BCA-Online Homepage | Back to BCA page for AvantGo 

Building Strong Families in a Broken World
"Rite of Passage: Transitioning with Purpose" 
Pastor Rob Carlson
Sunday, May 22, 2005

the meaning of life vs. the meaning in life

Col. 1:16(Msg)--…for everything—absolutely everything—above and below, visible and invisible, everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him


5 RITE OF PASSAGE CONVICTIONS

1. I WAS PLANNED FOR GOD’S PLEASURE
Rev. 4:11 (NLT)--You, God, created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.

•God loves you completely and unconditionally.
I John 4:16--God IS love. 

•Absolutely nothing can stop God from loving you.
Jer. 31:3-—I have loved you with an everlasting love.

•Because of His unfathomable love, the most important things you can do are Know God and love Him in return and Do things that reflect your love for God.
Matthew 22:37(NIV)--Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.



2. I WAS FORMED FOR GOD’S FAMILY.
Eph. 1:5 (NLT)--His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family.

•Christian life is not just a matter of believing; it’s also about belonging. 

•Take the initiative and connect with others. 
The expression “one another” is used 58 times in the NT.



3. I WAS CREATED TO BE LIKE CHRIST.
Rom. 8:29 (Msg)--God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. W see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

•You were not an accident. 

•You need to become like Jesus.



4. I WAS S.H.A.P.E.D FOR SERVICE. 
Eph 2:10(NIV)--For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

•You are created to serve.

•You have been called to serve.

•You have been SHAPED to serve.
Spiritual gifts
Heart passion
Abilities
Personality
Experiences


5. I WAS MADE FOR A MISSION.
John 17:18(Msg)--Father, in the same way you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.

•You need a ministry to believers, and a mission to unbelievers. 

•Your involvement in ministry and mission begins NOW and continues through life.

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. What rite of passage do you envision for your teens?

2. Review the points and Bible verses from this lesson. 
What personal application can you make from this week's teaching? 

3. How best can you mentor teens in turning beliefs into convictions?

4. Take some time right now to pray for the needs of those in your small group.

*Scripture is quoted from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
www.bca-online.com