Remain

After spending a week being intentional about encountering Jesus, Pastor Karmyn Bokma told Smithville Christian students that even though Spiritual Emphasis Week is over, Jesus will be with them next week too. “All the things we’ve talked about this week will still be true,” she told students.

And while it might seem as if it requires effort on our part, the good news about Jesus is that the only thing we have to do to receive the freedom he offers is to remain – to stay with him, she said.

Bokma shared the story of the blind man from John 9, whose healing by Jesus baffled the religious leaders, the man’s neighbours, and even his parents. But the man simply said that he had had an encounter with Jesus.

“This man did not know all the right answers” Bokma said. “He didn’t have it all figured out. He didn’t even really know who Jesus was. All he knew is he hung out with Jesus and he was changed.”

Bokma showed students a cutting taken from a houseplant.

Does this plant look dead or alive? she asked.

Some students thought it was dead because it could not be sustained. Others said it was alive because it was still vibrant and healthy looking. Some thought it had potential if it could be planted and watered, and others said that it was dying.

Bokma said all the answers were somewhat correct. The plant might look like it was still healthy, but unless its circumstances change, it would surely die.

“This is a good analogy for each of us, and what can happen to our soul – the part of us that connects with God,” Bokma said. “We are called to nourish our souls.” And the way to do that is to remain in Jesus.

Bokma showed students what happens to us when we nourish our souls and what happens when we neglect to nourish them.

“Which side of the chart do you want to live in?” she asked. We can choose our state of being, and we vote on the chart every day. Like the plant cutting, we might look okay, but over time, the symptoms of soul neglect will show up in our lives.

In John 15 Jesus tells us that he is the vine and we are the branches. If we are grafted in him, we are alive and will produce beautiful fruit.

“Don’t stress about getting it all right. Just stay in Jesus,” she said. The promised fruit will come.

Student praise team Resonate led worship with Unstoppable God, Foundation, My Lighthouse, and I Thank God.

Senior students, in Grades 11 and 12, won today’s chapel scavenger hunt, and Spiritual Life Director Mr. Stu Bender will have prizes for them next week.

* * *

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Recap: What is one thing that has been significant for you?  (Is it a topic from Karmyn’s talks? Our worship times? Or extra times of prayer? Breakout Groups? Concert Yesterday?) How has the “Spiritual emphasis” been put into SEW for you?  

If you need a reminder, the themes each day were “Encounter, Trade, Identity, Freedom and Remain.”

2. Talk about the idea of “remaining” in Jesus. What about that feels easy to do? What about it feels hard?

3. Share with each other any ideas or things that you do to stay close to Jesus - this could be an encouragement to each other to hear how other people connect with Jesus.

4. **If there’s time** Read together John 15:1-17 and just take a few minutes to let the passage sit with you.  If anything stands out, feel free to share.

5. Close in prayer that as we wrap up SEW God would help us hold onto whatever He might want us to remember and learn from this week.