FREEDOM IN CHRIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 15-18s. Copyright Notice This material is copyright 2009 Freedom In Christ Ministries and British Youth For Christ

FREEDOMIN CHRIST

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

15-18s

Copyright Notice

This material is copyright 2009 Freedom In Christ Ministries and British Youth For Christ.

Permission to use it is granted freely to purchasers of the Freedom In Christ For Young People Leader’s Guide provided that it is not altered or added to in any way.

Navigation Page

Session 0Session 1Session 2Session 3Session 4Session 5Session 6

Session 7Session 8Session 9Session 10Session 11Session 12Session 13

Click the links below to go to the sessions. Click the logo on any page to return to the Navigation Page.

SESSION 0: LAUNCH EVENING

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it

penetrates even to dividing soul and sprit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts

and attitudes of the heart.”Hebrews 4:12

True Or False Bible QuizStatements:

• The Bible says that we shouldn’t lie

• The Bible says that ball sports are dangerous

• The Bible says that Christians are always happy

• The Bible says that it’s OK to dance in an embarrassing way

• Luke was a converted thief

• Noah got really drunk and embarrassed himself

• There were two of each kind of animal on Noah’s Ark

• Jesus said that it’s wrong to dress like a goth

• The Bible says that money is the root of all evil

• Adam lived for 930 yearsAnswers

Statements:

• The Bible says that we shouldn’t lieTrue, Deuteronomy 5:20

• The Bible says that ball sports are dangerousFalse

• The Bible says that Christians are always happyFalse

• The Bible says that it’s OK to dance in an embarrassing wayTrue, 2 Samuel 6:21

• Luke was a converted thiefFalse, he was a doctor

• Noah got really drunk and embarrassed himselfTrue, Genesis 9:20ff

Statements:

• There were two of each kind of animal on Noah’s ArkFalse, of the ritually clean animals, there were seven of each kind, Genesis 7:2

• Jesus said that it’s wrong to dress like a gothFalse

• The Bible says that money is the root of all evilFalse, it says that the love of money is the root of all evil, 1 Timothy 6:10

• Adam lived for 930 yearsTrue, Genesis 5:5

8

SESSION 0: LAUNCH EVENING

“True Or False Bible Quiz”

• The Main Point:1. They were there!2. Archaeological proof.3. The Bible has survived.4. It works. 5. Jesus says so.

“IT IS FOR FREEDOM

THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 1: WHO WAS I?

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

PRAYER“Lord thank you for sending Jesus so that we

can be re-connected with you and know that we are truly significant, secure and accepted because we are in relationship with the Living God. Amen.”

DECLARATION“I belong to Jesus and therefore no enemy of his has authority over me. They must leave now in Jesus’ name. Get out of here!”

Who are you?

How do I know that I am physically alive?

What does this mean?

How do I know that I am spiritually alive?

What does this mean?


God designed us to be

• Significant

• Secure

• Accepted


When Adam and Eve turned their back on God they died spiritually

They also lost their

• Significance

• Security

• Acceptance


Jesus came to give us spiritual life

Because you are a Christian, you can become the person God intended you to be


WHO AM I IN CHRIST?

I am significantI am no longer worthless, inadequate, helpless or hopeless.

In Christ I am deeply significant and special. God says:

• I have been chosen and appointed by God to change the world around me.

• I am a temple of God where God’s Holy Spirit lives. • I am a minister of ‘making peace’ for God. • I am God’s workmanship, created for good works. • I may approach God with freedom and confidence. • I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! • I am part of God’s family and I have my role to play.

WHO AM I IN CHRIST?I am secureI am no longer guilty, unprotected, alone or abandoned. In

Christ I am totally secure. God says:

• I am assured that in every circumstance God works for my good.

• I am free from any guilty charges against me from God. • I cannot be separated from the love of God. • I am sure that the good work God has begun in me will be

perfected. • I am a citizen of heaven. • I am kept safe with Christ in God. • I am a child of God and I am safe from any evil.

WHO AM I IN CHRIST?

I am acceptedI am no longer rejected, unloved or dirty. In Christ I am

completely accepted. God says:

• I am God’s child. • I am Jesus’ chosen friend. • I am holy and acceptable to God. • I am a saint, a holy person. • I have been forgiven for all the things I’ve done wrong. • I am complete in Christ.

QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK

‘Imagine that you’re talking to someone who is not a Christian. Can you think of a short way to share your faith in a few sentences?’


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 2: WHO AM I NOW?

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new

has come!”2 Corinthians 5:17

PRAYER“Heavenly Father, I want to thank you that I am a new creation. Please help me really understand what it means to be ‘in Christ’. Amen.”

DECLARATION“I am a Child of God, I am a new creation.

I refuse to be bothered by the enemy because I belong to Jesus. Every enemy of the Lord must leave now in Jesus name: Get lost!”


Read together:

‘I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made’

Psalm 139:14


When you became a Christian you were completely changed

This change happens on the inside and takes no effort on our part


God says you are now a holy person, a ‘saint’ – not a sinner

You have been made clean and good inside

You may still mess up but that does not change who you are

MY FATHER GODI turn my back on the lie that myFather God is:

distant and uninterested in me

stern and demanding

too busy for me or not there

impatient, angry or neversatisfied with what I do

I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is:

close and involved in my life

kind and caring

accepting and filled with joy and love

patient and slow to get angryand delights in those who put

their hope in his unfailing love

MY FATHER GODI turn my back on the lie that myFather God is:

mean, cruel or abusive

trying to take all the fun out oflife

condemning or not forgiving

looking for faults or expectingme to be perfect

I joyfully accept the truth that my Father God is:

loving and gentle and protects me

to be trusted and wants to give me the best possible life!

kind and forgiving; his heart and arms are always open to me

wants me to grow and is proud of me

QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK

Do you believe that a person who doesn’t believe in God has more or less faith than a Christian? What about a Hindu or a Muslim? Or someone who just doesn’t know?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 3: CHOOSING TO

BELIEVE THE TRUTH

“Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6

PRAYER“Father, as I hear your word today please talk

to me through it and increase my faith in you. I don’t want to lean on my own understanding, so I ask you, Holy Spirit, to teach me how to walk by faith in you.

Amen.”

DECLARATION“I am a treasured child of the Lord God Almighty so I speak to all evil, and tell you that you have no right to be here distracting me. I command you to leave now in Jesus’ name. This time is only for me and God.”


BELIEVE THE TRUTHFaith is part of our everyday life – everyone

exercises faith in something

We need to put our faith in something that will stand – something that will really work


BELIEVE THE TRUTHFaith can only grow when we put it into

action

Real faith leads to action – not just believing something in our heads

WHAT CAN I DO?1. Why should I say ‘I can’t’ when the Bible says I can do all

things through Christ who gives me strength?

2. Why should I lack when I know that God will supply all my needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus?

3. Why should I be afraid when the Bible says God has not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power, love and a sound mind?

4. Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God?

WHAT CAN I DO?

5. Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when he that is in me is greater than he that is in the world?

6. Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God’s loving kindness, compassion and faithfulness and have hope?

7. Why should I worry and fret when I can cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me?

8. Why should I ever not be free from stuff that holds me back knowing that, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom?

WHAT CAN I DO?

9. Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ?

10.Why should I feel alone when Jesus said he is with me always and he will never leave me nor forsake me?

11.Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances?

12.Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in him?

WHAT CAN I DO?

13.Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and he gives me knowledge through his Spirit who lives in me?

14.Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ?

15.Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations?


BELIEVE THE TRUTHImagine you were born in a different country.

How would that change the way you look at the world and what you believe?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 4: WORLDVIEW

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2

PRAYER“Father, you are Truth. Open my eyes so that I can see clearly where my life is based on truth and where it is not. Help me to understand where my beliefs come from. Amen.”

DECLARATION“Jesus said that he is the way, the truth and the life. I am going to listen to him. I confidently command evil lies to leave this place. Anything that comes between me and Jesus is not welcome here. You must go now in Jesus’ name.”


We all look at the world in different ways

This course is about looking at the world the way it really is – how God says it is


Four worldviews:

1.Non-Western2.Modern3.Postmodern4.Biblical


‘Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light for my path’

Psalm 119:105

SESSION 4: CLOSING

QUESTION

If you know that you are a saint, why do you think you still often mess up?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 5: BIG CHOICES

“You, however, are controlled not by the flesh but by the Spirit, if the

Spirit of God lives in you.”Romans 8:9

PRAYER“Lord, I choose to be guided by your Holy Spirit. Teach me to make choices that lead to freedom. Amen.”


DECLARATION“I am walking with the Lord Jesus. I am not interested in being influenced by anyone who is his enemy so you must be gone in the name of Jesus. Now!”


Choice is a massive part of our everyday lives

Choosing God’s way can change the way we are feeling


Natural Norman

Spiritual Sam

Fleshly Fred


56

We have everything we need to grow as Christians

We have to choose every day to follow our old way of doing things or the Holy Spirit


Are there sins that you keep falling back to? Why do you think that is?


CLOSING QUESTION


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 6: DEMOLISHING STRONGHOLDS

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up

against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to

make it obedient to Christ.”2 Corinthians 10:5

PRAYER“Heavenly Father, I thank you that I can have true freedom in my life because of Jesus. Would you come now by your Holy Spirit and show me how to live more in that freedom today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”


DECLARATION“Jesus lives in me, so evil has no rights in my life. I am going to listen to the advice of the Holy Spirit; therefore there will be peace and quiet in this place. The enemy must leave right now – go!”



Have you ever believed anything that wasn’t true?

How did it feel when you found out?


We have a choice what we believe

We can believe what our past experiences, the media and other people say about us

Or we can believe what God says about us


Strongholds are lies that we believe that are so deep inside us that they affect the way we act and get in the way of our relationship with God

SESSION 6: DEMOLISHING STRONGHOLDSGod’s truth absolutely smashes

strongholds

You are loved. You are forgiven. You can be honest with God.

Keep making a choice to believe what is true


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 7: SPIRITUAL REALITY

“Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s

schemes.”Ephesians 6:11

68

PRAYER“Father, thank you that Jesus is the victor! I thank you that he is greater than he who is in the world. I want to learn to overcome in the battle for my thoughts. Please show me how to do that. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DECLARATION“Sometimes the enemy tries to distract and confuse my thoughts but I will not let him. My mind belongs to me and I tell him to leave me alone now in Jesus’ name.”

70


We are in a battle

Satan does exist – we should not ignore him but neither should we get obsessed with him


The Facts• Satan is not like God• Satan can only be in one place at one

time• Satan does not know everything


Satan puts thoughts into our minds• He tempts us• He accuses us• He deceives us


Our defence• Understand who you are in Christ• Don’t be scared• Guard your mind• Know the truth• Get back on track when you fall off


If we can’t always trust what we feel then why has God given us feelings and how should we react to them?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled

and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:7-8

SESSION 8: HANDLING OUR EMOTIONS

PRAYER“Father, thank you for giving me emotions, both good ones to enjoy and bad ones to show when there’s a problem. Help me to understand how they can help me in my day-to-day experiences. Please help all of us to hear from your Holy Spirit today and act on his advice. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”


DECLARATION“I am Jesus’ friend. Enemies of the Lord Jesus are not welcome here. It doesn’t matter whether I shout it out or just whisper it; I can banish any enemy of God’s. I have authority as a child of Jesus. So leave now, in Jesus’ name.”


Our emotions were created by God

Your emotions are to your soul what your ability to feel pain is to your body


It is important to rely on God’s truth rather than on our own feelings

When you have negative emotions, you can be completely honest with God about them


Think of the worst thing that anyone ever did to you. Why should you forgive that person? Can you think of any reason why you shouldn’t forgive someone?



THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

“In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he

should pay back all he owed. This is how my heavenly Father will treat

each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Matthew 18:34-35

SESSION 9: FORGIVENESS

PRAYER“Thank you Father that you have forgiven me and that I am now adopted as your child. Please help me and others here understand what it is to forgive and find true freedom. Amen.”

DECLARATION“Jesus has forgiven all my sins, I am not guilty. I don’t have to listen to the enemy’s lies and distractions. I have authority in Christ and am able to instruct any evil to go from this place in his name, so leave now!”


One of the main reasons Christians don’t grow very much is because they don’t forgive someone who has hurt them

It’s like being stuck to another person


Forgiveness is not shrugging off what happened like it didn’t happen but being honest with God and how it made you feel


Why forgive?• It is required by God• It is essential for our freedom• Because of our own debt• Not to give Satan an opportunity• To stop the pain


What difference does it make?• We can be free from our past• We are following God’s example• We can move forward with God


What is forgiveness?• It is from the heart• It is not forgetting• It is not putting up with sin• It is not seeking revenge


Have you grown as a Christian as quickly as you wanted? If not, what do you think is in the way?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 10: TRUTH = FREEDOM

“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have

trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

Hebrews 5:14

PRAYER“Lord, please help us to keep growing in you and growing closer to you every day. Help us to meet with you in this time together and to take away from it all that you want to say to us, Amen.”

DECLARATION“We command all evil to leave this place right now. You have no right to be here! We are Children of God and you can’t touch us! Our minds will be peaceful places just for us and the Lord Jesus.”


How do we mature as a Christian?


Barriers to growth• Not taking hold of your freedom in

Christ• Not taking personal responsibility• Not knowing the basic truths• Faulty thinking


We need to get rid of the lies we believe that hold us back and replace them with God’s truth

1. Uncover them

2. Deal with them


When another Christian does something wrong to you, what would be a good way to respond?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 11: LOVING OTHERS

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and

greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40

PRAYER“Thank you Father that you have given me other people to relate to. Help me to understand how to do that in a way that reflects you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DECLARATION“We belong to Jesus Christ. We instruct any and all evil to leave our presence now in Jesus’ name.”


Jesus says love God with everything you have and love your neighbour as yourself

We can only do this because God first loved us


1. I should not point out other people’s faults

2. I should not look out for my rights in a relationship

3. I should not criticise other Christians, but I can help them

4. I should stay calm when others get on my nerves


What are the goals for the rest of your life? How can you be sure that you want the same thing as God for your life?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 12: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure

heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

1 Timothy 1:5

PRAYER“Father, please help me to realise that you have purposes and plans for my life so that I can truly live in your freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DECLARATION“Jesus is my closest friend. He doesn’t have any time for you enemies of his. He doesn’t want you hanging about bothering me, and trying to distract and irritate me. So I tell all evil to leave!”


This session is about what God’s goal for our life is

What you aim for in life depends on what you believe


Feelings can highlight wrong goals• Blocked goals lead to anger• Uncertain goals lead to anxiety• Impossible goals lead to depression


No goal God gives us can depend on other circumstances or people we have no right or ability to control


A godly desire is something good that we want to happen but other people can get in the way

A godly goal is something that no one else can get in the way of – like becoming more like Jesus


No one can stop you becoming more like Jesus

God’s goal for our lives is what we are like – not what we do

What is Jesus like?


If you find out that your goals are not the same as God’s goals for your life – would you be willing to change them? How easily could you change what you believe?


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

SESSION 13: KEEPING GOING

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to

be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret

of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,

whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who

gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13

PRAYER“Father, help us to walk away at the end of the session today with a deeper understanding of who we are in you and a stronger ability to walk on your path, ultimately being changed to be more and more like Jesus, Amen.”

DECLARATION“Jesus is the king of the world and the king of my life. He holds all authority in his hands and stamps his enemies under his feet. All his enemies - be gone now in Jesus’ name!”

1. We’re successful if we have the right goal

2. We’re significant because of our eternal value

3. We’re fulfilled when we serve others

4. We’re satisfied when we live a quality life

5. We’re happy when we want what we have

6. We have fun when we enjoy life moment

by moment

7. We are secure when we focus on eternal

values

8. We find God’s peace inside not outside


THAT CHRIST HAS

SET US

FREE!”

Galatians 5:1

Documents

FREEDOM IN CHRIST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 15-18s. Copyright Notice This material is copyright 2009 Freedom In Christ Ministries and British Youth For Christ