Surge Lesson Notes

The Climb Part Three: The Climbers Grading System

  INTRODUCTION: The climb series is about reaching the highest goal and I have spoken to you about being highly committed to striving for your best in honour of the sacrifice Jesus made in your name for your sins.  This message continues and starts us down the road from "Why" to "How"! 

The first week, was to encourage you to take seriously this task of climbing for Christ.  We talked about WHY?   Why do you come to youth group?   Why do you read God’s word?  Why do you go to church? The answer is: Because Jesus Christ died for our sins and we want to honour his sacrifice by reaching for the highest goal! 

Last week was more in answer to the question of WHAT?  What do you need to do?  What is this commitment and what does it require?  What characteristics do you need in order  to climb for Christ.  I shared last week about being a “Sold Out” Climber who is completely committed to honour Christ! And the characteristics Paul gave us:

• Focused on Jesus Christ

• Motivated by God’s Grace an Forgiveness

• Committed to a Growing relationship with Christ

• Throwing off the weight of sin: Striving for Holy Living

• Training in Spiritual Fitness: to learn new and more Skills

I compare living the Christian life to climbing because climbing is a strenuous activity that requires all the same things: 

• It requires focus

• It requires motivation

• It requires commitment

• It requires reduced weight for efficiency

• It requires training!

But today we turn to a more practical approach.  I want to start teaching you about the how! 

 Today’s message is simple.  We are going to talk about the rating system for climbing and about setting goals! 

You may not know today, what you will do for the rest of your life and what it will look like, but you need to know what you are committed to and what it means.  Being a Christian can sometimes mean a step by step process with God.  A process that takes time and energy and effort.

Being a good climber also requires you to set some goals and by setting goals you will improve your climbing.  Anyone who takes on a task in life has to have a vision for the goal they want to achieve.  If you don’t have a goal that you can envision you will lack the motivation you need to do it.   

You know what I’m talking about.  You get grades in school to help motivate you to the highest goal.  (An A)  Grades help you to assess where you are and how much further you have to go! 

 As you grow, the difficulties increase to keep you growing.  Imagine if you had the same requirements in your 10th year that you had in your 3rd.  It wouldn't be much of a challenge.  Our spiritual lives are not much different.  As you grow God will challenge you with more and more things as you can handle them.  He will never ask you to do something you can't do! 

Climbing is no different.  We have a grading system to help us assess our abilities and to know where we stand. 

 Let me introduce to you the climbing grading system. 

The Australian and New Zealand Climbing system was developed in the 60’s by a man named John Ewbank.  It starts at 1 (which in theory would be a slight incline that you could walk up) and goes to 34 which is practically glass and only the absolute best in the world can accomplish. (NOTE: This is my own interpretation of a comparison chart between the Yosemite Decimal System and the Ewbank System.)

1 : Walking, on an established trail.

2 : Hiking, up a steep incline, possibly using your hands for balance.

3 : Climbing up a steep hillside; a rope is not normally used.

4 : Exposed climbing, following a ledge system for example. A rope would be used
to belay past places where a fall could be lethal.

5 : This is where technical rock climbing begins. A 3 point stance (Two hands and a foot or two feet and a hand) is needed. A rope and protection are needed to safeguard a fall by the person leading. Any unprotected fall from a class 5 climb would be harmful if not fatal.

6-12: Climbing up a ramp or a steep section with good holds.

12-14: Steeper, more vertical climbing, but still on good holds. These routes are also easily protected.

15-16 Vertical climbing on small holds.

17-18 This rating means that the climb might be slightly overhung or may have fairly sustained climbing on smaller holds. With practice the beginning climber can climb in the 17-18 range quickly and with confidence.

19-20 Very sustained climbing. A weekend climber rarely feels comfortable in this range unless they do go EVERY weekend or has some natural talent. The difference between a 19 and a 21 is very noticeable. Most likely the climbs are overhung with small holds and are sustained or require sequential moves.

21-25 This is the world of the dedicated climber. Expect steep and difficult routes that demand technical climbing and powerful moves.

26-27 The routes in this range are usually overhanging climbs requiring delicate foot work on thin holds or long routes requiring great balance on little holds.

28-31 If you can climb upside down on a glass window, these climbs are right up your alley.

32-34These climbs are among the hardest in the world.  This is as hard as climbing gets. Keep in mind that very few climbers can actually climb at this level, although Spiderman eats these climbs for breakfast.

This climbing system is meant to help you determine your abilities and know what your next level may be.

The Christian Grading System is found in Galations chapter 5

Galations 5: 19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

 Paul is giving here a grading system that will help us assess our actions in our lives and make the necessary adjustments.   

A Christian can hardly claim to walk with Christ if they are not constantly trying to reach for the highest goal.  You need to constantly try to reach higher and higher in holiness.  That means ridding sin from your life and living like verse 22

 These are the “fruit” of a “Sold Out” climber for Christ who is reaching for the highest goal.  These are what your life should be producing:

 Love, Joy, Peace,  Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control! 

 Take a minute to rate your self in the areas described in verse 22.  Rate yourself from 1-10 (10 being excellent and 1 being terrible)  Be honest since there is no value in deceiving yourself.

Score yourself out of a total of 90 possible points and strive to increase that score.

NOTE: anything typed in this section of the page will not be saved, seen or sent to anyone!  It is for your reflection only!
 

These are the characteristics of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit and who are transformed by God’s power but it doesn’t happen over night!

Now that you have assessed your spiritual grade you need to set a goal!  Consider these three suggestions and then do it!

 Remember these things as you grade yourself:

1.       Be Honest With Yourself!  If you want to improve you need to honestly admit where you stand!
 - Confession is good for us!  Take notice of your weak and strong points and endeavor to improve!

2.       Grade to improve not to punish yourself.  Progress is the goal NOT guilt!
 - Pray about your weaknesses and give thanks for your successes but do not let Satan rack you with guilt over imperfections.  Remember life is a climb and progress takes decision and effort!

3.       Set a Reasonable NEXT STEP goal!
 - Commit to change and set a reasonable goal that you can accomplish.  Take it one step further and tell me about it.  Fill out the form below and tell me the goal you want to make and I'll simply ask you every so often about how you are doing and if you are still working towards that goal!  I don't need details unless you want to give them!

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