Christ-TEEN

Amy delivered a Bible study session focused on the concept of being "homesick for heaven," building on previous discussions about citizenship and ambassadorship. She used Psalm 84:10 and Philippians 3:12-14 as anchor verses to explain that believers are created with an innate longing for eternal things rather than temporary physical pleasures. Amy discussed how people often try to fulfill this heavenly longing through worldly means like anti-aging products, plastic surgery, and material possessions, but emphasized that these temporary solutions cannot satisfy the deep spiritual yearning we were created to experience. She challenged the audience to redirect their pursuits toward knowing God and His kingdom, using Matthew 6:33 to encourage seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The session concluded with information about an upcoming free mobile app that will provide Bible study content, private groups, and daily devotionals for users of all ages.

Amy conducted a Bible study lesson about being sojourners in this world, explaining that as believers, Christians are temporary residents on earth rather than permanent residents, similar to Abraham who lived as a stranger in Canaan. She discussed the duties of sojourners including abstaining from worldly passions, making intentional decisions that point toward God, and welcoming other believers, while emphasizing that true fulfillment comes from heaven rather than from temporary earthly things. Amy shared multiple biblical verses including Matthew 6:19-34, Psalm 17:14, and John 16:33 to illustrate the concept of being "in but not of" the world, explaining that while believers are present in this world, they should not be consumed by its values or seek fulfillment from temporary things. She concluded by encouraging the audience to ask themselves why they try to fit in with the world when they were created to fit into heaven, and announced that the next lesson would round out the series by discussing being homesick for heaven while living in this world.

Amy led a Bible study session focused on being ambassadors for Christ, building on the previous week's discussion about citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. She explored the duties and responsibilities of ancient Roman ambassadors to provide context for Christian ambassadorship, emphasizing that ambassadors must carry full authority, embody their sovereign, and deliver official messages. Amy outlined the required skills for effective ambassadors, including knowledge of biblical principles, wisdom in delivering the message, and character traits like patience, humility, and magnetism that draw people to Christ. She emphasized that believers are not just chosen but actively sent on diplomatic missions to represent God in a foreign world, and concluded by announcing plans for future discussions about being sojourners in the world while not being of it.

Amy led a Christian Youth Network session launching a series called “This World Is Not Our Home,” focusing on the theme of citizenship. She explained that believers’ true citizenship is in heaven, using anchor verses from Philippians and 1 Peter. Amy explored the historical context of Roman citizenship to illustrate its exclusivity and privileges, comparing it to the spiritual citizenship believers have through Christ’s purchase and inheritance. She contrasted the identity, loyalty, perspective, and values of citizens of heaven with those of citizens of the world, emphasizing that believers are called to live with eternal values and not be conformed to worldly desires. Amy concluded with 2 Corinthians 5, reinforcing that believers’ ultimate home is with the Lord and encouraging listeners to live as citizens of heaven.

Amy led a Bible study focused on Matthew 16:21–28, explaining the meaning of “take up your cross daily.” She discussed denying oneself, distinguishing it from self-pity, and described taking up the cross as a willingness to follow Jesus in obedience and trust, not as enduring personal burdens. She used the analogy of ants and an anthill to illustrate God’s larger purposes and human inability to fully understand them. 

This was a Christian youth meeting led by Amy where she taught about "running after Jesus" as the final part of a series on the faith journey. Amy used athletic metaphors to explain that following Jesus requires discipline, self-control, focus, energy, determination, and not looking back at past sins. She referenced biblical verses including Proverbs 18:10, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Philippians 3:12-14, and Luke 9:62 to illustrate how Christians should run toward Jesus with single-minded focus rather than idling or looking back. 

Amy conducted a Bible study session focused on what it means to follow Jesus, using Matthew 16:24-26 as the main verse. She explained that following Jesus requires three key steps: denying oneself (rebuking sinful nature), taking up one's cross daily (daily death march to separate from worldly things), and complete submission and humility in following Jesus as Lord. Amy identified three main deterrents to following Jesus: attachment to other things, arrogance, and ambivalence. She emphasized the importance of true discipleship, explaining that following Jesus requires a pledge of allegiance rather than casual following, and concluded by discussing John 10:2-5 about knowing Jesus's voice and running towards Him rather than just following Him.

Amy delivered a message about defending one's faith, continuing her series on the "faith-ometer" concept. She discussed the difference between passive defense of faith (only speaking about God when provoked) and actively sharing hope with others. Using biblical examples from 1 Peter 3:13-18 and other passages, Amy emphasized that believers should be ready to give a defense for their hope but should not wait to defend God until faced with persecution. She challenged listeners to examine whether they live their lives in a way that naturally points to their faith, rather than just being prepared to defend it when challenged. Amy concluded by encouraging believers to let their daily lives reveal Christ's love and to be zealous for God in the same way people are passionate about other things in life.

Amy hosted a live faith discussion about being an "observer" on the faithometer, exploring what it means for believers to go through religious motions without genuine engagement. She examined biblical references including Matthew 27:55-56, Galatians 4:8-11, and James 1:22-2:14 to demonstrate how observing faith differs from active faith, warning against passive religiosity and tolerating sin. Amy discussed the concept of works flowing from authentic faith rather than being a requirement for salvation, using examples from Revelation about the church of Pergamum to illustrate how observing without defending or living out faith is insufficient. She encouraged viewers to move from being hearers to doers of the Word and to see Jesus as their foundation and treasure rather than just observing Christianity as a religion without relationship.

Amy conducted a live session discussing doubt as part of her faith-ometer series about measures of faith. She explored biblical examples of doubt, including the apostles' reactions to the resurrection in Luke 24 and the story of the Road to Emmaus, emphasizing that even dedicated followers like the apostles experienced doubt. Amy discussed how doubt often arises from putting confidence in temporary, physical things rather than in God's eternal nature, citing research showing the top reasons people doubt God are religious hypocrisy, church hurt, and human suffering. She explained that doubt doesn't indicate a lack of salvation and provided practical advice for dealing with doubt, including remembering one's first love for God, repenting of doubts, and returning to a relationship with God. The session concluded with a prayer and a reminder that believers are not alone in their struggles with doubt.