lesson loop 1.30.13

Middle School & High School
Last night we continued our series on Evangelism which will last for a few months, and will include middle school and high school students together.
We specifically talked about "Apologetics without Bruises".

apologetics 

plural of a·pol·o·get·ics

Noun Reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine.

Many times when we are discussing our faith with those who believe in other religions (or the religion of no religion), we give evidences for our faith in an extremely forceful and unloving way. Last night we talked about how we can have confidence in what we believe, but love others with the love of Jesus as we discuss our faith with them. Here are the main points:

1. Use apologetics as a crowbar, not a sledgehammer
   We want to pry open the box of their mind, not smash it to pieces.
2. Remember that only Christianity gives a preponderance of evidence on three levels:
   Experiential - My religion is true because I have experienced something real.
   Autopistic - My religion is true because it claims to be true (internally)
   Axiopistic - My religion is true because it proves itself to be true (externally)
3. Recognize that there is a force more powerful than apologetics (The Holy Spirit)
   We need to use "Soul Apologetics" - getting to the why behind the lie of what people believe.
4. Use Apologetics as the P.S. to the "love letter" of the gospel
   Don't start with all the evidence, start with the love of Jesus Christ - if you forget everything else, remember the cross!

You can see the video here: http://www.dare2share.org/videos/apologetics-without-bruises/

In our next youth group we will begin a brand new series called "Gospel Journey - Maui"
You can check that out here: http://www.dare2share.org/gospeljourneymaui/

lesson loop 1.23.13

Middle School & High School
Last night we began a series on Evangelism which will last for a few months, and will include middle school and high school students together.
We specifically talked about the "Passion Fuels" for Evangelism.
Why should we share Jesus with others?
Greg Stier gave 5 Motivations:

1. Obedience to God
2. Love for God
3. Fear of God
4. The Reality of Hell
5. Compassion for the Lost

In the video, Greg challenged the students to figure out which of these "fuels" motivates them the most, and fill up on that. Then, begin considering the other motivations, and "mix" these in. The Biblical fuels for evangelism are meant to be mixed.

You can see the video here: http://www.dare2share.org/videos/passion-fuel/

Next week we will look at an introduction to Defending Our Faith (Apologetics).

lesson loop 12.19.12

MS

"God as Judge"

The students considered a number of OT and NT passages which showed that God is Judge. Following up on last week's lesson that we are all guilty, this becomes even more of a problem when you consider how God is a perfectly Just Judge.

This was again a sobering lesson and small group time which hopefully showed students the bad news which prepares our hearts for the Good News!!

We ended our lesson time with the hope of the Gospel, and I really challenged students to consider whether they are ready to stand before God as Judge. In small group time, each leader attempted to be sensitive to where students are in their relationship with God, and minister accordingly.

 MS Growth Group Questions 12.18.12

HS

"In the Fray"
Ephesians 6:10-20

We are in a war. A spiritual war, where Satan plays dirty and is at work all around us. From the tragedy in Newtown CT last week to the struggles between teens and parents in each of our homes, Satan is attacking. We must fight back, and yet we have no power in ourselves. We need God's armor desperately, and we looked at how the Scriptures equip us in this supernatural battle.

 HS Growth Group Questions 12.18.12

lesson loop 12.14.12

MS

"All Are Guilty"

We looked at snapshots from Romans 1-3, focusing on Romans 1 in detail. This was a bit of a deeper lesson, but we focused on one simple point - We are all sinners who are guilty before God. 

Paul makes this case by piling up the evidence like a prosecuting attorney - Here are the reasons we considered (and we spent most of our time on the first 2) -

1. We suppress the truth (that God is eternally powerful and divine)
2. We exchange the truth
3. Being religious doesn't help
4. We are all hypocrites

Because of this, God lets us as humans follow our own way, and live for ourselves. Our only hope is the forgiveness of Jesus that is granted once the Holy Spirit regenerates a heart and that person places their trust in Jesus Christ.

We talked about "degrees" of sin, and how we are all guilty before a holy God, whether we are "religious" or not.

 MS Growth Group Questions 12.11.12

HS

"How to Obey Authority"

We talked about the very difficult task of obeying and submitting to the authorities God has placed in our life. We need to help students understand that God is sovereign and He has allowed (even placed) those in authority over us, whether we feel they are good, bad, or neutral. The slaves in ancient Rome would have struggled to respect their masters, and yet Paul instructs them that this is what God desires for them.

Right from Ephesians 6:5-9 we considered 3 ways that we can obey authority:

1. With Fear and Trembling
2. With a Sincere Heart
3. As You Would Christ

 HS Growth Group Questions 12.11.12

CPYU's Youth Culture e-Update 12.12.12

In This Week's E-mail Partner with CPYU! Media Highlights CPYU Parent Page Relaunched! Walt's Blog News, Research, Trends and Articles Free Webinar on YouTube College Transition Initiative CPYU Book Sale Save the Date Follow DKI on Twitter Radio Show Youth Culture Hot Quote CPYU On the Road Partner with CPYU!   The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers. Check out our new and improved online giving opportunities and Become a CPYU Partner today! Media Highlights Check out our page of current Top 10 lists! MTV.com Featured Video   Asher Monroe - "Why Worry" #1 at the Box Office See the trailer for "Skyfall" here This week's new CD releases. This week's new film releases.   Subscribe Today If this email was forwarded to you and you're not yet a subscriber, then click on the e-Update logo below to join our free mailing list.		CPYU Parent Page - Relaunched!        CPYU has relaunched their monthly Parent Page resource! It has a great new design and a simplified delivery system. Learn more about this resource by visiting the new website atwww.cpyuparentpage.com.    Click here to download a free sample!    Or click below to subscribe!     learning my lines. . . DJs, Phone Calls, Humor, and a Deceased Nurse. . . . Posted by Walt Mueller - 12/10/2012 The story coming out of London just gets stranger by the moment. You've most likely heard the story by now. Two Australian DJs make what we kids used to call a "phony phone call" to the London hospital where a pregnant Kate Middleton is being treated for acute morning sickness. While impersonating the Queen Mother and Prince Charles, they coaxed some hospital nurses into reporting on Middleton's condition...    Read the rest of Walt's blog here. Other recent blogs from Walt: Thinking About Marriage. . . Part 1. . . . - 12/5/2012 Kaepernick's Tattoos And My 90% Cotton Shirts. . . . - 11/30/2012 Faith, Filth, and Two-And-A-Half Men. . . . - 11/29/2012 Black Friday, Cyber Monday, And The Diversions That Never Work. . . . - 11/27/2012 Some Thoughts On Integrity. . . . - 11/26/2012 News, Research, Trends and Articles Parents, Teens, and Online Privacy (.pdf) - from Pew Internet & American Life Project Who I Am - MTV Sticky investigates Millennial identities around the world Younger Americans' Reading and Library Habits (.pdf) - Research from the Pew Internet & American Life Project Where Doubt Falls Short - An article by Jonathan Dunn for Relevant Magazine Study surveys teens' muscle-enhancement efforts Teen recruits smuggling drugs across border Parents of teenagers say they worry that online activities might hurt children in the future Most parents worry advertisers glean info about teens When parents take back Facebook Blazing sales for newest 'Call of Duty' U.S. kids continue to look forward to "iHoliday" Teenagers tell researchers it's a cruel, cruel online world More News... Did you miss our free webinar? CPYU offered a free webinar several weeks ago ago titled "10 Ways CPYU Can Help You Minister to Parents." Many of you expressed your interest in being able to access the video for this webinar, so here it is! 10 Ways CPYU Can Help You Minister to Parents - Recorded Webinar Click here to view the recorded webinar on YouTube.   The webinar titled "Pornogrpahy and Your Kids: What You Need to Know and What You Need to Do" was also recorded. The video of this webinar is available on DVD. Order it in CPYU's Resource Center. College Transition Initiative       Books Make Great Gifts... FREE Book Giveaway! What is one of the best books you have received as a gift and what is one of the best books you have given as a gift?    Read the blog here. Leave a comment to enter for a chance to win!      Like CTI on Facebook!    Follow CTI on Twitter!
Save on CPYU Titles!        CPYU is having a book sale! Visit the CPYU Resource Center to check out the savings! CPYU Banquet and Auction - Save the Date        CPYU's Celebration Banquet and Auction is being held on March 15th, 2013! Shady Maple Banquet Center East Earl, PA Reception begins at 5:30 More details to come! Mark your calendars to attend!   Follow CPYU's Digital Kids Initiative on Twitter     Follow CPYU's Digital Kids Initiative on Twitter@cpyudigitalkids to receive updates and news pertaining to digital kids. Youth Culture Today Youth Culture Today with Walt Mueller is a 60-second radio spot featured on over 850 stations across the U.S. and Canada! Listen to this week's shows here. Youth Culture Hot Quote        "If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching [it]. I'm on Two and a Half Men and I don't want to be on it. Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. People say it's just entertainment. Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you'll have a decision to make when it comes to television, especially with what you watch."   - Angus T. Jones, who plays the character Jake on Two and a Half Men, The Hollywood Reporter, November 26, 2012 CPYU Recent and Upcoming Speaking Events 11/10/2012 - The Digital Brain: Understanding Technology's Impact on Our Kids - Calvary Church, Souderton, PA 11/11/2012 - The College Transition: Your Purpose, Your Faith, Your Community - Bay Area Community Church, Annapolis, MD 11/12/2012 - Identity Matters: The Voice of Culture, The Truth of God - Lebanon Evengelical Free Church - Jonestown, PA 11/14/2012 - No Parent Left Behind - First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX 11/15/2012 - Understanding Today's Youth Culture - First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, TX 11/17/2012 - Hyper-Connected 24/7: Kids and Social Media - Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention - Dallas, TX 11/18/2012 - Growing Up in a "Porn is the Norm" World - Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention - Dallas, TX 11/29/2012 - Engaging the Soul of Today's Youth Culture: Bridging Teen Wolrdviews and Christian Truth - Youth Specialties Canadian Youth Workers Convention - Toronto, Canada 12/1/2012 - Ministry in a Culture of Narcissism - Youth Specialties Canadian Youth Workers Convention - Toronto, Canada 12/13-12/14/2012 - Chapel and Student Presentations - Whitinsville Christian School -Whitinsnville, MA 1/26/2013 - The College Transition: Your Purpose, Your Faith, Your Community - Nappanee Missionary Church - Nappanee, IN If you'd like to book a CPYU seminar or event, please fill out this form.    Click here to learn more about available CPYU seminars. Check out our calendar for more scheduled events. Link Disclaimer CPYU does not necessarily endorse, support, or condone the sites linked to in this e-mail. They may contain material that is considered offensive or objectionable. They are provided for informational and research purposes only as they are prevalent in youth culture today. Center for Parent/Youth Understanding                                                       717-361-8429

lesson loop 12.3.12

Family Night 11.27.12
I absolutely love when our families come together to worship God, learn from His Word, and have fun together. Family nights are a highlight as far as I am concerned. My prayer is that these nights are an opportunity for your family to have faith conversations that are meaningful, and hopefully those conversations will continue long after the night has ended.
We had a wonderful time last Tuesday, and the passage we focused on was Ephesians 6:1-4:

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV

It is amazing how God works these things out, since this is where we have come to in our high school study of the book of Ephesians. I was encouraged and challenged as I studied this passage, knowing that while godly parenting can be difficult, it is possible if we adhere to what the Scriptures give us for a healthy family. Children are to obey and honor their parents - this is what is right (fair). Parents are to lovingly discipline their children in such a way that they are not provoked or crushed in spirit, but rather so that they are guided into a deeper relationship with the God who also disciplines us.

Because parenting is so difficult, particularly in the teen years, we as a student ministry seek to come alongside of parents and shoulder the burden with them. This is our true privilege and deep joy.

lesson loop 11.21.12

Middle School & High School

As I studied the Ephesians passage for high school (Eph. 6:1-4), I realized it would be perfect for next week since it is Family Night. So, last night was a perfect opportunity to do something different.

I really believe we need to make evangelism a priority, and I know this is in concert with the elder's desire for the church overall.

In keeping with that vision, last night we talked about the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Each student (and leader) were challenged to share our faith, because that is our purpose here on earth.

We talked about how evangelism is a missing link in the process of discipleship. We build the body up (the church) with many excellent Bible studies, youth group, sermons, etc., and yet we are often not accomplishing the Great Commission of making disciples because we are missing the evangelism component.

We imagined what our youth group would be like if we all shared our faith more often, and at the end I gave Dare 2 Share's 48 hour challenge - each of were challenged to share Jesus with one person in the following 48 hours - in person, through facebook, text, at Thanksgiving, whatever.

Each of us on youth staff are praying that God would move in our hearts as a student ministry and that we would see new converts during the next year. This would be so exciting!

Here is what the small groups discussed:

Growth Group Questions 11.20.12

Matthew 28:18-20

1. What is your favorite youtube video?

(You can let the students have a little fun and talk about this, just don’t let them diverge too far or talk too long.)

2. Why do certain youtube videos go “viral” (spread like wildfire)?

(there could be a lot of answers here, but you are looking to help the students understand the concept of multiplication - If 10 people tell their friends about a video, and then all of those people each tell a person, it spreads...)

3. The Bible teaches in Matthew 28 that the gospel is supposed to go “viral” too. Each person who is changed by the gospel is supposed to share with others, who will in turn share with others. Why does it seem that it is sometimes easier for a youtube video to circulate around the earth than the gospel?
4. Why is it easier for us to tell our friends about our favorite video or song than what Jesus has done for us?

Leader - Talk about what holds us back - fear, lack of passion for Jesus when compared to the “stuff” in our life, lacking knowledge of the Scriptures...

5. Imagine for a moment what Ebenezer’s youth group would be like if during the next year each teen saw a friend believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, and then they joined the youth group. Dream a little bit, and talk about what that would look like.

Leader - talk about what would be awesome, what would be difficult (we would need a totally different youth room...)

6. Share 1 person who you know needs to follow Jesus but hasn’t yet. Spend a few minutes praying for the people your group mentioned.

Leader - you may want to jot these down or have a teen do that.

7. If you still have time, talk about what the gospel is. Use the G.O.S.P.E.L. acrostic if it is helpful -

God created us to be with Him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sins separate us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. (Genesis 4 - Malachi 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew - Luke)

Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life. (John)

Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever. (Acts - Revelation)