HS - Revolutionaries - Week 2

Last week, we started a series on revolutionaries or change agents. We will continue this week to look at the lives of different people in scripture, history, and in modern times that made a significant difference in the lives of those they came into contact. We started last week with the most important revolutionary ever to have lived – Jesus. We discussed that it’s only because of Him that we exist and what we decide to do with the knowledge of Christ is one of the most important decisions we can make. When Christ left the world, he left a team of 12 disciples who made the decision to follow him throughout His ministry. Ultimately, these were the ones who would be responsible for sending his message to all corners of the earth. Jesus left them with these words from Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We learn a few things about how God works from these first revolutionaries.

• They were ordinary – fisherman, tax collectors, teenagers. 
• They were young – 1 Timothy 4:12 - “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Scholars suggest David was no older than 16, the disciples were likely all younger than 20 (except Peter), Mary was about 14 when she gave birth to Jesus. 
• They were few - Matthew 18:20 - “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
• They were willing to give everything for the cause – Following Jesus’ example, the disciples gave their lives so that all men would know. John 13: 34-35 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 14:11-14 – “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Since Christ, lives in us through his Spirit, we have the power to change the world just like He did and He said we will do even greater things because of His Spirit inside each of us. Like the disciples, our lives are going to be the evidence of Christ’s work in the world. His power demonstrated through his people will be the force that changes the world.

Questions to consider:

• Why is change difficult, even when it’s better for everyone?
• What keeps us from pursuing change in our own lives or from helping others?
• What is something that you would like to see change the world around you (school, family, in the world)? Be specific. 
• How can you be a part of making the change happen?

To read about a modern day revolutionary who was young, ordinary, and started with just a few - read about Ryan's Well Foundation here: http://www.ryanswell.ca/