Sunday our Bible Classes finished our three-lesson series on pain and struggles that affect teenagers. We concluded by looking at James 1:2-4, where we are encouraged to persevere through the tough times, realizing God can use these experiences to grow our faith. Learning to trust God during the rough times is hard for anyone, especially a teenager who may have a newer relationship with God. Even as Christians, we sometimes react to tough times by blaming God or getting mad at him. We talked with our students about the importance of rethinking our responses in these moments. God never promised that life was going to be perfect, but God did promise to never abandon us. Tough times and painful experiences are opportunities to discover deeper ways to depend on God.
This week, find a moment to consider past times of perseverance. Talk about specific steps to help get ready for the tough and painful moments. Here are some questions that could help launch or guide your conversation:
- Think about the last year of your life. What is one specific area in which you've grown spiritually? How did it happen? Was it an overnight change, or did it happen gradually? Explain.
- When you decided to become a Christian, did you expect life to get easier or harder, and why? Has life gotten easier or tougher, or have things stayed the same?
- What is one situation in your life right now that God might be using to help you become more patient?
Finish your conversation by praying that God will prepare your teen for those tough times and that these experiences will draw your student closer to God. I pray that your ongoing conversations with your teen will help both of you pursue God in fresh, new, deeper ways. Have a great day!
...Jason
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Graduating Seniors and Parents....If you haven't done so please please please....make sure you register for the SENIOR DAY (Senior Sunday and Banquet) by this Wednesday night. Click the "Class of '14" image below. Pictures for Senior Slideshow are due by April 23rd which is this Wednesday.
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ONLY 20 DAYS to save $$ on Camp Zenith registration! Don't forget you must register and at least pay the deposit to Camp Zenith by May 11th to receive the discounted price of $200. Don't let the deadline sneak up on you and miss it. Info can be found online by clicking image below, by visiting our website, or at the HS Board in the concourse.
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Looking for a Local Mission
FORTRESS
Coming Summer 2014
Find information and register by clicking the image below.
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HONDURAS MISSION
Honduras Mission Team you should be sending out letters for support, getting your passport, and getting vaccines this week. We will also be posting a list of fundraising options this week.
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BOULDER (Sevens) MISSION
Deadline passed...Are you going?
If you are going you must register this week! The trip will be July 26-Aug 2nd. This trip is for High School Students, and we can only take 15 people so registration will be 1st come. Cost of this mission is $300. Spots will be held by deposit only, plus requirements must be met in order to attend this mission. More details can be found online and at the youth board. Click the image below for more information and registration. Information can also be found at the Red HS Youth Board.
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Senior Summit
CURRENT JUNIORS THIS IS FOR YOU!
June 9-11th
You can register and get more details by clicking below.
