Please make sure you complete the 2013 permission form for your students. This form covers everything for the year, but please make sure to check it before your child(ren) leave on a trip to make sure we do have it and that all of the information is current and up to date. Please click here to access the form and then return the completed form to Beth Wolff.

Schedule of Events:

SU Sunday Mornings
continue every week at 9:30 and 11:00am, except Nov. 25, Dec. 23 and 30

SU Nights
continues every week, except Nov. 21, Dec. 12-Jan 2

Last SU Nights of the Year
December 5

Student Union Christmas Party
December 12

Snow Day (High School only)
January 12

Middle School Winter Camp
January 18-21

Breakfast Sunday
January 27

High School Winter Camp
Feb 15-18

So excited that you are coming to summer camp with us! Make sure you mark your calendars for June 3-8, as Summer Camp 2012! Here is all the information that you will need to know. Although this message is a little bit lengthy, you are responsible for knowing all of this information. After reading the whole email, if you have any questions, please shoot me an email at bwolff@mountainpark.org or call my cell (317.835.5794) and I would love to chat with you about any questions or concerns.

Packing List

Clothes for the week (THERE IS A DRESS CODE…see below)
A modest swimsuit (no 2 pieces)
Sleeping Bag & Pillow
2 Towels (for shower & pool)
Toiletries (toothbrush/paste, etc.)
Bible, notebook, pen
Closed toed shoes (you can bring sandals too if you like)
Money for Snack bar (optional- the camp suggests $20-30)
Rx Medication (see note on Rx meds)
WATER BOTTLE

Dress Code

Modesty is key here—we don’t want to see bras, breasts, bellies, or behinds

Girls
No spaghetti strap tank tops, tight shirts, bare midriffs, tight shorts or short-shorts. No two-piece swimsuits

Boys
No saggy pants, exposed boxers, short-shorts, or super tight pants

Everyone
It is best to bring regular t-shirts & shorts that go to the mid-thigh, as well as closed toe shoes for outdoor activities.

Color Wars Summer 2012

At camp, UCYC does color war competitions. Every day at camp is a “holiday” as apart of the competition. By participating, your team can earn color team points. For some of these, you might want to bring some extra supplies. Please prepare for the following holidays:

Mohawk Monday - The team with the most mohawks shown to their color captain wins. These may be created in whatever way you would like. Be creative.

Color War Wednesday- The team that has the most people dressed up in their team colors wins. There will be extra points for the best dressed.

Throwback Thursday- The team that has the most individuals dressed up in clothes from a different time period wins. This can be any time period, culture, or style as long as it is modest and not from 2000-2012.

Do Not Bring

Cell Phones, gaming systems, iPods/mp3 Players (not even for the bus)
Any tobacco products, alcohol, drugs/ paraphernalia
Firearms or weapons (of any kind)
Pets or other animals
Bad Attitudes

Medications

1. Prescription meds must be placed in a zip lock bag and clearly labeled: 
Last Name, First Name,
Church, Grade
2. Upon arrival at UCYC, Pastor turns in labeled, bagged meds, to UCYC at Registration.
3. The UCYC nurse will keep all medications in her possession or locked away to maintain secure of safe keeping of all prescription medications.
4. Medication will be administered at meal times outside the Dining Hall. One sponsor from each church will escort their campers to the designated location.
5. Each time a medication is distributed, it must be logged by the UCYC nurse.
6. If meds are needed a night the nurse will administer the medication at night from a central location.
7. Upon departure, a sponsor or pastor from each church, will “check out” their campers medications to return home.
8. OTC medication must be placed in a clear zip lock bag and clearly labeled:  Last Name, First Name, Church, Grade
9. If needed, the campers sponsor can call the UCYC nurse to gain access to the medication.

***Epi Pens and Inhalers are permitted to be carried by the student or their leaders.

Registration and Needed Forms

There are two forms you MUST have completed before coming to drop your student off:

1) MPCC Permission Form We might have one on file, but to be safe you can download one here: http://mountainpark.org/student-blog/2012-student-permission-form/

2) UCYC Forms (must be completed online!!!!) To complete these forms please follow these instructions:
Go to register.ucyc.com
Click “My Account”
Click the link for a forgotten password-a password will be emailed to you immediately. Go back to “My Account” and log in using your new password.
Click “View Itineraries”
Click “Name Attendee”
Click “Send Request Code”
Enter the parent email address, camper name and parent name, and an email will be immediately generated to the parents. The email has a link to click and a request code to enter. The link takes them to our website where they will fill out all of the necessary information to complete the UCYC portion of the registration process.

Travel

We will be traveling on a charter bus driven by American Explorer Motorcoach.

Departure

Meet at the church on Sunday at 1:30 pm for registration- Each child MUST have a completed and signed permission slip before we leave. We might have one on file, but to be safe you can download one here: http://mountainpark.org/student-blog/2012-student-permission-form/

We will not be stopping on the way, so have your child eat before they come and please feel free to send a snack and water with them on the bus. It is about a 2.5 hour drive.

Arrival

Students will return to the church by 2pm on Friday. However, I will be coming back early to host a parents meeting at 1:30pm at the church to let you know some of the insider information on what went down at camp. If you are able to come, I think it will serve you well. If not, please do not come any later than 2pm to pick up your child. We will have your child call you if we are running late.

Camp Counselor Info

The counselor to camper ratio is less than 1:7. All of the counselors that will be working with our students are from our church and are both adults who volunteer year round and selected high school students. All leaders have had background checks, a UCYC Volunteer Screening, and have read the UCYC Counselor Guide.

Want to send your child mail?

To E_MAIL: Go to http://www.ucycsummer.com/camperemail.html Please note: Campers will not be able to reply to your email.

To MAIL: Use the format and address below to send mail to your camper (send it 5 days prior to the date you want the camper to receive it):

UCYC
Camper Name/ Church /Date of Camp
1400 Paradise Valley Road
Prescott, AZ 86303

To FAX: 877.560.3617
Include Camper Name/ Church/ Date of Camp

Emergencies

If an emergency arises while at camp, we will contact parents first. Only after parents cannot be contacted will we contact the person listed as the emergency contact. If you need to contact us while at camp, please call my cell at (317) 835-5794 or the camp office at (928) 445.0391

Houston, there is a problem…

While we don’t expect any issues, if there happens to be a disciplinary problem with a student while we are at camp, we will work to resolve it. However, if something comes up where the only solution that can be reached is for the student to return home, I will call the parent and ask for you to immediately make arrangements to pick your child up. If your child is caught physically or verbally bulling or teasing another child, he/she will be sent home immediately! Camp must be safe for all of our students. If you are sending your child to camp, you are agreeing to my judgment on dealing with these types of situations.

If you have any more questions, please let me know.

Thanks,
Beth Wolff
Pastor of Student Ministry

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Thriving families seek God first and set their priorities by His standards.  Frazzled families are unfocused and too busy to develop strong relationships with one another and with God.

Let's face it:  Life sometimes gets too busy and our lives go into "overload syndrome."  This means we take on more than we can handle.  Usuaing the illustration of car gears, here are the different levels at which we live our lives:

• Park:  A time for rest and renewal and to recharge your batteries.  Rest soothes, heals and gives you perspective.
• Low:  Quality time for relationship building with family, friends and God.
• Drive:  Uses lots of evergy, but it is a productive time.  This gear is needed to perform your usual daily tasks.
• Overdrive:  Reserved for times that demand lots of effort.  You can't always stay in overdrive or you'll run out of gas sooner and eventually burn up the engine.

Read each of these different levels to your family members, and then discuss the following questions:

1. Which gear do you usually find yourself in?
2. Which gear is your family usually in?
3. What are the three biggest overload factors in your life right now?
4. Sometimes life spins out of control.  What do you do to get it back in perspective?
5. As a family, how can we help each other to get out of overload mode and find some peace?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: When biblical principles are properly applied to resolving conflict, family relationships become healthier and communication is clearer.

At one time or another, every family experiences conflict.  What is important is how you as a family work together to address the issues and resolve the situation.  The following questions can help you examine how you deal with problems and challenges:

1. What types of things tend to set off certain members in our family?
2. How does each person typically deal wtih frustration and anger?
3. Is that method generally effective?  Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had a time when you said something you later regretted to a family memeber?  How did you resolve the issue?
5. What are some things you can do to avoid conflict with others in your family?
6. Do you generally seek out conflict or avoid it?
7. Sometimes when your family is in the midst of conflict, it helps to stop and remember the good times you have had.  What is one of your most special memories you have about your family?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Family members regard your very presence as a sign of caring and connectedness.

Read the following story, and then use the questions that follow to start a faith conversation:

My (Jim's) mom died a few years ago.  It wasn't easy.  Cancer racked her body and we spent most of a year watching her die.

We brought Mom home from the hopsital and tried to make her as comfortable as possible, so we moved a hospital bed into Mom and Dad's bedroom.  I would often find myself sitting on their bed while she lay in her hospital bed.

One day she was dosing and very weak, when all of a sudden she perked up and asked me, "Jimmy, where is your dad?"

"He's watching a ball game on TV.  Do you need him, Mom?"

"No, not really," she replied.  then she looked up at me and said, "You know, Jimmy, I never really liked baseball."

"You never liked baseball, Mom?"  I was so very puzzled.  "Did you ever miss a little league game of mine?"

"No."

"Did you ever miss any of my Pony league, junior high or high school games, Mom?"

Again she replied, "I don't think so."

"Mom," I continued, "you never missed a game and on top of that you never missed any of my three brothers' games either.  Dad and you watch ball games all day long on TV. What do you mean you never liked baseball?"

"Jimmy, I didn't go to the games to watch baseball.  I went to the games to be with you!"

I realized at that moment why this incredible woman has had such a powerful impact on my life:  because she was there, even when she didn't care for the activity.  Her very presence in my life was cause for great inspiration and influence.

1. Who has had the power-of-being-there influence in your life?  How has your life been affected or influenced because of this person?
2. What is the best part of knowing that someone will be there for you?
3. Can you think of a story from the Bible in which Christ had a power-of-being-there influence on someone?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea:  Family members need to express words of encouragement to one another often.

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. What was one special time in our family's life that stands out in your mind?
2. What do you most appreciate about your parents?
3. What do you most appreciate about your siblings (or children, if you're the parent)?
4. What is your most favorite funny family memory?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea:  When biblical principles are implemented in the home, stronger, healthier relationships are developed.

It's project time!  Give each family member a blank piece of paper to create a family "coat of arms."  Start by drawing a shield or a breastplate shape that takes up most of the page. Then divide the shield into eight sections.  In each of those sections, invite family members to draw or write their answers to the following:

• Family name
• Where the family is from
• Our family's favorite meal
• Our family's favorite tradition
• Something unique about our family
• Our favorite family activity
• Our family's funniest private joke
• Draw a family portrait

When everyone is finished, share your coats of arms and discuss!

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

In the 1950s and 1960s, many churches in America began to seek new ways of reaching out and bringing them into their congregations.  Many in the church felt that young people perceived church to be a stuffy, structured and dull place and that they needed to change this impression.  Many congregations began adopting a different style of worship, shifting from some of the older hymns to more contemporary-sounding songs.  Over time, Christian rock bands began to form that performed concerts much like their secular counterparts.  Today, Churches such as Hillsong in Australia have popularized contemporary praise music, which are typically led by a worship band in a church.  All of these shifting trends have, of course, led people to view contemporary Christian music differently.  Use the following questions to discuss this idea with our family:

1. When you think of "Christian music," what jumps into your mind?
2. Do you choose to listen to Christian music?  Why or why not?
3. What is your favorite Christian song?  What do you like about it?
4. What is your favorite secular song?  What do you like about it?
5. In what ways are Christian musicians different than secular musicians?  In what ways are they the same?
6. In Ephesians 5:18-19, Paul writes, "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit."  Some have claimed that the contemporary music heard in churches today distracts people from worshiping God.  Do you agree or disagree?
7. What are the benefits of filling your mind with music that focuses on God and what He has done for us?
8. Could contemporary Christisan music ever be a negative influence?  If so, in what ways?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Young people need to be selective in viewing movies and TV programs.

For this challenge, begin by asking each family member to write down on a piece of paper his or her top three favorite websites, TV shows and movies.  When they have finished, read Paul's words in Philippians 4:8:  "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  Now ask each person to consider how God would rate His approval of his or her favorite websites, TV shows and movies in light of this passage.  Have them rank each on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the least approval and 10 being the highest approval.  After you have done this, ask your family members if there is anything they feel they need to change about their viewing habits.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Whatever your put into your mind will eventually come out.  Put garbage in, garbage comes out.

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. How would you descibe the kind of food you eat most often?  (Healthy? Sugary? Fast food? Grown in the ground? Found in a can?)
2. How would you describe the kind of music you listen to the most often? (Uplifting? Glorifying God? Encouraging? Negative? Destructive?)
3. How would you describe the kind of movies and TV shows you watch the most often? (Educational? Encouraging? Positive? Mental escape? Violent?)
4. How would you describe the kind of books and magazines you spend the most time reading?  (Positive? Informational? Pleasing to God? Time-wasters? Trashy? Lowering your self-esteem?)
5. How would you describe the kind of websites you most often visit? (School-related? Helping you connect with others? Inspirational? Pornographic? Gossip sites? Distractions from reality?)

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: When a friend or family member has a potential drug or alcohol problem, it affects more than one person.  You can make some important decisions even if your friend or family member chooses no to change.

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. If a friend drinks and doesn't want to quit, which philosophy is the best idea?
   • Back off the friendship.
   • Confront the issues.
   • Preach at him or her.
   • Encourage him or her to get some help.
2. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement:  "People with drinking or drug problems sometimes don't need our help"?  Give a reason for your answer.
3. What do you think causes a person to abuse drugs or alcohol?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: The death of Christ is the darkest moment in history, turned into the greatest demonstration of love and hope the world has ever known.

A medical doctor wrote the following about the physical pain that Jesus must have endured on the  cross. Read this summary aloud and then discuss the question that follows. (Note: The following contains graphic descriptions that many not be suitable for younger kids.)

Like many others of His era, Jesus died on a cross by decree of Roman officials and endured on of man's most fierce tortures.  But unlike others, He also bore the sins of the world on His sinless body – a spiritual agony we cannot begin to comprehend. We can, however, sense to a small degree His physical suffering.

Once in the tribunal area, the victim was stripped and his hands tied above his head to a supporting column. A soldier was stationed on each side of the condemned, and they took turns beating him with a flagrum – a short handle equipped with leather thongs whose ends were tipped with lead balls or sheep bones.

The thongs fell where they would, the leather, strips burying themselves deep in the victim's body. When wrenched away, the lead balls ripped out bits of flesh.  Hemorrhaging was intense, and the destruction of the condemned's body so extensive that even some Roman soldiers, hardened to brutality, were revolted.

National law prohibited more than 40 lashes. Ever cautious to uphold the law, Pharisees demanded the beatings be stopped at the thirty-ninth stroke. Rome had only one stipulation: The prisoner must remain alive and capable of carrying his crossbar to the execution

Once the beating was completed, the near-naked victim was jerked to his feet, and the crossbar (weighing some 125 pounds) was laid on his shoulders. The condemned's arms were lashed to the crossbar, preventing a dash for freedom or striking out at his adversaries. A rope was commonly tied around his waist to direct his progress as he struggled through the streets. Romans preferred their victims naked; it was more humiliating. National preference, however, called for some clothing. The Romans usually agreed to this request by providing a loincloth.

Once the execution spot was reached, onlookers were held back and the victim was forced to the base of the stake. Then the crossbeam was removed from his back and experienced attendants threw him on the ground, grabbing his hands and stretching them out on the crossbar for size. The executioner placed an auger under each outstretched hand, and drilled a hole for the large crucifixion nail – a square spike about a third of an inch thick at its head.

The nail point was placed at the hell of the victim's hand. A single blow sent it ripping through the tissue, separating the carpal bones as I plunged into the crossbar. Paintings usually shoe the nail through the palm. Anatomically, this is impractical; the tissue cannot bear weight, and the victims would drop to the ground within minutes after being elevated.

Usually, the nail tore through the median nerve, creating an unending trail of fire up the victims arms, augmenting the pain that tortured his body. From this moment on, this pain would intensify each time the victim moved, for the metal irritated the open nerve endings.

Once the victim was in place, the plaque that had preceded him was nailed to the crossbar, which was then elevated and, with a thud, dropped into place on the pointed stake.

Before the elevations, the condemned a man's arms formed a 90-degree angle with his body. After elevation, the sag caused by the weight of an average man's body decreased this angle to 60 degrees, exerting a tremendous pull on each nail.

There was no need to nail the feet, but the guards were usually irritated by the inevitable flailing. To prevent this, they put on foot over the other and drove a nail through both. But this merely prolonged death.

If the Romans didn't nail the feed, the victim's body would hand on hits arms, causing it to go into a spasm that prevented exhalation.  The victim soon suffocated from an inability to use his respiratory muscles. The foot nail changed this. The urged to survive is ever present, even on the cross. It didn't take long for the crucified to discover he could exhale if he lifted himself on the nail in his feet. This was intensely painful, but the desire to breathe overcame the horror of the pain. This alternating lift up and drip maneuver became a reflex action after a few hours.  It could prolong live for as much as two days, depending on the individual's strength and determination.  To this extend, the perpetuation of his life rested in the willpower of the crucified.

As the hours wore on, the victim's mental faculties were impaired. His body became soaked with sweat. This became intense. Pain and shock were tremendous. This pathetic picture continued until the victim died.

Such was the horror of the crucifixion as Jesus dragged Himself from His knees in the Garden of Gethsemane to Golgotha. He had told His disciples – and this they could understand – that a man has no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends (see John 15:13). Before long they'd understand a love that surpasses even this – a love so divine that He laid down His life for His enemies as well. 1

What emotions, feelings and thoughts came to your mind as you read this account of the crucifixion?

Notes

1. Adapted from Edward R. Bloomquist, M.D., "No Guts, No Glory," Breakaway (April 1992), pp. 21-22.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: The truth and power of Jesus Christ's victory over sin and death are based on His resurrection.

The resurrection of Jesus is the best news ever presented to humankind.  Because of the Resurrection, we have life eternal and life abundant on earth.  Begin today's challenge by imagining that an intelligent group of people from a remote part of the earth has just been discovered.  Your job as a family is to tell them about the resurrection of Jesus and what it means to their eternal lives.  What would you say?  How would you describe Jesus' sacrifice to people who have never heard of Jesus?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: The Crucifixion is the condemnation of Jesus Christ as a criminal, but more importantly, it is the point in history where the sin of humanity is confronted by the love of God.

Discuss the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. When you think of the word "sacrifice", what comes to your mind?
2. Who is someone who has sacrificed something for you?
3. When was a time when you sacrificed something for someone else?
4. What images come to your mind when you think of the sacrificial love of God?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: The birth of Jesus Christ was a supernatural event foretold by Old Testament prophesies.  His birth shows God's love for our world and reconciles our relationship with God.

Read the following story, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

Once upon a time, there was a colony of ants that were busy doing whatever ants do with their lives.  God wanted to tell the ants of His love for them and His eternal home He had prepared for them.  What was the very best way for God to communicate to those ants?  The only possible way to speak to the ants was to become an ant and speak their language.  So He did, and they believed.  The Incarnation represents the ultimate act of God's love.  God answered the question "How do you package love?" by using a stable and straw and a tiny Baby.  The baby Jesus, born in a stable, was fully human and fully God.

1. What makes this act of God a sign of deep love?
2. Why is it so difficult to comprehend God's unconditional love?
3. Read Hebrews 2:17-18.  How is Jesus able to identify with you?
4. How can this Scripture help you live your Christian life?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: when making a choice to use or not use drugs or alcohol, teens need to first ask, "Who's in control?"

For today's challenge, read each of the statements below and ask your family members to choose whether using drugs or alcohol is (a) acceptable in the situation, or (b) not acceptable in the situation.  After the family members state their positions, have them explain why they chose that particular response.

1. Your sister and her friend pick you up from a party, and her friend offers you a cold beer fro the trip home.
2. At a party, the gang gets into the parents' liquor cabinet.  Everyone starts drinking out of a bottle of vodka.
3. You are at school, between classes, and someone asks you to walk into the bathroom to smoke a joint.
4. A boy you know says he snuck some of his mother's tranquilizers out of the medicine cabinet.  He asks you to meet him after school to take them.
5. Your parents take you out to a nice dinner at a local club.  Your dad orders everyone something to drink and tells you it's okay for you to have one.
6. One of the high school senors offers to give you a ride home and then tells you he has some crack that is pure and expensive.
7. On a fishing trip, you go up the river with your brother.  You are in the middle of the forest, and he says that since no one is around you can have a beer.
8. At one of the local hangouts, a friend says she has some bottles of cough syrup.  If you drink it, she promises you will feel as though you are in another world.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Drugs and alcohol can have dangerous effects on the body.  Christians are to honor God with their bodies.

Invite each family member to finish the following sentences to start a faith conversation:

• My perfect day - a day that would make me the happiest that would make me feel my best - would be...
• I feel good physically when...
• I feel good mentally when...
• I feel good spiritually when...
• If I'm feeling low, three things that help me feel better are...
• I get the most joy in my life from...

Now take the following quiz together.  If you're up for making it a real competition, make sure there's a prize for the winner!

1.  Heavy drinking of alcohol over a long time can cause damage to which of the following?

a.  the brain
b.  the liver
c.  the heart
d.  a, b and c

2.  What is the number one drub problem among young people?

a.  crack
b.  alcohol
c.  tobacco

3.  Which of the following has as much alcohol as 1 ounce of whiskey?

a.  12 ounces of beer
b.  8-ounce glass of wine
c.  12-ounce wine cooler
d.  a, b and c

4.  Which of the following statements are true, and which ones are false?

a.   Alcoholism is the same as being drunk.
b.  A person who is an alcoholic can control the urge to drink.
c.  After drinking, people often say or do things they wouldn't normally do.
d.  Alcohol is a drug.
e.  Long-term alcohol abuse can shorten a person's life.
f.  A child of an alcoholic parent is less likely to abuse alcohol.

5.  What are two ways alcohol affects the body?

6.  What are two of the main reasons that young people drink alcohol?

Quiz Answers

1. D. Alcohol can kill cells and weaken these organs
2. B. More than half of all junior and senior high school students have tried alcohol
3. D. Each has about the same amount of alcohol.
4. a. False. A person can drink and get drunk but not be an alcoholic.
   b. False. An alcoholic is not in control of his or her drinking
   c. True. As a person drinks more and more, he or she loses control of some faculties.
   d. True. A drug is a psychoactive substance that speeds up or slows does a person's body. Alcohol slows it down.
   e. True. Long-term drinking can cause fatal diseases.
   f. False. Alcoholism tends to run in families.
5. Alcohol slows down a person's brain and bodily control.
6. Peer pressure, to declare their independence, to have more fun, to combat loneliness, to reduce anxiety and fear, and so forth.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Teens need to commit their bodies to God and refrain from sexual intercourse until marriage.

For this challenge, put signs that read "agree" and "disagree" on opposite walls of the room.  As you read the following statements, have your family members move to the sign that best represents what he or she believes.

1. If you are really in love, it's okay to have premarital sex.
2. If you're not ready for marriage, you're not ready for sexual intercourse.
3. Premarital sex bases a relationship on physical aspects.
4. If you're pretty sure you're going to get married to the person, premarital sex is okay.
5. Premarital sex offers a false sense of intimacy.
6. People who have premarital sex are likely to cheat on their spouses after they are married.
7. Having premarital sex can have physical, emotional and psychological consequences.
8. Sex is the main way to show someone that you truly love him or her.
9. Couples--married or just dating--need to have sex to release sexual tension.
10. A person shows you that he or she values and cares for you by having sex with you.
11. Having premarital sex will impact your future relationships.
12. It's important to have sex before you are married to make sure you are sexually compatible.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: God created sex and wants the best for us.

Read each of the following statements out loud and ask each family member to decide whether it is true or false.  Have each person also give a reason for his or her answer.

• The Bible is old-fashioned and out of date on the subject of sex.
• Sex before marriage is a sin.
• The Bible says sex is very good.
• Christians should avoid sex.
• Young people don't have a good understanding of sex and sexuality.

Now have each member finish this sentence: "I think God views sex as..."

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: God's plan of salvation is woven throughout the Scriptures and can be offered as good news to a fallen world.

Read the following story aloud, and then use the questions that follow to start a faith conversation:

A doctor once told a little boy that he could save his sister's life by giving her blood.  The six-year-old girl was near death, a victim of a disease from which the boy had made a marvelous recovery two years earlier. Her only chance for restoration was a blood transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the illness.  Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.

"Johnny, would you like to give your blood for Mary?" the doctor asked.  The boy hesitated.  His lower lip started to tremble.  then he smiled and said, "Sure, Doc.  I'll give my blood for my sister."

Soon the two children where wheeled into the operating room - Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and the picture of health.  Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned.

As his blood siphoned into Mary's veins, one could almost see new life come into her tired body.  The ordeal was almost over when Johnny's brave little voice broke the silence. "Doc, when do I start to die?"

It was only then that the doctor realized what the moment of hesitation, the trembling of the lip, had meant earlier.  Little Johnny actually thought that in giving his blood to his sister, he was giving up his life!  And in that brief moment, he had made an incredible decision!

1. What were Johnny's conditions for giving to Mary?
2. What are your conditions for giving to another person?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: An important part of God's work on earth is to affirm, uplift and encourage others.

Have each family member finish the following sentences:

1. The most encouraging person I know is...
2. One of the most encouraging experiences of my live was...
3. I hope I can be more encouraging to others by...

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Jesus commands all believers to make disciples and carry on the Christian faith.

Read the following story from Matthew 28:16-20, and then use the questions that follow to start a faith conversation:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said,  "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

1. How does it feel to receive good news?
2. How does it feel to receive bad news?
3. What elements of good news are in the Great Commission - Jesus command recorded in Matthew 28:19-20?
4. How does this good news apply to you?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: True friendship brings out the best in people.  Friendship is an incredible gift from God.

Take the following survey together, and then discuss your answers.

1. How many friends do you have?
2. Do you have friends of both sexes?
3. Do you have friends who are five years younger than you?
4. Do you have friends who are five years older than you?
5. What's the craziest thing you've done with friends?
6. Who would consider you one of their friends?
7. What are three qualities you have that make you a good friend?
8. What qualities does your best friend have?
9. Are your parents friends?  Why or why not?
10. Do you have more or fewer friends than you had one year ago?
11. Are you a good friend? Why?
12. Who are the people you consider to be true friends? Why?
13. Who are three people with whom you would like to be better friends? Why?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: God desires us to become people who are trustworthy, honest and wise. A lifestyle of integrity leads to a fulfilled and happy life.

For this challenge, write the following statements on a separate piece of paper:  "strongly agree", "agree", "undecided", "disagree", and "strongly disagree".  Place each of these pieces of paper, which will serve as "signs" during this discussion, at different locations around the room.  As you read the following statements, have your family members move to the sign that best represents what he or she believes.

• God wants us to always tell the truth.
• The majority of people are people of integrity.
• Pastors have more integrity than politicians.
• If a store clerk gives you back too much change and you are already at home, you should go back to the store and give the extra money to the clerk.
• It's okay to share copyrighted music.
• It's okay to speed on the freeway.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: You can do something heroic for Jesus Christ when you realize He is your strength.

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. Who are the 5 to 10 people on your most-admired list?
2. What do you most admire about these people?
3. Which of these people would you like to be like and why?
4. What are some action steps you could take that could help you become the kind of leader God wants you to be?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea:  You can make important decisions to get your priorities in line with God's principles.

Read the following fun facts aloud, and then use the
questions that follow to start a faith conversation:

The average person who lives to be 70 years old will spend...

• 20 years sleeping
• 16 years working
• 7 years playing
• 6 years eating
• 5 years dressing
• 3 years waiting for somebody
• 1-1/2 years in church
• 1 year on the telephone
• 5 months tying his or her shoes

1. What can you do with your time today that will make a positive difference in your life?
2. What priorities could you develop to help you live life to the fullest?
3. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul states, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  What does this passage have to do with our priorities?
4. In Colossians 3:17, Paul writes, "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."  What does this passage have to do with our priorities?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

We have recorded the "parent’s only" part of the seminar and have made it available online. Our feedback from parents was that the conversations that each group had was equally valuable to the experience, and obviously, we could not include that on the audio recording. However, we hope that this recording of the large group aspect can spark some conversaion for your personally, or in a small group. 

Love vs. Fear (Session 1)

Session one lays a foundation for the rest of the sessions. According to the Psychology of Regulation, the way a person behaves is like an iceberg. Actions/behavior is all that seen above the sruface, but that is not all that is going on. Under the surface are emotions and thoughts that have triggered the behavior. These thoughts start first at an unconscious level, where the only emotions that exist are love or fear. Our (re)actions as parents and teens are based on the emotional switch from which we are opperating. Our first goal as an intentional parent is to opperate out of love, not fear, and then began to seek ways to have our teens flip their switch as well.

Listen Online | iTunes Podcast | Subscribe to RSS

Battle for Control

Session two paints a behind the scenes picture of how parents naturally lose authority over time, ways to increase your influence at the same time, and the importance of training your teen to become a functioning 25 year old. This session is pack with tools of how to be proactive in strategically handing over control/responsibility to teens before the battle begins, as well as, how to help nuetralize arguements when it does arise.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Jesus is our example of a servant, and we are to imitate His actions as servant leaders.

Read the following story aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith converstion:

Ever feel like a frog? Frogs feel slow, low, ugly, puffy, drooped, pooped. (I know because one told me.)

The frog feeling comes when you want to be bright but feel dumb, when you want to share but you are selfish, when you want to be thankful but feel resentment, when you want to be great but are small, when you want to care but are indifferent.

Yes, at one time or another each of us has found him- or herself on a lily pad, floating down the great river of life. Frightened and disgusted, we are too froggish to budge.

Once upon a time there was a frog. But he really wasn't a frog. He was a prince who looked and felt like a frog. A wicked witch had cast a spell on him. Only the kiss of a beautiful maiden could save him. But since when do cute chicks kiss frogs? So there he sat, an unkissed prince in frog form. But miracles happen.

One day a beautiful maiden grabbed him up and gave him a big smack. Crash! Boom! Zap! There he was, a handsome prince.

And you know the rest. They lived happily ever after.

What is the task of the Church? To kiss frogs of course.

1. What is the point of this frog-kissin' story?
2. How does being a servant leader relate to this story?

 Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea: Worship is an important but often misunderstood part of communication with God.

For each of the following words or phrases, have family members shout out the first thing that comes to mind.  They shouldn't think too hard about the answer - just say whatever pops into their heads.  When you've done that for each word, go back and discuss each family member's answer.

• Worship Music
• Sermon
• Communion
• Offering
• Praying together
• Time with God 

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  Every Christian is challenged by Jesus to serve the needs of those who are poor and oppressed.

Read the following poem aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

I was hungry...

And you formed a humanities club and discussed my hunger.

Thank you.

I was naked...

And in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was homeless...

And you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was imprisoned...

And you crept off quietly to your chapel in the cellar and prayed for my release.

I was sick...

And you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was lonely...

And you left me alone to pray for me.

1. Have you seen the Church sometimes act like the "Christian" in this poem?
2. Read Matthew 25:40.  What does Jesus say about serving people in need?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  The call to Christ is in the call to serve.

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. Who is the most "others-centered person" you know?  What impresses you about him or her?
2. How have you been served by a person or group in the past six months?  Have you experienced a significant act of kindness and service?
3. Share an experience you have had with serving someone.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  God has given each person unique girts, talents and abilities.  Discovering and putting into practice the gifts God has given you will lead to a life of fulfillment and effective leadership.

Read the following story, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

[The kingdom of God is] like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left.

Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same. But the man with the single thousand dug a hole and carefully buried his master's money.

After a long absence, the master of those three servants came back and settled up with them. The one given five thousand dollars showed him how he had doubled his investment. His master commended him: "Good work!  You did your job well. From now on be my partner."

The servant with the two thousand showed how he also doubled his master's investment. His master commended him. "Good work! You did your job well. From now on be my partner."

The servant given one thousand said, "Master, I know you have high standards and hate careless ways, that you demand the best and make no allowances for error. I was afraid I might disappoint you, so I found a good hiding place and secured your money. Here it is, safe and sound down to the last cent."

The master was furious. "That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.  Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this 'play-it-safe' who won't go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness" (Matthew 25:14-30, THE MESSAGE).

1. How does this story relate to using your God-given gifts for the kingdom of God?
2. Read Colossians 3:17. How does this verse relate to gifts, talents and abilities God has given you?
3. How can you use your spiritual gifts to minister to each other?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: The Church is the Body of Christ made up of all believers with a variety of gifts.

Read the following story aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude little lifesaving station.  The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea and, with no thought for themselves, went out day and night, tirelessly searching for the lost.  Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work.  New boats were bought and new crews were trained.  The little lifesaving station grew.

Some of the members of the lifesaving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped.  They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea.  They replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building.  Now the lifesaving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it as a sort of club.  Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work.  The lifesaving motif still prevailed in this club's decorations, and there was a symbolic lifeboat in the room where the club initiations were held.

About this time, a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet and half-drowned people.  They were dirty and sick and some of them had black skin and some had yellow skin.  The beautiful new club was in chaos.  So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwrecks could be cleaned up before coming inside.

At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership.  Most of the members wanted to stop the club's lifesaving activities because they were becoming a hindrance to the normal social life of the club.  Some members insisted that lifesaving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a lifesaving station.  But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast.  They did.

As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old.  It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving station was founded.  History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore.  Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown.

1. When was the lifesaving station most effective?
2. Where did the lifesaving station go wrong?
3. How is the Church like a lifesaving  station?
4. What is the purpose of the Church?
5. If you don't like the Church as it is now, what alternatives do you have?
6. How can the problems that the people of the lifesaving station experienced be avoided in the Church?  What should the members of the lifesaving station have done?
7. Is being a part of the Church necessary to being a Christian?
8. What can you do to help make your church a better place?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  God sent the Holy spirit to empower believers with guidance, revelation, power and conviction.

Read the following story, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation.

A farmer and his wife had eked out a meager living in the dusty panhandle of Texas for 30 years when an impeccably dressed man in a three-piece suit and driving a fancy car came to their door.  He told the farmer that he had good reason to believe there was a reservoir of oil underneath his property.  If the farmer would allow the gentleman the right to drill, perhaps the farmer would become a wealthy man.  The farmer stated emphatically that he didn't want anyone messing up his property and asked the gentleman to leave.

The next year, about the same time, the gentleman again returned with his nice clothes and another fancy car.  The oilman pleaded with the farmer, and again the farmer said no.  This same experience went on for the next eight years.  During those eight years, the farmer and his wife struggled to make ends meet.  Nine years after the oilman first visited, the farmer came down with a disease the put him in the hospital.  When the gentleman arrived to plead his case for oil, he spoke to the farmer's wife.  Reluctantly, she gave permission to drill.

Within a week huge oil rigs were beginning the process of drilling.  The first day nothing happened.  The second day was filled with only disappointment and dust.  But on the third day, right about noon, black bubbly liquid began to squirt up in the air.  The oilman had found black gold, and the farmer and his wife were instantly millionaires.

You have a reservoir of power in your life.  If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit works in your life.  The Holy Spirit will empower you to live life on a greater level, but you've got to tap into His power source, just like the farmer needed to drill for oil.

1. How does the Holy Spirit of God empower believers to live the Christian life?
2. How does this story relate to your own need to tap into God's power?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are the most powerful and influential elements our our Christian lives.

Read the following story aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.  He grew up in another village.  He worked in a carpenter shop until He was 30, and then for three years He traveled the country preaching. He never wrote a book.  He never held an office.  He never owned a home.  He never had a family of His own.  He never went to college.  He never traveled more than 200 miles from the place where He was born.  He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.  He had no credentials but Himself.

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him.  His friends ran away.  One of them denied Him.  He was turned over to His enemies.  He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.  His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth while He was dying.  When He was dead He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.  I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that one solitary life.

1. How do you feel when you read about the effect of Jesus' life on our world?
2. Why do you feel this way?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: The Scriptures are filled with God's will for our lives.  As we follow Him daily, He will provide guidance and direction because He loves us.

Invite each family member to come up with a list of 10 "I am"s. (Example:  I am a student, I am a Christian, I am a daughter/son, I am a softball player, and so forth.)  When everyone is done, share your lists!

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: Spiritual growth is not stagnant but, through the ups and downs of life, is always moving towards a closer walk with God.

It's time for a project!  Grab some blank paper and colored pens or pencils and invite each family member to create a two-year spiritual-growth timeline.  Use the following questions to create your timelines:

• Where and when did God seem especially close?
• What was happening in your life at that time?
• Where and when did He seem far away?
• What was happening in your life at that time?

Next, interview each other using the following questions:

1. When was the first time you remember God being present in your life?
2. When has God sustained you through a difficult time?
3. Who has been a major spiriitual influence in our life?
4. Do you have a favorite verse or Bible story?  If yes, what is it?
5. If you could ask God one question about spiritual growth, what would you ask?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  God will help us develop our faith and step out in faith.

Read the following story, and then answer the questions that follow to start a faith conversation:

Things looked bleak for the children in George Muller's orphanage at Ashley Downs in England.  It was time for breakfast, and there was no food.  A small girl whose father was a close friend of Muller's was visiting the orphanage.  Muller took her hand and said, "Come and see what our heavenly Father will do."

In the dining room, long tables were set with empty plates and empty mugs.  Not only was there no food in the kitchen, but also there was no money in the orphanage's account.  Muller prayed, "Dear Father, we thank You for what You are going to give us to eat."

Immediately, they heard a knock at the door.  When they opened it, there stood the local baker.  "Mr. Muller," he said, "I couldn't sleep last night.  Somehow I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at two o'clock and baked fresh bread.  Here it is."  Muller thanked him and gave praise to God.

Soon, a second knock was heard.  It was the milkman.  His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage.  He said he would like to give the children the milk so he could empty the cart and repair it.

1. What does this story tell you about George Muller?
2. How is this like or unlike your experience with prayer?
3. What steps can we take in our lives to have stronger faith?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: If there is a secret to Christian life, it is found in obedience.

Read the following story, and then answer a few questions to start a conversation:

On August 17, 1859, Charles Blondin, arguably one of the best tightrope walkers of all time, stretched a tightrope across Niagara Falls.  People came by train from Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada to see him walk across the tightrope that was suspended high above the raging falls.

The story is told that as Blondin stepped onto the tightrope, a hush fell over the crowd.  He carried with him a 40-foot-long balance bar that weighed 39 pounds. When he finally stepped foot on the Canadian side, a huge cheer arose from the crowd.  Then they began to shout in unison, "Blondin, Blondin, Blondin..." Finally, Blondin held up his hand asking for the crowd's attention.  He asked the crowd, "How many of you believe I can put someone on my shoulders and walk across?"

First one person shouted, "I believe" and then a second and a third, until finally the whole crowd was shouting, "We believe! We believe!  We believe!"

Then Blondin shouted, "Who would like to be that someone?"  All of a sudden, everyone became quiet.  They all said they believed, but no one was willing to risk their lives.

Blondin pointed a finger first at one person and then another and asked, "Would you like to get on my back as I go across?"

They all said, "No!" until he came to Harry Colcord, his manager, who said, "Yes."

Colcord got on Blondin's back, and a deathly silence fell over the crowd as Blondin stepped out onto the tight rope.  Carefully, step by step, Blondin made his way across.  When they were about halfway across, the rope started swaying violently back and forth.  Blondin broke into a desperate run to reach first guy rope, and when he reached it and steadied himself, the rope broke.

Once more the pair swayed as Blondin again ran for the next guy rope.  When they reached it he told Colcord to get down off of his back.  Blondin looked at Colcord and said, "If we are going to make it safely to the other side, you can no longer be Colcord. You have to become a part of me.  You can do nothing to try to balance yourself; you have to let me do everything.  If you do anything on your own, we will both die."

Colcord then got back on Blondin's shoulders, and Blondin began to wak and then he began to run down the rope to safety on the other side. 1

1. If you were in the crowd, would you have gone with Blondin?  Why or why not?
2. What steps can Christians take to act on their belief?
3. Why is it often difficult to trust and obey Christ?

1. Jim Burns, Uncommon Stories and Illustrations (Ventura, CA: Gospel Light, 2008). pp. 81-82.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: When you set a solid faith foundation, you will be able to withstand the trials of life.

Read the story below, and then answer the following questions to start a faith conversation:

In 1923, eight of the world's most successful financiers were living the good life.  To all accounts it seemed as if they truly had "gained the whole world," and the future looked incredibly bright.  But by 25 years later, each of the men had either filed bankruptcy, served time in prison or committed suicide.

Charles M. Schwab, president of the Bethlehem Steel Company, led an opulent lifestyle that included extravagant parties and hig-stakes gambling sprees.  Before the stock market crash of 1929, he spent between $25 to $40 million dollars, roughly equivalent to $275 to $440 million dollars in today's currency.  He lived his final years on borrowed money and died $300,000 in debt.

Samuel Insull was a founding partner of what would become General Electric.  At one point, his personal fortune was estimated between $73 million to $300 million.  When his empire collapsed during the Great Depression, he was charged with mail fraud and antitrust charges and fled to Greece.  He died at age 78 from a heart attack in Paris with 20 cents in his pocket.

Howard C Hopson, president of Associated Gas and Electric Company, at one time had a fortune of $74 million.  After the stock market crash of 1929, he was investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and filed bankruptcy.  He was convicted of mail fraud and sentenced to five years in prison.  He died in Brooklea Sanitarium in 1949.

Arthur William Cutten, the country's greatest wheat speculator, was one of the country's richest citizens in the 1920's.  He lost more than $50 million in the stock market crash of 1929 and was ultimately charged with improper trading activities and income tax evasion.  He died of a heart attack in 1936 before he could stand trial.

Richard Whitney was elected president of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929.  He is reported to have spent up to $5,000 per month during the height of the Great Depression, and as he fell deeper into debt to maintain his lifestyle, he turned to embezzlement.  In 1938 he was convicted and sentenced to a term of 5 to 10 years in Sing Sing prison (he served three years before receiving parole).

Albert B. Fall was a rancher, lawyer, prospector, miner, legislator and U.S. Senator.  He was appointed to Secretary of Interior by President Harding in 1921, but resigned in 1923 after being implicated in the Teapot Dome Scandal.  He was convicted in 1929 of accepting a bribe from an oilman and was fined $100,000, which he stated he now was unable to pay.  He was also sentenced to one year in prison.

Jesse Lauriston Livermore, known as the "Great Bear" and "Boy Plunger," was one of the most flamboyant and successful market speculators in the history of Wall Street.  While most people lost money in the stock market crash of 1929, Livermore made an estimated $100 million.  He lost this entire fortune by 1934 and declared bankruptcy.  In 1940, he shot himself in a hotel room in New York.

Ivar Krueger was a Swedish businessman who founded a multi-billion-dollar match conglomerate.  Like many of the others on this list, he was essentially running a huge pyramid scheme. When the company went under in early 1932 - the largest bankruptcy of its time - investors lost millions of dollars.  Krueger shot himself in March of 1932. 1

1. What was the basis of these men's lives?
2. What was missing in all of these men's lives? Why is it so easy to slide into the same kinds of goals as these men?
3. What does Matthew 6:21,24 mean for you today?
4. How do these verses relate to setting a firm spiritual foundation?

1. Jim Burns, Uncommon Stories and Illustrations (Ventura, CA:  Gospel Light, 2008). pp. 148-149.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  Together, brainstorm activities or events that fit the following categories:

• Five activities for free
• Three activities for $1 to $20
• Three activities for $20 to $100
• Three activities for more than $100

Now do the same for the following:

• Five aspects of Christian life that are free
• Three aspects of the Christian life that are costly, but not too costly
• Three costly aspects of the Christan life
• Three extremely costly aspects of the Christian life

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  Our lives and actions are our greatest witness.  You must earn the right to be heard, and then speak the truths of Jesus Christ.

Read the story below, and then answer the following questions to start a faith conversation:

I saw a strange sight.  I stumbled upon a story most strange, like nothing my life, my street sense, my sly tongue had ever prepared me for.

Hush, child.  Hush, now, and I will tell it to you.

Even before the dawn one Friday morning I noticed a young man, handsome and strong, walking on the alleys of our City.  He was pulling an old cart filled with clothes both bright and new, and he was calling in a clear, tenor voice: "Rags!"

"Now, this is a wonder," I thought to myself, for the man stood six-feet-four, and his arms were like tree limbs, hard and muscular, and his eyes flashing intelligence.  Could he find no better job than this, to be a ragman in the inner city?

I followed him.  My curiosity drove me.  And I wasn't disappointed.

Soon the Ragman saw a woman sitting on her back porch.  She was sobbing into a handkerchief, sighing, and shedding a thousand tears.  Her knees and elbows made a sad X.  Her shoulders shook.  Her heart was breaking.

The Ragman stopped his cart.  Quietly, he walked to the woman, stepping round tin cans, dead toys and Pampers.

"Give me your rag," he said so gently, "and I'll give you another."

He slipped the handkerchief from her eyes.  She looked up, and he laid across her palm a linen cloth so clean and new that it shined.  She blinked from the gift to the giver.

Then, as he began to pull his cart again, the Ragman did a strange thing: he began to weep, to sob as grievously as she had done, his shoulders shaking.  Yet she was left without a tear.

"This is a wonder,"; I breathed to myself, and followed the sobbing Ragman like a child who cannot turn away from mystery.

"Rags! Rags! New rags for old!"

In a little while, when the sky showed grey behind the rooftops and I could see the shredded curtains hanging out black windows, the Ragman came upon a girl whose head was wrapped in a bandage, whose eyes were empty.  Blood soaked her bandage.  A single line of blood ran down her cheek.

Now the tall Ragman looked upon this child with pity, and he drew a lovely yellow bonnet from his cart.

"Give me your rag," he said, tracing his own line of her cheek, "and I'll give you mine."

The child could only gaze at him while he loosened the bandage, removed it, and tied it to his own head.  The bonnet he set on hers.  And I gasped at what I saw for with the bandage went the wound!  Against his brow ran a darker, more substantial blood - his own!

"Rags!  Rags!  I take old rags!"; cried the sobbing, bleeding, strong, intelligent Ragman.

The sun hurt both the sky, now, and my eyes; the Ragman seemed more and more to hurry.

"Are you going to work?" he asked a man who leaned against a telephone pole.  The man shook his head.

The ragman pressed him: "Do you have a job?"

"Are you crazy?" sneered the other.  He pulled away from the pole, revealing the right sleeve of his jacket - flat, the cuff stuffed into the pocket.  He had no arm.

"So," said the Ragman.  "Give me your jacket, and I'll give you mine."

Such quiet authority in his voice!

The one-armed man took off his jacket.  So did the Ragman - and I trembled at what I saw:  For the Ragman's arm stayed in its sleeve, and when the other put it on he had two good arms, thick as tree limbs; but the Ragman had only one.

"Go to work," he said.

After that he found a drunk, lying unconscious beneath an army blanket, an old man, hunched, wizened, and sick.  He took the blanket and wrapped it around himself, but for the drunk he left new clothes.

And now I had to run to keep up with the ragman.  Though he was weeping uncontrollably, and bleeding freely at the forehead, pulling his cart with one arm, stumbling from drunkenness, falling again and again, exhausted, old, old and sick, yet he went with terrible speed.  On spider's legs he skittered through the alleys of the City, this mile and the next, until he came to its limits, and then he rushed beyond.

I wept to see the change in this man.  I hurt to see his sorrow.  And yet I needed to see where he was going in such haste, perhaps to know what drove him so.

The little Ragman - he came to a landfill.  He came to the garbage pits.  And then I wanted to help him in what he did, but I hung back, hiding.  He climbed a hill.  With tormented labor he cleared a little space on that hill.  Then he sighed.  He lay down  He pillowed his head on a handkerchief and jacket.  He covered his bones with an army blanket and he died.

Oh, how I cried to witness that death!  I slumped in a junked car and walked and mourned as one who had no hope - because I had come to love the Ragman.  Every other face had faded in the wonder of this man, and I cherished him; but he died.  I sobbed myself to sleep.

I did not know - how could I know? - that I slept through Friday night and Saturday and its night, too.

But then, on Sunday morning, I was awakened by violence.

Light - pure, hard demanding light - slammed against my sour face, and I blinked, and I looked, and I saw the last and first wonder of all.  There was the Ragman, folding the blanket most carefully, a scar on his forehead, but alive!  And, besides that, healthy! There was no sign of sorrow nor of age, and all the rags that he had gathered shined for cleanliness.

Well, then I lowered my head and trembling for all that I had seen, I myself walked up to the Ragman.  I told him my name with shame, for I was sorry figure next to him.  Then I took off all my clothes in that place, and I said to him with a dear yearning in my voice:  "Dress me."

He dressed me.  My Lord, he put new rags on me, and I am a wonder beside him.  The Ragman, the Ragman, the Christ!1

1. What do you think of this story?
2. What makes the story of the Ragman so powerful?
3. How does the person of Jesus relate to the Ragman story?

Note
1. Walter Wanagerin, Jr., Ragman and Other Cries of Faith (San Francisco, CA: Harper and Row, 1984). Used by permission.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Last year, students raised $4, 000, mostly through advertising at Desert Vista High School. They had an idea that if they got a number of schools involved in the effort they could double their donation. Through tireless work and unswerving vision this group of students enlisted the help of over 50 student leaders to ralley around this movement and bring it to over 6 different schools: Desert Vista, Mountain Pointe, Corona, Alkemal, Altedena, and Estralla, as well as MPCC's Children's ministry. They met with administration, advertised, made and sold shirts, motivated, and most of all--- followed through! Seriously, they did it all-- I just watched and smiled!!! This is an amazing example of the impact teenagers can have when they are passionate and equipped to do the work of God.

In the end, over 1,000 students participated in One Meal One Day on November 9, 2011. We still don't have the final count (Mountain Pointe High School will participate in the first week of December). At this point we are at a estimate of $4,500 funds collected- but they are still rolling in!

If you would like to find out more about One Meal One Day, check out this video.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  Because Jesus Christ died for our sins, we can have a new life and relationship with God.

Read the following story aloud, and use the questions to start a faith conversation:

Once upon a time, there lived a group of people called the Laconians.  The Laconians lived in a rural setting; a forest surrounded their village.  They looked an acted a lot like you and I do.  They dressed like we dress and went to school and worked like we work.  They even had the same family struggles and search for identity that we have.  But there was one major difference.  Connected to the ankle of every Laconian was a brace, and attached to the brace was a strong metal chain, and connected to the chain was a round, heavy metal ball.

Wherever the Laconians went or whatever they did, the carried the ball and chain.  Yet no one seemed to mind.  After all, they were used to the ball and chain, and no one in Laconia was free from the bondage of the ball and chain. 

One day the hero of the story, Tommy, was exploring in the forest after school when he went around a corner, slipped and fell...and the chain broke.  Tommy had never heard of a chain breaking before in the land of Laconia, and he was terrified.  But he was also curious.  As he stood and stared at the broken chain, he sensed that something very significant had happened in his life.  In fact, he tried to take a step without the ball and chain and almost fell down.  After all, he wasn't used to the freedom of walking without this bondage.

Tommy quickly slipped the ball and chain back on his ankle.  He told no one of his new discovery.  The next day after school this new curiosity drove him back to the forest to experiment with his new found freedom.  This time when he unhooked the chain he walked.  yes, it was wobbly, but he quickly learned to compensate, and in a few hours he was running and jumping and even trying to climb the trees in the forest.  Every day after school he found himself out in the forest, free to experience life in a different way from anyone else in Laconia.

He decided to share his secret with his best friend.  After school one day he brought his friend to the forest and showed him his new freedom.  But his friend responded by saying, "Don't be different!  Once a Laconian, you'll always be  a Laconian.  Be happy with what you have."  This response only put more fuel in Tommy's fire.  He knew he needed to show all the people of this little village that they could be set free.

One spring day when the whole village was outside, Tommy took the ball and placed it under his arm, then ran and skipped through the town.  He wanted to show the people of his village his joy and freedom.  Their response was that of shock.  They mocked him, scolded him and challenged him to not be different.  Even his family told him to immediately become a normal part of the community and put his chain back on.

Tommy knew then and there that since he had experienced this freedom he could never again settle for second best in his life.  For Tommy, mediocrity was out of the question.  He would choose to be different....and he was different from then on.

This story is for people who don't want to settle for second best in life.  Jesus said, " You will know the truth an the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).  You don't have to live a life of boring mediocrity.  God's desire for your life is to break the chain that hold you back and to give your life to His purpose.  You can choose to be different.

1. Read John 10:10.  How could understanding this promise be like making a new discovery?
2. What is keeping you from breaking the chain and living the life of freedom God wants for you?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  God loves you unconditionally, not for what you do but for who you are: His child.

Read the following story aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

Once upon a time there was a young girl named Susie.  She was a beautiful little girl with the most wonderful doll collection in the world.  Her father traveled all over the world on business, and for nearly 12 years he had brought dolls home to Susie.  In her bedroom, she had shelves of dolls from all over the United States and from every continent on the Earth.  She had dolls that could sing and dance and do just about anything a doll could possibly do.

One day, one of her father's business acquaintances came to visit.  At dinner he asked Susie about her wonderful doll collection.  After dinner Susie took him by the hand and showed him these marvelous dolls from all over the world.  He was very impressed.  After he took the grand tour and was introduced to many of the beautiful dolls, he asked Susie, "With all these precious dolls, you must have one that is your favorite.  Which one is it?"  Without a moment's hesitation Susie went over to her old beat-up toy box and started pulling out toys.  From the bottom of the box she pulled out one of the most ragged dolls you have ever seen.  There were only a few strands of hair left on the head.  The clothing had long since disappeared.  The doll was filthy from many years of play outside.  One of the buttons for the eyes was hanging down with only one strand of string to keep it connected.  Stuffing was coming out at the elbow and knee.  Susie handed the doll to the gentleman and said, "This doll is my favorite."

The man was shocked and asked, "Why this doll with all these beautiful dolls in your room?"

She replied, "If I didn't love this doll nobody would!"

That single statement moved the businessman to tears.  It was such a simple statement, yet so profound.  The little girl loved her doll unconditionally.  She loved the doll not for its beauty or abilities but simply because it was her very own.

1. How does this story relate to the love God has for us?
2. Are there any stories in the Bible that remind you of this story?
3. Why do many people have a hard time accepting God's unconditional love?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: God is a loving Lord who hears the persistent prayers of His children.

So I say to you:  Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. - Luke 11:9

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. What comes to mind when you think about prayer?
2. What is the absolutely best place for you to pray? Why?
3. What is the worst place for you to pray? Why?
4. What is the hardest thing about prayer? Why?
5. What is the greatest thing about prayer? Why?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  Creating an attitude of thankfulness is definitely a life-changing experience.  Thankful people are happy people.

The following is known as "The Serenity Prayer," written by Friedrich Christoph Oetinger.  Read this prayer aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation.

Lord, give me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Give me the courage
To change the things I can, and
The wisdom to distinguish
The one from the other.

1. What truths do you find in this prayer?
2. How can we, as a family, use this prayer to make our family stronger?
3. For what do you need serenity?  For what do you need courage?
4. How can prayer keep you focused on giving thanks to God?

Pray for the situations just discussed.  Then list how as family members you can help and encourage each other in the situation.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  The spiritual confession is an essential element in our prayer lives.  The natural result of confession is forgiveness in Christ.

Mas Lucado is my favorite Chritian author.  He tells a story that I will neverf fortegt of a mother and her four-year-old daughter.  Read the following sotry, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation.

Susanna (the mom) and her dauther, Gayaney, were trying on clothes at her sister-in-law's home when the worst earthquake in the history of Armenia hit.  There were 55,000 victims in this one quake.

One minute they were on the fifth floor of an apartment building; the next they knew they had tumbled into the basement.  Susanna and Gayaney were still alive, but they were stuck and could not get up.  "Mommy, I need a drink," said the little girl.  "Please give me something," Susanna found a 24-ounce jar of blackberry jam that had fallen into the basement.  She gave the entire jar to her daughter to eat.  It was gone by the second day.

"Mommy, I'm thirsty," Susanna didn't know what to do.  Truthfully, there was nothing she could do to help her daughter.  They were cold and numb, and she lost hope.  Periodically Susanna would sleep, but usually she awakened from the whining and whimpering of her precious daughter.

"Mommy, I'm thirsty.  Please give me soemthing to drink."  Then Susanna remembered that it was possible to drink blood!  So she cut her left index finger and gave it to her daughter to suck.  The drops of blood were not enought.  "Please, Mommy, some more.  Cut another finger."  Susanna had no idea how many time she cut herself, but if she hadn't, Gayaney would have died.  Susanna's blood was her daughter's only hope.1

Max Lucado writes about this episode this way:  "Beneath the rubble of a fallen world, [Jesus] pierced his hands.  In the wreckage of a collapesed humanity he ripped open his side.  His children were trapped, so he gave freely his own blood.  It was all he had.  His friends were gone.  his strength was waning, his possessions had been gampled away at his feet.  Even his father turned his head.  His blood was all he had.  But his blood was all it took.  If anyone is thirsty, Jesus once said let him come to me and drink.  And the hand was pierced.  And the blood was pured.  An the children were saved."2

1. Read Hebrews 9:11-22.  What is the significance of blood and forgiveness?
2. Why is the blood of Christ different from the blood of goats?
3. What does verse 22 mean?

Notes

1. Jim Burns, Spririt Wings (Ann Arbor, MI: Vince Books, 1992), pp. 188-189
2. Max Lucado, The Applause of Heaven (Dallas, TX: Word, Inc., 1990), p. 91

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea: Praise is the purest form of worship.  Praise frees our spirits to live for God.

Use the following questions to start a faith conversation:

1. What is praise?
2. How do we use it in our everday lives? (For example, praising a dog for something well done.)
3. How do we use it with God?
4. Why do you think God deserves our praise?

Praise is the purest form of worship.  When we begin to have an attitude of praise, we free our spirits to live for God.  There is nothing more exciting than the experience of lifting up our hearts to God in praise.  As a family, brainstorm some reasons to offer God your praise.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Because this seems to be a universal problem, I strive to figure out ways to communicate directly with parents. Here is my newest shot at it-- TEXT MESSAGING! Signing up to recieve text messages about what is happening in Student Union is super simple and I promise not to make your phone beep every ten seconds.

Sign Up for Txt4Parents

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea:  Although our salvation is a free gift, there are scriptural principles that lead to spiritual growth and to getting our spiritual lives in shape.

Goals are important.  After all, if we don't have goals, how will we ever know if we've accomplished what we want to be and do in life?

1. Begin today's challenge by reading aloud each of the following statements.  After each statement, have family members answer whether it is true or not in their lives.
   • I set goals for myself, but I seldom if ever reach them.
   • I set goals for myself, and I almost always reach them.
   • My goals in life are unclear.  I am not really sure what I want to do.
   • My goals in life are well defined.  They are a priority for me, and I work hard to achieve them.
   • I know that goals are important, but I have a hard time figuring out what they should be or what steps I need to take to reach them.
   • I've never set a goal in my life.
2. Here is an important exercise in goal setting.  Have each person get a piece of paper and write out a short-term goal and a long-term goal for each area listed below.  Note that short-term goals should be something that can be accomplished in one year, while long-term goals should take five to seven years to complete.  Then, most importantly, have members describe what they will do to act on those goals.
   • spiritual goals
   • relationship goals (family and friends)
   • school or career goals
3. Have the family members share their goals.  Which goals in each section can they begin working on today?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea:  The Bible plays an important role in our relationships with God.  Studying God's Word is essential for spiritual growth. 

You may have to go online to find the answers to the questions below.  Have a race to see who can Google faster!

1. How many books are in the Bible?
2. How many books are in the Old Testament?
3. How many books are in the New Testament?
4. What language was the New Testament written in?
5. What language was the Old Testament written in?
6. The New Testament is divided into four parts.  Name the four parts.
7. The Old Testament is divided into four parts.  Name the four parts.
8. Although most of the Old Testament was written in the Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek, what was the language Jesus most often spoke?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try This One Out:

The Big Idea:  The Bible plays an important role in our relationships with God.  Studying God's Word is essential for spiritual growth. 

You may have to go online to find the answers to the questions below.  Have a race to see who can Google faster!

1. How many books are in the Bible?
2. How many books are in the Old Testament?
3. How many books are in the New Testament?
4. What language was the New Testament written in?
5. What language was the Old Testament written in?
6. The New Testament is divided into four parts.  Name the four parts.
7. The Old Testament is divided into four parts.  Name the four parts.
8. Although most of the Old Testament was written in the Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek, what was the language Jesus most often spoke?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The Big Idea:  Developing a disciplined devotional life is not an option, but a necessity for spiritual growth.

Imagine walking up to your mailbox and finding an envelope addressed to you.  In the upper left-hand corner, where the return address is supposed to go, appears the word "God."  Read the following letter aloud, and then use the questions to start a faith conversation:

My Dear Child,

I love you.  I desire to spend as much time with you as possible.  I took great joy in being part of your creation and your salvation.  I consider My sacrifice for you a sign of My immeasurable love for you.  My child, I want the best for you.  I believe in you.  I look forward to our daily time together.  It gives Me great pleasure to spend time with you.  Don't forget, I'm always with you.

Love, God

1. How would you feel?
2. What kind of decisions would you want to make about spending time with God?
3. The average person probably spends more than two hours a day watching television or surfing online, two hours a day listening to music, one hour a day dressing and grooming, and one hour a day eating.  And yet the majority of people spend little or no time each day with God.  A wise pastor once asked, "What is so important that you can't spend 15 minutes a day with God?"  What's your answer?
4. What makes it so difficult to set up a regular daily time with God?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

The entire trip is built around equipping participants to become servant leaders in their everyday lives. Each day there is opportunity to learn about biblical leadership in a dynamic and engaging way through seminar, team discussion, and hands on experience. The week becomes a catalyst for students to return home ready to apply each of the key values (Live Differently, Love Recklessly, Lead Courageously, Dream Wildly) to their every day lives.

In 2011, I took a group of students for the Hollywood Servant Leadership Trip. I think each one of them expected it to be the same ol’ same ol’ when they returned back home. However, the reality was unlike anything I expected, but everything I hoped for. In the following months, each one of them have taken on a role as a student leader at church, at school, on a sports team, or in their community. Check out some video from our Hollywood Servant Leadership Trip and I hope you are able to join us for this years Servant Leadership Trip.

Servant Leadership Experience | LA 2011 from lead222 on Vimeo.

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Try this one out:

Key Verses:  This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." - Matthew 6:9-13

The Big Idea:  Jesus used the Lord's Prayer to teach His disciples how to pray.  This powerful prayer is very relevant to our spiritual lives today.

Invite each family member to complete this sentence:  "Prayer to me is more like ______________ than ______________."  Below are pairs of words or phrases - have each person choose between them to describe what prayer is like.

Prayer to me is more ______________ than ______________.

 a window OR a closet
listening OR talking
making a friend OR seeing an old friend
hard work OR a time of rest
a journey inward OR a journey outward
dscipline OR fun

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

 A 17-year-old girl died after a "faith healer" prayed for her healing and her parents pulled the plug on her life support machines.  Against the wishes of the medical staff in the hospital, the parents of 17-year-old Debra Barker stopped her hospital respirator because they believed she was healed.  Debra had been in a coma for three days after a tragic accident in which she was thrown from her car.  Evidence showed the passengers of the car had been drinking.

Debra's pastor, Stephen Johson, said that her parents asked Reverend Jess Thomas, a faith healer who had just preached at their church, to come to the hospital to pray for their daughter.  Reverend Thomas, Pastor Johnson and Debra's parents entered the hospital room at approximately 1:00 in the afternoon.  After Reverend Thomas prayed for Debra, he said she was healed - he felt warmth flow through his hands onto her forehead. Debra's parents, "in faith," pulled the plug ot the respirator without the permission of the hospital staff.  Debra died 12 minutes later.

1. Was Reverend Thomas an evil man?  Why or why not?
2. Did Debra's parents make a mistake?
3. Where does faith come into the healing process?  Since the prayers were sincere, why didn't God heal Debra?
4. What lessons can we learn from this "news story"?

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The prayer of relinquishment is a prayer of absolute surrender of your will to God's will.  The result is freedom and spiritual growth.

Far too often Christians act like the person in this story:  "I would like to buy $3.00 worth of God, please.  Not enough to explode in my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine....I want ecstacy, not transformation; I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth.  I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.  I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please."

1. What do you think of this story?
2. What do you think is the difference between wanting only a  little bit of God and wanting to live completely for God?
3. List three areas of your life in which you need to be more surrendered to God.

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011.

Try this one out:

The big idea: Communication with God is what prayer is all about. A consistent prayer life leads to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.

As far as Regina Hammond is concerned, luck has little to do with it. The 37-year-old flight attendant won $100,000 in a Colorado lottery game on top of $50,000 she won the previous year the same way. And she’s not finished yet. Her goal is the $1 million grand prize. Hammond believes that prayer has paved her way to riches. “I pray to God to help me and He answers,” she says.

1. How does Regina Hammond’s claim make you feel?
2. If prayer works, why don’t all lottery players pray and win?
3. Do you think Hammond will win the million dollars? Why or why not?
4. Should people pray to get rich? To win sports events? To be successful? Why or why not?
5. Some people believe that lotteries are sinful. If that’s true, why would God answer Hammond’s prayers to win?
6. Would you pray to win a lottery? Why or why not?
7. Read each of the following items aloud. Which of these is okay to pray for? Why?

• An A on a test
• Lots of money
• Getting a job
• A better complexion
• Winning a game
• New clothes
• Not getting caught disobeying Mom or Dad
• Getting a date
• Losing or gaining weight

Burns, Jim. Faith Conversations for Families. Ventura, CA: Regal, From Gospel Light, 2011. Print.

I have three quick tips that can neutralize almost any argument: 

Practice the phrase “What did I say?” “I know” and “I love you too much to argue.”

For quick arguments with no room for discussion, like “you need to take out the trash,” the second the word “but” flies out of a teens mouth, combat it with “what did I say?” If they argument continues with something like, “but it smells and I just did my nails!” follow up with an “I know” or “I love you too much to argue.” Resist the urge to say these phrases with even a hint of anger, distain, or sarcasm. Instead, respond with as much empathy and love as possible. Whatever you do, don’t take the bait to acknowledge their excuses or arguments with anything more than “I know.” Even doing so once will void the power of this tactic because your teen will learn that eventually you will cave. Only use this when you are prepared to have the final word. If after two or three “I know”s they are still persisting to argue, follow up with a consequence like “you can choose to take out the trash and go out tonight, or you can choose not to take out the trash and stay in tonight.” Remember, offer a consequence that you can live with because you must follow through!

Write down exactly what you are arguing about.

For longer more in depth arguments or on going debates, it might be a good idea to write down what you are arguing about. Teens (and parents) are very good at clouding the issue by throwing mud clots of past grievances, unresolved issues, and disagreements that need to be discussed, but that are not part of the current conversation. Once you figure out what you are arguing about, keep another list of the things that are brought up that may need to be discussed, but for right now are just dust. This makes sure that both parties can see the issue clearly, but also have an outlet for the other topics that might need to be addressed later. Resist the urge to try to tackle all of the topics in one sitting. Sometimes you just need a break!

Remember you are the adult.

It is really easy to let your blood boil in the middle of an argument. We allow ourselves to argue with our teens in ways we would never do at the office or with other adults. I agree that sometimes when I am being yelled at, my gut reaction is to meet their volume and aggression. While you might be dishing it back the same way you were given it, a teen will see this differently. To a teenager, who is cognitively unaware of their own actions and still developing their regulatory system, when you start yelling, you have just turned into a Hitler himself attacking them with undeserved force. True? No. Fair? No. But when you meet fire with fire and volume with volume, you become the enemy. Now whatever the argument was about doesn’t even matter anymore. All that matters is winning against a potential threat. Reimagine an argument where your teen starts yelling at you and instead of dishing it back, you continue to breath calmly, with love and compassion in your eyes. When you start speaking, you do so slowly with intentionality and love, temporarily ignoring the disrespect. No matter how loud and hurtful they might get, stay calm. Our fear is that our teen will continue to escalate. But with no threat, it won’t happen. The issue remains the enemy, not you. They will calm down and you both will be able to stay on target to find a resolution about the disagreement.  Later, when tempers are cooled, you can address the problem of disrespect. You can bring your example of how you dealt with the conflict calmly and with respect and encourage them to do the same next time.

“Joining a d.group was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has helped me become even closer to God, become more involved with church and serve people in our community. It has also helped me create friendships that will last for a long time and provide me with a leaders that I know I can rely on and talk to about anything."

-Cesar Sandoval, Senior

Cesar’s experience is just one of over 85 students who participated in a d.group during the 2010-2011 school year. These groups are opportunities for students to connect with other students and their leader in a small group setting. Normally the groups are made up of an adult leader and about 5 to 7 students who are a similar age and gender. They meet together once a week for an entire school year.

What happens during the meetings varies a little bit from group to group, but the core stays the same. As students grow in relationship with each other, they grow in their relationship with God. Slowly they find themselves living out one of our 7 SNOWUTS, “doing life together.”

Whether your student was in a student d.group last year, or they what to join one for the first time this year, please let us know by signing up. D.groups will kick off (which means students will get to meet their group and leader) on August 21 after the second celebration. Once they sign up, we will keep them up to date on the details as we get closer.

Before this school year starts, with new struggles and confusion, I want to take some time to acknowledge and celebrate what I have learned this year. I know that it will serve as a foundation so we can take student ministry to the next level.

If no one can help you, you aren’t dreaming big enough

It was encouraging when I started getting parents and students coming up to me telling me they wanted to help out with student ministry. But I never used them; unless they played a musical instrument, I didn’t really have anywhere for them to fit. Until one day when I was brushing my teeth, reflecting on what a shame it was that I had willing helpers and nothing to do with them. It dawned on me that if no one could help me in accomplishing this vision, perhaps I was not dreaming big enough. For me, that is when things got a little scary—with a little bit of a “savior complex,” trusting other to follow through does not come easy. But that when the vision of Student Union got big! There had to be a place for everyone—not just as a participant, but as a do-er, a leader.

If you coach them, they will lead

The first week as a youth pastor, I pulled a student aside right before we started and asked her to pray at the end of the gathering. She was honored and excited, but during the prayer busted into tears because of the stress. And if you think she was scarred, think about me! While I knew student ownership was key to a successful student ministry, I scared that they might fail. What if they didn’t show up, do it well, or didn’t even want to help? I lost faith in our young friends, until I was at a Desert Vista High School track meet. High school students would wander around the field until the announcement of “100 yard dash will begin in two minutes. Runners please make your way to the starting line.” With out any beg, barter, plead, students showed up to the starting line on time and ready to go, without a tear in their eye. Why? They had trained all week for this race! I realized that students needed to be coached throughout the week on how to be a follower of Christ and a leader for Him if you want them to perform well during the race. I could not just throw it at them at the last minute and expect them to succeed. But when they are training and coached well, students are more capable leaders than you would ever imagine. 

Parents are NOT monsters

In working with students, I get the one sided stories that show glimpses of how awful parents treat their teens. Thankfully, what I have come to learn is this is that parents are NOT monsters. While you do come across the occasional Cyclops, most parents love their kids and want the absolute best for them. And despite their extremely busy schedules, when it comes to doing something or sacrificing for their teen, they are all hands on deck and carry the horsepower of a locomotive. In fact, I have learned that one of my most important roles as a pastor of students, is to help bridge the gap between students and their parents. I repaint the realities, pressures, and trials of being a student, and to offer parents some resources in helping their teen navigate those issues. I try to highlight parent’s love for their teens, acknowledge their hurt, and work to build trust in their parents.

A lot of these things, are out of your control. A support system at church can make a huge difference for your child when life gets a rough. But if you wait until the waters start to look rough, it will be too late. The sooner middle school students are connected at church the better! However, most young students need a parent’s help and guidance to form that support. Here are a few helpful suggestions for you as you help your student get connected to Student Union:

Join a d.group

Encourage your child to join a d.group. D.groups are small groups of five peers and one adult leader. They meet together on a weekly basis to study the bible, grow in their relationships, and do life together. It is a wonderful way to meet people and be individually challenged and encouraged in life. To find out more or sign up click here.

Commit to come every Sunday

Despite that parents believe they have no control over their child coming to church, they are the number one factor in student attendance. If parent’s actions show that they value coming consistently and participating in the life of the church, students are more likely to follow suit. Before schedules get crazy, homework piles up, and lack of sleep builds, sit down as a family and set goals that commit the entire family to attending church every week. Don’t forget to include why each person values coming every week… sleep can be very enticing and will make you forget!

Encourage students to volunteer

Nothing makes you feel like you belong like taking ownership of something. Volunteering is a great way to do that. Students have lots of opportunities to volunteer on at Mountain Park, particularly on Sundays.  They can attend SU during one celebration time, and serve the second. Serving together is another great way to build relationship with your student. To serve with Children’s ministry email Margo, to serve as an usher email Cindy, to serve in the band email Jon, and to get involved in Mountain Perk Café click here.

Get involved yourself

Students can spot a double standard immeadately. If you are asking them to do something you aren’t doing for yourself, you wouldn’t get far. I would encourage you to get involved in a d.group yourself. Your d.group can offer support for you as well!

Yet, as it has grown, the idea behind it has stayed the same. All the profits from the café go to help students attend camps, outreach, and missions trips. The hope is that these experiences will act as a catalyst, launching them into a deeper relationship with Christ. For most students, this is exactly what happens. They are able to have experiences that they otherwise could not afford, that have completely changed their lives.

Beyond the finances, students also have the opportunity to work as a team as they serve on a Sunday. Students are encouraged to learn the names of returning guests as a way to connect with the larger church body.

Essentially, we are equipping students to live dangerously, on cup of coffee at a time. So next time you are thinking about stopping at Starbucks on the way to church, don’t. Stretch your dollar further. Buy your coffee or smoothie from Mountain Perk and help our students live dangerously.

Interested in becoming a part of the Mountain Perk team?

We always need more help with the Perk! If you are an adult and would like to get involved as a team lead, please contact Peggi LaMonica.

If you are a student between 8 – 12 grade and would like to get involved, download and fill out this application. You can either turn it into the church office or email it to Peggi. We normally train new students in late August and early January. Excited to serve with you!

In the month of July, Student Union will be joining “Big Church” on Sunday mornings. (You can find us sitting together in the front, left-hand corner of the auditorium.) But on Wednesday nights, find us in the gym having a massive snowball fight, possibly swimming in pudding, or dressed in flannel. Students will also get to choose their own adventure by attending the breakout session that interests them the most. To top it off, the SU band will be teaching us some news songs that we will be doing throughout the rest of the school year.

I would hate for you to miss this summer excitement. You can see more specific details of dates, times, and who will be leading which sessions by checking out the SU Summer Night event page.

The problem is that there is so much “culture” out there it would be full time job just to expose yourself to everything students might experience. In the end, you could spend 24 hours in front of YouTube, Facebook, Pandora, and TV and not learn anything valuable. So, while I dilly dally in those media a little, I stick to the experts to do my research for me.

Resources I Recommend for You

Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers. Their website provides palatable bits of information about youth culture, including top ten lists for music downloads, videos viewed, and Google searches. As well as, articles on everything from new popular drugs among teens, to connections between bullying and sleep habits. CPYU even sends out a biweekly newsletter to let you know about the highlights from the past two weeks to peruse.

http://www.cpyu.org/

Learning My Lines is a blog written by Walt Mueller, the president of CPYU. His posts are short, fascinating, and most always contain a video. Most of his posts deal with specific ways that he has used current culture to start thought provoking conversations with students about the state of the world and their part to play.

http://learningmylines.blogspot.com/

I have found these resources incredibly helpful. Whether you are a student, volunteer, or parent, I hope that you also find these helpful to learn what’s floating in the water.

That was my first month of working at Mountain Park Community Church. Those first phone calls were painstaking. I’ve come a long way; yet still find myself in the same place.

Almost two years later, I can tell you exactly what I hope for out of my leaders: Beyond meeting with 5 students on a weekly basis to talk about the Bible and faith topics, leaders will “Do Life Together” with those middle or high school students. Leaders will intentionally engage students in such a way that they will earn the right to speak God’s grace and truth into their lives. This might mean going to a big game or concert, or getting to know their family and friends. Leaders will find ways to enter “student territory” and invite students to grow in their faith in “adult” ways. One way we found works is simply coming to Student Union on Sunday mornings and messaging them on Facebook. Leaders will work along side students as they learn to take ownership of Student Union, and more so, the church as a whole. This could be as short term as inviting their group to a serve at a church wide outreach day, or as long term as using and teaching them the SONOWUT language. Leaders will continuously improve their effectiveness and spiritual growth by pursuing a relationship with God and supporting other SU leaders, as they are supported. This is what our monthly leader meetings are for… plus, they are really fun!

Almost two years later, I find myself at my phone again calling unknown numbers. However, this time, I have a general idea of who is going to answer. This morning, out of the 18 phone calls that I made, 13 of them are considering being student d.group leaders for this next school year. And this time the request didn’t deteriorate into “plan events, bring cookies.”

If you are interested in being a d.group leader for the 2011-2012 school year (or you would like to make a suggestion), please email Beth at bwolff@mountainpark.org.

My top suggestion: Take them on a date! Within a day or two of coming home, take them to dinner, coffee, ice cream, or whatever their poison of choice is, for the specific purpose of talking to them about their experiences at camp.

Some students will willingly share every detail about the who threw up at which game, what who said what to who, and how they felt each second of the day. No one said it would be a short date!

Others will need a little more coaxing. Try to gentle bombard them with questions. Start with easy ones that have quick answers, such as: Did you sleep on the top or bottom bunk? Who shared a bunk with you? Who was your leader? Was the food good? Did you get desert? What time did you have to wake up? What time did you go to bed? What games did you play? Who did you hang out with most of the time? Who did you already know? Who was someone that you met when you got up there?

Then slowly move to more difficult questions that require more thought and a little more talking: Who was your favorite speaker? What did they talk about? Why did you like them? What was the worship like? What songs did you sing? Where their people dancing around, clapping, raising their hands, singing loudly? What did you learn about God? What did you learn about yourself?

Whether you have to sneak in through the back door to know what happened at camp or they offer details willingly, make sure that you don't end the date until you ask some of the hardest questions of all: What did God say to you? How can I help you pursue Him?

This might be an uncomfortable for your student to talk about with you. Most likely it is not because they don't have anything to say. For the past five days, a leader or friend has been asking them the same questions. They have an answer. They might be struggling because conversations with you about God have been more intellectual than personal. Or conversations with you about God, have been nonexistent. Now, while your child is tender and vulnerable, is the perfect time to start conversations about faith and God.

They have an answer and they want to share it. Being able to talk about what happened "up on the mountain" can be instrumental in saving students from crashing and burning when they come home. It also is a great opportunity to deepen your relationship with your student.

Sunday, May 22, we will be celebrating 8^th graders who will moving from middle school to high school, and our seniors who will be leaving the nest of Student Union to broader skies in 242 (Mountain Park’s College and Young Adults).

Join us at 9:15am for a pancake breakfast and special service in honor of our graduating 8^th graders. Some high school students will be sharing tips about being big fish in the waters of high school and will have a graduation gift for you to match! Parents are welcome to join Student Union every Sunday, but particularly this Sunday. Come and celebrate with us!

Please note that current 5^th graders (students who will be in 6^th grade for the 2011-2012 school year) will not be promoted to Student Union until August. At that point, we will welcome our new 6^th graders in grade style: a massive slip ’n’ slide in the gym!

Before you know it, there is no time left for the really important things: building community, spiritual retreat, service, deep friendships, hard core fun.

We want to help you get those important priorities in place and on the calendar before all the little stuff gets in the way. Check out the SU Summer Calendar for all the important dates and events of everything that is happening in Student Union this summer.

If you need more details on any of the events, like times, location, or cost, you can search for them by clicking the red magnifying glass at the top of the webpage and entering the name of the event.

With so many of our families and leaders traveling over the summer, d.groups will take a summer break starting May 22. That will be the last official week d.groups will meet together. (I have heard that some of the groups like each other so much they are going to keep meeting occasionally. How can I say "no" to that?!)

D.groups will kick off again on August 21. Through out the summer, during our Wednesday night (for the month of July only) and Sunday morning gatherings we will be asking students to "re-up" their commitment to being in a d.group during the school year. Students can indicate if they would like to continue with their past leader (if available), or try someone new. Looking foward to another year of doing life together!

Summer Camp 2011

When: June 2 - 6
Who: Current 6th through 8th graders
Where: Forrest Homes, Forrest Falls, CA.
Cost: $195 by March 27, $315 by April 24, $360 by May 29**

Click here for details

Mimp 2011

When: June 1 - 6
Who: Current 9th through 11th graders
Where: Forrest Homes, Forrest Falls, CA.
Cost: $195 by March 27, $295 by April 24, $315 by May 29**

 Click here for details

Jr. Counselors for Summer Camp - Application Only

When: June 2 - 6
Who: Current 11th - 12th graders
Where: Forest Homes, Forrest Falls, CA.
Cost: $215 upon acceptance of application**
Details: Applications due by April 24

Click here for details

Servant Leadership Trip (Hollywood)

When: July 10 - 17
Who: Current 8th through 11th graders
Where: Hollywood, CA
Cost: $700, sign up with a $100 deposit

Click here for details

SU Summer Nights

When: Every Wednesday Night in July (6, 13, 20, 27)
Who: Current 6th through 11th graders
Where: Mountain Park Community Church

Click here for details 

Find out about scholarships that are available here.

**You might have noticed a price change in the original advertised prices for camp. Unfortunately, Beth (our fearless leader) goofed and forgot to add the price for transporation on to the camp fee. Please forgive her. She feels aweful! If you signed up early, you just got a smoking good deal!