The Shire's Valentine Dinner

Looking for an enjoyable evening out this Valentine's Day weekend? The Shire Youth Ministry is hosting a Valentine Dinner on Saturday, February 16 at 6 pm and all are welcome. Please mark your calendars and join us for this evening together.

(*This is a fundraiser and donations will be accepted)

Please Sign Up!
If you plan to attend, please register all adults and children who will be coming to the dinner by clicking HERE no later than Tuesday, February 12.

Childcare - (following the dinner sign up there is the option to register for childcare) For those who register, childcare will be available for babies and toddlers (infant-3 years old.) at 6 pm. Dinner will not be fed in childcare, so please do so prior to coming.

Quiet Time Reflections: Romans 5:1-11

QUIET TIME REFLECTIONS 

Day 1: Romans 5:1-2 
1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why? 
2. Do you feel as though you have peace with God? According to Paul, what gives us this peace? 
3. Spend time today thinking about whether you have peace with God through your relationship with Jesus. 

Day 2: Romans 5:3-5 
1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why? 
2. According to these verses, what does suffering produce? Have you ever experienced this in your life? 
3. Spend time today thinking about how you can be thankful for your sufferings because of what they are producing in

Day 3: Romans 5:6 
1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this verse? Why? 
2. Why do you think Paul says Christ died “at just the right time”? Why was this important? 
3. Spend time today thinking about how Christ died for us while we were powerless against our sin. 

Day 4: Romans 5:7-8 
1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why? 
2. What makes Christ’s death for us so significant? What sets it apart from others who have died for people they love? 
3. Spend time today thinking about the way God reached out to us in love through Jesus. 

Day 5: Romans 5:9-10 
1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why? 
2. According to Paul, what is the process of being reconciled and saved? What does Jesus’ death and resurrection have to do with this? 
3. Spend time today thinking about being “saved” by God. What have you been saved from? What have you been saved for? 

Day 6: Romans 5:11 
1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this verse? Why? 
2. Why does Paul say we should rejoice? Have you rejoiced over this? 
3. Spend time thinking about ways you can rejoice in God today. 

Day 7: Romans 5:1-11 
Read through the whole passage and write out the verse that spoke to you the most this week. Meditate on that verse today—and for an extra challenge, memorize it!

Quiet Time Reflections: Romans 4

Day 1: Romans 4:1-3

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. What was credited as righteousness to Abraham? How does Paul use this as an argument for the fact that we’re made righteous by faith?

3. Spend time today thinking about how much righteousness you’d be credited for because of your faith.

Day 2: Romans 4:4-9

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. How does Paul describe our righteousness as a gift from God? Why does that make the blessing greater?

3. Spend time today thinking about how we’re given righteousness as a gift rather than an obligation.

Day 3: Romans 4:10-15

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses?

2. How does Paul prove that Abraham received his promise by faith rather than the Law? Why do you suppose this is significant?

3. Spend time today thinking about how God’s plan has always been for us to gain our righteousness by faith rather than the Law.

Day 4: Romans 4:16-17

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. Who is Abraham the father of? Do you consider yourself Abraham’s offspring?

3. Spend time today thinking about how Abraham is the father of Jews and Christians because he received God’s blessing by faith.

Day 5: Romans 4:18-21

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. Why do you suppose God waited so long to give Abraham his son, Isaac? Do you believe he had a purpose in that?

3. Spend time today thinking how God can use your circumstances to build your faith.

Day 6: Romans 4:22-25

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. How are we credited with righteousness? Do we have to do anything?

3. Spend time today thinking about how your faith and belief is more important to God than trying to work your way to get to God.

Day 7: Romans 4:1-25

Read through the whole chapter and write out the verse that spoke to you the most this week. Meditate on that verse today—and for an extra challenge, memorize it!

Quiet Time Reflections: Romans 2:17-29

Day 1: Romans 2:17-21

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. What is Paul condemning the Jews for? Have you ever judged someone else for something you’ve done yourself?

3. Spend time today thinking about how you can be a better witness to others through your actions and words.

Day 2: Romans 2:22-24

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. What do you think it means to blaspheme God’s name? Why do you suppose Paul says this to the Jews?

3. Spend time today thinking about how you represent God to the world?

Day 3: Romans 2:25

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this verse? Why?

2. According to Paul, when does circumcision have value? Why is it important that religious signs (such as baptism or circumcision) are matched by our behavior?

3. Spend time today evaluating if others would know you’re a Christian based on your behavior.

Day 4: Romans 2:26-27

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. According to Paul, which is more important: Outward religious signs or how we live our lives? Which is more important to you?

3. Spend time today thinking about non-Christians you may know who live more as Christ commands than you do. In light of this, what about your life needs to change?

Day 5: Romans 2:28

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this verse? Why?

2. According to this verse, can someone be a Jew only outwardly? Do you think the same thing is true for Christians?

3. Spend time today thinking if you have ever been merely an “outward Christian.”

Day 6: Romans 2:29

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this verse? Why?

2. What’s the difference between being a Jew outwardly and being a Jew inwardly? In the same way, what’s the difference between being a Christian outwardly and being a Christian inwardly? Where should Christians be focused on getting their praise?

3. Spend time today thinking whether you’re more concerned with what others think—or about what God thinks.

Day 7: Romans 2:17-29

Read through the whole passage and write out the verse that spoke to you the most this week. Meditate on that verse today—and for an extra challenge, memorize

Quiet Time Reflections: Romans 2:1-16

Day 1: Romans 2:1-4

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. Have you ever passed judgment on someone else without considering your own actions? How do these verses speak to you?

3. Spend time today thinking about how you can be more of a person of grace than judgment.

Day 2: Romans 2:5-6

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. What are we doing when we’re stubborn and unrepentant and refuse to forgive others? According to these verses, how will God respond to these actions?

3. Spend time today thinking about the areas where you’re stubborn and unrepentant, and how you can let God break through and change you.

Day 3: Romans 2:7-8 1.

What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. What should we seek according to these verses? Do you seek these things in your life?

3. Spend time today thinking about how you can be the kind of person described in v. 7.

Day 4: Romans 2:9-11

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this passage? Why?

2. What are some of the things that lead to trouble and distress? Are there any areas of your life where you reject the truth and follow evil?

3. Spend time confessing those areas of your life where you need God’s cleansing and make a commitment to instead seek those things that bring God glory.

Day 5: Romans 2:12-13

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. Where does righteousness come from—knowing the Law or obeying it? Where in your life are you having trouble obeying God?

3. Spend time thinking of those areas of your life where you need to obey God. (Remember that God is always willing to forgive and offer you a new start!)

Day 6: Romans 2:14-16

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. What do non-Christians show by unintentionally following God’s laws? Do you believe all people have an innate sense of right and wrong? If so, why?

3. Spend time today thinking about how you can respond better to your conscience telling you what’s right and wrong, and thank God for the conscience he gave you.

Day 7: Romans 2:1-16

Read through the whole passage and write out the verse that spoke to you the most this week. Meditate on that verse today—and for an extra challenge, memorize it!

Upcoming Events for October & November

UPCOMING EVENTS

GUYS NIGHT (10/5):  For all the guys, there’s a great event that you’re not going to want to miss on Friday, October 5, 2012.  It’s going to be held from 6-9 pm at Ryan Harris’s Home.  There’s going to be all kinds of fun that you’re not going to want to miss.  If you can make it, please let Ryan/Andrew know next Wednesday so they can be prepared for you.

PUMPKINFEST (10/10): Two Wednesdays from now (10/10) we’ll be holding PUMPKINFEST from 6 to 8 PM.  Invite your friends and come on out for what’s going to be a night full of food, pumpkins, games, and friends … all we need you to bring is a snack or dessert to share.

CORN MAZE (10/20): In a few weeks, we’re getting a group together to head out to tackle a corn maze … that’s October 20^th and we’ll meet here at the Shire at 6:30 pm for a start time of 7 pm at Risser’s Market in Annville.  If you want to be a part of this group the cost is $10 and we’ll need you to sign up by October 11 so we can work out all the transportation details. To register, please to so at this LINK. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with all the details.  .

NIGHT OF SERVICE (10/24): On Wednesday, October 24 we’re going to hold a night of service.  It’s going to be a little bit of a different night at the Shire as some of the group may be heading to the another place to serve and others will be serving in another way …  we’ll let you know more details as the date gets closer. 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (11/7): On Wednesday, November 7^th we will be taking the evening to put together shoeboxes as part of the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry that ministers to children all around the world. More details will be coming in the next few weeks.

LASER TAG AT THE LASERDOME (11/10)

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: RAKE & RUN (11/17)

Quiet Time Reflections: Romans 1:18-32

Day 1: Romans 1:18-20

1. What word or verse stands out to you from this passage? Why?

2. According to these verses, what shows us that God exists? What evidence do you see that God exists?

3. Spend time today observing all the ways you can see God in the world around you.

Day 2: Romans 1:21-23

1. What word or verse stands out to you from this passage? Why?

2. For what did people exchange the glory of God? Can you think of some idols people worship today in place of God?

3. Spend time thinking today about any “idols” you may worship in place of God, and reaffirm your commitment to the one, true God.

Day 3: Romans 1:24-25

1. What word or verse stands out to you from this passage? Why?

2. Do you believe these verses hold true in our world today? Where have you seen examples of this?

3. Spend time today thinking about how you can keep God first in your life.

Day 4: Romans 1:26-27

1. What word or verse stands out to you from this passage? Why?

2. How do you see Paul’s words as being true in today’s culture?

3. Spend time today praying for those you know who struggle with gay or lesbian lifestyles. Pray for a heart of compassion and understanding for them. (And if you’re struggling with these issues, don’t struggle alone—talk to your youth pastor or another trusted adult.)

Day 5: Romans 1:28-31

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from these verses? Why?

2. Which of these attitudes or sins have you struggled with? Are there any you are struggling with now?

3. Spend time praying for forgiveness and for your heart to be clean—with God and others.

Day 6: Romans 1:32

1. What word or phrase stands out to you from this verse? Why?

2. There are two things in this verse that Paul says are wrong. What are they? What do you think it means to “approve of those who practice [these things]”?

3. Spend time today thinking how you can love people without approving of their sinful actions.

Day 7: Romans 1:18-32

Read through the whole passage and write out the verse that spoke to you the most this week. Meditate on that verse today—and for an extra challenge, memorize