My Trials...For Your Glory (AY)

[Duration 1:45 minutes]

OPENING PRAYER [1 minute]:

SONG SERVICE [15 minutes]:

OPENING/THEME SONG [3 minutes]: 528 – A Shelter in the Time of Storm
SCRIPTURE READING [2 minutes]:2 Corinthians 12:8-10
PRAYER [3 minutes]:

PRELIMINARIES[3 minutes]:

AY MISSION:

The salvation of youth through Jesus Christ. We understand youth ministry to be that work of the church that is conducted for, with, and by young people.

AY AIM:

The Advent message to all the world in my generation.

AY MOTTO:

The love of Christ compels me.

AY PLED

Loving the Lord Jesus, I promise to take an active part in the youth ministry of the church, doing what I can to help others and to finish the work of the Gospel in all the world.

AY SONG:

Adventist youth are we from every land and sea

Together we pray and work and play in happy harmony

We have a faith to share

With others everywhere

A message of love from God above

To show the world we care

Adventist youth, Adventist Youth, Adventist Youth

WELCOME & GREETING [5 minutes]:

ACTIVITIES [15 minutes]:

                Morning Watch, Testimonies, Hot Seat, Action group/unit meetings, etc.

PROGRAM INTRODUCTION [2 minutes]:

SPECIAL [5 minutes]:

MAIN PROGRAM [45 minutes]:

 My Trials…. For Your Glory

Background:

Narrator:

Nadz is a A Seventh-day Adventist Christian who is struggling to see past her trials in the moment and finds it difficult to give God any praise. She is now of the belief that God has abandoned her in her various crises and doesn’t see how she can praise.

Ty & Krys are brothers, they seek to show their cousin Nadz that even through the roughest storm, God is still in control of the her life. Just as how God came through in the past, He will come through in the future.

(Segment 1: Adam and Eve :5 mins)

Nadz: (paces back and forth looking confused and displeased) You know sometimes I have to wonder if some Christians are crazy, especially the ones from my church. How can I praise God through my crazy situation. Many times I feel like I am suffering from both my sins and the sins of my forefathers because I just seem to have the worst luck.

(Krys and Ty walks in singing The Hymn Trust and Obey in a happy tone and smiling radiantly. Nadz looks at them in annoyance.)

Ty: Wait a minute… Nadz?!?! Why are you looking like grey clouds on a sunny day girl?

(Ty immediately starts singing heavenly sunshine much to Nadz annoyance, Nadz interrupts the song and begins to rant.)

Nadz:  My family life is a wreck, I just found out I have a little sister that neither my mother nor I knew about. Since then dad has gone missing for days. If I miss one more Saturday class, I will be asked to leave my program at school. Grandma’s hospital bills were so high that my parents had to use my school fee to make the payments and now I don’t know where I’m going to get the money from….
And the worst part about it is…
 I feel like God has abandoned me in all of this, I don’t want to pray or even study my Bible…
I don’t even want to sing, I just feel hopeless (places her head in her hands). When and why did God leave me???

Krys:   (places a hand on her shoulders) Nadz sometimes our trials make us feel us feel as if     we are separated from God, (laughs softly) but you see the Great Jehovah, the Great I am promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

Ty:    Even though you mentioned that you haven’t been reading much of your Bible lately, I want you to remember that many times it can be our greatest strength and comfort. Let’s take a look to see what some persons in the past went through.

(Opens the Bible)

Nadz: Listen! those Bible characters never went through anything compared to the tip of my                                iceberg so I really don’t want to hear about them.

(Time Travel Sound Effect)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsnIuLsoo6k

(The cousins are unaware that they have travelled back into time when Ty opened the bible. Animals and other nature noises and music start to play as Eve appears and goes to the front of the stage to sew some leaves into a shirt)

(Jungle sound effect) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUABLsSMwj0

Krys: Who on earth is that?

Ty: I think the question you should be asking is where are we? (Starts pointing out the different animal he hears)

Nadz: Ssshh... she will hear you!!!!

(Eve stops sewing and looks out into space unaware that her husband approaches)

Adam: My dear Eve what troublest thou?

Eve: Adam… I am saddened, I am saddened for our unborn child, I am saddened for our                          generations to come… what a horrible thing we have done… We have sinned against our                         God, the one true God who made heaven and earth, who made the sea… who formed                    you and I with his own hands.

Sad music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWIE0PX1uXk

Adam: There is not day where I am not reminded of our horrible transgression my dear Eve. I feel it whenever the sweat runs down my face as I till the earth to provide food for us to eat. My heart aches whenever I see a leaf fall from the tree or one of the lions become violent. But the mere fact that we have life shows how loving our God is! We should have been dead… Yet now with our first child on the way, new life grows inside of you! Our God is Merciful Eve, he deserves our praise and thanksgiving for every breath that we breathe. This life we have to live is no Garden of Eden but one thing remains true, our God is merciful and worthy of our praise.

Eve: Despite the rocky road filled with trials we have to travel, God will surely never leave us.

Intermission: Two Song Selections

Segment 2: Gideon 300

(The trio enters from the side while a group of men enter the stage and arrange themselves, all wearing sheets and scarves imitating the army of Gideon)

Krys: You see Nadz, imagine if you were Adam or Eve, knowing that you are the cause of all      this, literally seeing the world change before your very eyes. Yet, in the midst of it, also seeing God’s grace when you didn’t die as you know you deserved.

Nadz: I was thinking the exact same thing! God must have been good back then.

Ty: What! Nadz God is still good, and will always be good. You just need to come to that            realization for yourself. But aaah, why are you and Krys dressed like that? And again! Where are we??

Background Stream sound effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmzyONlv_Qw

Krys: I don’t know,  but look at that spring. The sign says Spring of Harod. Maybe we can ask the group of men up there where we are?

Nadz: aaah you guys go I will stay a little behind and watch. They look like 1,2,3….. 300            Men! And guys, please be careful.

Army sound effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBM4m5UAvms
(Trio cautiously approaches the group and fall in place. They over hear some of the men talking about whether or not Gideon is fit  to lead them and how could he possibly take 300 men against the Midianite Army.

One man reminds them that this is God’s Army and if he placed Gideon in charge, they should trust God’s hand to lead Gideon.

 Gideon enters and calls the men to attention, the brothers fall in as well )

Gideon: Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do.         When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”

Male Army: (LOUDLY) For the Lord and for Gideon!!!!! (x2) (Men freeze)

Poem: Poem of Gideon

Israel had peace for forty years and then she fell away.

The people forgot their former estate and failed to watch and pray.

So once again they were oppressed hiding in clefts and caves.

But our loving Lord in response to their prayer, devised a plan to save.
 

God sent a prophet to remind them of the God they rejected

Pointing out the Amorite gods which they had wholly accepted.

This is why they found themselves ravaged by neighboring Midian.

Deliverance, however, was soon to come by the hand of Gideon.
 

The Angel of the Lord came down, called Gideon a mighty man.

Gideon replied, "Why O Lord, do we suffer under Midian's hand?"

The Lord replied, "It's time, my friend. Go deliver the nation."

Gideon said, "I can't do that. I'm a man of lowly station."
 

Gideon obeyed the Lord's command and destroyed the altar to Baal.

It raised quite a ruckus in his town, for many thought he had failed.

Gideon learned about leadership: it's not all joy and affection.

Many times the leader is faced with criticism and rejection.
 

It wasn't too long after that the Amalekites invaded.

When the Spirit came on him, Gideon was persuaded.

He blew the trumpet long and loud announcing the situation

Imploring all the fighting men to come and save the nation.
 

Gideon lay a fleece on the ground for a sign of hope.

He requested the ground to be dry but the wool to be soaked.

When he arrived in the morning, the wool was soaking wet.

But that one miracle was not enough to help him cease to fret.
 

So Gideon did it once again but reversed the way he asked.

"This is how," Gideon said, "I'll know to pursue this task."

Well you guessed it. It happened again, only in reverse.

Gideon now knew these foreign invaders surely would be cursed.
 

The second test Gideon endured was how his army was numbered.

God reduced them from thirty-two thousand down to only three hundred.

He said, "I am going to deliver you—these invaders are toast,

But I have to do it with very few men or your army will boast."
 

Gideon and Purah spied on their camp and as unlikely as it seems,

He heard a soldier tell another about his unusual dream.

"I saw a loaf of barley bread come tumbling into our camp.

I have been thinking about it all day wondering what it meant."
 

To Gideon's surprise the enemy combatant gave an interpretation.

He told his friend that his dream was about their situation.

"We are camped here in Israel's valley. This is their rightful land.

This dream means that God has given us into Gideon's hand."
 

Well my friends, you know the story, for he was exactly right.

Gideon and his band of three hundred surrounded them at night.

They blew their trumpets and smashed their lamps creating quite an allusion.

Scared out of their minds, the Midianites fought each other in the confusion.

God may ask you to do a big thing, something impossible to do.

That's because He wants all to know, it didn't come from you.

God spends a lifetime growing your faith that you might prevail,

For you serve a mighty God, the One who never fails.

Source: http://www.christart.com/poetry/poem5218.htm and http://www.christart.com/poetry/poem5215.htm

At the end of the Poem Gideon Army will run of the stage shouting For the Lord and for Gideon!

Song Selection:

Segment 3: Stephen

(Trio sits together in the middle of the stage still wearing the sheets)

Ty: For the Lord and for Gideon! Wow! What an experience!!! Just 300 men God used against    all those Midianites. God is so powerful he could have used ants if he wanted to! But he                  chose men like me and you Krys!

Krys: Just imagine what a lesson that was for the men that went and for the ones that didn’t get to go. God does not need us but we certainly need God.

Nadz: (Sits quietly with her hand on her chin) I still can’t believe what we just experienced.         That’s like if my high school basketball team took on the L.A. Lakers, and won! (She shakes     her head) Madness!

Ty: Yes it seemed an impossible situation but goes to show that no matter how big the obstacle, with God ALL things are possible and we can move forward confidently with that knowledge.        

Nadz: Well, at least they chose to go fight! I never asked to be put in this situation! I have been a good Christian for the most part, I don’t deserve this confusion and turmoil in my life!

Krys: That’s not the focus Nadz, it’s about who God is and the fact that he never changes, he can            take us through anything.

Nadz: Then why isn’t he there for me!

(Crowd enters pushing Stephen and shouting Blasphemer!)

Crowd sound effect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBM4m5UAvms

Stephen: Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy           Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

(But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God)

Stephen: Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of      God.

(The crowd then pushes him to the floor, continues to cry blasphemer)

Crowd sound effect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBM4m5UAvms

Saul: This man does not deserve to live because he has blasphemed against God.

(The crowd leads Stephen away, place their coats at the feet of Paul and throw stones at Stephen. [With crushed paper balls])

Stephen: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. (kneeling down), lay not this sin to their charge

Angelic sound effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjEK_iKwmI0

(Stephen lays down and dies, Nadz starts to cry and scream begging for someone to help him, Saul gives her a bad stare, Ty and Krys holds her and leads her off stage)

Song Selection:

Segment 4: Paul & Silas

(Trio enters still holding Nadz.)

Sad music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWIE0PX1uXk

Nadz: (sobbing), I can’t believe that happened to Stephen! He… he was just reminding the people of who             they were and where God had carried them from. He never said anything wrong, he was… I just can’t believe it.

Krys: You know Nadz the true essence of being a follower of Christ is being able to make those  difficult decisions in those trying situations. Especially when the right and just thing to do is not always the easiest.

Ty: Stephen may have lost his life but did you see how peaceful his face was when he died?        He knew who his savior was and he knew even if he wasn’t delivered then, he was already victorious.

Nadz: Ty, Krys, how could he praise when he was dying? (says quietly) He lost his life…..

Krys: But it was not in vain Nadz! His countenance showed that he was at peace, he may not have had a physical song on his lips but he definitely had a song in his heart.

(They sit quietly thinking when two prisoners that have been physically abused enter bound in chains)

Paul: Silas how are you holding up? Look how many prisoners are in here, as far as the eye can see (points at the congregation referred to as the other prisoners).

Silas: Paul, the body might be weak but not the spirit. Our God is an awesome God isn’t he Paul.

Paul: As always brother, I remember the young man Stephen that I helped to persecute, I remembered his face, and looking back I can tell he knew his redeemer. I’m glad I now know Him too, and though we are chained my soul sings for the joy His salvation brings. As a matter of fact! Let us sing some songs to soothe our weary bones and maybe these prisoners will join us as well (points to congregation).

(Paul then leads out in a mini-Praise and Worship with “Our God is an awesome God”)

(Suddenly, an earthquake shakes the prison)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X61ftZ590Uc

(Guard runs onto stage thinking the prisoners had escaped and attempts to take his own life)

Paul: Do not harm yourself my friend, we are all here.

(The guard then calls for a light, trembling, falls down before Paul and Silas)

Guard: Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Paul and Silas: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

(Guard leads them off stage)

Krys: Wow! Sometimes we forget that our trials and tribulations can help bring others to Christ. It is not just a lesson for us but for others as well.

 Ty:  True words, I never really thought about it that way. What you think Nadz?

Nadz: What an amazing experience, I almost feel like singing even though it is not my victory,    God truly is mighty to save. He did it before and gave these people their victory, I now have absolutely no doubt that  he will do it for me. My trials are big and fierce like a stormy sea but I now know that my God is Mighty to save!

(Congregation and Praise team closes with singing “My God is Mighty to Save”)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBPEYOjYN38

VESPER SERVICE [10 minutes]

                CHARGE

                CLOSING SONG: Master the tempest is raging. https://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/master-the-tempest-is-raging?lang=eng

                PRAYER

DEPARTURE SONG [1 minute]:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:

FURTHER READING:

Genesis Chapter 3

Patriarchs and Prophets Chapter 3

Judges 6 & 7

Sign of the Times July 14 1881

Acts 7

Story of Redemption (chp 36) EGW

Acts 16