Connexion Youth @ Trinity Park

"So That..." Series

2013-10-15T15:56:00.000-04:00

Starts this Wednesday!

Messy Situations Week 2 & 3

2013-09-26T11:49:00.003-04:00

Week 2: How big is YOUR COMPASSION for those outside your circle (Jonah's issue)?

Week 3: Tough times? Wait on the Lord. His plan > our plan even if we fail to understand. God will prevail. Picture below from our look at Habakkuk.

Messy Situations 1

2013-09-13T09:36:00.000-04:00

Never forget that GOD PURSUES YOU. His love and compassion to be in a loving relationship with you is greater than any messy situation you have in your life.
Watch the video from last night below.

Messy Situations Series

2013-09-06T09:35:00.000-04:00

Starts September 11th!

See how God worked in the Old Testament.
See how it applies to us today.
Powerful stories that many Christians do not know very well. We'll dig into 5 messy situations of minor prophets.

FLOAT Lesson Recap

2013-08-28T09:31:00.000-04:00

For four weeks we have been talking about the "fabulous life of a teenager."

Goals, stereotypes to overcome, finding causes you care about, and our final week was about preparing now for the future.

Be Prepared for what God has in store for you in the future (1 Peter 1:13-15)

We know Paul did amazing things...but it was his preparation for 13 years before his 3 big missionary journeys that made him capable to make a big impact. Use your years NOW so you are prepared for what God wants to do through you!

Being Accountable

2013-08-13T09:20:00.001-04:00

Youth Group Scenario:
We're so excited everyone is ready to (read this devo, study this book, read through the Bible together, use a 1 minute daily Bible). Then, a few weeks go by, with the only accountability being while everyone is together. Most are behind. Most feel overwhelmed to catch up or guilty (or at worst, don't care). As a result, no real growth occurs.

We've been wrestling with theses issues:
-How to help students develop spiritually through the rest of the week (besides Sundays and Wednesdays)
-Strengthen accountability so you don't feel alone in the process.
-Be more prepared to make their faith visible each day to those who don't have faith.

So, we're trying Faithlife.com. Why?

1. Mobile. It can be done on your phone (via Faithlife Study Bible app) or online. When it is with you it is easier to do then if it is a hard copy that you left at home, lost at school, left in a friend's car, etc.
2. Allows dialogue that provides some accountability.
3. Gets everyone into the Bible.
4. Like it or not, we live in an ADHD and twitter world. Short attention spans. We can only fight that so much. So, the more we can provide a small passage, a short statement, and one question to dialogue the more each teen can engage in thought on their terms, during their day, so it sticks with them in their current context.

Praying it makes an impact.

Mission Trip Recap

2013-07-16T09:56:00.000-04:00

A great time. Check out facebook for more pictures and notes from the week.

Each participant came home with a better understanding of their next steps for growing their own faith and living it out everyday.

Training Versus Trying Recap

2013-06-13T09:40:00.003-04:00

There is an enormous difference between trying to do something and training to do something.
-Trying to do a marathon won’t work.
-Training to do a marathon will work.

Example: sin of lack of Joy

Cant’ try harder to have Joy. Have to train for it.

What are some practices that can train me for joy?

-Make a JOY JOURNAL of things you're thankful from today and what you hope for tomorrow.
-Do things you love to do….events, people, food. Keep the joy-suckers out!

Example: patience
-Deliberately drive in the slow lane, wait in long line at grocery store. Looking for God to help you develop patience as opposed to just saying “I should be more patient.”

Everyone chose 1 thing they wanted to train for.
Here's a list of some of the things: Joy, Peace, Spiritual Conversations, Time alone with God, Spiritual Disciplines.

Read the passages on training right here!

Relationship Status - Week 4 Recap

2013-04-24T20:31:00.000-04:00

We have finished our series on dating..

Be the type of person you want to be with!

We kept it simple. We like to date people who have great qualities. For example, we want someone who trusts us. But, are you a trustworthy person or do you hide things from the people you date?

You want someone who is patient and understanding. But, do you have a quick temper and are quick to judge? Are you the type of person that the person you are looking for is looking for??

Make sure you are taking time to live up to the standard that you want in a relationship. If you aren't living up to that standard, then chances are the person who is won't want to date you.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

For recaps of the other weeks, click here.

Relationship Status - Week 3 Recap

2013-04-17T11:45:00.000-04:00

Purity paves the way to intimacy. Want to have the best marriage possible? Save your intimacy for your spouse. Every time you give away physical or emotional intimacy in a dating relationship you lose that intimacy you want with 1 person. Your future spouse.

Establish guardrails to keep you safe.
1. What you look at & listen to.
2. What you talk/text about.
3. Physical guardrails in your relationship. If you don't have them or can't discuss them out loud, then you shouldn't be in a relationship. It's that simple.

Flee from what causes you to stumble.
People, computer, isolation, person you are dating, etc.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 says to flee from things that cause you to stumble!
Ephesians 5:3 says to avoid even a hint of sexual immorality!

If you have guilt over past mistakes, then take them to God and seek forgiveness. You can start a new direction for your life today!

For recaps of the other weeks, click here.

Relationship Status - Week 2 Recap

2013-04-10T20:31:00.000-04:00

Simply put, sometimes we invest too much into dating relationships. We take them too seriously at an early age.

Proverbs 4:23 says "above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

When you over invest in a relationship your identity and self-esteem become too attached to one person. God wants us to guard our heart and make sure we don't allow one thing to rule our time, energy, emotions, and spiritual health.

We shared a few real life stories of college and young adults who looked back at their mistakes of taking teen dating too seriously and the damage it caused them. There is not anything wrong with dating in high school, just keep the right balance!

4 Helfpul Tips
1. Hang out in groups - Will help you understand who someone really is and how they treat others. Keeps our relationship from getting overly "you and me" focused.
2. Don't over think. Relax. Don't over analyze every word, text, and facial expression.
3. Minimize your baggage. Don't give to much of yourself away (emotionally and physically). You'll be better off for the future. We will talk more on this one next week.
4. Move on. Don't hang on to the past. If the relationship is over, let it be over. Move on! Wasting time in the past will not help your future (more on this in week 4).

Challenge
-Guard your heart and keep dating simple.
-Make sure you are letting the right people into your life (real friends, parents, etc) that can help you have a positive self-identity.

For recaps of the other weeks, click here.

Relationship Status - Week 1 Recap

2013-04-03T16:33:00.004-04:00

Tonight we started our Relationship Status series.

Here's a brief recap (note: if you want to see the video, come early next week. We also are doing a 4 week Family Feud Gender Challenge)

Bottom Line: We decide who to date and who not to date.

When we choose the wrong people it causes a lot of frustration, chaos, anxiety, and anger.

You have to evaluate who would be good for you so you don't find someone who takes you away from who God made you to be.

2 Passages that give a glimpse of what we should start looking for….

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God selects people based on the heart – refers to moral, spiritual life, emotions, will, reason.

Choosing a King is important and God shows us how to choose, just like we need to in dating.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

To be yoked means literally stuck together like oxen plowing a field. Don't get pulled in the wrong direction! Christians should not date non-Christians - there is too much emotional and spiritual distraction and compromise that can occur. (We discussed this in detail, but would take up far too much space here. Talk to Phil if you are having trouble on this point).

The application is in the form of a question: "If Christ is the most important thing in your life, why be involved with someone who has no regard for the very thing that is so important to you?"

If you can't share your love and commitment to Christ with this person, which is at the deepest part of you, then what do you really have to share?

CHALLENGE: Make a list of UNCOMPROMISABLES - things that the person you date must have no matter what. No excuses. These will help you when emotions get the best of you.
Examples: Strong faith, commitment to serve others, generosity, integrity, passion, drive to succeed, encourager, emotional stability, etc.

Compromisables are the little things that are less important such as hobbies, quirks, sports, etc.

Your uncompromisables list will help you know what you are really looking for and save time and heartache! For tips, see Phil.

Stretch Retreat Recap

2013-04-02T16:20:00.000-04:00

Here is a follow up to the Spring Break Stretch Retreat.
It was 3 busy days of "Knowing God's Story, Knowing Your Story, and Sharing those Stories."

I could share a lot of stories and details on the training, but I'll let the words of the teens who participated in the retreat share.

“The trip was great and really strengthened my faith and allowed me to be bolder. I didn't realize the retreat would affect me so much.”

“I always knew I should share my faith. This helped me know how to bring it up at anytime.”

“The more people I talked to the easier it was. It isn't scary to share my faith. I learned a lot.”

1 Peter 3:15 - Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

"Relationship Status" Starts April 3

2013-04-01T11:39:00.000-04:00

Questions about dating? Who to date? When? How? Why? Come find out...

Level Up Starts April 7

2013-03-29T11:37:00.000-04:00

Who: 5^th-8^th Graders

What: Level Up

When: First 2 Sundays of the Month

From 4:00-6:00pm

Where: Trinity Park UMC

Youth Room

(Enter through Door 6)

Why: 1. Gain clearer picture of the entire story of God and who he is.

2. Answer questions about your faith.

3. Have a place that moves you beyond Faith Finders (elementary) and prepares you relationally and spiritually for Senior High.

4. Help families have more faith conversations.

Senior High - if interested in helping to mentor this group, then please contact Phil.

Money Talks - Week 2 & 3 Recap

2013-03-08T11:13:00.001-05:00

Week 1 - IDENTITY comes from the heart recap here.

Week 2 - GENEROSITY

The Parable of the Rich Fool - Are you rich towards God (taking care of the needy and those who need to know God) or are you rich towards yourself (More abundant lifestyle for me)?

Challenge: Give to God FIRST (First 10% of your earning, your time, etc). Don't give God your leftovers.

Week 3 - RESPONSIBILITY

A. Give, Save, Spend (in that order).

If you give and save up front, then you won't spend all your money first.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 & Proverbs 19:20

B. PLAN - Know Where You Want to Go - Have Goals.

Read Luke 14:28-30

C. Responsibility - We are Stewards of what God Gives Us. Lead well.

Read Titus 1:7-9

D. Management Tools - Know How to BUDGET. Don't blow your money on worthless stuff.

Read Proverbs 12:11

We looked over Phil's family budget by % and discussed them as well as looking at Dave Ramsey's recommended % for each category in a budget. See Phil if you want to go over this.

E. Understand Compound Interest

1. This can help you save money if you start early (we cited examples such as this one).

2. This can destroy you if it is unpaid debt. (Proverbs 22:7 - borrower is slave to the lender).

-Don't let your student loans destroy the rest of your life.

-Live within your means. Don't try to live it up to meet how others are living.

-Choose cars (pay cash if at all possible) wisely and keep them a long time.

-The longer a loan is, the more money you pay.

-Avoid 30 year home mortgages like the plague. They take away your ability to give and save. Just because the bank is willing to loan you a certain amount doesn't mean you have to take a loan for that much. A big house with stressed people over money is far less fun than a smaller (still plenty big) house with no worries over money.

STUDENT LOANS!!!

-How much debt are you willing to go into? What will that equate to in monthly payments as an adult?

-Do what God wants you to do with your career, but if your career is a low income (social work, teaching, etc) than choose your college wisely so you don't have so much debt that you can never spend time at home with your kids.

-Make sacrifices now to make life easier later.

-Work hard for scholarships, especially if you want to go to a private school.

-Punch in numbers in this loan calculator to fully understand how much money you may owe someday! This can work on cars, homes, and student loans.

The average college student has $27,000 in student loans. See the image below to see what that means. A $27,000 loan turns into $49,000 in payments!!! Of course, having less loans, pay off the loan early, and so forth will minimize the amount of interest you pay.

Money Talks - Week 1 Recap

2013-02-22T10:22:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 6: 6-19
⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ……………….

¹⁷Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Does the passage condemn having money? NO

What does it warn against? The desire/eagerness/hope to be “rich”

Why do people go after “wealth and riches?”

– Security, Happiness, Approval/Popularity, Tangible, Cultural (it's all they know).

Ecclesiastes 5: 10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

………..¹⁹Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God. ²⁰He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Option 1: “Love money” = heart is focused on money – leads to grief, evils, false hope, wandering from their faith, Ecclesiastes 5:17 says toils in frustration, suffering, and anger.

Option 2: Focused on God’s design = CONTENT, GLADNESS OF HEART, generosity, good deeds for others, willing to share, enjoy what you have and be happy in your work!

The very things we said about “why people go after riches” (security, happiness, etc) are the exact opposite of what they get. When focused on $ they get griefs, suffering, frustration!!!

Our identity comes from the heart is the foundation to how we handle our money. Do we love money or do we love God and see our resources as a way to fulfill his plans!

If our heart isn't in the right place, then there's no way we'll handle our money correctly!

Below is our index prayer card. Keep praying for your partner!

Spring Break Retreat - NEW DATE

2013-02-12T12:21:00.001-05:00

Pick up the info on the facebook page or in the youth room.
NEW DATE due to school now being held on March 19th because of last Friday's ice storm.

Lukman Update

2013-01-29T15:40:00.002-05:00

Lukman is growing up!

"Why Church?" - 3 week Recap

2013-01-24T09:57:00.003-05:00

We are 3 weeks into our "Why Church?" series. Here's a recap so far...

There’s a movement going on among people who say they are followers of Christ and yet have given up on being part of the church. They claim they can have faith in Christ and serve him apart from the church. This has the potential to extremely limit God’s ability to work in this world. It is a major threat.

Why is it happening?

1. People say they are too busy.

2. Or that the church isn't perfect.

3. Or they think they can grow in their faith on their own.

The Problem

1. They misunderstand that church (God's movement of people) can make life better, not busier.

2. They are quitting instead of helping make the church stronger.

3. They have a false theology. The Bible doesn't teach isolation. It teaches community and support.

Solution

1. Get your priorities in order. Eliminate the fluff in your life.

2. Get involved in making the church stronger.

3. Surround yourself with people wiser than you. And then help others!

Why is the church important? Why was it created?
1. Overcome Satan’s work in this world. Matthew 16:18

2. Unity – Acts 20:28

3. Empowered by Christ and Holy Spirit – Ephesians 1:22, 2:18-20, 4:15

4. Numerical & Spiritual Growth of those who place their faith in Christ as Savior. Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20

We're looking at 5 purposes of the Church:

1. DISCIPLESHIP – A disciple is a follower of a mentor, teacher. You learn to do what they do. Discipleship is helping people be more like Christ by trusting in him and following his teachings.

Most effective discipleship (voted by you): Parent to child, Christian mentor, small group, 1 Time Event. Sermon.

DO YOU HAVE THESE DISCIPLESHIP METHODS HELPING YOU GROW?

Are you helping others?

2. EVANGELISM - Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and that salvation is only available through him. Most effective evangelism (voted by you): Praying daily with others & sharing why you act out of love. Invite others to small group/church. Share your testimony of how God changed your life.

Biggest issue: Having a BURDEN for others. Stay focused and eliminate your fear.

3. WORSHIP- Giving honor and glory to God in all that you do.
How does a Christian worship God? Through being thankful for who he is and what he has done for us. By eliminating things in our life that distract us from keeping God #1 (we call these idols). Through reading the Bible, prayer, singing, giving, fasting, and how you give your resources (money, time, actions) for God to work. The best form of worship doesn't happen in a church service. It happens through daily obedience in all that you do.

#4 and #5 coming in the next 2 weeks...

Misused Verses 4 - Jeremiah 29:11

2012-12-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

We finished up our Misused Verses series on Wednesday.

Jeremiah ^29:11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This verse is often used to say that God will give us great blessings in the near future. Some even try to use it to support the "American Dream" that God will give you great earthly treasures.

But, Jeremiah, a prophet, was writing this letter to let God's people know that they will be going into exile (i.e. slavery) for 70 years (see Jeremiah 25) because of their disobedience (false idols, corruption, etc). King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian Empire were about to take over (we covered this in the "Pivotal Circumstances in the Old Testament" series with the last King Zedekiah).

So, Jeremiah 29:11 is God referencing to a nation (Israel) that they will prosper 70 years from now after they have faced 70 years of slavery in Babylon as the consequences of their disobedience. In other words, the promise to prosper if not for them, but for their children. Hope existed, but not until Israel really had to learn the lesson the hard way.

Read Jeremiah 29:4-14 for more context.

In a way, each Misused Verses we discussed had a similar issue: Are we really following God or are we hoping for other worldly benefits?

Bottom line: Christmas is about the HOPE that God offers us. The Old Testament shows time and time again that God offers himself and we often lose sight (or get "fat and sassy" as we like to say) and disobey him. This disobedience, also known as sin, causes separation with God. But, God always offered a way back to him through justice and mercy.

Finally, God offered one and only one way to be reconciled and made right with God. He sent Jesus, both fully God and fully man, to die for our sins. If we seek God's forgiveness and ask him to lead our lives and we follow Jesus daily, with the help from the Holy Spirit, then that is the perfect display of God's mercy and justice. Christ took our punishment on the cross- showing God is just because sin has consequences. And he offered salvation, showing he is merciful.

Never lose sight of how the Old Testament plays a part in the story of justice, mercy, and salvation.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Misused Verses - Week 3 - 1 Timothy 6:10

2012-12-14T10:05:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 6:10 “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
It is not THE root. Just one of the roots that can infect our heart and passion and poison us.

1. Being rich isn't the main problem. It’s the desire to be rich that can corrupt us.
2. Is our desire for stuff greater than our desire to know and follow Christ?
3. How you spend your money reflects where your heart is.
4. What is really keeping you from fully trusting in God? Is it selfish desires to have more? Is it fear, guilt, or uncertainty? Are you unsure how your friends/family will react?

Pray to God to eliminate those fears that keep you from fully trusting in Him! Keep seeking God's wisdom on how to live the best life possible by following his commands and teachings!

Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 for deeper insight.

Misused Verse 2 - Matthew 7:1

2012-12-06T11:45:00.000-05:00

Recap from last Wednesday:
Matthew 7:1 - Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
We like to use this verse as defense when someone tries to tell us we're doing something wrong. But, that is taking it out of context.

Jesus said this during the Sermon on the Mount where he was giving many insights on how to follow God with your life. He was referencing the Pharisees, the religious leaders, who were being hypocrites and making people follow a standard that they didn't even follow themselves!

In the next few verses Jesus mentions to avoid being a hypocrite and to also make sure you deal with your sin first. That's the context of this verse! You can only help your Christian friends with accountability if you have sought forgiveness and deliverance from your sin.

BIG POINTS RECAP
1. Don't be a hypocrite (say one thing and do another).
2. Judge your Christian friends through accountability in loving ways to keep each other on track.
3. Deal with your sin (plank in your eye) before worrying about others specks.

Read the passage link below!
Matthew 7:1-5
Other supporting verses include
Galatians 6:1-2 - restore each other gently and carry each other's burden (don't attack them when pointing out their sin. Instead, do it in a loving, non-threatening way).

James 5:19-20 - Care for and help return friends who fall away from God. They need your help!

Misused Verses - Week 1

2012-11-29T11:37:00.000-05:00

Last night we started "Misused Verses" - looking at popular passages from the Bible in the wrong ways. We'll do this for 4 weeeks.

This week was Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Paul wrote Philippians from prison (house arrest) in Rome. He had little but learned to be content with whatever his circumstance because he relied on Christ's strength for peace. Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" is not about God giving you the power to do whatever you want. It is about when life is less than perfect and not letting your surroundings control you.

Last night we each received a cardboard square like this one as a physical reminder. On the back we wrote down one thing that we worry about or stress over or let distract us from having peace and contentment through Christ. We are to give that over to God. Praying you are content that God is with you if you seek to follow him.

To read Philippians 4:4-13 for context click here.

Calendar Update

2012-11-27T14:56:00.001-05:00

We will now be posting our December calendar via pdf attachment's on the Trinity Park Youth - Connexion facebook page here, and no longer on this blog.

Teens will still receive hard copies at youth group or in the mail.

Thanks!