Well, it was weird for me to not be in the drivers seat for a night, but it was well worth it.
Our Student driven Youth Lead Team took the reigns and did an AMAZING job. They led us through a blindfolded obstacle course game (which was a challenge) and then discussed the concept of God as our Shepherd. The teaching was great and the D groups were a home-run. After the D Group time, we were told to lie down and rest in the presence of our Shepherd as they read Psalm 23 a couple times and gave us all the opportunity to come to trust the Shepherd for the first time, or again.
It was such a great night, and a huge blessing to watch the passion for ministry our students have!
I think we will have to do it again!
- Andrew
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Social Media
We closed out our "Search for Truth" series with a discussion on Social Media. We discussed some of the opportunities and advantages of such a connected culture as well as some of the challenges and pitfalls that it presents.
It was amazing to see how engaged all the kids were in the discussion, because it is something that affects them in their everyday lives in a very real and apparent way. I was also blown away by how perceptive the kids were on many of the dangers of the ultra connected world. They echoed many of my sentiments, but it seems that most were participating in them while despising them.
We closed out the night by examining some Biblical concepts that we can use when navigating the online world like the fact that we are not our own, but have been bought with a price and that we are called to, in everything, bring Glory to God (and not our selves.)
It was a great night, with tons of discussion and I think it will be something that sticks with kids for a long time.
Next week, the entire night will be organized and lead by our Youth Lead Team. I am excited to see the energy going into the night and especially to see what comes out of it.
Stay tuned for details :)
- Andrew
It was amazing to see how engaged all the kids were in the discussion, because it is something that affects them in their everyday lives in a very real and apparent way. I was also blown away by how perceptive the kids were on many of the dangers of the ultra connected world. They echoed many of my sentiments, but it seems that most were participating in them while despising them.
We closed out the night by examining some Biblical concepts that we can use when navigating the online world like the fact that we are not our own, but have been bought with a price and that we are called to, in everything, bring Glory to God (and not our selves.)
It was a great night, with tons of discussion and I think it will be something that sticks with kids for a long time.
Next week, the entire night will be organized and lead by our Youth Lead Team. I am excited to see the energy going into the night and especially to see what comes out of it.
Stay tuned for details :)
- Andrew
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Some missing posts
So let me catch you up on what you have missed.
We ended the Kingdom of God series with a night of worship. It was fun to sing together and the kids asked to do it more regularly.
We now find ourselves in the middle of a new series called "The Search for Truth" where we are learning to discern God's truth in media (meaning music, TV, movies, Facebook and so on).
The first week we laid out the tools necessary for assessing if what we are watching/listening to/partaking in is something that is good for us to do. Using Philippians 4:8 we ask 3 Questions
1. Is it True?
2. Is it Excellent?
3. Is it Wise?
By "true" we mean "does it line up with God's design for life?" Perspective is huge here. There can be "questionable" content, in some of the things teens may watch, but that really isn't the bottom line. We asked in what you are watching is the sin being portrayed as sin, or is it being glorified as something to be sought after and admired? That is a huge question.
By excellent we mean, does it portray real life accurately and is it well done. Some songs can hit us like a ton of bricks because they say exactly what we wish we could express. That is an excellent song.
By wise we mean "is this something that is Spiritually Healthy? for me to be a part of?" sometimes things may be well done, and true, but not great for particular people to be watching or listening to.
This past week we had the kids go away and watch and listen to things they decided on in their D groups. Although the kids were wired (we are only a few days away from March Break) the discussion was pretty good. It was cool to see some of them really getting it.
We will continue the conversation over the next few weeks, but we will be taking a break next week to play some games and eat some food.
If your kids are planning on coming to our march break madness & mall rally event (for more details check out our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/events/397586496922059/ ) make sure they bring a permission form (or you speak to me directly)
Thanks, see ya in a couple weeks.
- Andrew
We ended the Kingdom of God series with a night of worship. It was fun to sing together and the kids asked to do it more regularly.
We now find ourselves in the middle of a new series called "The Search for Truth" where we are learning to discern God's truth in media (meaning music, TV, movies, Facebook and so on).
The first week we laid out the tools necessary for assessing if what we are watching/listening to/partaking in is something that is good for us to do. Using Philippians 4:8 we ask 3 Questions
1. Is it True?
2. Is it Excellent?
3. Is it Wise?
By "true" we mean "does it line up with God's design for life?" Perspective is huge here. There can be "questionable" content, in some of the things teens may watch, but that really isn't the bottom line. We asked in what you are watching is the sin being portrayed as sin, or is it being glorified as something to be sought after and admired? That is a huge question.
By excellent we mean, does it portray real life accurately and is it well done. Some songs can hit us like a ton of bricks because they say exactly what we wish we could express. That is an excellent song.
By wise we mean "is this something that is Spiritually Healthy? for me to be a part of?" sometimes things may be well done, and true, but not great for particular people to be watching or listening to.
This past week we had the kids go away and watch and listen to things they decided on in their D groups. Although the kids were wired (we are only a few days away from March Break) the discussion was pretty good. It was cool to see some of them really getting it.
We will continue the conversation over the next few weeks, but we will be taking a break next week to play some games and eat some food.
If your kids are planning on coming to our march break madness & mall rally event (for more details check out our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/events/397586496922059/ ) make sure they bring a permission form (or you speak to me directly)
Thanks, see ya in a couple weeks.
- Andrew
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