Bible Time

Status
Not open for further replies.

safariblade

Video Gamer
Advanced Member
Member
Welcome To:
11876132a3846f2m3.png

A friendly Christian bible study group for the PokeBeach community.




Info:
What is this 'Bible Time' that you speak of?
Well, Bible Time is a group of Christian PokeBeachers that get together on Skype and have something like a bible study together.
Basically, we read through books of the bible together while discussing what we read and sharing our faith with each other.

Some members might be thinking how this is allowed.
Yeah, this is a religious group, but PokeBeach rules say:
PokeBeach Forum Rules said:
Religious, political, and similar topics are okay AS LONG AS they do not attack a specific group.
Therefore, this group is, and must remain strictly a bible study group. That is all it is.
There will be no discussion that attacks other beliefs or religions.
This is a Christian group, so why not just talk about Christianity? :3
Also, this group has been approved by Water Pokémon Master

Even if you are not Christian, this group will not deny you. Anyone is free to join and listen, discuss, and post.
However PokeBeach are enforced here just like everywhere else. PM safariblade to join.





Lessons:
Currently, we are planning to start off with going through 1 Corinthians.
More info will be given once this group is set up.


You may also join Bible Time's Skype Group.




Members:
Leader:
safariblade

Co-Leader
[member]Bippa201[/member]

Members:
[member]47bennyg[/member]
Afro-G
[member]Binx345[/member]
[member]Chillarmy[/member]
CMP
[member]Darkvoid57[/member]
[member]DNA[/member]
[member]Elite Stride[/member]
EspeonROX
[member]glaceon[/member]
[member]jhaze[/member]
[member]Rock Wrecker[/member]
[member]Rotom-Cut[/member]
[member]SirCubith[/member]
The Power of Three




Banners:
Main Banner
Code:
[url=http://www.pokebeach.com/forums/thread-bible-time][img]http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8074/11876132a3846f2m3.png[/img][/url]





 
RE: Bible Time

*approved*. Please make sure to PM the group leader, in this case [member]safariblade[/member] to join.
 
RE: Bible Time

Safariblade will be going to Georgia from July 24th-29th.

We are currently deciding a topic to discuss in his absence, and 1st Corinithians will be started once he comes back.

We will be discussing via Skype, as well as in this thread. So don't feel as if you need Skype to join with us.
 
RE: Bible Time

Let's talk about...
The Parable Of The Sower
Matthew 13:1-9 said:
1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
This is one of my favorite passages. Sure, it is easy to say you are Christian, but often, our faith is hard to keep. God doesn't want us to live off of spiritual highs. (a battle that I struggle with so often.) He wants us to always have a relationship with him and to stay 'rooted' in our faith and spiritual lives. But what does this have to do with this passage? Well luckily, this parable is explained a bit further into Matthew:
The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:18-23 said:
Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
In my life, I was always the seed the fell on the rocky ground. I would go to church events or youth mission trips and I would just get into it. I would commit to Christianity and feel like the best person alive. But those spiritual highs only last a week or two at best. I'm sure you all might feel similar. God wants us to be rooted firmly in the good soil. But we must actually make an effort to prepare our soil. You have to actually want God in your lives, and honestly, I have found that one of the best ways to do that is to just read your bible. That is one reason why I wanted to join this group. Not only to hear other PokeBeach friend's stories, but to share mine, and hope that this group will not only help others to read daily, but to keep me reading daily as well.

So for our first discussion, what kind of ground are you on in your life? What are you comments on my essay? haha. Thank you guys for joining this, and I look forward to many discussions with you guys in the future!
 
RE: Bible Time

I went to church for years, but I never really found myself understanding what the speaker was talking about. I'd always go because my parents wanted me to, not because I wanted to learn.

However, God knows just what it takes for us to start to notice him. For me, it was when my friend passed away in the Winter. This was the trigger than got me to finally acknowledge God. I started paying attention in church, going to Youth group, and reading my Bible more (Its taken me talking with safariblade to actually read more than a few pages though). However, I was mostly in with the thorns, as I was only going to beleive in God for as long as my life was good. I mean, isn't he supposed to make our lives fantastic?

Around the beginning of summer, I finally started brining my Bible to church, and listening to the speaker when he was talking, and following along. It was a great experience that I feel bad that I missed for a while. I finally felt like God and me were one. I was picked up, and put on the Good soil, and I know this means I need to talk with others. If I understand God's word, then it is my duty to share it with those that do not.
 
RE: Bible Time

Hey, Safariblade I was actually thinking about giving you a idea to make this like a clan kinda thing. After every reading you can post a long here for those that can't make it. I'm not to sure how often I'll make it but, I will sure try and be active.

- R-C
 
RE: Bible Time

Interesting stories Bippa and Safariblade. Personally, I've always been a seed trying to grow up in the middle of thorns. I have a heavy church background and I am very knowledgeable about my beliefs. But when Christianity in my life tries to take precedence over the material things in my life, Christianity is always strangled by my worries and obsessions of this world. And that includes Pokemon. Pokemon can be such a huge distraction and quite a false god at some points in my life, which is why I am so excited to be joining a group of Pokemon enthusiasts and Christians that can help me stay centered and keep my focus in check.
 
RE: Bible Time

I think that I am the soil on scorched ground. Early in my life I was taught about God and went to private school through all of elementary. I got to know all about God from church and school. But my school never exactly tried to connect. This past year I was in public school for my first year of middle school. (Yes I am still very young =P) It was a hard struggle because I was finally exposed to the real world. I came to public school for what private school had not given me. A good education in all subjects. I had lots of projects because I was at the top of my class and decided to do extra work. This left no time on Sundays and Wednesdays for Church. Something I have to tell you about my middle school ministry is that it is AMAZING. The pastors and leaders are young and relate able which makes learning so easy. We do games and fun stuff before learning. The whole 6th grade I had struggled with God and at the end of the end it was time to face it. I told my small group leader about my struggle with school and that I never actually read my Bible. He helped me with it and told me to read the book of Mark. I have only started digging into Mark, but I think that I can finish by the end of the summer. Right now is the time for me to figure out if I have grown on the good soil or the scorched soil.
So that's it. Yes I know I am very confusing and some things I don't think I went into detail about, but like I said I'm only going to be a 7th grader.
 
RE: Bible Time

47bennyg said:
Interesting stories Bippa and Safariblade. Personally, I've always been a seed trying to grow up in the middle of thorns. I have a heavy church background and I am very knowledgeable about my beliefs. But when Christianity in my life tries to take precedence over the material things in my life, Christianity is always strangled by my worries and obsessions of this world. And that includes Pokemon. Pokemon can be such a huge distraction and quite a false god at some points in my life, which is why I am so excited to be joining a group of Pokemon enthusiasts and Christians that can help me stay centered and keep my focus in check.
Thanks for sharing your story! Yeah, it is hard to focus on our religious lives when there are so many distractions around us. School, work, family, friends, etc. And it can actually be really scary when you start to read the bible and you see all of the scriptures about worldly desires.
For example:
1 John 2:15-17 said:
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
It seems like an impossible task that so many of us (including me) struggle with every day. But remember that God is always there for us. He is the answer to our struggles. The way I like to look at things is this: Yes, God is the focus in my life, but there is no shame in spending time with friends or enjoying hobbies, as long as those activities are done with God in mind. (Even though it is hard to connect a hobby of Pokemon to God haha) But maybe this group is our connection haha.

Rock Wrecker said:
I think that I am the soil on scorched ground. Early in my life I was taught about God and went to private school through all of elementary. I got to know all about God from church and school. But my school never exactly tried to connect. This past year I was in public school for my first year of middle school. (Yes I am still very young =P) It was a hard struggle because I was finally exposed to the real world. I came to public school for what private school had not given me. A good education in all subjects. I had lots of projects because I was at the top of my class and decided to do extra work. This left no time on Sundays and Wednesdays for Church. Something I have to tell you about my middle school ministry is that it is AMAZING. The pastors and leaders are young and relate able which makes learning so easy. We do games and fun stuff before learning. The whole 6th grade I had struggled with God and at the end of the end it was time to face it. I told my small group leader about my struggle with school and that I never actually read my Bible. He helped me with it and told me to read the book of Mark. I have only started digging into Mark, but I think that I can finish by the end of the summer. Right now is the time for me to figure out if I have grown on the good soil or the scorched soil.
So that's it. Yes I know I am very confusing and some things I don't think I went into detail about, but like I said I'm only going to be a 7th grader.
Middle school was the worst years of my school-life, in terms of all of the stuff I was exposed to, and a lot of people I have talked to about the subject agree. You seem to be blessed to have such a great ministry and youth leader. Take every moment you can to be with those people, they are the best influences you have in a time like middle school. I actually JUST finished Mark a few days ago. It is a really awesome book, and I wish you luck in reading it. Just try to take a few minutes each day to read it. You will not be disappointed.
 
RE: Bible Time

47bennyg said:
Interesting stories Bippa and Safariblade. Personally, I've always been a seed trying to grow up in the middle of thorns. I have a heavy church background and I am very knowledgeable about my beliefs. But when Christianity in my life tries to take precedence over the material things in my life, Christianity is always strangled by my worries and obsessions of this world. And that includes Pokemon. Pokemon can be such a huge distraction and quite a false god at some points in my life, which is why I am so excited to be joining a group of Pokemon enthusiasts and Christians that can help me stay centered and keep my focus in check.
I feel the exact way when I'm among the thorns. I'm still learning how to make God my first priority, and its hard to accept that it needs to happen for the better. There's all those distractions, and ignoring them some times seems insurmountable.

safariblade said:
(Even though it is hard to connect a hobby of Pokemon to God haha) But maybe this group is our connection haha.
Its not hard. Its easy. Just don't use Thief, Torment, Beat Up or Foul Play. =D I'm just kidding.

Rock Wrecker said:
I think that I am the soil on scorched ground. Early in my life I was taught about God and went to private school through all of elementary. I got to know all about God from church and school. But my school never exactly tried to connect. This past year I was in public school for my first year of middle school. (Yes I am still very young =P) It was a hard struggle because I was finally exposed to the real world. I came to public school for what private school had not given me. A good education in all subjects. I had lots of projects because I was at the top of my class and decided to do extra work. This left no time on Sundays and Wednesdays for Church. Something I have to tell you about my middle school ministry is that it is AMAZING. The pastors and leaders are young and relate able which makes learning so easy. We do games and fun stuff before learning. The whole 6th grade I had struggled with God and at the end of the end it was time to face it. I told my small group leader about my struggle with school and that I never actually read my Bible. He helped me with it and told me to read the book of Mark. I have only started digging into Mark, but I think that I can finish by the end of the summer. Right now is the time for me to figure out if I have grown on the good soil or the scorched soil.
So that's it. Yes I know I am very confusing and some things I don't think I went into detail about, but like I said I'm only going to be a 7th grader.

I never got to go to Middle School (I'm still deciding if thats a blessing though). But it sounds like you have quite a support group, Rock Wrecker. I didn't join a small group until this past spring. Like I was telling benny, its hard to focus on God when there's all these distractions from life, like school and work. But that good education is a gift from God, just for you. I really hope you like it.
 
RE: Bible Time

Safari I have finished through the 1st Chapter and 1st story of the 2nd Chapter in Mark so I haven't dug too deep into Mark yet, but it is not too long so I think I should be able to finish it this Summer.
Right now I am very sad because my Wildlife middle school pator is moving on to become the high school pastor... He has been a huge impact on my life and is probably the nicest person I know. His right hand man is taking over and he is also pretty cool, but I knew our pastor personally. I still have my small group leaders so I hope they will be a great influence through the middle school years.
 
RE: Bible Time

I...I really don't know where I stand, or at least where I stood. I think for most of my life, though, I ended up on the rocky ground. I mean, I earnestly desired to learn, I really did, and I wanted to help people out, but...that was it. I never found an opportunity to use what I'd learned.

I did go to church but I don't think I was actually a Christian until 12 or 15 (I say that because I don't know which of those two times it was), but after that everything did click. Yet despite that I didn't find all that many venues to help out at my church (I found a few, though), but not only that I had very few friends...until recently, when I switched churches and met a whole new cast of friends along with a whole new plethora of things to help with.

And then there's the Internet. You can be friends with people hundreds of miles away and still get along with them. I'm not exactly sure what much else to say after this point but I'm glad in the position I'm in now. So what soil am I on now? I'll let you decide, since I really don't know myself. I'd say the good, but for most of my life I wasn't so.....
 
RE: Bible Time

I feel like this topic is kind of gloomy. You all are free to discuss whatever you like, just keep it pretty relevant. For example, tomorrow I will be leaving for Georgia. I'm going to a big youth retreat/conference thing. It sounds like a lot of fun with water rafting and stuff... Anyways, I will probably blab about it when I am back. I will be gone for 6 days.

While I am gone, Bippa (the newly appointed Co-Leader) will be in charge. He has agreed to start some sort of a discussion, but anyone can do that if they please. If anyone posts spam or flames someone in here, please, PLEASE, just report them. Oh and read your little bibles while I am gone. :3
 
RE: Bible Time

With safariblade being gone for a few days, he's asked me to look after Bible Time for him. As a newer Christian, I'm not exactly sure what to do. But I want to try something, so don't hate me.

So we've looked at the Parable of the Sower, and about the ground we're on. We learned that its hard to make God our first priority, and be on the Good soil, when there are so many of life's distractions. This is why I've chosen Philippians 4: 10-14 for this next lesson.

Philippians 4: 10-14 said:
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for 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. Yet it was good of you to share your troubles.

Basically, God knows we're trying our best to make him our first priority. Paul (whom I think the speaker is) had a rocky road in his life. First he was Saul, one of the people against God. Then he became Paul, one of God's followers. Later on, he ends up in jail. Hence, he knows what its like to have everything, and have nothing.

The big reason I chose this as the lesson was the last two verses, the ones that I've bolded. We are able to do anything with God's help, even if it seems impossible at first. God knows this, he knows what we struggle with. Yet, its good, in fact its healthy, for us to share it with him.

So, that brings me to the discussion questions. What are some things in your life that God has helped you deal with?
 
RE: Bible Time

The fact that I can depend on him to fix my problems even though I'm very well aware that at times I'm absolutely powerless to fix them.
I really dislike being powerless. It sucks. I want to not only fix my problems but those of other people as well, and I can't, and it bugs me. But at least I know that something is getting done and whatever is happening is very good.

/me went over something like this in his Bible study right after church and is now repeating it
 
RE: Bible Time

I know what you mean DNA. Sometimes I just want to tell God "Okay, let me handle this for once.". And I can picture him smiling, and telling me "Lol no", and solving my problems anyways.

I do agree that its really nice to know that something will be done, and that something is very good. Even if at first it doesn't look like it will be.
 
RE: Bible Time

I know what you mean DNA. Sometimes I just want to tell God "Okay, let me handle this for once.". And I can picture him smiling, and telling me "Lol no", and solving my problems anyways.
I'm not the only one, then!
Oh, the hilarious stories I could tell.
 
RE: Bible Time

Sometimes all you can really do is pray. Sometimes, I really hate it when this happens, because the matter is completely out of my hands. It makes me feel so helpless. This normally happens when one of my friends is dealing with something really tough in their life, all I can do is pray. I really wish I could do more, but I can't. I just have to take a step back and realize that it's all in God's hands now. I guess it's just kind of hard to do sometimes.

Anybody else have this happen to them?
 
RE: Bible Time

(Posting from my iPhone, so excuse the mistakes)
I think everyone struggles from similar situations. We all want to be in control, but I wouldn't say we are helpless. God did, after all, give us free will. Its what we do with it. I belive we should repay him with love. And one way to do that is to do what he asks of us - stuff like daily pray and asking for his help. There should be no shame in asking for God's help. I feel honored that the creator of the heavens loves me enough to answer all of my prays. (even if that answer is sometimes no. After all, God knows whats best, not us.)
 
RE: Bible Time

The Power of Three said:
Sometimes all you can really do is pray. Sometimes, I really hate it when this happens, because the matter is completely out of my hands. It makes me feel so helpless. This normally happens when one of my friends is dealing with something really tough in their life, all I can do is pray. I really wish I could do more, but I can't. I just have to take a step back and realize that it's all in God's hands now. I guess it's just kind of hard to do sometimes.

Anybody else have this happen to them?
Yeah. Like I was telling DNA, I find it really hard to let go, and let God handle the situation. I mean, God gave us free will, why can't he let us use it once? Its really tough to just watch on the sidelines, feeling powerless about the situation. Its probably for the best though. God knows whats right, not us. We'd probably end up making the situation worse.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top