Fusion Youth Series

Fusion Youth Service - 17.12.2023 This week we looked at the first prophecy (as far as I know) about Jesus in the Bible. It's all the way back in Genesis 3! We also found the story of the Gospel hidden in the names of Adam and Eve's descendants, which are all recorded in Genesis 5. Clearly, God was not caught by surprise when mankind sinned. From the beginning, God knew the choice that we...

Fusion Youth Service - 10.12.2023 We continue discussing God's statement that sin brings death. We begin by asking why - why should physical death be a consequence of rejecting what God says? We also discuss the death that God really wants us to fear - Eternal Death, being the opposite of Eternal Life. When we're finally done with the bad news, we focus again on the Good News - Jesus! We a...

Fusion Youth Service - 26.11.2023 According to God (and the Bible), sin leads to death. This week, we asked what that means. In what way does sin - going our own way - bring death? We begin with the Practical Death that sin brings. We use the Ten Commandments to discuss the practical consequences of disobeying God - the pain and destruction that it brings in our own lives and the lives of everyone...

Fusion Youth Service - 19.11.2023 This week, we continued the story of the gospel from the beginning. We looked at Adam and Eve's decision to believe a lie and reject the truth, discussing the consequences of that decision. We also spent some time exploring what defines good and evil - what makes one thing good, and another bad. Next week, we'll look at the aftermath - death. ---- Quick links ----...

Fusion Youth Service - 12.11.2023 This week we began a new study, looking at the Gospel. We discuss the dictionary definition of a "gospel", as well how the Bible uses the word. We then go back to the beginning, where God's good news starts. We look at the creation of man, discuss the peculiar wording in that passage, and explore what it might mean to be created in the image of God....

Fusion Youth Service - 22.10.2023 Nate explores the definition, meaning and purpose of the church.

Fusion Youth Service - 24.09.2023 Nate discusses the New Testament, exploring the background to the texts and how they ended up in the Bible. We also get a lesson in the Greek language, to better understand how the Bible was translated.

Fusion Youth Service - 24.09.2023 Nate discusses the origins of the Bible, this sesson focussing on the Old Testament in particular. What does the Bible say about itself? Where does it come from? How was it copied and transmitted?

Fusion Youth Service - 27.08.2023 Although God is not mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther, there is a hint in the name of the book that there might be more to the story. There is a hint that, if we look deeper, we might just find more than we expect - we might find something (or someone) hidden in this book. We've already looked at many of the ways that God can be seen acting throughout t...

Fusion Youth Service - 20.08.2023 We complete our verse-by-verse study of Esther with chapter 10. We see that the earthly accomplishments of even the greatest of men are destined to disappear with time. But God's word, and His work, will stand forever. We explore how Mordecai is part of a pattern that points to Jesus. We take comfort in the knowledge that we have an advocate - a lawyer - intercedi...

Fusion Youth Service - 13.08.2023 We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, completing chapter 9. We explore a possible reason why the Jewish people refused to confiscate their enemies' property. We look at the significance of the name Purim for this Jewish holiday, and the reality that the enemies of Israel are really the enemies of God. Finally, we discuss the ways that this story are...

Fusion Youth Service - 30.07.2023 We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther with chapter 9. We look at other times that Israel's enemies "supposed that they would gain power over" the Jews, but "contrary to expectations, the Jews gained power over their enemies." We discuss the reason why: Israel has a protector, who does not sleep or slumber. And we explore some inter...

Fusion Youth Service - 16.07.2023 We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing chapter 8. We spend a lot of time exploring questions of justice, vengeance and mercy. In particular, we discuss why Christians are told not to seek revenge. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - From the start... 00:06:37 - Recap 00:10:35 - Esther 8:9-10 00:11:22 -- Symmetry 00:12:27 -- A second degree 00:13:14...

Fusion Youth Service - 02.07.2023 We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther 8 and explore an interesting parallel to our own lives. Like us, Esther and Mordecai had two problems. They had an enemy, Haman, who wanted to destroy them. But even with that problem solved, there remained a second problem - that Law... ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:04:23 - Esther 8:3-4 00:04:46 -- Esther...

Fusion Youth Service - 25.06.2023 We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing Chapter 7 and starting Chapter 8. We see that God is in control, even in those problems we don't know exist. And God promises that, however things appear to us now, justice will prevail, and it will all be worth it in the end. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:10:28 -- Further thought 00:16:49 -...

Fusion Youth Service - 11.06.2023 We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing Chapter 6 and starting Chapter 7. We explore the curious priestly class of magi - the wise men from the East - who ultimately arrive in Jerusalem to enthrone a king. We also discuss the importance and power of words - they have the power of life and death. We get a bit distracted with salt, and then look at...

Fusion Youth Service - 21.05.2023 - We look at an ancient Babylonian Chronicle about Nebuchadnezzar, discuss the need to do the right thing even when nobody seems to care, and look at God's answer to any jealousy we might feel towards those who don't. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:05:05 - Esther 6:1-2 00:05:36 -- Coincidence #1 00:08:40 -- Coincidence #2 00:09:11 -- Chronicles...

Fusion Youth Service - 14.05.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, both starting and finishing Chapter 5. There is so much in here! We talk about boldly approaching the throne of grace, presenting ourself in a way that allows God to shine through us, finding our value and worth in God's opinion, not mans, being humble, not prideful, and a lot more. There is something in there...

Fusion Youth Service - 30.04.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, finishing Chapter 4. In this session, we look at the relationship between God's sovereignty and our autonomy, and ask whether we are predestined to do the good works that God has prepared beforehand for us to do. We also explore the relationship between prayer and the peace of God (that surpasses all understand...

Fusion Youth Service - 23.04.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, looking at Chapter 4. We spend a while exploring the way fasting is presented in the Bible, and in particular the way that it is used together with prayer to demonstrate our desperation and sincerity when we're seeking God. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:07:09 - Esther 4:1-3 00:07:40 -- Aware of what...

Fusion Youth Service - 16.04.2023 - Nate shares a word study on Worship. It's not what you think!

Fusion Youth Service - 02.04.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, looking at the rest of Chapter 3. We discuss the problem with defining yourself based on what other people think of you, and also look at the spiritual roots of antisemitism. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:07:13 -- Bowing in Persia 00:20:36 - Esther 3:3-4 00:24:44 - Esther 3:5-6 00:26:02 -- Finding your...

Fusion Youth Service - 26.03.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, looking at the first two verses of Chapter 3. We explore the person of Haman, and discuss what we should do when our good goes unacknowledged, and when we see bad people rewarded. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:05:43 -- Unrewarded 00:17:18 - Esther 3:1 00:17:36 -- Some time later... 00:18:37 -- Haman, th...

Fusion Youth Service - 19.03.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, looking at the second half of Chapter 2. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:12:06 - Esther 2:12 00:12:28 -- Beauty therapy 00:15:49 - Esther 2:13-14 00:16:20 -- Meeting the king 00:19:30 - Esther 2:15-16 00:20:00 -- Esther meets the king 00:23:38 - Esther 2:17-18 00:23:53 -- Esther is chosen 00:27:20 -- Who...

Fusion Youth Service - 12.03.2023 - We continue our verse-by-verse study of Esther, looking at the first half of Chapter 2. ---- Quick links ---- 00:00:00 - Recap 00:02:38 - Esther 2:1 00:02:49 -- After what things? 00:11:00 -- Remembering Vashti 00:13:19 - Esther 2:2-4 00:13:57 -- Search for a Queen 00:14:46 - Esther 2:5-7 00:15:30 -- It just so happened... 00:16:39 -- Mordecai 00:24:48 -- Who wa...