and

      neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth,

                      (Revelation 3:15-16)

THE THING.

GET IN OR GET OUT.

Peter swallowed a jagged pill that day. He tasted the bitter lesson of Revelation

3:15-16. He learned that it is better to never follow Jesus that to follow him and deny

it. Peter wanted to commit, but not too much.

I know that it may seem like we are hounding this point. But it is the issue of all
issues when it comes to stepping off and living life over the edge. This

is the difference in going at it with full-on passion or just existing. You must be

totally committed. Get in or get out.

   What does it mean to really "get in"?

   Two basic things.

   Prayer. Bible study. Talking to God and reading His Word.

            
            We'll get a close up look at those later. but for now, commit

            to doing it. Right now, write a short prayer asking God to

            help you commit to these two things. Tell the Father that

            you want to jump. You want to get a total hook-up in knowing

            Him more.

Number 5: Media Fast

Remember Zeta’s story? She was the cool girl that started dating a jerk and turning into a giant ball of negativity who thought she was nothing. She thought that because she let her new jerk tell her that every day, dogging her out in front of everyone. She was trapped in a psych-prison of lies and it kept her down all the time.

The Word
The deal is – if you hear something long enough you believe it.
Truth becomes irrelevant.
Check out Judges 16: 1-22.

Did you see what happened to Samson?

He was a man, set apart by God since birth.

Samson had this strangth thing going, and he knew

God was with him. God was going to use Samson to help

free all of his friends and relatives because the Philistines

were keeping them down.

So what happened? Yeah, Samson knew

that he was set apart for God's work and that he was

strong, but her was more interested in clowning

around, using his gifts to get what he wanted and

not totally giving his life to God. He was forever

hanging out with people and doing things that

brought him down.

And remember, if you hear something long enough,

you will buy into it. Samson met Delilah. she was a major babe.

Samson so wanted to be loved and accepted by her more than any-

thing else. every day she nagged him about his strength. Every 

day she would tell Samson that if he loved her he would tell her

the secret. He listened to the junk Delilah was telling him, and he

bought into it. He broke.

Samson, this guy with insane

physical strength, was totally

destroyed because of who he lis-

tened to and what he allowed to

grow in his mind.

[WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN? IT AIN'T BRAIN SURGERY: "GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT."]

Journal This:

• What do you listen to most? what kind of music? who is it?
• What do you watch the most?
• What do you do the most? video games? web surfing and dot.com-ing?

Whatever you listen to and experience the most

will shape what you believe and what you do. It's

like this. If you absorb yourself in TV shows, it won't take long to

decided that you must not be normal if you are not a neurotic, homo-

sexual, work-a-holic, sex-addicted witch from a dysfunctional family.

that's stupid! Bet remember, truth is irrelevant, and you will

believe what you consistently hear.

Life Link!

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that

good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(Romans 12:3)

The Thing.

It's time to push life.

HOW?

21 DAY MEDIA FAST.

What does that mean? No TV, no computer games, no surfin', and only music that talks about good stuff.

You know what we're talking about. If it talks about partying, romance, sex, drugs, or backin' any kind of

thang up -- it's out! Make it music that helps you focus on who God is.

Hey, quit whining! It's only 21 days. Mark it on your

calendar and count it down. this is improtant!!!

Why are we doing this? our thoughts get so junked because of all the stuff

we watch and listen to. It's time we take control of our own mind and what does in it.

Commit to this and you will be amazed at what

happens. it will be hard, but it will be worth it.

So cut out all the media stuff for the next 21 days. If you are in the house and

everyone is watching TV, go find sometheng else to do. No, not video games. Go

read. Hang out with your friends. Heaven forbid, talk to the parentals.

Ok, let's make a plan.

First commit to the 21 day fast.

Now, when you are jonesing for that TV or dot.com fix, what are you

going to do? (journal your plan)

What are some other things you could be doing?

What is the verse you need to focus on? (Life link)

Every time you want to chew on some media chunks, take out

your verse -- Romans 12:3. Read it and learn it.

What do you think will happen when you go on a 21 day media fast? What will change, or what

do you think you could get out of all of it? 

Give it up! Ask God to help you commit to the 21 day media fast. 

Ask Him to show you what He wants you to experience over the next 

21 days. write out a short prayer about it.

Number 4: Symbols

Do you remember the stop sign story Karen read? The author kind of just rolled through a stop sign and then had the encounter with the cop's nigh stick? then, lets jump into it!

The Word.
Wondering what the Word could have to do with this experience? Well, did I see the stop sign? Did it make me stop? Nope. Did a cop really beat me in the head? No. But you get my point. Does a stop sign ever make you stop? We see them every day. I have never had a stop sign jump off its pole into my car and slam the brakes.
Then what do stop signs do? What are they? A stop sign is a symbol.
It reminds us of what we are supposed to do.

Scripture Connection. Genesis 8:20-21 and 9:8-17.

Let's put it in real world issues. It's like this. When we get out driver's license we enter into a covenant, a Bible word that means “make a deal.” So we make a deal with the state saying we will obey the traffic laws. (It's like God making a deal with us that He won't do a mambo-killer flood again.) Then the state puts up stop signs as reminders of our deal to follow the laws (the rainbow thing.)

God uses symbols to remind us of the deals we've made. Altars were used a lot in the Bible. They were actually just a bunch of rocks piled up. Everyone who walked b would remember and thing about why they were there. Noah built altars. Moses, David, they all built altars to remind them of something God had done, said, or promised.

LIFE LINK!
Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3.

When God makes a deal, it's done. He keeps His Word. He wants us to do the same.

The Thing. 
Got Symbols?
God even told people to have symbols. This isn't some freaky weird thing. Check it. Here's another short Scripture before we walk through making our own symbols. Numbers 15:37-40.

See, the Father wants us to remember who He is and who we are. It's a lot easier to remember what's up if you have a reminder. So let's go through how to do altars and symbols. They are not just ol' time Bible stuff. They're about today. Your issues. Your life.

FIRST, MAKE THE DEAL.
SECOND, GET THE SYMBOL.

The Deal: Commit that you will do what is asked in this Bible study. All of it. You are going to be pushed way past what average Bible studies do. But we are not going for average.
We are stepping off over the edge into knowing God full-on. Write down what your deal is with God. What is your commitment with this Bible Study? Use your journal and write down your commitment to God in the Bible Study?

 

The Symbol: Go get some rocks. Yes, rocks. Small, stackable rocks. Go get them! Right now. Don't sit there. It's time to make an altar.
1.     Write down your deal with God on a small piece of paper. Also, write down the LIFE LINK! Verse on the paper. (Proverbs 16:3)
2.     Find a place where you can stack your rocks. Bathroom counter. Dresser. TV stand. A place where you will see it everyday.
3.     Put the paper down. Stack the rocks on top.
4.     You commit to finishing the Hardest 30 Days.

That's it. That's an altar. A symbol of your deal with God to do everything in this book. Even if it's hard. It's not a commitment with me, friends, or leaders. It's between you and God.

Everyday when you see the altar think about your commitment and ask God to help you. When you get bummed out and you are ready to quit and bounce the group, go look at the altar. Read your commitment. Remember that you made a deal with the Creator of the Universe.

This symbol-making thing isn't a one-time-thing. Anytime God shows you something or gives you a promise or you just want a reminder of something, get a symbol.

Rubber Bands. Wear your rubber band to remind you to be careful of what you look at, read, and do on the Internet.
     1 Thessalonians 4:7 - For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.

Symbols will change what we do. Not because they're magic, but because they totally change our focus. They are just like the stop signs. They don't make us do anything. They remind us of what we should do and who God wants us to be.

     If you didn't make a commitment and build an altar to do

the stuff in this book, please accept this “Get Out Invite.”

Tell us  “I'm out.” You can get back in another group when 

you're ready if we get to do this again or even go 

for it with a smaller group of friends. But if you are 

not going to commit to doing everything 

(which includes getting some rocks and making an altar) 

in this study then step out. You'll be in the way. 

So please accept this “Get Out Invite.”

For the committed: look for ways to make more symbols.

Number 3: Life Style

Do you remember Jorge's story? He was the "original gangsta" who decided to change his life while in juvenile detention. We he got out, he went back to hanging with his old crowd and eventually fell back into that lifestyle. It claimed his life.

The Word

What happened? Check it out: Matthew 9:14-17

Jorge wanted to change. But like it says in the Word, he was

putting new wine in an old wineskin. It didn't work. Jorge wanted to live

differently. He wanted to change his life. But hi tried to put new life

into an old lifestyle. the new life was lost.

Life Link!

Therefore, if anyone is in christ, he

is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things

have become new.   

(2 Corinthians 5:17) 

The Thing.

New Life must be put into a new lifestyle.

Some of us haven't cought into this yet. You

are a Christian. You have given your

life to God, but you haven't

changed your lifestyle. You are trying

to put new wine in your old wineskin. You

haven't changed what you do. You haven't

changed who you hang out with, the jokes you

tell. anything that does now jive with

what God wants is old wineskin.

Are there some old wineskins in your new life?

- Old habits, gossip, wearing certain clothes, sex, drugs, gangs. For you what are your old wineskins?

- What do you need to do to change your lifestyle? What is the first thing that you are going to do? BE SPECIFIC.

When you get with the group again (or your accountabilabuddy)

give them the goods on what you need to change. Let them

do the same. Everyone brainstorm and get a plan on how to help

each other be a success. Alone you will fail. With others you

can do anything. If it is way too personal to share with the group,

then get with Danielle, Karen, Alicia, Kenneth, or anyone else

you feel comfortable with and talk through it.

There is no judgment here!

GET GOING. 

CHANGE YOU. 

CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH CLEANER PLACE IF WE ATE OUR OWN TRASH. 

   

 

Number 2: $100 commitment

What if when you walked into class we handed you at $100 bill? Would you take it? How much would it be worth? Hundred bucks. Cool. What if I rubbed it under my armpits? Would you take it? Sure! Cuz how much is it worth now? Same. What if I wadded it up into a little ball, spit on it, threw on the ground, and stepped on it? Now how much is it worth? Hundred smackeroos. Nothing we did changed the value. It was still worth the same. And free money is good money.

The Word

There are a lot of teens that are Christians, but feel so far

away from God. Your life is so wacked out by the way

by the way you are living. You are out in the scene, boozin' or dopin' it

up. Or you're a Christian and you're having sex with your

boyfriend or girlfriend. Or the things that come out of your 

mouth are just total yuckness. No Jesus there. You feel

like you have gotten so far away from God that He doesn't

want to have anything to do with you. You feel worthless and

when someone says God loves you, you say things like,

"But you don't know what I've done."

Check out what the Word says

about you: Luke 15:11-32.

Don't miss the bus here. this isn't just some cool story that you

learned when you were a little kid.

This is about you. Now. Today.

You may have run off from you father (God). You did your own thing. You partied and sexed it up. You failed out of school. You got an abortion, or whatever your baggage is that is keeping you down. You've been living like you aren't even part of God's family. Well, it's time to come home.

God -- Dad -- is waiting on you.

He wants you to come back.

     

You are the son in the story. God is the Father. Just like the father, God wants to hug you and throw a party because you are back. And that blah-blah excuse of, "if he only knew that I have done, He wouldn't want me back," doesn't cut it. He does know, and He does want you!!!

You are the $100 bill. God sees you as His

valuable child. You may have messed up big time.

You are still $100. You may have crumbled

up, stomped on, and totally trashed your life.

But you are still worth the same today and you

were the first day you gave your life to God.

Life Link!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to

forgive up our sins and to cleanse us from all

unrighteousness.

(1 John 1:9)

The Thing: DO-OVER!!!!

If you have gone off and done your own thing and have not

really worried about where Jesus was in your life, the right

now is for you. DO-OVER!!! That's what is so cool about God.

He's OK with do-overs. He wants you to come back to Him. He

is still there. He is waiting on you to make a move

This next part is for you and God, so go ahead

What are some things that you've been into that you are so not god?

What are some actions, thoughts, baggage you have that you want to get rid of? 

Do-Over Rules:

1.  Tell God that you are sorry that you have run away from Him and ignored Him.
2. Tell God thank you for taking you back and letting you start over.
3. Tell your group about it. Tell them that you made a commitment to follow Christ full-on. 

Pray something like this:

"Father, I know I ran away from you. I'm sorry. Forgive me for I am back. I know you 

love me. Thanks for welcoming me back. Help me get srtonger so I won't run away again."

If you have stayed with the Father and your relationship with God is solid

and getting stionger, then write a short prayer right now about two thing.

1. THANK HIM FOR KEEPING YOU CLOSE.

2. PRAY THAT EVERYONE IN OUR GROUP 

WILL STAY SOLID.

God loves you no matter what you've done.

He want to help you.

Get back to God and do-over.