Good morning and happy Spring Break season!  I'm not really sure where Spring Break came from or who is responsible for inventing it but I really would like to hug their neck.  It always seems to come at the best possible time.  So I hope everyone enjoys their week and rests up for the end of this school year.
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I've so enjoyed traveling through the entire Bible this year with our students.  It's not really been the flashiest thing we've done as a student ministry but I feel it's the most solid thing we've ever done.  In a day where flash often wins....{insert presidential candidate here}.....it's really easy to give in to the pressure and follow the flow.  I feel this year has the potential to provide a foundation from which students build their theology.  Theology is a big word....maybe even scary...but it is something we all possess. We all have an opinion or belief about God.  We are hoping that the Bible is our guide in developing this Theology. At the end of the day we feel Scripture is our only guide, so why not spend a year walking through it and discovering what It is saying?  The cool thing is we've developed devotions that compliment what we do on Wednesday night.  So really a student, or parent, could go back and spend some time in our devotions and develop a basic understanding of what the Bible is saying.

As we've gone through the Bible we've attempted to see the big picture.  We are to the point now in the story where the church has been birthed and last night we saw how the church began to spread.  I've attached my notes from last night but want to briefly mention two points.  These two points are not the big idea of the passage but are definitely something we walk away with as we read the story of the church being scattered.

1. God is always working - in the good, bad, beautiful and ugly God is always working.
2. God is always working and is faithful to His own cause - His own cause is His glory.

These two points help me understand that at the end of it all I serve, follow and love a God who is faithful and full of grace.  This God is not swayed, taken by surprise, caught off guard or changed by any situation.  I can look back to any part of Scripture and see His faithfulness and how He was working.  I can look back at my own life and see this.  When situations come up in my life I can trust that God is working and that He is faithful to His own cause, His glory.  I do not have to fear though I may not totally agree with or understand how He is working.  I can trust God is working.

Last night was a great time looking at the last words of Jesus to His followers. Typically the last thing you say to someone is some of the more important things you'll ever say.  When you leave for a weekend away from the kids....do you simply say "I love you?"  No...typically a list of dos and don'ts follow. When Jesus left He gave His followers and us a to do list.  It's short but powerful.  Last night we look at this "to do list" known as the Great Commission.

I don't have the notes to give you but I'll give you my takeaways from the night.  But know your students were challenged to go and tell and make disciples.

• A disciple is a learner.  They follow someone closely.
• As disciples of Christ we are called to GO and MAKE DISCIPLES.
• The disciples of Christ were known for following Jesus so close that the dust of Jesus' sandals were on them.  
• HOW MUCH JESUS DUST DO I HAVE ON ME?
• AM I MAKING DISCIPLES?
• AM I A DISCIPLE?
• The Great Commission is a call for those of us who are in Christ, disciples of Christ, to go and to make disciples....teaching them to obey.
• WHY?  Why do I go?  Because Jesus said and Matthew 28:18 says He has all authority.  We should listen to Him.
• Why Go?  Because people are lost and need a Savior....they need answer.  We have the answer....it's Christ.  So Go and tell!
• Why Go?  Because Jesus is worthy.  The Lamb is worthy.  
• HOW?  How do I go?  There is PLAN.  It's easy....just go.  Wherever you go daily, take the name of Jesus with you.
• HOW?  There is POWER in the name of Jesus.  The same power that raised Christ from the grave is in you.  You're not alone!
• HOW?  There is His PRESENCE.  JESUS IS WITH YOU.

So GO & Make Disciples!

Be encouraged and be challenged to take advantage of each day you have.  You are on Mission.  So really....we as a student ministry kicked off the GIMC Weekend last night.  
What about you?  Are you a disciple?  Are you making disciples?

Truth is we're all making disciples....we're all leading someone.  Which way are you leading folk?  To Christ or away from Christ?