Why was it important for Jesus Christ to become a human? This question was the theme of our Spiritual Emphasis Week. Our speaker, Sam shared three reasons why Christ came down to earth to become a human.
First and most importantly, He came to save us from our sins. Sam walked us through several verses that spoke of Jesus coming to save us.
Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Second, Jesus came to sympathize with us. He understands what we go through everyday.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his purity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Third, Jesus came to show us how to submit to the Father.
John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Philippians 2:5-8 Have this in mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
We began our sessions with praise and worship being led by Lance (part of the Chaplain's team) and Eun Su (former graduate of BFA) and some of our middle school students as well. Our speaker Sam was a former staff member with his wife, Jesse for four years. He has been attending Seminary for the last few years and they are planning on returning to BFA this coming fall! He did such a wonderful job focusing each day's talk on the theme of Saving, Sympathize and Submit. He shared several verses, walked us through them and shared stories from his own life which some of our students really connected with.
Eun Su playing the keyboard and Lance on guitar for our praise and worship.
Our speaker Sam sharing from God's Word.
Our middle school Chaplain, Daniel wrapping up our sessions.
On our last day, stations were set up around the auditorium where students could reflect on the three areas Sam spoke about and interact with God. The stations were well thought out and students seemed to really be impacted by the messages presented.
The first station was centered on Christ saving us. Black paper was available for students to rip off a small piece and as they considered their sin that placed Christ on the cross, they could attach it to a cross that was set up in the corner. Outside, small dirty rocks were set up where students could pick one up, consider their sin then throw the rock in the stream that runs behind our school. On their way back, they could wash their hands of the dirt (sin) in a trough of water.
The second station was centered on Christ sympathizing with us here on earth and currently in heaven. A wall was set up and placed on the wall were several envelopes; each had a students name on it and a verse chosen for that student was placed inside. Students could come up, take their envelope and read the words inside meant to be from God to them. Several students reflected later that those words really impacted them. Chairs were also set up in groups of two where teachers sat in case students needed someone to talk or pray with.
The third station was centered around submitting out lives to God. Yellow paper crosses were set out for students to decorate, place on their head then set at the foot of the cross set up. There may have been one more set up here but I cannot remember if there was. The photos below share some of these stations so you can see what they looked like.
Prayer requests as we move forward:
Please continue to pray for our 5th to 8th graders that the messages they heard last week would still impact their hearts, minds and lives!
Some of our students were deeply affected by the messages they heard! Please pray for these students that they would continue to wrestle with God's truth.
Some of our middle school students do not have a relationship with Christ. Please pray that God would meet with them in a personal and powerful way at BFA this year!
Thank you for all of your support through prayer!!
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