Tag Archives: bible lessons for youth

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Tempted By Satan

Mark 1:12-13

He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. (Mark 1:13)

Son as tha Son took a dip fer Skip tha Holy Spirit of Truth compelled him ter go in ter tha wilderness. This whar not tha first time Skipper or his Spirit give a feller a hard nudge ter send ’em off in ter tha unknown.

Sent Inter the Wild Ter Be Tempted By Satan

Right after Adam and Eve messed up, Skip kicked ’em out of tha Garden. Keep in mind, all manner of animals and wild beasts be roaming about back then. Why, only a few days ‘fore tha pair got tha boot, Adam and Eve whar playing with the lioness and her cubs. But after thar sin, with ’em being on tha outside looking in, that lioness and her cubs whar near ’bout ready ter tear tha couple from limb ter limb.

Such be tha attitude of tha wild things that live under tha curse of sin.

Whilst trapped as slaves in Egypt, Skip commanded his chosen ones ter go in ter tha wild. At first they be excited fer tha adventure, but after a month or more of roaming about, they got ter grumbling and complaining. Had it been put ter a vote, most would ‘ave voted ter return ter thar old lives of slavery. Like with Adam and Eve, Skip fixed it so they not be able ter go back. He sealed off that route when he flooded the Reed Sea.

Better Ter Live Free and Die Than Ne’er Live

Better ter live free and die, than ter die without ne’er living: that be tha abundant life offered by tha Son.

Elijah got sent inter tha wild.

David fled inter tha wild.

Most all of us gets ter spend time in tha wild.

Often in tha wild ya not be knowing whar yer next meal ‘ill come from or if ya ‘ill find water or shelter. In tha wild yer sandals wear out, feet get tuckered out, cloak be turned inside out on account of it so worn its innards be its outards. Worse, in the wild be whar temptations breed.

Tempted By Satan

We be most vulnerable ter Satan’s attacks after a great victory, when we be emotionally and physically tuckered out, isolated, or angry. In the case of the Son, he jest enjoyed praise from his father in heaven. “This is my own dear son with whom I am pleased.”

Right after this the Holy Spirit of Truth sent the Son inter the wild. Isolated, famished from fasting for forty days, no doubt reflecting on the praise from his father the Son might ‘ave reason ter get a bit riled up due ter his circumstances. Victory followed by isolation followed by hunger and fatigue followed by anger. This be when Satan appeared ter the Son.

Only later, after the Son resisted the devil with the Sword of the Spirit—the words of Skipper—did angels attend ter his needs.

Keep a Weather Eye Out fer Trouble and Temptation

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Be thar a wild trek ya be avoiding? Be thar a wild place yer trying ter escape? Be thar a time of testing ya need ter go through in order to rely on Skipper’s words fer your nourishment, as yer weapon, as his affirming love, as his peace? The Son be our example. In the wild he endured the testing and passed by resisting the devil with faith in the words of Skipper.

If ya be wandering about in a wilderness, know this: Skipper be with ya among tha wild things. He gives us his word and sent The Word ter be our model fer how ter endure. Ter be sure we wish Skip would simply hoist us on ter his back and carry us out of tha wilderness, but most times he wants us ter have more of his strength, more of his stamina, more faith in him and less confidence in our ownselves.

Of this ya kin be sure: getting more of Skip whilst we be in a wild be a right fair trade. And when the time of testing be concluded and we ‘ave passed without givin’ inter temptation, Skip ‘ill be standing thar waiting ter welcome ya back with these words: “This is my own dear child with whom I am pleased.”

If ya feel tha Holy Spirit of Truth nudging ya ter take a hike in ter tha wild, confirm tha call with Skip. Then if confident the wild be yer course, set off without delay.

A feller who sits on his duff and does tha same thing all day ‘ill seldom ‘ave a tale ter tell or faith that won’ fail. Fer that ya ‘ave ter go ter whar tha wild things roam.

Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s CrewParroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew

 Lord, give me yer strength ter submit ter you. Fer well I know when I do, I kin resist the devil, and he ‘ill ‘ave no choice but ter flee. (James 4:7)

Pirate Fact

Folks from all walks of life came ter be pirates, not jest murdering, lying, thieving, thugs and rascals. Tha pirate William Kidd whar a young lad from a wealthy family who later took up pirating whilst on a mission trip ter hunt pirates. Later he whar executed for piracy. Whilst ya seeking ter root out sin in others careful ya don’ get entangled in it yer self. When tempted by Satan look ter see if yer coming off a victory. If so, watch that ya not fall fer tha thing ya won.

Tempted By Satan

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Beginning of the Good News

The Pirate Gospel: Mark 1:1-8

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)

Because Skip’s words go forth and bring life we find at the beginning of John Mark’s tale that all folks whar flocking ter a strange prophet who whar telling folks ter repent, be baptized, and come inter the kingdom of heaven.

All the country of Judea was going out to John the Baptist, and all the people of Jerusalem. (Mark 1:5)

John Mark appears ter ‘ave spent a goodly amount of time listening ter the preaching of Simon Peter and making notes. Fer a time John Mark ministered with Saul Paul and Barnabas, but then the lad got a bad case of homesickness and jumped ship.

Though at first Saul Paul refused ter take John Mark back, at the end of his life Saul Paul pleads with Timothy ter come quickly and bring Saul Paul’s cloak, parchments (perhaps so Saul Paul could pen more letters), and scrolls (so as ter read more of Skipper’s words) and John Mark, fer he whar helpful in Paul’s ministry.

It might be said of John Mark that he learned under a pair of Skip’s greatest Good Spiel messengers—Old Pete and Saul Paul.

When we read John Mark’s words it be as if through the Holy Spirit of Truth we be transported back ter the first century and enjoy a front row seat of the Son’s travels, actions, and words.

The Beginning of the Good News

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1)

After reading short passages of John Mark’s tale, close yer eyes. Feel the dust on the tops of yer feet, the caked mud ‘tween yer toes. Taste the salt of sweat in yer mouth whilst the sun bakes down on you. Hear the murmuring of others whilst the Son’s words echo off buildings. Inhale the odor of sheep and cattle being led ter stalls near the perimeter of Jerusalem.

How Will We Respond to this Good News?

If this whar yer first time hearing, how would you respond ter the Son’s words? This be our challenge: ter hear afresh these loving and hope-filled words of Skipper spoken about his boy.

The Message of John the Baptizer

John the Baptizer appeared preaching a baptism of repentance fer the forgiveness of sins. As folks whar confessing their sins, they whar baptized. While all of ’em in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem whar traipsing out ter hear John, he let ’em know though baptized with water, but the one coming after him would baptize with the Holy Spirit of Truth. The prophet Malachi had promised:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.” (Malachi 3:1)

The prophet Isaiah called folks ter cut a straight path fer the Lord ter come.

“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.” (Isaiah 40:3)

Our Response ter This Good News

This be our challenge from John: that we be washed clean in waters of baptism as ah testimony of our filthy spirit—that we repent, and prepare to meet the one Skipper ‘ill send ter take away all our sins.

John preached of how all the wrong we done kin be cleared off Skipper’s ledger when we come in ter the Son. No matter how bad ah thing you think you done, the Son kin wash away all filth if only we ‘ill come ter him, confess, and be saved by his nail-scarred hand.

Repentance be our deliberate act of turning away from sin and turning towards Skipper’s righteousness.  Skipper always grants fergiveness when thar be true repentance.

Fact be, the Son fergave all who came ter him, even ’em who didn’ ask fer fergiveness. Like the free food he served up ter ’em who whar hungry, the Son doled out fergiveness ter all. Fergiveness be not conditional upon our response. Fergiveness simply be the character of Skipper and his Son. But livin’ as one fergiven and free from sin flows from a life marked by repentance—baptism—and being led by the Holy Spirit of Truth.

This be the theme and message of this tale from John Mark: that we receive the love, grace, mercy and fergiveness of Skipper and his Son in order that we be counted as one of thar crew.

What says you? Will you cast yer lot with the Son and sail ter paradise aboard Skip’s good ship of fellership?

Parroting the Prayers of Skip’s CrewParroting the Prayers of Skip’s Crew

Lord, look with favor on me ’cause of yer loving-kindness. ‘Cause of yer great love take away my wrong-doing. Wash me clean of my sins. (Psalm 51:1-2)

Pirate Facts

Although technically not ah rank, Swab be ah sailor who mops the decks using the swab is called ah “swabbie.” The term has come to describe someone who is not held in high regard by the commanders and crew. Many of ’em who came ter hear John the Baptizer whar of the sort held in low regard by religious folk. Praise be Skip looks at our heart, not up our outward appearances.

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The Two Will Become One Flesh

Finding Jesus

The Two Will Become One Flesh

One day some Pharisees came ter test tha Son. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

Tha Son turned tha question back on them. “What did Moses command you?”

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”

Tha Son replied, “At the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Now ya may be asking yer self what tha Son meant when he said, for this reason. Fer tha answer ter that question ya have ter go back ter tha beginning.

Skipper said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

But fer Adam thar be no suitable helper among tha animals so Skip caused Adam ter fall in ter a deep sleep. While he be out like a light, Skipper took one of Adam’s ribs and closed up tha place with flesh. Then from Adam’s rib Skip made a person near ’bout exactly like Adam only with a slightly different shape and features.

Right off this might sound a bit far fetched—another person made from a rib—but if ya think on it, a good many stories have odder things in ’em: talking trees, walking fish. Ne’er fer get that Skipper be tha Great Creator. His imagination be beyond anything we kin conceive.

When Adam come awake he said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.”

Skipper seen that what he done be good. He blessed tha pair and said ter ’em, “Be fruitful. Increase in number.” A couple who be in love mostly knows what that means.

Tha Son told them smart fellers, “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law [that a feller could divorce his wife]. But I tell you anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

The disciples said ter tha Son, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” Most likely they had in mind tha strife and friction that comes when a couple tries ter make a go of it. Opposites attract fer a reason: on a level most of us kin not see, we know we be lacking in certain areas and tha mate we fall head over toes fer often be strong in them areas. Only blending two halves in ter a holy whole takes near ’bout a lifetime.

Tha Son replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs [unable ter get a mate pregnant] who were born that way [castrated], and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

“For this reason . . .” fer companionship, fer ter be made whole by taking in tha strengths of another, ter produce offspring that fear, revere, love, honor, and obey Skipper we be created to be with one mate fer ’till death divides tha pair. 

Tha Son be right when he says, “Not everyone can accept this word.” His commands might seem a bit restrictive, only think on this a wee little bit: God is good (Mark 10:18), God is great (Psalm 86:10), God is love (1 John 4:16). A good, great, God only gives commands that seem restrictive ’cause he loves us. 

Make it yer task ter trust in his love and love tha one ya marry with all yer heart, patience, mercy, grace, fergiveness, honor, respect, trust, compassion and passion. Do this and ya may find all thoughts of splitting up melt away.

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Will Ya Sit in Tha Lap of Tha Son and Let Him Bless Ya?

Finding Jesus

Will Ya Sit in Tha Lap of Tha Son and Let Him Bless Ya?

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. – Mark 10:13 (Mark 10:13-16)

One day some folks brought thar little tots and babes ter Jesus so he could place his hands on ’em, bless ’em, and pray fer ’em. Right off his very own disciples called him up short.

Think on that a wee little bit: tha Son be Skipper’s very own boy, ‘as tha very nature of Skip in him, and tha Son’s disciples think they know better’n him what ter do. Same as us, sometimes. We think we know better’n Skip and tha Son what be tha right course ter sail.

When tha Son seen how his mates reacted he got indignant. Indignant be a fancy word der angry and disgusted.

He said ter them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Like newborn babes who crave thar mum’s milk, so we too ought ter hunger for tha Son’s spiritual milk. If ya been in tha Son and tha Son been in ya fer any time, then ya most likely ‘ave tasted our Lord and know him ter be good in all things (1 Peter 2:2).

“Change and become like little children,” tha Son says ter us. “For whoever humbles himself like a child is the GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4).”

Tha Son took tha youngins in his arms, placed his hands on ’em, blessed ’em, and prayed over ’em. Will ya let him touch, bless, and pray over ya?

  • Will ya trust him completely?
  • Only depend on him?
  • Be totally sincere with him in yer thoughts, words, and prayers?
  • In frank honesty and openness sit quietly be fer him and listen ter his voice?

If we ‘ill come ter tha Son with tha mind of youngins and believe without any doubts, we ‘ill find that sitting on tha Son’s lap be tha most joyous thing we kin imagine.

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Salt Life

Finding Jesus

Salt Life

“Salt is good. Have salt in yourselves.” – Mark 9:50

As any who ever sailed aboard a ship fer any time knows, salt be a good way of keeping bacteria, fermentation, and rot from ruining a good side of beef. Salt doth this by sucking water out of the cells of foods and bacteria. Less water, less chance fer bacteria ter grow and reproduce.

Only think on this a wee little bit: If salt fills up with water from food and bacteria it loses its saltiness. Once salt loses its saltiness, it gets tossed out in tha street and trampled underfoot (Matthew 5:13).

Same with a mutinous crew. Once a spirit of mutiny breaks out among Skip’s crew, it be a right hard thing ter dissuade ’em from throwing off his Code of Conduct and taking over tha vessel, changing course, and shipwrecking thar faith (1 Timothy 1:19).

But if ya have starch in yer spine and Skip’s salt in yer soul ya ‘ave no choice but ter obey tha Son and be salt among tha storehouse of meatheads and fruit loops, and veggie lovers. Ter abandon ship so quick ter a mutinous crew be ter give up without a fight. On tha cross tha Son fought fer ya; we kin do no less than ter fight fer him by being salt among them who ‘ave strayed from his love, commands, grace, and mercy. 

Make it yer task ter live a life of salt among sinners (and we all ‘ave some bacteria . . . ah, sin). Who knows but by salting them around ya with Skip’s Code of Conduct and acts of tha Son ya may help ter starve tha bacteria in some folks, and preserve them in this life and tha life ter come. 

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Make It Yer Task Ever Day Ter Start With Whoever Ya Kin, Whenever Ya Kin, Whar Ever Ya Be Ter Chase After Tha Son. Mark 9:35-41

Finding Jesus

Make It Yer Task Ever Day Ter Start With Whoever Ya Kin, Whenever Ya Kin, Whar Ever Ya Be Ter Chase After Tha Son. 

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” – Mark 9:37 (Mark 9:35-41)

First mate, first watch, first on deck . . . within a crew all be angling ter get tha first spot, tha skipper’s ear, tha best bunk. Only when tha Twelve got ter discussing which of them be tha Son’s best bud—and most likely it would be Old Pete, James, or John—tha Son invited a little child ter join tha discussion.

“Whoever wants to be first must be the very last.” Start at tha back of tha line, not that front. That be whar ya ‘ill find tha Son.

“Whoever wants to be great must be the servant of all.” Start with helping others, not helping yer self. That be whar ya ‘ill find tha Son.

“Whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” Start with following tha Son, not following yer own selfish desires. That be whar ya ‘ill find Skipper at work.

“Whoever is not against us is for us.” Start with including as many as ya kin in work fer Skipper, not pushing folks away. That be whar ya ‘ill find Skipper’s Holy Ghost of Truth moving about.

“Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” Start with looking ter tha left, then right, ahead, then back ter see who has a need. That be whar tha eyes of tha Son be fixed all tha time.

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me.” Start with tha heart and mind of child open ter tha wonder of Skipper, his creation, and his imagination, not with a list of all tha things ya tried but didn’ work. That be whar ya ‘ill find tha Son doing tha miraculous.

“Whoever . . . believes in me, though he dies, will yet live.” (John 11:25)

Make it yer task ever day ter start with whoever ya kin, whenever ya kin, whar ever ya be ter chase after tha Son. That be how ya gets ter be first among them who kneel before him when tha Son comes in his glory.

 

 

 

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“I Believe! Help Me Overcome My Unbelief.” Mark 9:14-29

Finding Jesus

"I Believe! Help Me Overcome My Unbelief."

“I believe! Help me overcome my unbelief.” – Mark 9:24 (Mark 9:14-29) (Matthew 17:14-21) (Luke 9:37-43)

When tha Son and Old Pete, James, and John come off tha mountain and down ter whar tha other disciples be, they seen a large crowd, tha rest of tha Twelve, and tha teachers of tha law all arguing. Soon as all tha people seen tha Son, though, they rushed ter greet him.

“What are you arguing with them about?” tha Son asked.

A man in tha crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. This evil, demon spirit is destroying my only child. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

“You unbelieving, perverse, generation,” The Son said in disgust. “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

So they brought him. When tha spirit seen tha Son, it immediately threw tha boy in ter a convulsion. Tha lad fell ter tha ground and rolled around, foaming at tha mouth.

Tha Son asked tha boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood. That spirit has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.” The father dropped ter his knees and said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said tha Son. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

“I believe,” tha boy’s father said. “Only, help me overcome my unbelief!”

When tha Son seen tha crowd running ter tha scene, he rebuked tha impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of the boy and never enter him again.”

Tha spirit shrieked, convulsed tha lad violently and came out. Tha boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But tha Son took him by tha hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. All were amazed at tha greatness of Skipper.

After tha Son had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive out that spirit?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. If you have faith as big as a mustard seed nothing is impossible. But this kind can come out only by prayer.”

If ya ‘ave an only child ya know how desperate ya be ter care fer it. Parents care fer all youngins, but an only child back in tha Son’s day, ‘specially a boy, be tha one who carries on tha family business as it whar. So ya kin understand why tha boy’s pop be desperate fer help.

Think on this a wee little bit. Tha Son called tha crowd an “unbelieving, perverse, generation.” In this case perverse might possibly meant that folks had turned away from what be right or good, which be Skipper, fer he be right and good and full of love. 

Then tha Son asked tha lad’s dad “How long has he been this way?” Could be tha Son be looking ter understand if thar be a generational curse at work in tha boy or some other curse. Our sins kin bring down curses on us and our offspring. Getting ter tha root of tha issue be one of tha first things tha Son ‘ill do when he be dealing with uncleanness.

“I believe,” tha father said. “Help me overcome my unbelief.” Well now we come ter tha crux of tha matter: tha disciples and tha dad believed in that Son a little but they believed in thar unbelief more.

Once tha lad be back in his right mind and free of tha unclean demon spirit, all whar amazed at the greatness of . . .  Skipper. Ya might think they be amazed at tha Son and they whar, but all knowed that tha only way tha Son could cast out an evil, unclean spirit be through tha power of his pop, Skipper.

How ’bout ya? Doth ya ‘ave a little faith, a little belief? Would ya like ter have more faith? Faith big enough ter overcome yer unbelief?

Fall at tha feet of tha Son and beg him ter come closer ter ya. Tha more we draw ter tha Son, that bigger we see him ter be.

Far off tha sun in tha sky looks small among all that clouds, but whar ya ter get up close ter it ya would know its vast bigness. Same with Skipper and his Son. Thar power and might be more’n we kin imagine.

Get close ter tha Son and yer faith ‘ill beat back yer unbelief, of this ya kin be sure.