Your Friends Need The Flash! - Dare 2 Share
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students to reach their world.
Helping youth leaders empower
students to reach their world.

Your Friends Need The Flash!

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So what would you do if you had the powers of The Flash?

For anyone not familiar with this CW channel star, he has a superpower that gives him super-duper speed—hence he literally can be there in a flash—get it?

And if I had that power, there are quite a few interesting possibilities on the table:

  • I would super-speed all my chores around the house.
  • I would enter every major race I could…and win them all!
  • I would travel to countries with evil dictators and run into their offices and pull pranks on them—like dying their hair purple and putting their cars in a river.
  • I would stand on the corners of busy streets and save people from getting hit by a car.
  • I would travel the world.
  • I would try running so fast on top of water that I could get across a lake without sinking.
  • And I would never be late for anything ever again. You know, I think I would like this power—wouldn’t you?
If you and I were “The Flash,” we would never be late for anything ever again!

But did you know that almost 3000 years before there was Barry Allen, there was the original “Flash”? Check this out:

And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel (1 Kings 18:45-46).

Elijah was a prophet of God in a very evil time. There was a wicked King and Queen in control of the land who were hunting down and murdering the prophets (like the Emperor in Star Wars who hunted down and killed the Jedi)!  So think of Elijah like an Obi-Wan Kenobi, who after a great victory, was granted superspeed to run ahead of the King, who was traveling in a chariot.

In other words, with the power of God, Elijah ran a distance of 17 miles over rocky, unpaved roads at 30+ miles per hour!

You know, if Elijah were living today, I believe that God would have given him the power to outrun a car—or maybe even a plane? And the point is simply this—we must believe what Jesus promised in Matthew 19:26:

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

With God’s power, you can outrun the guilt and shame that is trying to take you down from behind.

With God’s power, you can outrun the past that keeps coming back to trip up your confidence and trust in Jesus Christ.

With God’s power, you can outrun any temptation that is hunting you down like a starving lion.

And not only that, but you can run towards the things that are truly important in life, which is why the Bible encourages us with these words:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

Following Jesus isn’t a short distance race, it is a marathon of unknown mileage. But one thing we do know is that we can run the race God gave us with more endurance and speed than anything on this planet has to offer.

Following Jesus isn’t a 50-yard dash, it is a marathon of unknown mileage.

With God’s power, we can run to the people who are hurting and give them the words of life they need.

With God’s power, we can run to our enemies to offer them forgiveness and healing in the relationship.

With God’s power, we can run to our friends who need to hear the gospel and let them in on the greatest news in the universe.

And when we are done running on this earth, we will run into the arms of Jesus, who will welcome us into Heaven with these words:

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ ” (Matthew 25:21).

So be The Flash in your friend’s lives, because our lives can be over in a flash!

Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action

God has given us supernatural power to use for other people’s good, so look for places you can run to this week to help meet their needs.

Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause

Pray: Father, thank You for empowering us to run the race you set before us. Give us boldness in running ahead of our problems and towards the things that please You and advance Your Kingdom.

Read: Isaiah 40:31.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Get:  Life in 6 Words App. With the Life in 6 Words interactive mobile app, you can use your phone to start spiritual conversations with your friends. The striking graphics of the six words of the GOSPEL—God, Our, Sins, Paying, Everyone, Life—help you clearly communicate Jesus’ invitation to trust in Him. Download it today and use it to share the gospel as you run toward your friends this week!

Discussion Guide for Leaders

Want to use this Soul Fuel as a bible study with your students this week? Copy and text them the following: “Ever feel like some things from your past are running you down? Check out this week’s Soul Fuel: http://hubs.ly/H01h8QJ0

Big Idea: God’s power allows us to outrun our past and run towards the calling on our lives.

Key Scripture: 1 Kings 18:45-46

Discussion Questions:

  • What have are you trying to outrun in your life?
  • What things do you need to run towards?
  • How can God’s power give you strength to run the race?
  • What other ways could you apply this Soul Fuel to THE Cause?

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