YOU'RE INVITED! For a typical year,  we have 60 days of “lessons” (available on line), 40 days of “missions”, 18 days of “fellowship” and 8 days for  “fundraisers”, not to mention Sunday School, Travel opts. and hosting the state wide spiritual  evelopment program “Chrysalis”  JOIN US!

Fan the Flames of Kids’ Faith This Summer What is on your teenagers’ to-do list during these “lazy” days of summer? Chances are it includes catching up on much-needed rest, hanging out with friends, and some type of work, lessons, or camp. But does faith development make the cut? In Group Magazine, longtime youth minister Steve Case writes about six spiritual disciplines that help kids—and adults—connect with God: Solitude—On long drives, have some iPod-free times for reflection and prayer. Also set up a quiet place at home for Bible study. Simplicity—Pare down your schedules and your “stuff.” Keeping things simple leads to generosity, self-discovery, and purpose. Abandon—Be willing to live without the approval of the rest of the world. Serve without expecting acknowledgment. Submission—Trust God as almighty and good. Treat people as God’s treasures. Worship—Honor God through conversation, not recitation. Expand your worship to everyday experiences. Fellowship—Establish faith traditions, pick a favorite song and Bible verse, and keep Jesus at the center of your family. Summer can lend itself not only to physical getaways but to spiritual getaways as well. When sunshine beckons, it seems tougher to attend church and spend time with God. Your teenager might be going on a mission trip or other youth group outing, which can change lives and build faith. But summer also is a great time for your family to talk about God and deepen your relationship with him. Use travel time to spark in-depth conversations about kids’ beliefs. Pray together while exploring God’s creation, sing together at Christian concerts, and worship together at outdoor services. You might even visit different churches to spark teenagers’ thoughts about what they believe and why. Summer offers plenty of volunteer opportunities, too. As a family, help with your church’s vacation Bible school, assist with a local service project, or let kids pick a new charity you can support together. Use the ideas and insights from this newsletter to give kids a summer to remember—and a faith that lasts.   PulsePulsePulsePulsePulsePulsePulse Even spiritually active teenagers are at risk for disengaging from Christianity when they become young adults. Consider these findings—and take steps now to prevent the same thing from happening to your kids: 81% of teenagers say they’ve attended church for a period of at least two months. 61% of young adults had attended church during adolescence but are now “spiritually disengaged” (not actively attending church, reading the Bible, or praying). Only 20% of young adults have maintained a level of spiritual activity consistent with their high school experiences. (The Barna Group)    Great Questions ...to Ask Your Kids  What’s the state of your teenagers’ faith? Is it growing, stagnant, or somewhere in between? Use these questions to find out if your kids are standing firm or faltering: 1. How strong would you rank your faith right now, with “10” being strong and “1” being weak? 2. What’s the best part of your relationship with God? What needs work, and why? 3. What questions do you have about God and faith? 4. What are some ways you live out your faith? How easy or tough is it to put your faith into action? 5. What would it look like to have an “extreme” faith?    THE PARENT POVPoint of View Youth minister Greg Stier insists that “doctrine” isn’t a dirty word. Teenagers (and parents) might view it as impractical, irrelevant, and divisive, he says. But it’s really “the pathway upon which we come into the presence and power of God.” Stier offers these suggestions: Remember that doctrine simply means teaching. Don’t get so occupied with spending quality time with your kids that you neglect to find out exactly what they believe. Focus on the three “Go” truths that every teenager should know as they transition into the world as an adult. These are God, God’s Word, and God’s Son. Teach teenagers that it’s okay to reject false doctrines. For example, make sure kids know that Jesus was sinless, that the Bible is 100% accurate, and that as Christians, good deeds alone won’t get them into heaven. Equip kids to live out their beliefs in real, relevant ways. Biblical instruction without practical application leads to the breeding of hypocrites.   GOD AND YOUR FAMILY Pray that: 1. Your teenagers will use their summer wisely and grow spiritually. 2. God will be real to your kids and will speak to them through worship, prayer, and Bible study. 3. God will nurture your teenagers’ faith and keep it strong as they enter young adulthood. 4. Your teenagers will live out their beliefs and be comfortable expressing their Christian faith to others.   VERSE OF THE MONTH “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10) The most-important thing your teenagers can ever have is faith in Jesus as their Savior. It leads to the “end goal” of heaven, where we’ll spend eternity in God’s presence. Faith is the only route there. By believing in Jesus, who died and rose for us, we’re assured of salvation, the greatest gift possible. Make sure your kids receive this priceless treasure!   What’s Up With Kids The new Live Bible (NLT)  not only builds teenagers’ faith but encourages them to express themselves. It’s filled with writings and artwork by kids throughout America. Sidebars challenge young people to write, draw, or try activities as they respond to God’s Word. Here’s an activity you can use this summer: Read Mark 2:1-12. The scene is crazy. Jesus is rock-star popular, and everyone in town is coming to see and hear him. The house he’s speaking at is jam packed, and people are lining up just to get a glimpse of him. That’s when a group of friends do something crazy. They tear open a roof just so their paralyzed friend can get an audience with Jesus. And when their friend does, he is healed! Find a mat, rug, or small piece of carpet (even a towel will do) and sit on it. In the space provided, list some of your friends who need Jesus. Next, list some of the creative ways you could get them to meet with Jesus. You could invite them to Youth at West Heights. Write a poem about what God means to you and post it "Wall-to- Wall" on their Face Book. Draw a cartoon about your faith ,take a picture of it with your phone and send it to one of your friends just to see what they think. Anything—just think outside the box!   FilmWatch Movie: Hancock               Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama Rating: PG-13 (for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, plus language) Synopsis: Hancock (Will Smith) is an edgy, unconventional superhero who’s been irresponsible with his power. Although his heroics save lives, his careless attitude and actions cause incredible damage. The public is just about ready to get rid of Hancock, when he saves a PR executive (Jason Bateman) and discovers his vulnerable side. Discussion Questions: Is there a right or wrong way to use your God-given talents? Explain. What can happen if you’re careless or apathetic with your talents? Are you ever intimidated by the power God entrusts you with as one of his children? What are some ways to harness that power and use it for good, not evil?