ARE YOU READY FOR A POP QUIZ?

 PARABLE AT THE BEACH 

YOUTH GROUP 

Bob the youth pastor finishes praying saying,  "Before I turn you loose, we're going to have a Pop Quiz!"  

If you know the answer please raise your hand."

The girl standing up says, "What's the question?  Can I win a prize?

Pastor Bob begins, "What is another name for the Temple in Jerusalem?"

Ginger replies, "Is it a synagogue?"

Bruce reads on his cell phone, "When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves,  and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”  (Mark 11:15-17  NLT - New Living Translation)

Pastor Bob says, "Where was Jesus' favorite place to pray while staying at Jerusalem?"

Margo reads her phone, "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.  On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.”  He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.  And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." 

(Luke 22:39-44  NIV - New International Version)

Pastor Bob speaks, "What time of day did Peter go up onto the roof in Joppa to pray?"

Cindy raises her hand, saying, "Was it 3pm?"

Mark shouts out, "I know, I know...it's 9am."

Billy reads from his cell phone, "About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance."  

(Acts 10:9-10  NIV - New International Version)

Pastor Bob says, "How do you cast out demons?"

Alice reads, "Then Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. They said, “Why weren’t we able to force that evil spirit out?”  Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can be forced out only with prayer.”  (Mark 9:28-29 ERV - Easy To Read Version)

Pastor Bob reads, " Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20  ESV - English Standard Version)

Pastor Bob concludes, "Prayer can move mountains if you have the faith of a mustard seed. You can pray morning, noon or night and God will hear you.  

Are you allowing the temple of your body to be your house of prayer?  

Jesus found a place of solitude to pray in the mountains of Galilee and the mount of Olives.  Where is your special place to pray?  

Enjoy the day God has created for you.  

Go out and play in the beach."