Dear parents,

This week we continue a three-part series focusing on three Old Testament heroines: Rahab, Ruth, and Esther. We looked at Rahab’s story, which is found in the dramatic book of Joshua (we read Joshua 2:1-21 and 6:17, 22-25). Rahab was not a Jew, but because of her profession of faith in God and her bold action in protecting Joshua’s spies to further God’s cause, she was spared from the destruction that hit Jericho.

Our students talked about the importance of remembering and sharing what God has done in our lives. They learned that God responds to our faith by transforming the imperfect and making insiders out of outsiders. They discovered that anyone can be a hero of the faith.

Here are some questions from this week’s lesson you can use during a time of conversation with your teenager:

• How and why have you struggled to understand God’s leading in your life? How have you overcome those struggles-or how have you attempted to overcome them?

• Why it is important for us to remember what God has done in the past-in our lives and in the lives of people who followed God in earlier generations?
• Where do you sense God’s influence in your life? What is one challenge God is asking you to take on or an opportunity God wants you to seize? What action steps can you take this week?

You also might share what parts of God’s history have encouraged you and made your faith stronger. Talk about the ways even people of faith sometimes feel inadequate to do great things for God, and how the example of Rahab can encourage us to be bold for God. Have an incredible week!

-Jeff

Announcements for the Week

1.  Student Leadership Team – Applications are due TODAY for our Student Leadership Team for 2012-2013

2.  School’s Out Celebration – This Wednesday, May 23 @ Bro. Jack’s house.  We’ll be grilling out, hanging out, and having a little fishing competition (bring your own rod).  Teens can either be dropped off at Bro. Jack’s house or can catch a ride from the church at 6:15pm.  Parents need to pick their teen up directly from Bro. Jack’s house between 7:45pm and 8:15pm.  Email Jeff for directions.

Dear parents,

This week we started a small group series on three remarkable women of the Bible by examining one of the most beautiful stories in God’s Word. In the book of Ruth, we find God’s love demonstrated through the lives of two widows-related by marriage-as they seek God’s provision for them in the difficult time of the Old Testament judges. Ruth is devoted to Naomi’s welfare, to her customs, and to God. Ruth is not only a force for hope in the lives of her friends and family, she’s honored as a descendant of Jesus, in the ancestry of King David. As we previously saw in Rahab’s story, God uses faith where he finds it-Ruth is not a Hebrew but commits herself to God’s service and ways.

I’d encourage you to talk with your teenager this week about Ruth, especially the intentional commitment she made to Naomi and how that translates to our lives today as we seek to intentionally serve others. Talk about ways your family can be more intentional about that commitment and help each other to keep it. Here are some questions you could use during your conversation:

• What are some reasons why some people get trapped in hopelessness?
• How have intentional acts of kindness for other people changed your life?
• How is Ruth’s decision to go with Naomi similar to and different from our decision to follow Jesus?

Have a great week!

Jeff

Weekly Announcements…

Dear parents,

We wrapped up our four-week series on “Life After High School” by talking about money. God wants us to be financially responsible and free, and this week we helped our teenagers discover some biblical truths and some practical ideas for developing wise financial habits.

We talked about several verses in Proverbs that warn us of the dangers of being unwise with money and taking on too much debt. We looked at Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33 about placing God first in our lives and trusting God to meet all of our needs. We discussed the basics of a personal budget and importance of living within our means.

This week, look for an opportunity to talk with your student about finances. Maybe your child can sit with you as you pay bills or work on your family budget. Ask your student about the importance of tithes and offerings. Ask your teenager what idea or truth from our discussion had the greatest impact.

Here are some questions from our small group lesson that you could incorporate into a conversation with your teenager about finances:

• What are some of the dangers of debt? What are some of the consequences of too much debt?
• Why might faithful, consistent giving be an important part of your spiritual life and growth? How can this habit help you take greater ownership of your faith?
• What good financial habits have you already developed? What bad habits in your life need some work?

This has been a great series, and I pray the topics and truths have had an impact on your teenager. Have a blessed week!

–Jeff

Announcements for the Week

1.  Parent/Student Meeting for ALL Summer Trips – Tonight @ 5pm in the gym.  If your teen is attending the Lake Retreat, Merge, or World Changers, then this meeting is for you!  Bring your teen’s balance for their trip (WC – $250, Merge – $125, Lake Retreat – $50, unless they’ve earned a scholarship).  Also, bring a copy of their medical insurance card.

2.  Student Leadership Team – I’m still taking applications for our 2012-2013 Student Leadership Team.  If your teen will be in High School next school year and wants to be a part of the team that helps plan events and make things happen in our Student Ministry, have them see me ASAP.

3.  Graduate Recognition Day - If your teen is graduating this year, then we will be recognizing them on Sunday, May 20 in our 11am service in the Sanctuary.  Please make sure they turn in their Bio Sheet to me and their pictures by next Sunday, May 13.

Dear parents,

Our small group series on “Life After High School” has been a great opportunity to encourage and inspire our students as they prepare for their upcoming transitions in life.

As a high school student gets older, independence can create distance from his or her parents. This is natural, and to a degree, it ought to happen. Maturity means self-discovery and personal “ownership” to God’s call in our lives. Independence doesn’t mean giving up intimacy with our parents. This week, we challenged your child to continue to honor you, a biblical commandment that doesn’t have an expiration date.

During the week, find a few minutes to talk with your teenager about this week’s lesson. Find out if any of the verses from Proverbs made a big impression. Talk about how much you love your teenager and how you regularly pray for God’s best in your student’s life.

Here are some questions you could use during your conversation:

• As you’ve gotten older, how has the meaning of the commandment “honor your father and mother” changed for you?
• What was the most meaningful or memorable vacation our family took when you were younger? Why was it so meaningful or memorable?
• As you’re entering young adulthood, what’s the best way for me to continue praying for you?

Have a blessed week!

Jeff

Announcements for the week…

Dear parents,

This week in small groups, we continued our series on “Life After High School” and addressed the importance of wise choices.

We used Proverbs 1:20-33 as the foundation for our discussion. Life isn’t accidental and no one is invincible. We ought to reflect more on the trajectory of our lives. We ought to receive the wisdom God wants to give. God is ready to give us wisdom through the Bible and through Christ-like friends. Are we listening to God and following a path of wisdom?

In the next few days, talk with your student about the rewards of wise choices and the dangers of ignoring God’s wisdom. Here are some questions that could fuel the dialogue:

• How do you know if someone is giving you good, wise advice? Do you evaluate it based on the person’s character or the person’s track record, or on whether it just sounds or feels like good advice? Explain.
• Why does the Bible say wisdom and good judgment are more valuable than riches? What kind of payoff do wisdom and good judgment deliver?
• Certainly you can find wisdom by reading the Bible. Where else can you discover wisdom? Can you encounter wisdom anywhere, or only through Christ-like people or places? Explain.

Pray that God would help your teenager succeed in this vital step of maturity. That’s my prayer, too!

–Jeff

Announcements for the Week

Dear parents,

First off, there are some pretty big announcements below, so please make sure to read them!

Our small groups have wrapped up their six-lesson look at the book of Psalms, and our students have learned a lot about how they can interact with God and how God desires to interact with them.

In this final lesson examining Psalm 138, students learned that God’s actions in their lives are born out of his character. Students were encouraged to consider the purpose God has for them, both from a big-picture perspective and for them uniquely as individuals.

As you go throughout the week, help reinforce this teaching in your child’s life by asking these or similar questions as you have the opportunity:

• How have you seen God’s love and provision in your life?
• What do you think God has in store for you?
• How can I help you use your talents and passions to serve God as you think about your future?

Thanks for all your prayers for our students and our Bible Study groups. Have a blessed week!

Jeff

Announcements for the week…

1. Converge Youth Rally - This Wednesday, April 4th @ Bartlett Station – Meet at Fisherville @ 5pm.  Returning @ 8:30pm.  Encourage your teen to join us and to bring a friend as we celebrate Easter together with several other area churches.  We’re expecting 400-500 students to be in attendance, so this is going to be HUGE!  Also, please note that there will be no other youth activities at Fisherville on this night.
2. Summer Lake Retreat - June 2-3 @ Pin Oak Lake & Natchez Trace State Park – The $25 deposit deadline is April 15 (2 weeks).  After this date, the trip cost increases $5 for students who have not paid a deposit.  The balance of $50 is due May 6th.  Click HERE for more info.