Connexion Youth @ Trinity Park

Story of God - Week 1 and 2 Recap

2012-02-10T11:26:00.001-05:00

We started our series on “The Story of God" (Covering the key themes that connect the entire Bible into 1 big story (an 11 week series) and discussed the reality that everybody has a view on 4 key things. We'll discuss them in the following weeks.

Creation – How everything came into being. What is our purpose?
Fall – The world isn’t perfect. Why isn’t it perfect? Who’s to blame?
Redemption – What rescues us from the broken/fallen world?
Restoration - What will the world look like when all is as it should AND who/what will be the focus of the world?

God has given us the answers. It’s our job to fully know them so that when we ASK others what they think we can help them process where they got their answers and any missing gaps in their views.

There is much distortion of the truth in our world. Asking good questions and helping people think through what they really believe is vital. Don't just share what you believe. First, ask them questions and see where they really have got their information. Often, they don't have a good reply! There are many ways to have conversations and interact with people you do know and asking them thoughts on what it means to be a Christian or why does the world exist or how can we be saved or what are we here for or how the world will end.

Week 2 Recap
Hard to summarize what we talked about on Wednesday into something short and sweet. But I'll try.
1. We were made in God's image (don't think physical, but more in terms of characteristics such as understanding morals, ethics, relationships, having rule of the Earth that God gave us).

2. God had a close relationship with Adam and Eve. He walked with them daily and showed them the best and most fulfilling ways to live. THIS WAS AND IS THE PURPOSE FOR MANKIND! To be close to God and understand his best way for our life!!!

3. Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil because the devil tricked them, they wanted to have more power, and they were selfish and lost focus. We do the same when we get selfish, look for temporary pleasure, or hide or ignore God. Adam and Eve didn't trust God's instructions!

4. Because God is holy and just and can not be in the presence of sin, there must be consequences for rebellion. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden and had to work to provide for themselves (among other things). God's grace was displayed by not destroying Adam and Eve. God is both merciful and just.

Eccelsiastes 3:11 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Pretty short summary for an hour lesson!

Rock & Worship Roadshow Videos

2012-01-30T10:53:00.000-05:00

Thanks to youtube, here are a few videos from The Rock and Worship Roadshow.

10th Ave North - You Are More

Lecrae - Don't Waster Your Life

Disciple - Rise Up (this wasn't from Indy, but it has the guitarist doing the backflip from atop the speakers!)

Friends - Week 4 - Recap

2012-01-26T10:14:00.007-05:00

Last night we wrapped up our series on Friends by talking about Identity.

Musician Sarah Kelley was talking at the end about her own self-hate she had for herself when she was in high school. Do you think that’s a problem today for high schoolers? (Many answered yes due to who they hang out with, how others treat them, bad parents, and so forth)

Remember her advice – patience with ourselves, keep a journal, think about our like and dislikes, worship God through it all (when you dwell on self-hatred you are dwelling on yourself! When you are worshiping God you are looking for answers from the Holy God who can help get you through anything).

Turn to the right people for support – not a boyfriend that is trying to help you commit suicide as Sarah had!

Sean also mentioned 4 principles for building relationships…

1. Take an honest look at your own life. Who do you really want to be and act as?

2. Have realistic expectations. BFF’s aren’t usually made over night. Neither is “true love.”

3. Be a good friend. Don’t always look for what you can get out of a relationship, but what you put into it.

4. Ask God for a true friend. If you’re centered on God’s will, then it will help you in the searching process and you won't compromise what you want in a friend just for the feeling of having another friend.

I’m guessing that at some point in life everyone has been labeled something…

Somebody’s brother or sister, based on your intelligence, looks, activities…who knows. But that can't be where your identity comes from.

We broke up into groups of 3-4 and studied these verses.

Ephesians 2:10 – God has created us for the purpose of doing good. We’re his “work of art.”

Philippians 1:6 – God has begun to work within us, and he’ll keep at it.

Psalm 139:13-14 – God has knit us together, we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Romans 12:5-6 – We are part of the body of Christ; we have different gifts.

Colossians 3:12-13 – We are loved and forgiven. We need to show love and forgiveness to others.

Matthew 5:14-16 – We lighten up the world with good deeds and praise.

1 Corinthians 3:16 – We are God’s temple. The Spirit lives in us.

Genesis 1:27– We have been created in God’s image.

We finished up with our Prayer Cards
1. Your request for someone/something else.

2. A specific action – that because of you who are and based on these verses, you want to put into action this week. For example: how will you show love and forgiveness? What good deeds will you do? How will you honor God with your body as his temple? Looking for a specific! Whoever gets your card will pray that you accomplish it and hopefully even ask you if you did it!!!

3. Let’s review the 4 weeks of friends, then I want you to write down which of the 4 themes that you need prayer for. A. Loneliness (Samaritan woman) B. Peer Pressure (wicked, sinners, and mockers - choose friends wisely – choose areas/times that you can help others without succumbing to temptation. C. Comparisons (disciples, valuing each other) D. Identity
To see all 4 lesson recaps of the Friends series click here.

February Calendar

2012-01-25T08:08:00.000-05:00

Friends Week 3 Recap

2012-01-19T10:16:00.006-05:00

Topic: Comparisons
So, these 12 disciples had 3 years with Jesus and had some ups and downs in “getting what it meant to follow Christ.”
+ Dropped all they had to follow him when Jesus asked them to, left family, job, etc.
- Misunderstood that Jesus would die for them as a way to conquer evil and sin.
- Fought with each other (jealousy, pride).

- Said they loved Jesus to his face and would rather die then deny Jesus, then Peter later denied him 3 times for fear of persecution.
- Doubted Jesus’ resurrection (Thomas had to put his finger in Jesus’ hand).
- Struggled to believe (Peter walking on water, feeding of the 5000, etc).

- James and John asked for special authority to sit next to God (Mark 10:35-45). Jesus’ response was to that if you want to be great….be a servant just as I, Jesus, will soon be.

-Jesus post-resurrection – forgives Peter for doubting him and (John 21:15+) essentially tells Peter that you will die for the cause of the kingdom and to glorify God. Peter’s response…well are the other disciples going to die for you also? Jesus essentially says “what’s it matter to you – you follow me and they’ll do what’s in store for them”

+ Jesus repeatedly taught them through parables, prophecy, quoting the OT, and giving them commandment and empowering them.
+ Through the Holy Spirit they performed miracles, led people to Christ, and spread the Gospel.

A lot of times we view the disciples in 1 of 2 ways:
1. The disciples were the greatest ever
2.They were a bunch of bumbling, idiotic teenagers

The reality is they were regular people who trusted in God, had moments where they didn’t get it, but ultimately came around (except Judas) and changed the world.

Jesus stayed on Earth for 40 days not only so people could witness that he rose from the dead….but also to make sure the disciples “got it” and knew what to do next. The days of competition and comparison were over. They were all entrusted and had unique roles.

“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father ,Son, & Holy Spirit, teaching to obey everything I have commanded…”-Matthew 28:18-20

Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” -The Holy Spirit was with the disciples to enable them to do this now that Jesus was ascending to heaven.

When the disciples stopped worrying about comparing which was greater than the other and fighting they were able to do amazing things for God's kingdom.

The comparison temptation happens today in your:
School - Clothes, grades, athletic ability, physical features, future college or major, who your friends are, what activities you’re in,
Home - Sibling rivalry, getting defensive when you’re asked to do something that may be more difficult than whatever your sibling was asked to do
Church - Who drives what, who gives $ or time, who has the best behaved kids, whose church is “doing more,” who knows the pastor the best, who gets to play in the band

All these things keep us off of the focus of serving God and building his Kingdom. Get away from comparisons and use what God gives you.

LUKE 21:22 “What is that to you (what others have or will do)? You must follow me.”

Luke 16:10
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much…”

Whatever God gives you is what God believes you can do at that moment, continue to use that and he’ll give you more opportunities to serve him.

Friends Week 2 Recap

2012-01-12T10:33:00.001-05:00

Friends Week 2 Recap - Peer Pressure
Quote from the video "I think that the friends you hang around have a lot to do with the things you end up doing.”

READ Psalm 1:1
3 Things
1. Don’t walk in the counsel of the wicked – don’t listen to their advice
2. Stand in the way of sinners – “Way” means road or path here. This means spending to much time together on their turf.
3. Sit in seat of mockers – Just because they invite you to their table to do what they do doesn’t mean you should follow suit.

You don't have to give up or alienate yourself from your friends who may be living a life that is contrary to what Jesus shows us (drugs, premarital sex, gossip, etc). You just need to choose wisely when you are around them (during school, practice, public places and not when they are engaging in illegal or immoral activities) and try to show them how you're changed through Christ.

Each line raises the bar.
Wicked – don’t care about God’s ways
Sinners – actively break God’s rules
Mockers – talk openly about how stupid it is to follow God’s guidance

Proverbs 13:20
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
-Even if you aren’t listening to their advice you can still suffer by being around the wrong people AT the wrong time.

READ Psalm 1:2 – What does a blessed person do instead of hanging out with mockers?
-Meditates on the law of the Lord day and night (What does God’s word say for me, what does God have in store for me, how can I live out my faith and his mission for me, with HOLY SPIRIT guiding). Recognize things that take away your focus from him!

Lastly, realize negative peer pressure can come from Christians as well.
1. Devoted Christians (Positive) - they dig deep, ask hard questions, and continually push to be closer to Christ and living out his mission. They aren't perfect, but they hold each other accountable and seek forgiveness when they sin.
2. Compromisers (Negative)- they make excuses for why they aren't committed more to Christ or his movement (the church). They ignore parts of scripture so they can live the way they want. These people are dangerous. A few of these in your life is okay as you can help build them up, but you need more of #1 than #2 in your life.

Imitator vs. Follower

2012-01-08T18:54:00.002-05:00

Recap from today:
We like to say we follow Jesus - but following doesn't always mean we act like Jesus. Sometimes it only means we are aware of what Jesus has done.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says we are to "imitate" Jesus and live like he did.
Rely on the Father's guidance, aim to live a sin free life, spread the message of salvation, and seek out ways to love those who need it most. There is only 1 way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ. If we imitate Christ, then we will have opportunities to lead others to Christ as they see Jesus in us.

We watched this video to talk about how close an imitation can be. He sounds just like Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam.

Friends - Week 1 Recap

2012-01-06T09:31:00.004-05:00

Friends Week 1 - Loneliness - Recap
Passage: John 4 - Woman at the Well
God works in a woman who is lonely, an outcast, and someone, who in that culture, would never be talked to by a Jewish man (Jesus). The result = she brings more people to come see Jesus and many more believe.

A couple key points from the talk
1. Don't surround yourself with people who reinforce negative traits just because it may be easier to hang out with them.
2. You can be that one person to show love to someone who is lonely. You can point them to Jesus.

Our Prayer
1. Thanking God that he is there for us when we get lonely.
2. Relationships – that we choose wisely and uplift each other
3. God reveals to us someone we need to befriend (think of that person NOW) – contact them before you get to school if you can….start building that friendship now! Pray pray pray.
4. that collectively, we are a welcoming group, caring about all of us.

Jeremiah 31:3 – Lords’ love for us lasts forever
Isaiah 41:10 – Lord is with us and helps us. We need not fear.
Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate us from God’s love
Isaiah 55:6-7 – Lord is near to us, offers pardon for our sins
Romans 5:8 – God loves us even though we are sinners
Psalms 103:12-14 – God forgives us, has compassion, and understands our situation.
Isaiah 40:29-31 – Lord gives us strength to SOAR
Hebrews 4:15-16 – Jesus understands what it’s like to be human (experienced all humans could)
Psalms 23:4 – Even in a dark valley, the Lord is with us.

2012 Mission Trip

2012-01-04T22:39:00.000-05:00

If you missed tonight, then get the mission trip info and form from me next time.

Milwaukee - June 3-9, 2012

Register by February 1st.

Christmas Party - White Elephant Style

2011-12-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

See you in 2012!

January Calendar - 2012 is Here!

2011-12-28T10:35:00.001-05:00

-New Wednesday series "Friends" starts January 4th.
-No Steak n' Shake on January 2nd. Instead we are having a board game day on Tuesday, January 3rd from 12-4pm at the church.

Christmas Break Fun

2011-12-22T09:17:00.002-05:00

#1. Christmas Eve Services at Trinity Park - 6pm and 11pm

#2. Steak n' Shake - 1/2 Price Shakes….except they're free if you show up! We’ll cover the cost of the shake and afterwards head to the church to hang out.
Tuesday, December 27th @2:00pm

#3. White Elephant Christmas Party - Wednesday, December 28th from 6:30-8:30pm.
Bring your white elephant gift to exchange.

#4. New Series "Friends" - starts Wednesday, January 4th. Youth will be an extra hour for this night only. 6:30-9:30pm.

Merry Christmas

New Promo Picture

2011-12-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

You may see this on the tv's in the church that cycle through the announcements.

God's Dream vs the American Dream

2011-12-07T08:58:00.005-05:00

AMERICAN DREAM:
-Power, Success, money, Whoever has most toys wins, buy now pay later, go in debt to have more stuff that you don't need, my money, you get what you earn, whatever makes you feel better, need it now, impress others...
-Many of these tie into consumption, selfishness, and a lack of compassion.

GOD'S DREAM:
1. Give Quietly (READ Matthew 6:1-4)
2. Give Cheerfully (READ 2 Cor 9:6-8)
3. -“Share My Stuff” – God Psalm 24:1-6 says that everything belongs to the Lord. That should change how we view our stuff.
4. Don’t love your stuff – (READ Mark 10:17-25) - his wealth did not make him sinful, it was his attitude and love for it.
What are things you find hard to give? (Money saved, free time, memorabilia, stuff I think people won’t take care of). ARE you as generous with others as you are with yourself???
5. Give your best to God for him to use

DO YOU REALLY WANT GOD’S DREAM?
Which of these is toughest for you?

John Wesley
*EARN ALL YOU CAN (work hard, don’t be lazy, be disciplined – plenty of Bible passages say that)
*SAVE ALL YOU CAN (be prepared for future (college fund, emergency car breakdown, buy house/car).
*GIVE ALL YOU CAN (It’s not yours….and we are called to help others. Don’t HOARD!)

Tim Tebow's Faith

2011-11-28T15:42:00.003-05:00

A good (with a few laughs) read on Tim Tebow's faith as an NFL quarterback.

If you don't know who Tim Tebow is, let me fill you in. He was a dominant college football player that won a national championship and the Heisman (awarded to the best college player), but who no one believed could succeed in the NFL due to a lack of "fundamentals." Lately, he has had his chance and has won 4 of his 5 games despite his unconvential methods, thanks to what coaches and players say are his intangibles of leadership. All the while, he has praised God from childhood until now (including praying during games).

Read the article here or download the pdf at this link.

A good read on using your platform in your life and making sure we don't fall into hypocrisy.

December Calendar

2011-11-25T00:01:00.013-05:00

A great month ahead of us.
-Dating and Marriage Pledge on Sunday, December 11th during 11:15am worship service.
-We finish up our "Hot Topics" Series.

Not to mention the girls will be decorating Christmas cookies (Dec 4) and we'll have a White Elephant Christmas Party (Dec 28).

Details on the calendar below. Paper copies available in the youth room!

Operation Christmas Child!

2011-11-17T13:20:00.000-05:00

Operation Christmas Child was a success once again!
We shopped, packed, and wrapped the shoeboxes for kids across the world!

Marriage Modeling for Parents

2011-11-07T10:33:00.000-05:00

For the last several weeks we have discussed dating and marriage during our Wednesday night youth. In fact, on December 11 during Sunday morning worship at our 11:15am service all students who wish to will be pledging to date and marry based on Biblical principles (click on image below to see the pledge). Parents, we hope you support your teen in this commitment.

As a reminder to parents, you are a part of the marriage that they see the most of, so it is important to model a healthy marriage.

This article gives 10 simple actions that parents should be intentional in modeling to their children.

Building a Healthy and Happy Family

2011-11-01T07:13:00.008-04:00

We referenced this article in the November church newsletter. It has some great insights for making sure we make the most of our time as families. Parents, look at the list and try to focus on 1 or 2 that you could improve on!

Read 10 Ways to Build a Healthy and Happy Family.

November Calendar

2011-10-27T14:49:00.003-04:00

Trunk or Treat is this Monday, Oct 31 (Halloween!) from 6-8pm if you want to come help out.
If you have a car, then you can decorate and bring candy. Or just come to help and interact with all the kids that pass through.

Here's the November Calendar!

When Sports/Band/Theater Become God

2011-10-25T11:11:00.001-04:00

This is a great read for all parents and teens also. I'm not endorsing or condemning the article, but I believe it is important to have this discussion with your family.

A healthy family has to spend time quality time together at home, serve together in building each other's faith (at home and in a community of faith that is the church), and also doing their own stuff (work, sports, etc) that allows them to be light in this world.

The article is obviously about making sure church and growing our faith and serving in the world don't get bombarded by an abundance of overbearing sports or extracurriculars. On top of that is this paragraph
"Forget church for a moment and let’s just talk about our kids overall well-being. Pretty much every report we read says that teenagers need about 9 hours and 15 minutes of sleep per night. And most of you have heard me share research about the importance of eating 3 to 5 family dinners together per week—hard to do when water polo practice brings you home at 7:20 and games bring you home after that."

Read the article here and pray for wisdom.

Lecrae Concert Pix

2011-10-07T12:55:00.000-04:00

Great night of music and powerful messages about what it means to be a Christian and live for God's glory and not our own! Forgot my good camera for pix and video so had to use my cell phone.

Couldn't find any youtube from the show last night yet so here's a few good links from the Pittsburgh show (Chase That & Hallelujah). Hopefully some Columbus youtube videos will come up soon.

Sunday Movie Time

2011-10-05T10:17:00.000-04:00

We will have Youth on our regular time this Sunday at 12:30pm.

We will be leaving to see the movie "Courageous."
View the trailer here or below. We will return at approximately 4:15pm.
Cost is $5.

October Calendar and Notes

2011-09-27T12:09:00.000-04:00

October Highlights:Wednesdays: "Hot Topic" Series. We've had a great start so far.
Sundays: Special Guests and a Movie.
Oct 26 - Start Fall Break with a Lock-IN
Halloween: Trunk or Treat at the Church.

Free Parent Newsletter

2011-09-12T11:54:00.001-04:00

Attention Parents,

Homeword Center for Youth and Family puts out a montly newsletter just for parents!

Sign up by following this link at http://www.homeword.com/newsletter.php and fill out the form and check the box for the "Good Advice Parent Newsletter."