Swim Lessons
Keeping Your Head Above Water
From August 22nd – September 23rd we will be teaching through a series called Swim Lessons. Below is our overview and the individual weeks and topics. If you have any questions, be sure to contact us.
Series Overview: The waters of the world don’t allow us to just dip our toe. There is no shallow end for christians to wade around waist deep. There is only one way in life and that is being thrown in the deep end. We don’t have any options. The question is, can you swim?
Sink or Swim – Week 1: Jesus is speaking with His disciples just before he will be arrested and put to death. He is warning them that soon he will be gone and the world will rejoice while they will be heartbroken. But he ends this discussion by telling them that in the world they will experience trouble. Expect it. You will experience friction because you will live contrary to the world. BUT, take heart, Jesus says, for He has overcome the world. What does it mean to have overcome the world? Where do we relate to the disciples as we have seen Jesus but the world is hard and tough? We should expect trouble, but we can trust in Christ.
Scriptures Used: John 16:19-22, 33 | James 1:5-8 | 1 Peter 2:9 | 2 Timothy 1:7
Don’t Pee in the Pool – Week 2: The world is full of such negativity that it is easy to get involved and join in the mud slinging at school, at the lunch table and on social media. But that is not what it means to have been taught to swim. We are to set an example by the way that we live. Instead of being a part of the trashy and negative actions and attitudes, we can be people who are a light in the darkness. By this we may find ourselves rescued from the consequences of a world gone nuts and those who would hear us as well.
Scriptures Used: 1 Timothy 4:11-16 | Ephesians 4:29 | 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 | Philippians 4:8-9
Dead in the Water – Week 3: Romantic relationships can be the greatest danger for a middle school and high school student. In an overly sexualized culture, it is important to be able to swim and make wise choices in terms of relationships. If we are not careful where we go and when we go there, we could find ourselves dead in the water.
Scriptures Used: Proverbs 7
Sharks and Minnows – Week 4: The world is an unforgiving place. There are countless gods that demand to be worshipped and served. It takes a certain boldness to refuse to bow down. Though it may feel like you are on your own in the fire, you will look around and find that Jesus is with you. There is only one God worthy of our worship and He will not share us with anything else.
Scriptures Used: Daniel 3
Water Wings and Floaties – Week 5: Sometimes we need some kind of aid to keep swimming. We will grow tired and weary. It is wise for us to pick friendships that will encourage us and keep us a float. If we choose unwisely, our associations may be the very reason we find ourselves drowning.
Scriptures Used: John 17:14-16