This week - FRIDAY AUGUST 13 - we’re heading out for youth.
If you’re in YR 7-9 you’re heading to Laser Skirmish at Rooty Hill RSL. It cost $18.95 for 2 games ($12.95 for one game). Meet at Laser Skirmish, Rooty Hill RSL (parents/guardian to pick up & drop off)
If you’re in YR 10-12 you’re heading out to Thai in Penrith. It’ll cost about $15-20. Meet at the church building at 7pm and we will travel in cars. We may swing via Cold Rock on the way home! (if you want to travel in a friends car you need to get your parents to write who’s car they allow you to travel in on the permission note.)
Be prepare to be challenged this Friday to stand with those who suffer greatly for the name of Jesus.
This week at youth we’ve got Brad Konemann of 13:3, the youth arm of Voice of the Martyrs, coming to speak to us. He’s just arrived home from a few weeks in Veitman where he’s been spending time with Christians who daily face the threat of persecution because of their faith. Why not head over to the 13:3 website http://thirteenthree.org.au and learn more about what they do and why or sign up to find out how you can join the 13:3 campaign
Jesus told around 38 parables that were recorded in the bible. They are punchy stories that often have a hidden meaning, a twist, a sting in the tail, or a punch-line. In this regard, they are not too dissimilar from a joke!
Parables aren’t nice stories Jesus told with a cute moral to them; “be good like the good Samaritan”, nor are they simply illustrations of the truth. Jesus told parables to conceal the truth as much as he did to reveal it (Lk 8:10). Parables are meant to get a response out of people. In fact, Jesus often offended people when he told parables (Luke 7:36-48, 12:13-21). Jesus’ parables exposed the idolatry in people’s hearts…and they still do today. Parables comforted & strengthened others…and they still do today. It’s not just about how the Pharisees or the prostitutes heard what Jesus said. It’s about how YOU hear what Jesus said!
The crucial question to answer in each of these studies is: what did they hear? What did the original listeners hear? In these studies we’re gonna hear what they heard…and feel what they feel. This series is about getting the point and responding as Jesus calls us to. As you read & listen to the parables, you’re not simply observing Jesus interacting with other people…you are hearing God speak; through his Son and by his Spirit.
So to those who have ears….let them hear (Lk 8:8)
You can download the bible studies and talks from our resources page.
