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.

Dear parents,

We are nearing the end of our six-lesson look at the book of Psalms, and in this week’s lesson, we focused on the idea of living God-honoring lives through the study of Psalm 101. Students were challenged to consider their environment and their influences to see if people are leading them down a path that goes against God’s desires for their lives.

I encourage you to take some time to sit down together as a family this week and read through Psalm 101.  You can help keep our lesson’s themes in front of your teenager by asking these or similar questions this week as you have the opportunity:

• It is possible to “accidentally” lead a life that honors God? Why or why not?
• What kinds of challenges do you and other teenagers face each day that can make it difficult to pursue a life that honors God?
• Why do you think the author of this Psalm took obedience and honor toward God so seriously?  Does our obedience matter?
• In verse 3 , he makes a point to state that he will not set anything worthless before his eyes. In our day and time, what are some of those “worthless” things that we need to watch out for?
• How can we as a family make sure that our environments and behaviors help move us toward God-honoring lives? Are there changes we could make to help us move in this direction?

Please call or email me if there’s anything I can do to help your teenager or your family. Have a blessed week!

Jeff

Announcements for the Week

1. Wild Wednesday - This Wed., March 28 – 6:30pm in the gym - Pizza, games, and a word from God’s Word!  Encourage your teen to invite a friend and come join us for a great night!
2. “Converge” Youth Rally – Next Wed., April 4 at the Bartlett Municipal Center - Meet at FBC @ 5pm – All youth are invited to come for an exciting night of worship together with several other churches from the Memphis / Shelby County area.  Parents - If you can chaperone, please see Jeff ASAP.  Also, there will be no other youth activities at FBC on this night.
3. Youth Lake Retreat - June 2-3 @ Pin Oak Lake & Natchez Trace State Park - Cost is $75 ($25 deposit due in 2 weeks on April 15).  Space is limited so make sure to get your teen’s deposit in early.  After April 15th, cost will increase to $80 per person for those who do not have deposits in.
4. Youth Calvary Rescue Mission Night - Monday, April 9th; Meet at FBC @ 4:15pm.  Returning @ around 9pm.  Youth need to bring money for fast food on the way home.  Space is limited so have your teen sign up in the Game Room ASAP.

Dear parents,

Our Sunday School classes have finished their fourth lesson in our six-lesson look at the book of Psalms. This week’s lesson featured a time of serious conversation by taking a look at what we do when we feel like God is far away from us or when it seems like God isn’t answering our prayers. Students were challenged to trust in God’s presence based on his past interaction in their lives and his promises to care and provide for us.

As you go throughout the week, consider having a conversation with your teenager based on the following questions:

• Why do you think it is that at times God seems distant?
• When you feel far away from God, what are some changes you can make to draw closer to him?
• How can we as a family do more to draw closer to God?

Have a great week!

Jeff

Announcements for the week

1.  Summer Lake Retreat – June 2-3 @ Pin Oak Lake - Cost is $75 ($25 due April 15) – Once school lets out, it’s time to hit the water for a weekend of fun on the water and Bible study.  Space is limited so sign up and get your deposit in early.  Cost covers 1 night of lodging @ Natchez Trace State Park Inn, all meals except travel meals, boat and transportation fuel, and retreat expenses.  Youth can sign up now in the game room.  Youth Parents and Church Members - If you have a ski boat or pontoon boat and can help us out for the weekend, please see Jeff ASAP.

2.  Guys Night – Saturday, March 24, 5pm until 11pm – Skyzone indoor trampoline park, eating out together, and some free time and games at the church.  Cost is $20 (due Wednesday, March 21) plus money for food.  Students also must have a medical release form completed before the night.  You can download it here.

3.  Girls “Chick Chat” – Saturday, March 24, 6:30pm until 10pm – Kim’s house – All girls grades 7-12 are invited for a fun night of fellowship and Bible study.  Bring an appetizer or dessert, a new white t-shirt, and some old t-shirts you don’t want any more (for a craft).  Contact Kim for more info or for directions.

Dear parents,

Our small groups have crossed the halfway point in their six-lesson look at the book of Psalms. This week’s lesson took a sobering look at sin and our response to it before God. Students were challenged to examine and confess their sin, and to move forward with a commitment to contend with any sin in their lives.

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:

• In Psalm 51, David talked about having a “pure heart.” What does it look like in our culture today to be a person with a pure heart?
• Do Christians face more temptations than people who aren’t followers of Christ? Why or why not?
• What steps might we take as a family to help us all deal with sin and temptation more proactively?

Also, this Wednesday, we are having a special night in Youth Group.  It’s going to be a Q & A night, where students will be given a chance to ask questions about life, the Bible, right and wrong, or whatever else they’d like to talk about.  Encourage your teen to come and to think about a good question for the night.  Is there some Bible verse they never could understand?  Some “hot topic” they’d like to talk about?  Looking forward to a great night of discussion!

Thanks for all your prayers for our students and our ministry. Have an amazing week!

For HIS Glory!

Jeff

Announcements for the week

1.  Summer Lake Retreat – June 2-3 @ Pin Oak Lake - Cost is $75 ($25 due April 15) – Once school lets out, it’s time to hit the water for a weekend of fun on the water and Bible study.  Space is limited so sign up and get your deposit in early.  Cost covers 1 night of lodging @ Natchez Trace State Park Inn, all meals except travel meals, boat and transportation fuel, and retreat expenses.  Youth can sign up now in the game room.  Youth Parents and Church Members - If you have a ski boat or pontoon boat and can help us out for the weekend, please see Jeff ASAP.

2.  Guys Night – Saturday, March 24, 5pm until 11pm – Skyzone indoor trampoline park, eating out together, and some free time and games at the church.  Cost is $20 (due Wednesday, March 21) plus money for food.  Students also must have a medical release form completed before the night.  You can download it here.

3.  Girls “Chick Chat” – Saturday, March 24, 6:30pm until 10pm – Kim’s house – All girls grades 7-12 are invited for a fun night of fellowship and Bible study.  Bring an appetizer or dessert, a new white t-shirt, and some old t-shirts you don’t want any more (for a craft).  Contact Kim for more info or for directions.

Greetings Youth Parents!

This week, our small groups continued their study of the book of Psalms by discussing the way we ought to respond when God meets our needs and responds to our prayers.

Through their conversation based on Psalm 30, students discovered the reasons for and benefits of thanking and praising God when their needs are met and their prayers are answered. Responding to God in praise is the right way to thank God for working in our lives.

As you go throughout the week, look for some opportunities to keep this idea in front of your teen. Consider asking these questions:

• What are some specific reasons our family can thank and praise God?
• How can we put a greater emphasis on praising God as a family?

Also, this past Wednesday night, we wrapped up our series on dating, love, and relationships.  I hope and pray that our time spent on this subject has been worthwhile and has led your teen to a stronger commitment to living out God’s desire for sexual purity in all areas of their lives.

Continuously praying for you and your teenager!

Jeff

Announcements for the Week

• Student-Led Worship - This Wednesday, March 7th.  6:30pm in the gym.  Music by our students and preaching from Noah Randolph.
• Student Leadership Team Meeting - Next Sunday, March 11th @ 7pm in the game room.  Pizza will be provided
• Summer Lake Retreat – June 2-3 @ Pin Oak Lake - Cost is $75 ($25 due April 15) – Once school lets out, it’s time to hit the water for a weekend of fun on the water and Bible study.  Space is limited so sign up your teen and get their deposit in early.  Cost covers 1 night of lodging @ Natchez Trace State Park Inn, all meals except travel meals, boat and transportation fuel, and retreat expenses.  Youth Parents and Church Members - If you have a ski boat or pontoon boat and can help us out for the weekend, please see Jeff ASAP.
• Student Ministry Newsletter - Our March newsletter is available for download by clicking HERE.