Scripture

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Scripture Mark 9:38-50 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

Faith Builders High School Lesson Sunday, September 27 Those who aren’t against us are for us! Lesson Focus: Bearing good fruit/ Doing good deeds

Lesson Outline: o

Overview in M207 JPA, Katie Matkins, and Ann Mills Cobb are leading

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Read the Scripture

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Scripture Breakdown

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Discussions

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Activity

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Closing Prayer

Scripture Breakdown In the first part of the scripture, one of the disciples is worried that a man [who was not one of the 12 disciples], was healing people in Jesus’ name. John wanted to stop him because he was not part of their group. However, Jesus says, “Those who are not against us are for us…those who are not our enemies are our allies.” In other words, if someone is doing good works in the name of Jesus, take their word for it and affirm them. The second part of the scripture continues with a different tone and Jesus talks about chopping off body parts. Jesus is saying that if we put up road blocks to stop someone from doing good deeds, we may be causing them to stumble in their own faith, and we may, in turn, stumble also. Jesus wants us to focus on our actions and how they impact others.

Small Group Discussions Split into small groups for discussion questions: 1. Last week we talked about Jesus saying, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." But, now the disciples are trying to stop (not welcoming?) someone who is acting in Jesus' name all because the man is not a part of their group. Have you ever felt unwelcomed after doing what you thought was a good deed? 2. What road blocks prevent you from following through with actions that Jesus calls you to? 3. Is there anything in your life you need to cut off in order to bear good fruit? 4. Do you believe that Christians can disagree, even on "big" issues, and still consider each other legitimate followers of Jesus? Why or why not? Are there any issues that you believe we must agree on?

Small Activity Stumbling Blocks What are some of the things that cause you to "stumble" in your walk with God? As a group, brainstorm a list of things, attitudes, or behaviors that cause you to stray from Jesus’ teachings. If your list needs some expanding, think about the Book of Common Prayer’s “what we have done and what we have left undone.” Look over your list. How many are things that "everyone" does? Does that make these things less harmful? Any less of a sin? Are there items on your list that you could support one another in actively resisting or addressing? Be salt and let your lights shine: What needs, issues, or causes do you feel strongly about? Brainstorm some things that your group might do to make a difference in one of these areas, be it through prayer, advocacy, or direct action.

Separation Spectrum Using a piece of butcher paper, draw a diagram similar to the drawing below and ask your group to write in the things/places/times they feel God’s presence the most, and those things that cause them to feel more distance from God. Talk about the ways in which we can strive to stay focused on and feel close to God. “Things that make me feel Close to God” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DO NOT FEEL GOD FEEL GOD

Closing Prayer— Dear God, you call us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow you. Help us to do so. Give us eyes to see the many ways that you act in our lives and the grace that you give to us day by day. Give us feet to walk in your way, and catch us when we stumble. And give us hands to reach out in love and action that we may be living signs of your grace. This we pray in your holy name. Amen

FAITH BUILDERS Mark 9:38 – 50

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Mark 9:38 – 50 Another Exorcist 38 John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone* casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ 39But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. 40Whoever is not against us is for us. 41For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. Temptations to Sin 42 ‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me,* it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell,* to the unquenchable fire.* 45And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell.*,* 47And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,* 48where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 49 ‘For everyone will be salted with fire.* 50Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?* Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

Actions Speak Louder than Words • •

Do you know what your priorities are? Do your actions support your priorities?

What’s holding you back? Holding you down?

This is Steph Curry reading what people said about him before he went to the NBA. His OFFICIAL SCOUTING REPORT.