Well the first night is done. Great to see everyone after summer. We had 5 new guys from Stockade which was awesome! We also had a bunch of alumni/leaders there which was also great.
In Squad meetings we started the first week of a four week study about being a real man. We read about Adam and how he was in charge of the animals, and looking after the Garden of Eden and everything in it. We saw that when the serpent came to tempt them he was with Eve, but didn't step in to stop the sin. Even though it was his responsibility to look after Even and the rest of the garden he didn't act to protect them. One author said "you fully expect Adam to come running with a garden hoe, cut off the serpent's head, and end this heinous approach of evil." Instead Adam chose to go along with Eve and the rest as they say is history.
We also got to read about Jesus and his incredible example to us of not avoiding responsibility. We read about him just before dying for our sins, he was "overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death". Think about that, Jesus, all-powerful was overwhelmed with sorrow! He prayed that God would let him avoid what he was about to go through. In spite of that fear and distress Jesus finishes praying and rises to meet his task head on. I am sure thankful that Jesus accepted his task and didn't respond as Adam did.
As men, often the hardest thing for us to do, is what's right. As real men, christian men, Jesus asks us to choose his ways over what is easy. He asks us to live our lives dedicated to God and his ways, as Jesus did. Matthew 10:39 says "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (emphasis added) Jesus isn't talking about physically dying. Jesus is talking about losing our pride, our ambitions, our priorities, our schedule, our image, and replacing them with his! This is the only way to find out what true life, and true manhood is all about.
Next week Matt is going to be talking about responsibility.
After squad meetings, we played a good round of Bulldog. It was definitely harder with so many guys in the gym. Then we moved on to Murderball. The two Battalion staples, what else would we play on the first night?? Phil's team got their butts kicked in Murderball, I'm pretty sure it was 4-0! We ended with another round of Bulldog. Check out this game of Bulldog!! I think we could give these guys a run for their money.
The verses to memorize for next week are:
1 Timothy 6:11-12 But you man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Don't forget to pray for Noah this week. See you next Tuesday.
Christian Service Brigade exists to help young men discover life in Christ and be mentored in their Christian walk by godly men. Battalion is specifically for teens in grade 7 to grade 12, and focuses on discipleship and leadership development. Battalion 3445 is the unit which operates at Grace Baptist Church in Kelowna.
A typical night at Battalion consists of three parts; Squad Meetings, Games, and Council Ring. Squad Meetings consist of a bible reading and discussion in a small group.Games are usually high energy games which we play in the gym or outside the church.Council Ring is a time where the whole Battalion meets together and one of our leaders expands and shares about what we discussed in Squad Meetings.
But you man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12
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