I know, I know! I
can’t believe it either! School is here again and I don’t remember summer even
starting!
Some parents cheer because order reigns again. Others are sad because they are
one year closer to graduation. And then there are some of you who are completely
conflicted in how you feel. You are glad that a normal schedule begins again,
but have a hard time that it has come and gone so quickly. But then hasn’t it
at every turn? Every age from infancy on has come and gone as quickly as a wink
and sometimes it feels as if we have missed so much of it.
So many firsts, so many onlys, so many times that we swore we
would never forget have come and then faded in the busyness of raising those
very teenagers!
We are very good at planning and scheduling and mainstreaming
and multitasking. For just a moment, be still. Be still enough to hear the
crickets with your teen on this late summer night. Be still enough to play a
game of checkers and then make the winner’s favorite milkshake. Even be still
enough to just listen at the bottom of the stairs as your teen laughs out loud
while watching their favorite show!
Psalms 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God!” Show your
teenager that it is necessary to stop for a moment if only because God commands
it. Know that God has created every moment and every moment was created for
you. Each moment with your teenager is a gift God has given you. Treasure it
because soon this moment will be a memory.
We are currently
doing a series based off the movie “God’s Not Dead”, which we will be showing
at SBC Family Life Center on Sunday August 31, 7pm. This week we watched
a clip from the movie, Josh, a college freshman, finds himself in a
philosophy class that requires every student to proclaim, in writing,
that God is dead. Josh’s faith makes it impossible for him to comply with
the professor’s request—and so sets him on a journey to prove to
himself, his professor, and his classmates that God’s not dead but very much
alive.
We spent our Bible
study time talking about what it means to be a stand-alone Christian,
using primarily Jeremiah 1:5, Acts 26:17-18, and Deuteronomy 31:6.
While you’re trapped
in the minivan, here are a few questions you might use to engage your
teenager in conversation about this week’s study!
+ Talk about
a time you had to take an unpopular stand, perhaps one you took
entirely by yourself. It doesn’t necessarily have to be one of faith—but make
sure it’s not one related to disciplining or arguing with
your student!
+ “Is there
ever a time when you felt compelled to go along with the group even
though you wanted to take an opposite view?” (Remember, this is an
effort to keep communication lines open and fl owing, so be mindful
not to judge or correct your teenager’s actions during this
conversation. One way you can do this is by relaying a story of
your own of a similar nature. If your teen conveys something that
requires your parental focus, engage in that at another time.)
+ “Is there
someone you know—and respect—who has taken an unpopular stand
despite pressure to do otherwise? Tell me about them—what’s
admirable? How would you take on those same traits?”
As
always, thank you for allowing us to make a small investment in the spiritual
life of your family. It’s an honor to come alongside you as you continue
to show your kids the walk of a Christ-follower.
Upcoming Events:
·
God’s Not Dead- Aug. 31 7pm All youth and families
invited.
·
Sept. 5- first 5th Quarter of the year, after the
football game til Midnight
·
Sept. 20- Fall Rally at Camp Cowen. Cost $5, sign up by
Sept. 14.
·
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