Lovely as a Tree: Adventist Youth Program Idea #6

The AY leaders at our church designed our AY programs for this entire year to be spread across five major themes:
1. Nature Study (obejct lessons, etc)
2. Health (Health Principles, Anatomy, Natural Healing, etc)
3. History of Redemption (Bible stories/characters, Adventist History, etc)
4. Christian Home (Love, Courtship, Marriage, Family Life, Christian Association, et)
5. Christian Living (Dress, Recreation, Music, Values, Christian Lifestyle, etc)

This allows us to more easily narrow down brainstorming ideas for a particular Sabbath while better ensuring that no important topics are left out. Leaders then have the privilege of coming up with specific programs and content to go with the theme. I, for one, have a tendency to have small group discussions and activities.

The Sabbath before last, we did "Lovely as a Tree," a nature study on- tada!- trees. I'm sharing here how we did it, along with some content, in the hope that it would be of help to you and your church.

PROGRAM IDEA: LOVELY AS A TREE

OBJECTIVE: To encourage the youth to study more closely the objects in nature and its revelations of God's character and will.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

1. Discussion questions written or printed on sheets of paper

OUR VERSION OF THE PROGRAM (You can always vary this according to your needs and preferences)

First, there was the usual opening ceremony. We sang songs, and offered prayer. It would be very nice to sing songs that are related to trees or that mention trees in the lyrics. One song I would recommend is the scripture song from Psalm 1:1-3 (I think I have an mp3 of this somewhere. message me!).

Then we had one of our young girls read a poem, Trees! by Stephen Henry Thayer, on the lessons we can learn from trees. I found this in a booklet included in the SonLight Education Ministry curriculum.

Our young people then stood up to offer a song about the God of creation and nature, then proceeded to one by one give object lessons we can learn from trees.

Examples:
1. Trees receive "waste matter" (like decaying leaves, etc) and still give back good things (like fruits and oxygen, etc)
2. Trees planted too close together become stunted or barren. Our associations with other people require "proper distance" and sometimes even separations for us to be fruitful.
3. People throw stones at fruitful trees. If you do well, expect criticism.
4. It's hard to bend a grown tree. But trees that are bent when young remain bent for the rest of its life. Curb bad habits early. Also, educate children toward good while they are still young.
5. A tree's sweetest fruits are those that receive the most sun. When we constantly have the light of Jesus shining on us, we develop sweet characters.
(This list can go on and on)

Small Group Discussion: Trees in the Bible

Divide the congregation into four (or as many as you see fit). Each group receives a card or sheet of paper on which is written a specific tree mentioned in the Bible and a set of questions pertaining to that tree that they have to discuss among themselves. We usually have four or five groups. This time, we had four.

1. Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil - Genesis 2:8-17, Genesis 3:1-7
    a. Where is this tree located?
    b. Describe this tree and its fruit.
    c. What was God's instruction regarding this tree? How did Adam and Eve come to partake of its fruit? What was the result?
    d. How does worldly knowledge/education lead us away from obeying God?
    e. What lessons can we learn from this tree?

2. Nebuchadnezzar's Tree - Daniel 4:10-33
    a. Describe the tree that Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream.
    b. What happened to the tree?
    c. What did the dream of the tree mean?
    d. What did Nebuchadnezzar do that triggered the fulfillment of the dream?
    e. What lesson can we lessons can we learn from this tree?
 
3. The Barren Fig Tree - Luke 13:6-9
    a. Describe the fig tree told in this parable.
    b. What two things can possibly happen to this fig tree?
    c. As the dresser of the vineyards of our souls, what has Jesus done for us that we may bear fruit?
    d. What fruits are we as Christians expected to bear?
    e. What lessons can we learn from this tree?

4. Tree of Life - Genesis 2:9, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 22:2, 14
    a. Where is  this tree located?
    b. Describe its physical attributes.
    c. What makes this tree special?
    d. Who alone will have right to partake of this tree?
    3. What lessons can we learn from this tree?

Allow 10-15 minutes of discussion, then ask the group to choose a representative to share their discussion with the rest of the congregation. Set a specific and reasonable time limit for this.

Another variation to this group discussion is to set up "trees" in different areas of the hall. Label them according to the Biblical trees you will discuss, and have one teammate stationed at each one. Divide the congregation into as many groups as there are "trees." Each group will have ten (or so) minutes at each tree to discuss the questions, with your teammate as moderator. At the end, all the groups will have gone to all the trees and there would be no need to "report" the group discussions to the larger congregation. You may also decorate the trees accordingly in advance.

Close with a short message about how we can be lovely like trees based on Psalm 1 or some other related message as you see fit.

Check out our other AY Program ideas here, and feel free to share your AY Program experiences or your own program ideas in the comments below.

Meanwhile, here's a photo of some of our young people rendering a song during an AY Program.

Have a blessed AY Program!

How to Solve Problems

Two years ago I was introduced to a "transcribed" class by Elder WD Frazee entitled "How to Solve Problems." It was a really worthwhile read, and was a blessing not only to myself but to those with whom I've had the privilege to share it. The class talked about the ABCD and E, and even F of problem-solving, and provides a more God-centered approach to handling challenges.

Well, today, the devotional that I share with my friend, Anthony, reminded me of those beautiful counsels again. We read Psalm 3 today, and it talked about David's trouble as he was fleeing from his son, Absalom.

In our lives, it's often true that we feel prepared for problems before the problems begin, and that we feel alright about the problems after problems are solved, but that we lose ourselves somewhere when we are right in the middle of the problem. Psalm 3 gives us a view of David fleeing for his life, a very present problem indeed.

So we solve problems like David did in that mountain.

A - Accept the assignment. Acknowledge it. 

LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many [are] they that rise up against me.  

Many [there be] which say of my soul, [There is] no help for him in God. Selah.  Psalm 3:1, 2

B - Believe two things: (1) without God you can do nothing, but (2) with God you can do everything.

But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.  Psalm 3:3

C - Claim the wisdom that God has promised. Claim wisdom through the four channels of guidance: His Word, Providence, Impressions of the Holy Spirit, Counsel of brethren.

I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. Psalm 3:4 

D - Do it. Do according to the wisdom that you have just claimed, but remember that D is not the A nor the B nor the C. It is the D.

I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.  Psalm 3:5

That was probably the best thing for him to do - to rest, to find peace within himself from the Lord, to trust in God's sustaining power.

E - Express faith and Thanksgiving.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set [themselves] against me round about.  

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies [upon] the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  

Salvation [belongeth] unto the LORD: thy blessing [is] upon thy people. Selah.  

In the very end, I realized that through the storms without and within, God gives me peace and rest. He hears me and sustains me. Through stresses and doubts and guilt and fears and whatever, there is always help in the Lord. He is "my shield and my glory and the lifter up of mine head." I've seen Him do it for me over and over again, and He does it for me still. It would be well for each of us to put up ebenezers of God's faithful providence so we can always know that He is our peace amidst every storm, and in every present trouble, He is our very present help.

For more about WDFrazee's "How to Solve Problems," click here or leave a comment.

Rebellion or Rejoicing?

My friend Anthony and I recently began a shared devotional on the book of Psalms. Early in the morning, one would call the other up, read one chapter, share related scriptures and passages from Inspiration, and personal reflections.

The first one we did (on Psalm 1) was very helpful that I was able to share the thoughts in church also for our AY Program. Today, we did Psalm 2, which on the whole talks about the futility of rebelling against God and the blessedness of continually trusting in Him.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],  

Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.  

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.  

Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.  

Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.  

I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, 

Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.  

Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, 

and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.  

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.  

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  

Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.  

Psalm 2:1-12

When we look at how things are carrying on in the world around us, we may sometimes wonder how come evil seems to prosper, especially among the most influential and powerful in the world. Yet, there is nothing for us to fear because God has not closed His eyes. He sees and He is still in control of everything.

According to the hymn that Sis. Arlene and I sang for our morning worship today, 

"This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet."

Though, for a season, it may seem like the world is ruled by man and his evil heart, yet just as the vision of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel tells us, Christ is our rightful king and all these other kingdoms will be dashed to pieces.

The Lord takes charge of His work in the world and of His work in our individual hearts. Let us not fear, but trust, for in trusting we find strength to obey. In trusting the Lord's faithfulness, we can live in harmony with His perfect will. And in that perfect will, there is designed for us rejoicing. In choosing our own way, no matter how right or logical or practical that way may appear, we will always meet with disappointment and frustration. It is a vain thing to rebel against God. But the end of obedience to Him is rejoicing. There is joy in serving the Lord. Always.

This is my Father's world; why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring.

God reigns; let the earth be glad!