He Ascended into Heaven, Is Seated at the Right Hand of the Father

This week I wanted to appeal to the kinesthetic learners in our group, so I took them on a "walking journey" through the story in the Apostles' Creed.  Our youth room is in a two story building.  We started on the top floor, went down the stairs, popped in the youth room for a short clip of The Bible (History Channel), wandered through the gym in the dark, and wound our way back up the stairs.  There were 7 stations at which we stopped.  Each station was marked by a piece of paper with instructions.  This was a way for us to walk through the descending and ascending present in the middle section of the Apostles' Creed and, more importantly, in Phil 2:6-11 and the story of Jesus.  I find that the teens remember and internalize things better when we do something while we're processing.  They were focused throughout and answered the questions thoughtfully.

Apostles' Creed Week 8

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended to the dead.  On the Third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting."

Review

"He Ascended into Heaven, Is Seated at the Right Hand of the Father"

Read Phil 2:6-11

What do you notice about the structure, the “plot line,” in this hymn?
- It’s a pyramid - a descending and an ascending.

We’re going to follow the storyline of Jesus as we walk around this building.  We’ll all stick together and go through each stopping point as a team.

Station 1: In the Form of God (Phil 2:6), John 1:1-3
God is the one who created everything!
Circle up and share your favorite form of creation
I.e. “Bears” or “Yosemite” (not mountains or animals)

Station 2: He emptied himself… in the form of a human (Phil 2:7), John 1:14, Luke 2:1-7
God became man!
What are some rights that God has of which God emptied himself when God became man?

Station 3: He humbled himself by becoming obedient (Phil 2:8a), John 13:1-5
The God of the universe is washing people’s feet - including the one who is going to betray him!
Ask for a volunteer and wash someone’s feet
Put yourself in the place of Jesus.  I want each of you to close your eyes.  Pull up somebody in your head who has hurt you, betrayed you, bullied you, somebody you don’t think you’ll ever be able to forgive.  Now, imagine yourself washing that person’s feet, forgiving them, and giving them a chance to accept your forgiveness.  How would you feel while you’re touching their dirty, stinky feet?  What thoughts would be crossing your mind?

Station 4: To the point of death, even death on a cross (Phil 2:8b), Matt 27:45-54
Can you believe that this One went through that for us, for you!
The Bible - At The Cross (I'm sure there is something better out there, but this worked)
Leave the room in silence

Station 5: Spends Three days in death - He was actually dead! Luke 23:50-56
Jesus experienced real, physical death.
Move through the gym in darkness and silence.
At other side, ask group members to split into small groups and share a time when they have felt in utter despair.

Station 6: Therefore God highly honored him (Phil 2:9a), Luke 24:1-9
Jesus conquered death and sin and paved the way so that we can have resurrection life
It is here that Jesus starts going up the staircase.
Listen to this story of resurrection (I shared a story of resurrection in my life).

Station 7: And gave him the name… to the glory of God the Father (Phil 2:9b-11), Acts 1:6-11
Jesus is still alive and is in power
Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father.  Symbolically, what does it mean for someone to sit “At the Right Hand?”

Regather

The staircase ends with Jesus ascension and placement at the right hand of the Father

Why does it matter that Jesus is at the right hand of the Father?

After going through the story of Jesus in this manner, does anything strike you?

Close in prayer.