Grace Bible Church

Grace Bible Church Weekly Bulletin for Sunday, July 12, 2026

Grace Bible — Fri, 10 Jul 2026 08:00:14 +0000

This Sunday’s Equipping Hour

Spiritual Nutrition 101: How to Study, Crave, and Grow; taught by Ben James

9:00am in the Worship Center

This Sunday Morning Service

Jude 5-16; taught by Scott Demarest

10:15am in the Worship Center

This Sunday Evening Service

No Evening Service

Next Week’s Equipping Hour

Philosophy of Ministry: Love the Savior, Revelation 2:1-7; taught by Smedly Yates

9:00am in the Worship Center

414

414 (college & singles under 26) meets Friday nights in local homes.

Contact Ben James (ben@gbcaz.org) or Eric Martin (eric@gbcaz.org) for more information.

July NGM Memory Verse

Psalm 147:5 “Great is Our Lord and abundant in power; His discernment is infinite.”

Build & Wellspring

Build (for men) and Wellspring (for women) are discipleship ministries for believers in Jesus Christ who have made GBC their home church. Together, we will study God’s Word through teaching, discussion, and weekly homework as we seek to grow in Christlikeness and become more effective in influencing those around us for the gospel, beginning in our homes.

Both ministries meet every other week. Build meets on Saturdays beginning August 29. Wellspring is offered on Saturdays (on the same schedule as Build) and Wednesdays. Wednesday Wellspring begins August 26.

If you plan to participate, please register as soon as possible so we can prepare materials and staff appropriately. Registration closes August 2. Register here.

Parenting Classes

We are offering two parenting classes this fall:

Parents of Children Birth–9 Years Old
This class will meet on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m., beginning August 2. Childcare will not be provided. Participants need to purchase and begin reading Shepherding a Child’s Heart before the class begins.

Parents of Children Ages 10+
This class will meet on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m. Childcare will not be provided. Participants need to purchase and begin reading Age of Opportunity before the class begins.

Grace Bible Institute

Grace Bible Institute (GBI) and Grace Bible Institute Seminary (GBIS) provide graduate-school-level courses for the study of the Bible, theology, exegesis, church history, and other areas. These courses exist for the training of pastors and missionaries in preparation for ministry. We are also making some of these courses available to the members of Grace Bible Church. If you are interested please sign up here to find out more information.

Mom’s Group
Mom’s Group meets on non-Wellspring Wednesdays from 10:00am–12:00pm at valley parks, splash pads, and local homes. Each month includes a discussion on practical parenting topics. Moms with kids of all ages are welcome! It’s also a great opportunity for older moms to share wisdom and encouragement with younger moms. For more details, contact Katy Lee or Jill Drent at moms@gbcaz.org.

Helping Hands
Helping Hands is a ministry that provides meals to individuals and families in our church body during times of need. It’s a practical way to live out the “one anothers” of Scripture—caring for each other and bearing one another’s burdens. If you’d like to be part of this ministry and receive meal sign-up opportunities, please contact the church office at info@gbcaz.org.

Spanish Ministry
Speak Spanish? Learning Spanish? Join us on the third Sunday of every month for a couple of hours after service for a time of fellowship and ministry in Spanish. RSVP or direct questions to Jacob Hantla ( jacob@gbcaz.org).

July Book of the Month

For the month of July, the elders encourage the church to purchase and read our book of the month, D. A. Carson’s The Cross and Christian Ministry. This excellent short book will help reinforce and apply what we are learning as Smedly preaches through 1 Corinthians, showing how the cross of Christ must shape our view of preaching, leadership, unity, service, and ministry in the church.

Sunday’s Next Generation Ministries Lesson

This week’s lesson:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 — God Calls Israel to Love Through Obedience

Next week’s lesson:

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 — God Promises to Bless or Curse

Songs This Sunday

The Lord Almighty Reigns (Psalm 93)
He Will Hold Me Fast
O My Soul Arise
Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor
A Mighty Fortress is Our God

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Grace Bible Church Weekly Bulletin for Sunday, July 5, 2026

Grace Bible — Fri, 03 Jul 2026 08:00:46 +0000

This Sunday’s Equipping Hour

Chosen to Obey: Love, Law, and Life in Deuteronomy; taught by Matt Kellso

9:00am in the Worship Center

This Sunday Morning Service

Jude 1-4; taught by Scott Demarest

10:15am in the Worship Center

This Sunday Evening Service

No Evening Service

Next Week’s Equipping Hour

Spiritual Nutrition 101: How to Study, Crave, and Grow; taught by Ben James

9:00am in the Worship Center

414

414 (college & singles under 26) meets Friday nights in local homes.

Contact Ben James (ben@gbcaz.org) or Eric Martin (eric@gbcaz.org) for more information.

July NGM Memory Verse

Psalm 147:5 “Great is Our Lord and abundant in power; His discernment is infinite.”

Parenting Classes

We are offering two parenting classes this fall:

Grace Bible Institute

New to Grace Bible Church?

If you are newer to GBC and would like to learn more about what the church believes and practices as well as interact with the elder leadership, please sign-up using the tear-off portion of the card below or email (info@gbcaz.org) or call the office 480.968.6085.

Communion Wafers

Grace Bible Church offers gluten-free wafers made from rice, safflower oil, and soy. They are ELISA-tested to ensure gluten levels stay below 20 ppm.

The Master’s University Scholarship Fund

The Master’s University (a private Christian university in California) has established a unique relationship with Grace Bible Church, recognizing an opportunity to help theologically like-minded students attend TMU. If you are interested in helping students attend undergraduate programs at The Master’s University, you can give to this need by indicating your desire on your financial gift to GBC by including the note “GBC TMU Scholarship Fund”. You can find out more by contacting TMUscholarships@gbcaz.org.

July Book of the Month

Sunday’s Next Generation Ministries Lesson

This week’s lesson:

Deuteronomy 4:1-40 — God Requires Obedience

Next week’s lesson:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 — God Calls Israel to Love Through Obedience

Songs This Sunday

Our Song From Age to Age
Christ the Sure and Steady Anchor
Jesus, Thank You
Your Words are Wonderful (Psalm 119)
In Christ Alone

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Summer Camp Follow-Up and Resources

Jacob Hantla — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:29:52 +0000

Dear Parents,

As I sit down to write this email and reflect on camp, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of caring for your kids, preaching the gospel to them, calling them to faith in Christ, and encouraging them in their faith. I am grateful for the fun we had together and for the chance to get to know them better.

Our staff poured their hearts into making camp as fruitful as possible: extremely fun competition, over-the-top in the best way camaraderie and team-building, and most importantly, discussion groups, one-on-one discipleship, and personal encouragement. I hope each student felt the love we have for them. Most of all, I am grateful to God. His Word is clear, applicable, convicting, and helpful. The privilege of preaching at camp and pleading with the students from Scripture is unmatched. I am amazed and grateful that God would use me and the rest of the staff in this way.

Reviewing Camp Together

Now that the students have come down the mountain, I would love for you to help them remember what they learned and apply it to their lives. To help with that, you can download the leader booklet from camp. It includes the sermon outlines, discussion questions, and most importantly, the page called “Talk to your parents when you get home.” That page has questions designed especially for family discussion.

Download the booklet PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GFrBpB06zajHpjMKtXrSovsumK1Or5cc/view?usp=sharing

This year’s camp theme was Seasoned with Salt. We took up a question our students asked at winter camp: if we are not to be companions of fools, how are we supposed to live in a world that has rejected our Savior? Across three sermons we showed that Christians do not hide from the world and do not blend into it. They are salt and light in the world for the glory of their Father (Session 1). They live among outsiders prayerfully, wisely, and graciously (Session 2). And they are ambassadors entrusted with the message of reconciliation, pleading with others to be reconciled to God (Session 3). The final sermon pressed every student with one question: what will control you when you come down the mountain? Camp emotion will not last. Resolutions to do better will not either. Only the love of Christ controlling you will keep you walking with him at home.

The sermons from camp are now online on the GBC Student Ministries website and YouTube. You can watch them or read the transcripts here:

Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16): https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/salt-and-light/
Pray, Walk, Speak (Colossians 4:2-6): https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/pray-walk-speak/
Reconciled Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:14-21): https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/reconciled-ambassadors/

It would be very helpful for you to watch these so you know what your students heard and can build on it at home. If you only have time for one, I would point you to the third one. It presses every student with the question of where their heart is and what will actually control them when they get home. However, I do believe that you would benefit from watching all three; and your students would likely benefit from listening to them again.

The students were encouraged to memorize Matthew 5:13-16 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. Almost all of them did it. Have them continue to say these verses to you, and discuss how their lives should be affected as a result of God’s Word they now know.

The students also had two breakout sessions where they dug into Scripture for themselves. The first breakout is in the booklet. The second breakout involved reading and organizing verses into six categories describing what a Christian is toward outsiders: compelled by Christ’s love, humble toward outsiders, reconciled to God, set apart from the world but sent into it, entrusted with the message of reconciliation, and wise and gracious under pressure. It would be helpful to look through those verses and categories together. You might consider memorizing, or at least discussing, one verse from each category as a family.

You may also have heard about the fun we had at camp. We will share pictures and videos soon. In the meantime, you may enjoy watching the intro video for the camp games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7rHiuJf0iw. The competition was really fun, and I want to congratulate the Red Team (Red Bull) for winning. This year stood out because everyone competed hard with great sportsmanship and an encouraging attitude.

Summer Plans

Student Ministries is taking a break for the summer. We will be back together in August. Watch your email for updates on the exact restart date.

I will continue praying that God would bear fruit in the students’ lives this summer. Our goal is to come alongside you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students. I pray we served you well in that, and that making these resources available helps you in this partnership.

If you have anything you would like to discuss or communicate, please reach out to me or your child’s discussion leader.

Your servant for His glory,
Jacob Hantla

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Last Week of Camp Signup & Prayer Breakout Session

Jacob Hantla — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:23:44 +0000

Dear Parents of Student Ministries-

This is the very last week to signup for Summer Camp. Please take the time to go sign up right now. If cost is a reason you would not be able to sign up, please indicate that at signup time. There have been individuals at church who do want to help ensure that all students can attend camp.

Signing up is quick and easy. Just follow this link.

Prayer Breakout Session
This week at student ministries, the students got to build on our learning about prayer as we continue to make our way through the topics of the Fundamentals of the Faith.

Each discussion group got to work through a handout on prayer, where they could look up passages and reflect on how God’s Word should inform and affect their prayer. Most groups did not have enough time to complete the handouts. In the next two weeks that they have off student ministries, I believe that it would be fruitful time, well-spent for you to work with your student through the rest of their handout, Bibles open together.

You can find the notetaking handouts here.

Next Two Weeks Off
Student Ministries will not meet for the next two Sundays. This Sunday, please join the whole church together for a parenting round table discussion with a number of elders. Your students are encouraged to join, to hear from the elders of topics of parenting (and kids’ responsibility to obey and support their parents’ aims). The week after is Mother’s Day, and we will not be meeting to allow families time to honor and celebrate mothers together.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you by caring for your students. As the year winds down, please ensure that you have signed up for camp. And please be faithful and diligent to pray for this ministry and the many hearts we seek to care for.

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Student Ministries Plans Through Summer Camp

Jacob Hantla — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:25:33 +0000

Dear Parents of Student Ministries,

The Student Ministries schedule is a little unusual over the next month, so I wanted to send a quick note to clarify it. The students will be back together this Sunday from 6:00-7:30 p.m., and we only have four more gatherings before Summer Camp.

4/26: Meet as usual, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
5/3: Off for the Parenting Roundtable
5/10: Off for Mother’s Day
5/17: We meet
5/24: We meet, and the new 6th graders join us
5/31: We meet, and this will be our last Student Ministries gathering before camp

Summer Camp
Please make sure to sign up for Summer Camp soon. Registration closes next Sunday. You can register here: https://gbcaz.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3538708

Student Ministries Website
I also want to remind you, or let you know if you were not aware, about the Student Ministries website: https://www.gbcaz.org/ministries/student-ministries/

Please bookmark it. There you can find links to the sermons, videos, and transcripts. I also post most parent emails there so you can stay up to date on Student Ministries even if you miss an email.

Your servant for His glory,

Jacob Hantla
480-241-3769 | jacob@gbcaz.org

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April Schedule & Message Recap (Life In the Vine)

Jacob Hantla — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 16:22:37 +0000

Dear Parents of Student Ministries,

First off, for scheduling purposes, April is an odd month.

4/5 – This Easter Sunday: No Student Ministries.
4/12 – Student Ministries meets as normal.
4/19 – 25th Anniversary Sunday: No Student Ministries.
4/26 – Student Ministries meets as normal.

Last night, Kris Drent shared a very important message entitled “Life In the Vine” from John 15:1–11. You can watch or read the message on our website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/life-in-the-vine/

Kris started the message by saying that if he only had one chance to talk to the students, this would be the message he would bring.

The central challenge was simple but critical for every one of us to consider: Which kind of branch are you? Jesus identifies only two kinds: (1) those genuinely connected to him, bearing fruit the Father produces in them, and (2) those who are externally around the vine but drawing no real life from it. Kris unpacked what it means for Jesus’ followers to abide in him. It entails not striving to manufacture fruit through religious performance or sheer willpower, but staying connected to Christ through his Word, trust, and daily dependence. He also explained why the Father’s pruning in hard seasons is evidence of life, salvation, and relationship, not punishment. It is critical for students and all of us to realize that we can do nothing apart from Jesus, especially bear fruit, which depends entirely on the true Vine. The good news is that though a dead branch cannot make itself alive, Christ’s death and resurrection offers real, joyful life to anyone willing to trust and abide in him.

I’d encourage you to discuss weekly what your students have learned from the Sunday morning sermon, their Student Ministries lesson, and their daily time in the Word. It is our joy to come alongside you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students. That truly is the purpose of the ministry — not something you send your students to so that we train them, but rather a group of servants who partner with you and support you as the church in fulfilling your God-given responsibility to train up your children. It is amazing to watch God work miraculously to bring new life to many in this ministry. We labor and pray to be faithful servants that the Holy Spirit would be pleased to use in this way.

Your servant for His glory,
Jacob Hantla

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Why Christians Sing

Jacob Hantla — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:18:04 +0000

On Sunday, Kris Drent came to the Student Ministries and taught on why Christians sing. Singing is something that we do nearly every time the church gathers—nearly every time that student ministries gathers. So it is important that we understand why we do it and what we are doing when we sing. Krist did a great job with this.

From passages such as Psalm 96, Psalm 103, and Colossians 3, Kris taught that when the church sings, it works in several important directions at once: upward in worship to God because He is worthy, outward as a testimony to unbelievers, inward by shaping our own hearts with truth, and toward one another by teaching and encouraging fellow believers.

You can find the sermon video and a transcript at the Student Ministries webpage: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/why-we-sing/

Upcoming Meeting
We will meet again this Sunday 3/29 at 6pm, and Kris will teach a followup to this message.

It is such an important message. I strongly encourage you to review what your students learned and even listen/watch it yourself.

Your servant for His glory,
-Jacob Hantla

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Important Announcements & God the Holy Spirit

Jacob Hantla — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:12:26 +0000

Parents of Student Ministries-

I want to start this email with a few important announcements and dates you need to know:

Summer Camp Plans

Summer camp will be June 5-7 in Prescott. Please ensure that these dates are on your calendar. We plan on leaving early Friday, June 5, and returning in the afternoon on Sunday, June 7.

Upcoming Student Ministries

This Sunday (3/15), we will not have our regular Student Ministries gathering. Instead, plan on attending GBC in the park at Tumbleweed Park at 6pm.

The next two Sundays, 3/22 and 3/29, Student Ministries will gather as normal and have the privilege of Kris Drent teaching the sessions. From there the Student Ministries schedule is weird so I want to lay it out for your reference:

4/5: No meeting due to Easter
4/12 Meet as usual
4/19 No meeting due to GBC 25th anniversary
4/26 Meet as usual
5/3 No meeting due to parenting roundtable evening service
5/10 No meeting due to mother’s day
5/17 Meet as usual
5/24 Meet as usual
5/31 Last meeting before camp.

It’s amazing how quickly this year is rushing by. I feel like each gathering with these students is precious. We try to make the most of the sessions, the content taught, and the time together in discussion groups.

God the Holy Spirit

On Sunday, we continued our Fundamentals of the Faith series. We have learned about God’s Word, about the attributes of God, about Jesus and salvation through His death. It was important to not neglect the third Person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit.

We focused on who the Holy Spirit actually is according to Scripture. He is not a force, not an experience, but God Himself, the third Person of the Trinity. We worked through the Bible’s teaching that God is three distinct Persons, yet one God, and that all true believers are indwelt by the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation. We also considered what it means to be filled with the Spirit. Not that a Christian gets more or less of the Holy Spirit, but that the Holy Spirit increasingly controls and governs the believer’s life. A major emphasis of the lesson was that the normal work of the Holy Spirit is not spectacle or confusion, but the production of godliness, obedience, thankfulness, truth-filled speech, and Christlike character. And for of us who are Christians, who have God Himself in the Holy Spirit in us, we must glorify God in our bodies. I challenged the students to think carefully about whether they are walking by the Spirit, putting off what feeds the flesh, and pursuing a life increasingly shaped by God’s Word.

You can go to our website and watch the YouTube video of the message or review the transcript.

So many students shared that they learned much about who God is and had their thinking corrected about the Holy Spirit and the critical role He plays in the believer’s life. Please take the time over the next few weeks to speak with your students about what they’ve been learning in Student Ministries this year. You may find it helpful to use the Fundamentals of the Faith workbook to study as a family to dig deeper and study these important truths in your home.

Leading Student Ministries—coming alongside the amazing staff and you parents in the care, evangelism, and discipleship of these students—is one of the greatest privileges and joys in my life. Thank you for entrusting me and the rest of the staff with this. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your student’s discussion group leader or me about any way we can be a great support.

Your servant for His glory,
-Jacob Hantla

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Winter Camp Follow-Up & Resources for Your Students

Jacob Hantla — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:57:56 +0000

Dear Student Ministry Parents,

Now that we’re nearly one week out from Student Ministries Winter Camp, I’d like to direct your attention to the recordings and resources available to reinforce the lessons your students learned.

Visit our Student Ministries resource page to listen, watch, or read the camp lessons: Student Ministries Resource Page

During camp, students participated in a special breakout session exploring many Scripture verses about friendship and influence. These verses can be accessed and printed here: Friendship & Influence Verses

Encourage your student to select a few verses to memorize. They can use the printed cards they created for their poster board, post them around their room or bathroom, or make flashcards. The goal is to identify verses that impacted (or should impact) them significantly and deeply embed these truths in their hearts through meditation and memorization. Detailed instructions from this session are available in the recording or the camp notebook.

Additionally, students raised many important questions during our Q&A session with Jackson, Kris, and myself. Topics ranged from salvation and assurance to friendships, self-harm, betrayal, and evangelism. A timestamped transcript and recording of the session are available here: Winter Camp Q&A Session

Student Ministries Meets Tomorrow. We will gather again tomorrow, March 1, from 6:00–7:30 pm.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Your servant for His glory,
Jacob

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Work of Christ, Mosquitoes, and Omnipresence in the Incarnation

Jacob Hantla — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:15:14 +0000

We have only one more Student Ministries meeting left in 2025, this Sunday, November 30.

After that, on Saturday, December 20 from 6 to 9 pm, we will hold our Christmas Party at Josh Peñas’ home.

We will resume our Sunday evening gatherings on January 11.

Sunday’s Lesson

Last night the majority of our time was spent in discussion groups, where the students read passages on “The Work of Christ” and answered questions from the text. You can download the worksheet and review it with them. As a reminder, we are working through chapters of the very helpful book Fundamentals of the Faith, finishing chapter 5. Working through the workbook as a family would be an excellent way to deepen your own grasp of basic Christian doctrine and to disciple your students in these foundational truths.

Ask Pastor Jake: Mosquitoes and Omnipresence

Before breaking for discussion groups, I answered two questions from our Q&A box. One was lighthearted, and the other addressed a significant Christian doctrine:

Why did God create mosquitoes?
Did Jesus set aside any of His attributes, such as omnipresence, when He became man?

You can read, listen to, or watch the answers on our website.

The students continue to ask thoughtful questions, and they are submitting them faster than I can answer them. As we close out our final meeting this Sunday, I will work to address several more of the questions prompted by our discussions this year.

Thank you for the privilege of coming alongside you in the care, evangelism, and discipleship of your students. I do not take this trust lightly, and neither do the many staff who love this ministry and the families we serve. Please let us know if there is any way we can serve you better.

Your servant for His glory,

Jacob Hantla

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Christ Our Substitute (APJ: Sinner’s Prayer)

Jacob Hantla — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 23:17:05 +0000

Dear parents of Student Ministries,

We had such a sweet evening of teaching and discussion last night. Moving on into chapter 5 of Fundamentals of the Faith, we are now learning about “The Work of Christ.” We focused specifically on the work of Jesus as the believer’s substitute from 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18. I also worked to answer a question that I have received in our Q&A box from a few different students regarding the necessity and effectiveness of “the sinner’s prayer.”

The main point that I emphasized regarding whether or not “the sinner’s prayer” saves was that salvation isn’t found in simply praying the right words or performing religious rituals. Instead, salvation is fully and completely the work of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone—not by works or words. While a genuine prayer expressing faith often naturally accompanies salvation, we saw the variation of ways in which saving faith was expressed through Scripture. I walked them through some vivid biblical examples like the sinful woman forgiven by Jesus, the paralytic whose sins Jesus forgave, the humble tax collector pleading for mercy, and the thief on the cross. Each one was saved by genuine faith and trust in Jesus, not by saying certain words or doing religious activities.

For the main sermon on Jesus as the believer’s substitute, we looked closely at 1 Peter 2:24 and 3:18. Each passage teaches how Jesus bore our sins and God’s wrath as our substitute, fully accomplishing our salvation and bringing us to God. A number of students shared with me and their leaders that they heard and understood the critical gospel truth of Jesus bearing our sins completely.

You can access the sermon outline and discussion guide. Also, there is a transcript and recording of the message on our website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/jesus-our-substitute-apj-the-sinners-prayer/. I apologize that the microphone didn’t connect, so the audio quality isn’t optimal. Nevertheless, I’d really encourage you to discuss with your students what they learned and how this truth must affect their lives. You cannot watch Christ die in our place, bearing away our sins, and remain apathetic or uninterested. Leon Morris said it well: “To put it bluntly and plainly, if Christ is not my Substitute, I still occupy the place of a condemned sinner. If my sins and my guilt are not transferred to Him, if He did not take them upon Himself, then surely they remain with me. If He did not deal with sins, I must face their consequences. If my penalty was not borne by Him, it still hangs over me.”

I’d encourage you to keep talking with your kids about these truths, pleading with them to turn to Jesus or helping them rest their confidence fully on Christ’s finished work and not on their own efforts or performance.

Student Ministries Park Day

This Saturday (11/22), please plan to have your student join us from 3–5 p.m. at Chuparosa Park. We will have ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and any other games you bring.

Plans for Remainder of 2025

Next Sunday (11/23) and 11/30 we will be back together at Grace Bible Church from 6–7:30 for Student Ministries as normal. In the month of December we will not gather except for the Christmas party on 12/20 from 6–9 p.m. at Josh Peña’s home.

Thank you for the privilege that you have entrusted to me and the other leaders, to come alongside you in caring for, evangelizing, and discipling your students.

Your servant for His glory,

–Jacob Hantla

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Run with Endurance (and Crushes, Dating, and Marriage)

Jacob Hantla — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 18:00:20 +0000

Dear Parents,

Last night at Student Ministries, we built upon the message I preached to the whole church in the morning. We particularly focused on how the command to “run with endurance” (Hebrews 12:1–3) requires intentional application. We will not run with endurance accidentally; instead, we must actively pursue the means God has provided—laying aside weights and sins and fixing our eyes on Jesus.

Our discussion groups considered how this command impacts three specific areas:

Our Response to the Gospel: Believing genuinely and avoiding legalism.
Our Time in the Word: Seeking to know Christ deeply and understanding what pleases God.
Our Lives: Recognizing we’re not called to isolate from the world but to live distinctly as we run our race within it.

Crushes, Dating, and Marriage

As I’ve sought to faithfully address students‘ questions from our Q&A box, it’s evident that a significant portion continues to focus on dating and marriage. Last night, I opened our lesson by addressing these important topics from a biblical perspective.

You can watch the lesson or read the transcript on our website: Crushes, Dating, and Marriage: Run with Endurance.

It’s crucial, especially with sensitive topics like these, that the Student Ministries leadership team and I support and encourage your authority as parents. Our goal is to come alongside you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students. Please reach out to me directly if there are specific topics or concerns you’d like us to address. Additionally, your students are in discussion groups led by committed individuals who love, pray for, and personally engage with them. Please make effort to interact directly with these leaders as well. Our desire is to complement your leadership, not replace it.

Upcoming Events

As the next couple of months typically become quite busy, here are some key events to note:

November 22, 3:00–5:00 pm: Student Ministries at Chuparosa Park. Activities include ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and other games at the Honeysuckle Pavilion. All are welcome! Contact the Hauptmans for questions.
December 20, 6:00–9:00 pm: Christmas Party at Joshua Peña’s home. Students will enjoy dinner, worship through song, games, and an ugly sweater contest.
February 20–22: Winter Camp at UCYC in Prescott. More details coming soon.

Your servant for His glory,

Jacob Hantla

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Approach Holy God Only As He Commands and Provides

Jacob Hantla — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 22:28:21 +0000

Dear Parents—

The students learned last time we met about the attributes of our holy God. Yesterday, I used the vivid story of Nadab and Abihu from Leviticus 9 and 10 to help the students better understand God’s holiness and what is required to approach Him. We emphasized a repeated biblical theme: Sinful people can only approach a holy God in the exact ways He commands and provides. Following the narrative from Exodus to Leviticus, we noted the repeated phrase “as Yahweh commanded.” The only way sinful people can approach a holy God and not be consumed is through the means God commands and provides. For Israel in the wilderness, God gave very specific, bloody instructions (shadows of Jesus’ better, once-for-all cleansing blood) that the Levites needed to follow in order to be set apart and not die in God’s holy presence. Now for us, Jesus is clear when he says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

We then compared Yahweh’s acceptance of the sacrifice offered exactly as He commanded at the end of Leviticus 9 to the sobering example of Nadab and Abihu at the start of Leviticus 10. These two sons of Aaron attempted to approach God in a way He had not commanded nor provided, resulting in immediate, fiery judgment. God’s reason for judgment was clear: “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy” (Leviticus 10:3).This powerfully demonstrates that God’s holiness is both good and dangerous. We must recognize His holiness and treat Him accordingly. Ultimately, we connected this Old Testament story to the New Testament truth that God has not changed and Jesus Christ is our perfect and sufficient sacrifice. Only He allows us to approach God, and through His blood we can approach confidently (Hebrews 10:19ff). Students were encouraged to recognize the seriousness of God’s holiness, to beware of casually approaching God on their own terms, and to trust completely in Jesus, who alone gives us secure and joyful access to the Father.

Many students appeared quite affected by the lesson. I encourage you to talk to them about it. You can watch or read it on our website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/approach-holy-god-only-as-he-commands-and-provides/

Use questions like the following to ensure understanding and draw out an appropriate response:

Why was it “dangerous” for God to dwell in the Tabernacle
What was the purpose of all the sacrifices in Ex 40-Lev 9?
Why did Nadab and Abihu die? What lesson do you need to learn from their mistake and deaths?
What should have been the response of those who saw God’s acceptance of the sacrifice with fire and then rejecting Nadab and Abihu with fire? What should your response be?
What blood-way did God provide for us to approach Him? Why can the believer have confidence and full assurance drawing through by this way? (Heb 10:19-23)
What happens to those who try to draw near to God apart from the way He provided (blood of Jesus (Heb 10:19)?
What is the most life-impacting thing that you learned today?

The other servant leaders and I recognize that it is an amazing blessing and privilege to teach and lead these students. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of coming alongside you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students. If there is any way I can better support you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Your servant for His glory,

Jacob Hantla

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Why God Made Pigeons and Romans 12:1-2

Jacob Hantla — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 01:05:46 +0000

Parents-

Yesterday at Student Ministries, we began our evening with the weekly Q&A. One of the questions submitted was, “Why did God make pigeons?” I walked the students through a biblical answer to show that even a seemingly silly question can help us think carefully about God’s glory in creation and His care over all things.

After Q&A, we welcomed Matt Jarka, who guest taught from Romans 12:1–2. He challenged the students to present themselves as living sacrifices to God, to resist conformity to the world, and to be continually transformed by the renewing of their minds through God’s Word. Matt reminded us that there is no coasting in the Christian life; we are either moving toward obedience or drifting with the world. He encouraged the students to make God’s Word a daily priority and to help one another live lives of worship and faithfulness to Christ.

You can watch the lesson or read the transcript on our church website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/why-god-made-pigeons/

I’d also encourage you to follow up with your students on what they learned and how the lesson should affect them. Matt put together a helpful discussion guide with some questions you could ask to draw your student out and help them remember what was taught.

Next week, we will continue working through the content outline from the helpful workbook, Fundamentals of the Faith. I encourage you to consider getting this book at working through it as a family as well as helping your student stay on a daily Bible reading plan. We have offered tools to help them with this, including reading plans and note sheets. Reading the Bible daily, meditating on and obediently, faithfully applying what is learned, is the most sure path I am aware of to spiritual maturity. As you pray for your student, please do all that you can to help them prioritize this critical spiritual discipline that the Holy Spirit loves to use to save and sanctify us.

Thank you for the privilege of coming alongside you in the care of your students. There are so many servants who work so hard to love these students, to evangelize them, disciple them, encourage them, and help them. If there is any way we can help you or serve you better, please let us know.

See you this Sunday, Lord willing.

Your servant for His glory,

-Jacob Hantla

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How to Know the Bible

Jacob Hantla — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 01:06:49 +0000

Yesterday at Student Ministries we continued our work through the content of the great workbook, Fundamentals of the Faith. We are in the second chapter, “How to Know the Bible.” Please consider getting this workbook at the booktable or at Amazon. We will be working through the topics of this workbook for the rest of the year.

You can watch and read the message at our webpage or at YouTube.

A few takeaways I encouraged the students to talk with their parents about and to integrate into their home’s relationship with God’s Word:

Get the Fundamentals of the Faith workbook and do the exercises on Bible study from chapter 2.
Read the Bible aloud as a family.
Read the Bible prayer on their own daily.
Begin memorizing Bible verses. I suggested that they consider using music to help. I have found Hide the Word albums by Mark Altrogge to assist. I recommend starting with Word of the Cross or Weight of Glory. If you still use CDs, you can buy all 10 CDs for $10 total. They are streamable on Spotify and Apple Music. There are also great Bible memory apps. I also highly recommend DesiringGod’s Fighter Verses.

Please encourage your students in this. If your family’s life doesn’t have regular time around the Word, this would be a great time to start. If you need help, please reach out. I would love to help you and encourage you in this.

What a privilege it is to come alongside you, along with the many servants in the ministry, to care for, evangelize, and disciple these young souls. Thank you for the privilege.

-Jacob Hantla

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Week Off, What is the Bible, and Fundamentals of the Faith

Jacob Hantla — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 22:18:53 +0000

Let me lead with a few important updates you need to be aware of.

First, no Student Ministries this Sunday, 9/7. The church will gather for a song night. Please attend together as a family. Looking ahead, we will not meet on the following Sundays: 10/12 (GBC in the Park), 11/9 (Grillout), and 12/7 (GBC in the Park). Mark your calendars and plan to attend those church-wide events.

This past Sunday, we began a study that will likely take most of the year, roughly following the outline and content of the workbook Fundamentals of the Faith. Please consider getting this workbook and working through it as a family. We will likely take 2-3 weeks per topic, so your at-home study will not need to be rushed and should augment what we cover in Student Ministries.

A couple of years ago, we had a brief introduction to “What Is the Bible?” and then broke into discussion groups so students could learn from Scripture what the Bible says about itself. The worksheet they filled out, along with the verses they looked up, is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qKUwAcK4TocgvonK5R-1Ulg6fOv7r40D/view?usp=sharing

Answer key:

The Bible is inspired (breathed out by God)
The Bible is infallible (cannot be wrong)
The Bible is inerrant (without error in its original manuscripts)
The Bible is authoritative (every word of the Bible is God’s; therefore, it speaks with the full authority of God)
The Bible is necessary (to know God and the gospel message that reconciles us to Him)
The Bible is sufficient (it contains everything we need for life, godliness, and knowing God’s will)
The Bible is clear (we are not dependent on outside interpretive authority to understand the Bible)

You can listen to the short introduction I gave to the lesson here: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/what-is-the-bible/

You might also find last year’s more in-depth discussion on some of these points helpful if you are digging deeper with your students: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/how-to-read-the-bible-part-2/

The Bible is foundational to the Christian. We must know that it is God’s very Word, breathed out by Him with His power, accuracy, authority, wisdom, clarity, and purpose. The goal is not mere mental agreement with theological terms, but to receive these truths because God says they are so and then take God’s Word with utmost seriousness. Our students need this reality to undergird their worldview, theology, and epistemology.

Next time we are together in Student Ministries on 9/14, I will work through the many questions students submitted as they used the discussion guide. If any questions come up in your discussion at home, please email or text me.

Your servant for His glory,
Jacob Hantla

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Proclaim Christ to Present The Students Complete In Christ

Jacob Hantla — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:25:46 +0000

On Sunday, I laid out our main aim in Student Ministries from Colossians 1:28-29, Laboring to proclaim Christ in order that we may present every mature/complete in Christ. You can find the lesson and the transcript at https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/aiming-at-maturity-in-christ/. I apologize for the poor audio quality; you’ll have to turn the volume up a lot to hear it.

In the lesson, we saw that Paul’s aim was not only to preach information but to proclaim a Person, Jesus Christ, so that every believer might be presented mature in Him (Colossians 1:28-29). I asked the students to consider: What are you aiming at? Parents, a good follow-up would be to press deeper into the heart of the gospel and the trajectory of their life. Ask your student: What are you living for? What is the gospel? How does someone become “in Christ”? (helping them see that it means turning from sin and trusting Jesus’ death and resurrection for forgiveness and new life). Then ask: If I am “in Christ,” what should that mean for how I live? What changes must be evident in my life when my aim is to please Him rather than myself?

I also pointed out from Colossians 3:16 that the admonishing and teaching in wisdom is the job of every believer, and that this flows from Christ’s Word dwelling in us richly. This cannot come apart from a faith-filled pursuit of God. So we renewed our call that the students be in God’s Word daily. The students should all have binders with reading plans and daily Bible reading note-taking sheets. If you and your student don’t already have the daily discipline of Bible reading, please consider following our recommended one. More on this to come…

Next week we will revisit again the topic of God’s Word, what is it, why do we need it, and how to read it. This year, I plan to roughly follow the flow of the book Fundamentals of the Faith. This starts with God’s Word. You may find it helpful to get a copy of the workbook to go through as a family over the course of the year. We are picking some up for the booktable.

It’s such a blessing to serve your students along with all of these hard-working discussion group leaders. It’s our joy to come alongside you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students.

In Christ,

-Jacob

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Student Ministries Kickoff 2025-26

Jacob Hantla — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 18:11:14 +0000

The kickoff for the 2025–2026 Student Ministries year is here! I hope your student will join us this Sunday, August 17, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Student Ministries Room at the church.

Each week at Student Ministries, we worship together in song, listen to a lesson, and break out into discussion groups. Sermons are recorded and uploaded online along with transcripts, enabling you as parents to know exactly what your child is learning so you can discuss and apply it at home. Our aim isn’t to replace your role as parents in evangelism and discipleship but to partner with you in evangelizing and discipling your students. Please reach out by phone, email, or text if you have any questions, concerns, or feedback. You can access all audio and video recordings, transcripts, and ministry emails on our Student Ministries website: https://www.gbcaz.org/ministries/student-ministries/

After the message, students meet in gender- and age-specific discussion groups led by our incredible staff. These groups help students personally understand and apply what they’re learning. We also desire for your students to build close relationships with and trust in their discussion leaders, so that as they face trials, have questions about the Bible or life, or need somebody to talk to, they have a trusted leader they can reach out to. Discussion questions are provided to each discussion group and will be sent to you weekly as well. Please consider taking at least one night each week to talk personally with your student about what they’re learning. Use the provided discussion questions if they’re helpful to you.

Students will be encouraged to read their Bibles daily. If your family isn’t already doing this together, please consider joining your student in this practice, perhaps reading the same passages and discussing them as a family. It doesn’t need to be complicated; simple questions can help your family reflect on and apply God’s Word together:

“What does this say?”
“What can we learn about God from what we just read?”
“How should this affect us?”

If your student participated in Student Ministries last year, please remind them to bring their binder. New students will receive a binder on their first night. Each week, we hand out sermon note sheets and daily Bible reading guides that can be kept there, along with the Bible reading plans.

I’m excited to be back and am looking forward to a great year together!

Your servant for His glory,

Jacob Hantla

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Students, Train Yourself for Godliness

Jacob Hantla — Thu, 08 May 2025 01:42:34 +0000

This Sunday, 5/11, I will be teaching at the main service, speaking a bit to what we are aiming at in Student Ministries. We will not have Student Ministries or evening service this Sunday. For this reason, the previously announced meeting with 5th-grade parents has been moved to 6/1 during equipping hour at 9 am. Enjoy Mother’s Day!

This last Sunday, I shared a similar message with the students as I did to end the year for the women of Wellspring: Train Yourself for Godliness from 1 Timothy 4:7b-9. Just as elite athletes dedicate their entire lives to temporary success, how much more should we devote ourselves—and encourage our students—to pursue godliness, which offers eternal benefit!

I encourage you to review the lesson (the audio, video, and text are on our website). I prepared some questions to help you draw your students out. Feel free to use them or make your own. But this is a lesson that needs to impact these students: Godliness is crucially mandatory for your life, and it isn’t automatic.

What lessons should a Christian learn from elite athletes?
To obtain godliness will involve sacrifice. Is it worth it for you? Are you behaving like it?
What is the connection between salvation and godliness?
What parts of your life are consistent with the relentless pursuit of godliness?
What changes are necessary? What planning and preparation would show that you are committed to this and to help you train effectively?

We are almost done with the school year. As a reminder for the upcoming schedule

May 11: Day off
May 18: Student Ministries 6-7:30
May 25: Day off
June 1: Student Ministries 6-7:30
June 5-8: Summer Camp!

It is such a blessing and privilege to come alongside you to care for and to evangelize or disciple your students.

Thank you

-Jacob Hantla

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Freed to Forgive From the Heart

Jacob Hantla — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:33:15 +0000

Sunday evening, we took a break from the Sermon on the Mount, jumping ahead a few chapters to hear Jesus explain what must motivate true forgiveness from the heart without limits: God’s immeasurable mercy toward us.

So for 45 minutes I shared the gospel and its implications with the students from the parable of the unforgiving servant. We saw the magnitude of our debt of sin against God—impossible to repay on our own—and how, for all who believe, God mercifully canceled this debt through Jesus’s death on the cross. This radical forgiveness from God must now motivate us to forgive others without limits, demonstrating that we truly grasp the depth of His mercy toward us. I encourage you to watch, listen, or read through this sermon, and take time this week to discuss with your students how the gospel shapes our hearts and transforms our responses when others sin against us.

The discussion guide with the outline and discussion questions can be downloaded here, and the slideshow with the images I used to illustrate the story here.

I was deeply impacted by Jesus’ story; it is my prayer that your students are too. This gospel message is something that we must rehearse, we must know, we must remember each and every day of our lives. It must affect everything that we do.

I’m excited to use this foundation to continue on into the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus’ teaching on loving our enemies. But first, we have a fellowship night in the park this Sunday. It’ll be 6 pm at Tumbleweed Park. It’s totally fine to come early.

What a privilege this is to share the truth of God’s Word and this glorious good news of His mercy with so many students. Please pray for them, for me, and for all in this ministry. Thank you for entrusting us to come alongside you and support you and help you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students.

Your servant for His glory,
-Jacob Hantla

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Trading Your Rights for Love

Jacob Hantla — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 15:28:23 +0000

Dear parents of Student Ministries,

This year is flying by. I can’t believe March is almost done. Summer Camp is just around the corner, June 5-7 at Emmanuel Pines in Prescott. More information and registration will be sent out in the near future.

This week, we continued in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to Matthew 5:38-42:

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Retaliating and thinking of ourselves first is so natural to all of fallen humanity. Jesus calls his people to turn away from personal vengeance and self-seeking. He gives us practical examples of what it looks like to love others as ourselves, responding even to insults and demands with grace, humility, and generosity. This is impossible without the gospel, without the Holy Spirit. As we do this, we imitate God’s character, trust His justice, extend His grace, and demonstrate our saving faith in the gospel.

The audio and video of the lesson are available on the website along with a transcript. You can download the discussion guide as well to spend some time with your students, helping to reinforce and apply what they have learned.

This Sunday, we will have another lesson on the topic of giving up your demands for justice to be imitators of God. Then, the following Sunday (April 6th), the entire church—including Student Ministries and adults—will have a fellowship night. We will not have evening service or Student Ministries that week. More details will follow. But we will be together as usual this Sunday. I’m looking forward to it!

Thank you for this privilege. It is no small thing to be entrusted with all these souls. I love bringing God’s Word to them and working alongside these amazing servants to support your efforts in evangelizing and discipling your students.

Your servant for His glory,
-Jacob Hantla

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Evangelism, Listening, and Student Ministries

Jacob Hantla — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:58:06 +0000

Dear parents,

I’m sorry for the gap in my weekly student ministry emails. Thankfully, I was able to have a very fun vacation with my family, and Alex Deshields and David Brittain both did a fantastic job of filling in on teaching while I was gone.

Last Sunday, on the 9th, Alex used 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 to encourage us to follow Paul’s example of selfless and purposeful sacrifice of personal freedom for the sake of winning others to Christ. He challenged us to examine whether we love our own freedoms and comforts more than we love the lost, calling us to follow Christ’s example of sacrificially giving ourselves for others. You can listen to or watch the message, and then follow up conversation with your students following the discussion guide. Alex did a great job, and I’m looking forward to having him back in front of our students to challenge us with a follow-up message.

Then, just a few days ago, on Sunday evening, David Brittain challenged the students to listen well and to prioritize receiving God’s Word as the necessary thing in our lives using Martha, Mary, and Jesus from Luke 10:38-42. I’m sure it would be encouraging and helpful for you to listen to/watch the sermon and use the discussion guide to interact with your students about what they learned in this wonderful lesson. I found myself being more aware of the importance of listening well, listening purposefully every chance I have to receive God’s Word.

David also created a great extra handout with “practical heart habits to hear and heed the preached word.” You can download it and review it with your student.

Please express your gratitude toward David and Alex as well as the other servants who tirelessly lead discussion groups every week. We do not take this privilege lightly. We love coming alongside you parents in evangelizing and discipling your students. So if there is any way we can do this better or any information or feedback you have to offer so that we are better equipped or aligned with you, please reach out.

Lord willing, we will be back together this Sunday evening from 6-7:30 as I lead us back into our next verses in the Sermon on the Mount.

Your servant for His glory,

-Jacob

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Let’s Have Fun (at camp)!

Jacob Hantla — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 04:51:15 +0000

Dear Student Ministries parents

This is a fun week! Last week we had a super fun Super Bowl party and learned about Fun. You can listen to or read the message that your students received at halftime on the website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/fun/

In our lesson, we explored the truth that fun, pleasure, and all good things originate from God’s abundant kindness (1 Timothy 6:17) and are meant to point our hearts back to Him. Whether we enjoy sports, games, or a good meal, these pleasures shouldn’t be seen as merely “neutral” but rather as opportunities to thank God, the Giver of all good gifts. At the same time, we need to guard against the idolatry of living for fun. Fun is a wonderful gift but a terrible god. Scripture reminds us that chasing temporary thrills without honoring the Lord inevitably leaves us empty. True and lasting joy comes when we connect the gift to the Giver, acknowledging that any delight we experience now is but a foretaste of the eternal joy found in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11).

As you prepare to send your students to camp tomorrow, take some time to shepherd their hearts toward a biblical view of fun. Encourage them to be intentional about enjoying God’s gifts in a way that honors Him—expressing gratitude in everyday moments, whether before a meal, after an activity, or when laughing with friends. Here are some questions to help guide your conversation on the way to camp:

What are you most excited about at camp? How can you enjoy it in a way that glorifies God?
Have you ever been frustrated when something fun was taken away? What did that reveal about your heart?
When you’re having fun, do you ever stop to thank God for it? How can you do that more?
How can you encourage others at camp to enjoy fun without sinning—whether in competition, conversation, or activities?
Why do you think the world chases fun as an ultimate goal, and how is the joy found in Christ different?

As we anticipate camp, let’s also encourage our students to go with hearts ready to serve others, listen carefully, apply God’s Word, grow in godliness, and honor Him in all they do. Fun will be part of the week, but the greater purpose is to know and trust Christ deeply and be transformed by His Word. Pray with them that they would set their hope fully on Him, that they would be both joyful and intentional, and that this time at camp would produce lasting fruit in their lives.

Make sure that you arrive at the church by 4:15 tomorrow for camp. Please bring your student to GBC with a sack dinner to eat on the bus ride up. Please review the emails and packing instructions; we anticipate it’ll be cold and the ground muddy, so bring warm footwear (with extra shoes and a plastic bag in case one gets wet). We plan to arrive back to the church Sunday afternoon at about 3:30.

Thank you for trusting us with this privilege of walking alongside you in the discipleship and evangelism of your kids. It is such an honor, and it is fun!

Your servant for His glory,

Jacob

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Just Tell the Truth | Student Ministries

Jacob Hantla — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 03:21:36 +0000

Dear Student Ministries Parents-

This email is the first of 3 emails I will be sending today:

Last Sunday’s Message Recap – Just Tell the Truth (this email)
Planning for this Sunday’s Fellowship Night
Camp planning details

Sunday Night Recap

On Sunday night, I preached from Matthew 5:33–37 in a message called Just Tell the Truth. We discussed Jesus’ teaching on honesty and the heart behind our words. The Pharisees turned oaths into empty technicalities, missing God’s real concern and the true mark of righteousness: that our speech should always be truthful because we stand before God in everything we say. Jesus emphasized the importance of having such genuine integrity that we never feel the need to“boost” our words with vows or promises. Instead, our simple “yes” or “no” should carry weight because it flows from a heart committed to truth. We challenged the students to examine their own speech habits and the hearts behind them, confess any patterns of sin revealed, and cling to the gospel for God’s forgiveness and power to grant a new heart that speaks in a way that honors Him.

I recommend you watch/listen to the sermon or review the transcript at our website. The weekly emails and all messages are posted on the main Student Ministries page.

Each week, we also prepare a discussion guide designed to help both discussion leaders and parents engage with students over the lesson. Below are a few key questions to consider discussing with your student this week:

Why do people feel the need to bolster their words with extra promises or dramatic swearing? Why is this ultimately a heart issue before God?
How does Jesus’ teaching on honesty contrast with the Pharisees’ use of oaths to manipulate and avoid truthfulness?
Consider Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:37—“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’”—what does that tell us about the kind of honesty that should characterize Christians?
What are some situations where you feel tempted to exaggerate, use half-truths, or hide behind technicalities instead of speaking plainly and honestly?

The full discussion guide is available on our website, and I encourage you to use it as a tool for shepherding conversations with your students this week to help them understand and apply Jesus’ words.

I, along with the other Student Ministries leaders, take very seriously the privilege of helping you evangelize and disciple your students. Let us know how we can help and support you in this.

Your servant for His glory,

-Jacob Hantla

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Fellowship Night: More Than a Game

Jacob Hantla — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 19:08:54 +0000

Dear Student Ministries Parents,

This Sunday, February 9, we are hosting a Student Ministries Fellowship Night, and we want to be clear—this is not just a Super Bowl watch party, and it’s not meant to be a night off. This is about something much bigger.

With Winter Camp coming up next weekend—where students will have jam-packed teaching, discussion groups, and plenty of structured time together—we have long wanted to set aside an evening just for fun, fellowship, and unhurried conversation. Meaningful discussion groups happen best in the context of strong relationships, and strong relationships come from spending time together. That’s what this night is for.

We will have ping pong, corn hole, board games, card games, and game rooms set up for students to enjoy. If your student has a favorite game they’d like to bring, they are more than welcome to do so. As many as can, should bring food to share. Sign up here. The Super Bowl will be on in the main student ministries room for those who are interested, but this night is not primarily about football (though it is right for us to have fun enjoying a good game)—it’s about building relationships and enjoying time together.

Schedule:

4:00 PM – Doors Open

Students and families welcome to arrive and settle in

4:30 PM – Official Start

Super Bowl kickoff
Game rooms and activities begin

6:00 PM

Younger siblings → Keepers/Defenders meetings
Parents → Evening service
Students → Halftime lesson (during Halftime Show, which will be turned off)

7:00 PM – Evening Wrap-Up

Families welcome to return after service
Feel free to stay until game end (approximately 8:00- 8:30 PM)

We would love for families to participate, not just by dropping off students, but by joining in extended fellowship, though please ensure that this is Student Ministries only during the evening service. Parents and leaders will also have time together with the students, strengthening relationships that are vital to discipleship. But please be careful not to pull the leaders away from the students they are there to get to know better, serve, and lead.

Food Sign-Up:

We’d love for as many as possible to bring food to share! You can sign up here to help us coordinate, but even if you don’t sign up, feel free to bring something.

This night is an opportunity for students, families, and leaders to grow closer through time spent together. We encourage everyone to come ready to engage, care for one another, and enjoy fun & fellowship before heading into a packed and fruitful Winter Camp weekend. We are looking forward to a fun and meaningful night of time together. Let me know if you have any questions!

Your servant for His glory,
Jacob Hantla

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