Resolution It's Your Move Work Zone and High Way Eat, make announcements - Ski, Worship Caravan Retreat  and introduce the session: Resolution  The beginning of a New Year is the traditional time to make resolutions. A resolution is a formal expression of intent to change. It declares your resolve and determination to be different. A New Year is a new start and can be a good time to assess yourself. What would you like to change? For example, in regard to the mind - do you need to change an attitude and become more open and less judgmental? Maybe you need to learn something new? How about your spirit? Has it been neglected? Is it drying up? How can you replenish it? Simply acknowledging it by appreciating the beauty of a sunset may be enough. Talk meaningfully to another person. Seek your spirit and it will find you, and you will be enriched. Here are some tips to help along the way.      - Don't be too ambitious. Don't set yourself up to fail. Set goals that are reasonable and reachable.     - Look at the New Year as an opportunity to do something exciting and new and not as a task of drudgery.     - Tell others about the goals you are making. When we tell others what we plan it increases our motivation to do it.   Break into small groups by grade  (Make adjustments for guests and small numbers)   Which Way Are You Moving? Work Zone and High Way (Small Groups) Self Rags & Brags - Have each youth share something bad that happened during the break. Then go around again and have each youth share something good that has happened in the past week.   Moving In  Work Zone & High Way  Remain in small groups.  Family ASK: * What do you like best about your family? * Finish this sentence: "One thing I wish my parents knew (or understood) about me is..." How can you help your parents discover that one thing this week? * If they made a movie about your family, who should star as your family members? Explain. (Or just describe the nature of each family  member&ldots;) * Why are teenagers typically described as being unable to get along with their families? Is that a fair description? Why or why not? * Who do you treat better, your family or your friends? Why? * What's one dream you have for your family? How can you help make that dream come true? * How does your faith in Jesus affect your relationship with your family? Be specific.   Moving On Work Zone & High Way  Remain in small groups.    What If Use the following questions to inspire interesting and fun discussions about changes in the New Year: ASK: * What three things would you put in a time capsule that your descendants would dig up in 100 years? * Which one of Superman's powers would you choose for yourself? Explain. * Finish this sentence: "One thing I want to do before I die is..." How can you make that "one thing" happen? * If you could listen in on a conversation between any two people in history, who would they be? Why? * How would your life be different if music were outlawed? Movies? Television? Christianity? * What's something you'd never order at a restaurant? * What's something you'd never do, even if someone offered you $1 million to do it? * If you could make up a nickname for your youth director or one of the sponsors, what would it be?   Moving Up Work Zone & High Way  Remain in small groups. Faith ASK: * Describe a time you felt God was at work in your life. Next, describe a time God felt far away. What made the difference? * How would you describe Jesus to a person who's never heard of Him? * C.S. Lewis once said that Jesus was either God, a liar, or a lunatic. Are these the only ways to describe Jesus? Defend your answer. * Why are there so many different religions? How can we be sure faith in Jesus is the way to God? * What's the hardest thing about following Jesus every day? * Finish this sentence: "If my relationship with God was the basis for a TV show, I'd call it..." Explain. * Finish this sentence: "The one question people ask about Christianity that I don't have an answer for is..." Explain.   Sponsors, write down the "questions" below: NOTES:         Moving Out Work Zone & High Way  Remain in small groups.    Letter to Myself Needed: paper, pencils, and envelopes Purpose: to identify what kinds of people they'd like to be 10 years from now   Read aloud Romans 12:1-2.  Rom 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.. Give each person a sheet of paper, a pencil, and an envelope. Ask Youth to think about the kinds of people they'd like to be in ten years, based on the Scripture. Have each one write himself or herself a letter describing that person. Have kids seal their letters in the envelopes. On the envelopes, have kids write their names. Gather all the envelopes and put them in a bundle. Tell the youth they will get the letter back when they graduate.   7 Ups Needed: "7 Ups" cut into individual strips or paper Give one of the "7 Ups" to each member of your small group and have them take turns reading each one.   1. Wake Up... Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?   2. Dress Up... The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?   3. Shut Up... Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise." Proverbs 19:20 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?   4. Stand Up... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good." Galatians 6:9 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?   5. Look Up... To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?   6. Reach Up... For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?   7. Lift Up... Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything." Philippians 4:6 ASK: What's hard about this "Up"?     Return to the Family Life Center   Closing Work Zone & High Way   Needed: "Happy New Year" printed one letter at a time on full sheets of paper. Gather in a big circle. Find a group of volunteers to hold and flip up your letters as you say each line below.   H appiness depends upon your outlook on life.  A ttitude is just as important as ability.  P assion find yours this year!  P ositive thoughts make everything easier.  Y ou are unique, with special gifts, use them.  N ew beginnings with a new year.  E nthusiasm a true secret of success.  W ishes may they turn into goals.  Y ears go by to quickly, enjoy them.  E nergy may you have lots of it.  A ppreciation of life, don't take it for granted.  R elax take the time to relax in this coming year.    Have everyone join in singing "Sanctuary"   Join hands, right over left, and say the UMYF benediction.   Gather for this lesson: paper, pencils, and envelopes, "7 Ups" cut into individual strips or paper, "Happy New Year" printed one letter at a time on full sheets of paper.