Session 12:End of Journey

 END OF THE JOURNEY

“A celebration of new things”

SHOES

Instructions:

Leave your footwear outside as we begin the ceremony.

Meaning:

When Moses met w/ God at the burning bush God told him to take off his shoes because he was standing on holy ground.  The idea behind leaving the footwear behind was that Moses was entering God’s kingdom, God’s presence.  Nothing that was of the kingdom of earth was to come with him into the presence of God.  As we take off our shoes we are saying that we are leaving behind the things of our old lifestyles behind, even the dust from our feet.  We are ridding ourselves of the things that soil us and make us unclean as we come into the presence and service of the Lord.

TENT

Instructions:

Take down the tents and put them away.

Meaning:

When the Israelites were wandering in the desert they lived in tents.  They were always on the move and never had a place to call home.  They were strangers and aliens in foreign land.  When God brought the Israelites into the Promised Land the Israelites became residents.  God made it so that they would no longer be nomads, people without a home.  Now the Israelites had their own land a place they could call home.  We follow in the footsteps of the Israelites because we too were strangers and foreigners before Christ, hostile in mind and enemies of God.  But because of Jesus we are no longer wanderers but take on the title of children of God adopted into His family and bought with the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

  

LORD’S SUPPER

Instructions:

Pass out some bread and pour out glasses of a red drink.

Meaning:

Taking this meal has double significance for us.  Before the Israelites were released from slavery they partook in the Passover meal, the night when the angel of death swept down on the nation of Egypt.  All the first born children who were not living under the sign of a blood sacrifice were killed.  It was only the blood sacrifice taken from an animal without defect that kept the Israelites from experiencing the penalty of death.  In the same way Christ served as our blood sacrifice.  Jesus is the spotless lamb slaughtered for our sake and His is blood smeared on us covering our sin allowing us to escape the penalty of death.  As we take this meal let us remember that the only reason why we are here tonight is because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  The only reason why we are able to call ourselves Children of God is because of our relationship with the slain Son of God.  The only reason why we can come ready to serve is because we were served by Jesus Christ when he gave up His life for us.

FOOT WASHING

Instructions:

One at a time students will approach the foot washing chair.  The student will be asked, “Have you humbled yourself and allowed Christ to serve you by accepting his gift of grace that came through His sacrifice on the cross?  Do you confess that Jesus is the boss of your life?  Will you allow the staff of Christian Challenge to serve you by washing your feet?”

Meaning:

Just before the Passover festival Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.  In John 13 we hear the account of Peter’s resistance in allowing Jesus to wash his feet.  Jesus responds by saying, “Unless I wash you, you have no part in me.”  Jesus washing of the feet was a symbolic foreshadowing of the service he would perform by dying on the cross.  Anyone who refuses to admit that they need Jesus and accept His service has no part in Him.  The staff at Christian Challenge is offering to wash your feet, a symbolic act of service and humility.  We are following in the footsteps of Jesus by choosing to serve you.  If you allow us to wash your feet you too follow Jesus and in the footsteps of His disciples by humbling yourself both before God and man.  You humble yourself by submitting to the service and authority of the staff at Christian Challenge.  

Water- The running water is a symbol of God’s judgment and death.  When we pass through the judgment of God we pass into death.  But it is only through death to our old self and destructive sin nature that we can be raised to a new Spirit filled life found in Jesus Christ.

Soapy Water-The soap is a symbol of the purification process we undergo when we come to faith in Christ.  Jesus takes away the dirt and grime of our sin washing us so that we become white as snow.  

Abrasive glove-When we undergo trial and suffering we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  Jesus Himself underwent trial and suffering but because of His perseverant obedience salvation was made available to allow who follow after Him.  The abrasive glove represents the trial and suffering we know will be part of our lives as we follow after Jesus. However, we can rest in the knowledge that the God’s abrasive process refines us working away our rough edges so that in the end we stand before Him as a masterwork made at the hands of God.   

Fragrance-The bible says that the followers of Jesus are a pleasing aroma of Christ to God.  It’s the smell of our sacrifice and offering unto God.  As we become covered in this scent let us remember that we are ambassadors of Christ taking the gospel out to those who are lost.  Let us be mindful of the scent we carry as we go out into the world.  

PRAYER

Instructions:

Staff and mentors of pray over the students.  Allow students to pray over the person in the hot seat.  

Meaning:

When we look to scripture we see a picture of discipleship in the laying of hands and prayer.  With each succession authority is passed from one generation to the next.  As we gather to pray our staff empowered and given authority by Jesus Christ now does the same for you.  

We are commanded in scripture to pray for one another.  We are to put the interests and concerns of others above our own.  As we pray for one another what we say should reflect our love for one another and in that the desire and love Christ has for us.  

STONES

Instructions:

Each student gets a key ring with stone.

Meaning:

Throughout scripture a stones have been used to make altars and memorials.  The altars were places of worship that God’s people would come to lay their sacrifices and offerings before the Lord.  Take this stone with you as a reminder to lay yourself on the altar every minute of every day of your life.  

Stones were also used to make memorials that commemorate the great and mighty deeds of God in the lives of His people.  As we have learned this semester taking time to remember the ways God has worked in our past gives confidence to boldly pursue our future.  We grab hold of our future by trusting in Christ today knowing that he has been faithful to us in the past and will continue to transform us as we submit to Him.  Let this stone be a memorial to you of the ways God has worked in your life this semester and remember the lessons He has taught you.

This stone is rough speckled and uncut, an imperfect stone.  However, we know that when God grabs a hold of us as raw uncut stones he begins polishing and refining us till we become precious stones formed by God’s hand.