Sr. High Parent’s Update – April 3rd
No Average Joe – Week 5
Resurrection
April 3 2013
Leaders,
As the aftermath of the Easter weekend passes and we look forward to the spring and even summer, I think that it would be fitting to pause and reflect again on the cross and the resurrection. As we remember the cross it is good to realize that it was not just the weight of His body that brought on death but it was also the weight of our sin. He died and rose again so that there would be victory over death and sin. We are able to find new life in Him because of what he did for us. The resurrection is such a crucial and critical part of the gospel, it is definitely worth our time and effort to dive into it and understand it better.
Goals…
- To get to know your group and build relationships
- To better understand why the Cross is so crucial
- To learn, discuss, and think about Christ’s death and resurrection
Conversation Starters…
- High’s and lows
- Anybody still do an Easter Egg hunt?
Dig a Little Deeper…
- Share something that you learned new tonight about Jesus’ death and resurrection?
- Do you think it is cool that Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies?
- What proof of the resurrection sticks out to you?
- Empty tomb, broken seal, disciple’s courage, eyewitnesses, Saul’s conversion, martyrs
- With so much evidence about the resurrection, why do you think that so many people still don’t believe?
- What are some things that you are skeptical about?
- Talk about the phrase “born again” … what does that mean to you?
- “Dying precludes resurrection” … how does that apply to our lives?
- What does it mean to “embrace the humility of salvation?”
- How should Jesus resurrection and what He did for you on the cross change the way you live your life?
Personal…
- You could share about when you gave your life to Christ and what that meant to you
- You could talk about what the difference of religion VS relationship means to you personally
Applications…
- Think of one thing you could tell a friend who asks a question about Easter or Christ or Resurrection?
Key Scriptures …
Prophecies
Hosea 6:2: After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.
Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Power of the Resurrection
Phil 3:10 I want to know Christ–yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
Romans 8:10-11
Promise of Resurrection
Rom 6:4-8
2 Tim. 2:11 If we died with him, we will also live with him.
2 Tim. 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.
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Sr High Parents Update – March 27th
No Average Joe – Week 4
Come As You Are
March 27 2013
Leaders,
It was very clear in the life and ministry of Jesus that He told people to “come as you are.” Many times throughout His life, Jesus met with sinful people who had many issues in their life and who society shunned. Each time they encountered a loving Christ who accepted them as they are. They crazy thing is that each one of those people left that encounter with Jesus different than when they came. Jesus’ life and ministry was so powerful that people could not help but be impacted and changed in His presence. This same Jesus is at work in the world today; He accepts us as we are, but our lives are changed when we open up our hearts and encounter Him.
Goals…
- To get to know your group and build relationships
- To better understand the life and ministry of Jesus
- To learn how people’s lives were changed by their encounter with Jesus
Conversation Starters…
- High’s and lows
- If you could only eat one fast food restaurant for the rest of you life … what would it be?
Dig a Little Deeper…
- Is there anything that stuck out to you from Jeff’s message tonight?
- Did you have questions about anything Jeff said?
- How would you summarize the message in your own words?
- Describe what it means … “A come as you are God”
- In what ways is this or isn’t this a “come as you are church?”
- Read John 11
- How was Martha’s life changed when she met Jesus?
- What can you learn from Martha’s story?
- What are some of the things that you need God’s help with?
- Does this story inspire you to live different?
- Read Luke 7:36-50
- How was the woman’s life changed when she met Jesus?
- What about this story inspires you?
- What is crazy about what Jesus does?
- Does this story have any effect on your life?
Personal…
- You could share about a time in your life when you were in need and God helped you out
- You could share about a time in your life where your life was changed as a result of your relationship with Christ
Applications…
- Pray with your students
- What are some ways for us to daily encounter this “come as you are God?”
Key Scriptures …
John 11
Luke 7:36-50
John 16:30
“Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”
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Sr High Parent’s Update – March 20th
No Average Joe – Week 3
March 20 2013
Leaders,
This week we are gong to focus on serving. Many of the students help out in many ways in their homes, schools and church. We want to take the opportunity to encourage them in that and challenge those who are not getting involved to help out in some way. We will be looking at the life of Christ and how He modeled this life of serving to us. Specifically we will be looking at the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet, which was an incredible demonstration of what it means to serve others. As the disciples were arguing about who was going to be the greatest in the Kingdom, Jesus does the opposite and humbles Himself by washing their feet. This is so cool and so exciting and so challenging.
Goals…
- To get to know your group and build relationships
- To encourage the students who are involved and serving
- To learn how Christ modeled this life of serving to us
Conversation Starters…
- High’s and lows
- Did you have a good March Break?
Dig a Little Deeper…
- Can you think of any ways that you currently help out or serve?
- What can be difficult when you are trying to serve or help out?
- What are some things that are fulfilling about serving?
- What is good about serving in Jesus name knowing that He sees all that you do?
- What difficulties could you face if you serve in order to get recognition from others?
- Do you think that you could find true fulfillment even if no one sees what you do?
- Are there any things that you feel like God might be calling you to do in order to serve?
Personal…
- You could share about a time in your life where you served and it was fulfilling
- You could share about a time in your life where you served and it was challenging
Applications…
- Pray with your students
- Discuss some ways to get involved and serve
Key Scriptures …
John 13:4-5
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Matt 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
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Sr. High Parents update – March 6th
No Average Joe – Week 1
March 5 2013
Leaders,
This week we are diving into a new series where we will be studying the life and ministry of Jesus. As we gain a better understanding of who He was and what He did, it should have an impact on how we live our lives. We are going to focus this week on the difference between “knowing about Jesus” and “knowing Jesus.” Zacchaeus was one biblical character that we are going to be focusing on since he was a great example of someone who was not satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus, but made sacrifices to meet Him and get to know Him.
Goals…
- To get to know your group and build relationships
- To understand the difference between “knowing about Jesus” and “knowing Jesus”
- To understand the life of Zacchaeus
Conversation Starters…
- High’s and lows
- Any plans for March Break?
- Have you ever done anything crazy to get to know a boy or girl?
Dig a Little Deeper…
- Have you ever got someone’s autograph?
- What would it be like if you got to spend the day with that person?
- What are some challenges about being friends with God especially since you can’t “see” Him?
- What are some creative things that you can do to pursue God?
- Have you ever given up something valuable in order to get something else?
- Why is it easier to do that, than to give something up for God?
- If one of your school friends asked you … how would you explain what it means to “Know Christ and have relationship with Him?”
- What are some of the sacrifices that Zacchaeus made in order to meet Jesus?
- What are some of the sacrifices that you and I could make?
- Do you feel like relationship with Jesus is worth the sacrifice?
- Read and discuss the key scriptures …
Personal…
- You could share about a time in your life where you made a sacrifice in order to know Jesus better
- You could talk about your own challenges in pursuing relationship with Christ and how you dealt with that
Applications…
- Pray with your students
- Discuss some ways to pursue relationship with Christ
Key Scriptures …
Phillipians 3:7-11
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Luke 19:1-4
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
more infoSR. High Parents update – Feb 20
I Respect My Breadbox
Feb 20 2013
Leaders,
The Bible talks a lot about sex, and sexuality, and sexual immorality. Some of the rules and guidelines are very clear, while other things are not very clear and somewhat of a “grey area.” I will be sharing some clear biblical truths with the students and when it comes to the grey area stuff I will be sharing my opinion based on how I interpret scripture. I want to encourage you when answering questions in your small group to be clear what is biblical truth and what is your opinion. And please don’t forget that answering “I don’t know” is always an option. Also, we want to be as supportive as possible to the parents and the guidelines that they expect of their children.
Goals…
- To get to know your group and build relationships
- To be a voice of truth on this very important topic
- To share both biblical truth as well as our own personal opinions and convictions
Conversation Starters…
- High’s and lows
- How was Valentines Day?
- Do you respect your breadbox? J J
Dig a Little Deeper…
- Did you learn anything new tonight?
- Did you have any questions about anything that was said?
- Explain in your own words what the “breadbox” story has anything to do with anything?
- What is a healthy approach when figuring out questions about “grey areas?”
- Why do you think this topic is so important to talk about?
- What are some of the biggest lies that the world tells about sex?
- What are some of the biggest truths that the bible says about sex?
- Do see the purpose in waiting until marriage before having sex?
Personal…
- You could share about a time in your life where you felt pressure to compromise sexually
- You could talk about things that you do to stay focused on Biblical truth in this area
Applications…
- Pray with your students
- Talk through creative ways to honour God in this area
Key Scriptures …
Exodus 20:14
“You shall not commit adultery.”
1 Thess 4:4, 7
“ that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable … For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
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Sr. High Parents Update – Feb 13th
GIRLS GUYS
Feb 13 2013
Leaders,
When thinking through this whole dating and relationships thing, the typical response is to look outward and choose what you want. I would like to suggest that the answer is found first by looking within. Once we gain a better understanding of who we are and what God has called us to be, we will be better equipped to know what we are looking for. Seeking God and pursuing Him will get you ready for the right relationship someday.
Goals…
- To get to know your group and build relationships
- To gain a better understanding of who God has called us to be
- To identify some things that we do wrong in this area
Conversation Starters…
- High’s and lows
- Get any valentines yet????
- Ever played that game MASH?
Dig a Little Deeper…
- Have you ever thought of what you would look for in a guy/ girl?
- What would be your top 3 things that you would look for?
- Do you think any of your top 3 things honour God?
- What does the world say it means to be a good girlfriend?
- What do you think the Bible says different?
- What does the world say it means to be a good boyfriend?
- What do you think the Bible says different?
- What are some things that teenagers can do to look within and prepare themselves for that relationship someday?
- Do you feel pressure to be in a relationship?
- Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Personal…
- You could share about a time in your life where you felt pressure to be something that you were not
- You could talk about an unhealthy relationship that you were in and the affect that had on you
Applications…
- Pray with your students
- What are some needs that you have?
Key Scriptures …
Matt 22:36-38 (22:36-39 in context)
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matt 6:33 (6:19-34 in context)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
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