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Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”
Rev 22.13
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”
Rev 22.13
Living on the Edge …IS MY AMBITION
Welcome
Give each a chance to think up an ambition, without telling anyone else what it is. Then each person goes about drawing their ambition and the others have to guess what it is…
The ‘winner’ is the one who guesses most ambitions!
Worship
“I will give thanks to the Lord because of his…”
Listen to a song! And while you are ask them to think up of as many ways as possible of completing the above phrase
Word
Hopefully (or not) most of them will be aware of Harry Potter – these ideas come from “Connect Bible Studies” and their issue about what the Bible says about Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!
Give an outline of the book – or ask some of them to provide it!
Summary
'Harry rolled over in bed, a series of dazzling new pictures forming in his mind's eye ... he had hoodwinked the impartial judge into believing he was seventeen ... he had become Hogwarts champion ... he was standing in the ground, his arms raised in triumph in front of the whole school, all of whom were applauding and screaming ... he had just won the Triwizard Tournament. Cho's face stood out particularly clearly in the blurred crowd, her face glowing with admiration ... ' (p. 169-170). For Harry, the fourth year is all about recognition - both from his contemporaries and a pretty girl who also happens to be a great player in the magic world's favourite sport of Quidditch.
Hermione's greatest concern is still her schoolwork, although she develops a keen interest in the rights of Winky the house-elf and with great determination sets about winning justice for these underprivileged creatures.
Meanwhile, Harry's other best friend, Ron Weasley, is once again relegated to existing in Harry's shadow. The last in a long line of brothers, Ron would like to be seen as something more than just another Weasley boy. For both Harry and Ron, it's a case of wanting what the other has - Ron would like to have money and be a hero; Harry would give anything to have the love and support of a family like Ron's. The two friends fall out when Ron's jealousy finally gets the better of him.
1 Intro
'This whole Tournament's supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them!' said Hermione shrilly. 'No it isn't!' shouted Ron. 'It's about winning!' (p. 368)
Do you like winning? What other sorts of things do you have ambitions about? Looks? Popularity? Having latest things? Job with money?
Do you like ambitious people?
[Key Issue - for leaders: Ambition
Ambition is a key theme in the book. Once Harry knows about the Triwizard Tournament he wants to compete and win. Similarly, the game of Quidditch fires his ambition for glory and success. Personal danger is forgotten in the quest for victory. Hence Harry's heroes are those who shine in his favourite sport, and he wants to earn his place among them. Linked with dreams of winning are fears of failure of course, and Harry is no exception.
What does the Bible say about ambition? Is all ambition selfish and self-seeking? Should we shun success in the eyes of the world? Does going God's way mean that we abandon such dreams? Are there biblical heroes who can help? Is our identity simply in what we achieve? How do we handle failure and disappointment?]
2. Selfish ambition
'They're not stopping me entering,' said Fred stubbornly, also scowling at the top table. 'The champions'll get to do all sorts of stuff you'd never be allowed to do normally. And a thousand galleons prize money!' 'Yeah,' said Ron, a faraway look on his face. 'Yeah, a thousand galleons ... ' (p. 167)
Leaders: Human ambition is generally characterised by competition, greed, self-centredness, and disregard for others. The Bible insists that Christians should be different - characterised instead by humility .
Read James 3:13-18.
What does selfish ambition look like?
Why is it of the world? What does it go against that God wants?
How would the world re-write some of James’ statements about being wise, jealousy, selfish ambition, peace loving, not telling others about the good you do?
(allow this to go as far as it needs to – for young people this could be the key thing – having many ambitions that are selfish – dig around a bit – talk about how all ambitions can be selfish – perhaps have a time of prayer and forgiveness… you perhaps won’t get further than this!!!
3. Ambitious Christians?
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition. (p. 157)
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-
Loved those of great ambition.
Leaders: Selfish ambition is not legitimate for Christians. However, there are legitimate ambitions, some of which Scripture insists on.
Read Philippians 2:1-18; 3:12-14. What does Paul suggest are right ambitions for Christians? Does this rule out ambitions in our work or other parts of life?
4. How to achieve your ambitions
'I don't know what's going to happen to them, I really don't. No ambition, unless you count making as much trouble as they possibly can …' (p. 55)
Leaders: The Bible is clear that it is God who enables us to achieve anything. Yet at the same time it expects us to work too and to be disciplined in striving after our ambitions.
Read 2 Timothy 2:1-7. What's involved in the soldier, the athlete and the farmer attaining their ambitions? How do these apply to the Christian's life?
Witness
Get them to pray for one another – really simply – for good ambitions
Talk about one of the purposes of these groups is to grow and divide… it is an ambition! This will only happen if they invite friends…