We’re Teaching This:
Have you ever had a moment that made you stop and
think, "Wow, this changes everything"? Maybe it was finding out you
didn’t make the team or that your
parents were splitting. Maybe it was finding out you're good at something or
bad at something you didn't expect. In these moments our lives change direction
quickly. The funny thing is nearly everyone who met Jesus had one of those
moments. They came in with a plan, a direction, an identity. And as soon as
they spent any time with Jesus, those ideas were turned upside down. And, as we
look at four of these stories, we find that an encounter with Jesus has the
power to flip our lives as well.
Session 1 Summary: Up in a Tree (Feb. 25th)
What are you
afraid of? Spiders? The dark? People who twerk? Most of us have at least a few
things that scare us. Sometimes they’re surface fears. Simple fears. But most
of us also have a few deeper fears. Those are the ones that we don’t talk about
as much. And, if we’re not careful, they will cause us to miss out on some really great
things in life. Zacchaeus was a little man with some big fear. Fear that
controlled him and caused him to keep a safe distance from everyone, including
Jesus. In his story we find that getting to know Jesus, and what He really
cares about, can flip our fear and lead us closer to Him.
Session 2 Summary: Losing Control (March 4th )
Who really calls the shots in your life? Think
about the most powerful person you know. Reality is, no matter how powerful
that person is, there are some things he or she still can’t control. Jesus met
a man like that. This guy had assistants for his assistants. Everyone followed
his orders. But at the end of the day, someone he cared about was really sick
and there was nothing he could do to change that. However, he understood
something about authority that we could all learn from. He understood that when
his ability had run out, Jesus’ ability kept going. And trusting Him to be in
charge flipped everything.
Session 3 Summary: Peel the Label (March 11th)
Funny. Pretty. Jock. Nerd. Popular. Smart. Not
Smart. We all have a tendency to label the people around us. In fact, we tend
to label ourselves too. We think about ourselves in terms of categories. But
have you ever thought you gave someone the right label only to find out that
they were totally different? Or have you ever heard someone else label you and
thought, “that isn’t really me”? That’s the problem with labels. They aren’t
always true. And even if they are, they’re always changing. Nearly everyone who
met Jesus had their lives flipped, and in the case of a woman with the worst
possible label, He changed her whole identity. He gave her a new label that
would last. One that changed her whole world and can change ours too. Because
there’s a label that beats all other labels: His.
Session 4 Summary: Does it Matter? (March 18th )
Everyone dreams about what they want to be when
they grow up. Maybe you want to be a doctor or an artist or an engineer. Maybe
you want to be known for being a great athlete or a great speaker. Whatever it
is, chances are you want to become someone or do something that you feel is
important. Something that matters. And
you work toward becoming whatever that is. Jesus met a man who had already met
his goal. He was rich. He was powerful. He was well known and important. But
surprisingly, Jesus said he still lacked
something. This young man had achieved everything that he thought mattered, but through his story we find that God wants more
for us than just achievement or fame. He wants us to pursue Him first.
Think About This:
I think most people would agree that one of the more terrifying parts of
parenting teenagers is the risk factor. They grow up and the stakes are raised.
Their freedom increases but so does the potential fallout from bad choices. Parents
are regularly faced with decisions on when to allow their students to forge their
freedom and when not to. Unfortunately, we can tend to be overprotective in situations
that they may not really need our protection from—and in the name of safety we
may be inhibiting them in a way we never intended.
In his blog post, How to Help Your
Kids, Live Out Their Story, author, speaker, and dad, Carey Nieuwhoff
explains the benefits of letting go of control and trusting God with their
story.
My grandfather and grandmother did something
amazing. They let my dad live his story, not theirs. They gave up
control, protection, and let God write a story in my dad’s life that was
independent of their own.
My dad is one of my heroes. He actually did build a new life (in another country), not just for him, but for many others. He was not only a great father, but he ran a company for years, served his entire life in the local church and has left a great legacy of character for his kids and grandkids.
I’m so glad my grandparents swallowed hard and let their son pursue his
vision. So, now the question.
Would you?
In an era of overprotective, slightly controlling parenting, I wonder
how many stories like my dad’s aren’t being written. Not because kids aren’t
ready to write a story of their own choosing, but because parents are too
afraid or unwilling to let them go or take risks.
Great plot lines invite things like drama, risk, mission, and calling.
All the things that make parents gulp (and gasp).And by the way, my dad did see
his parents again. He eventually had enough money to go back more than a few
times. I even went to Holland with my dad to meet them before they passed away.
As you think about how you might help your kids connect with their own
story, here are three things to remember:
1.
Prepare yourself now to release them one day.
2.
Understand that God has your kids on a journey from dependence to
independence.
3.
Let them lead (without rescuing them) today to prepare them for
tomorrow.
Is there anything you need to let go of today to
help create a better future for your child?
Try This
Sometimes
the best two words you can hear are “me too”. No matter what situation you’re
in with your teenager, chances are someone around you is in the same place and
asking the same questions. Do you know who those people are? Are there other
parents that you can connect with on a regular basis in your community?
This
month try taking two steps toward connecting with other parents around you.
- Find Them. If you’re not sure
where to find other parents like you, start by asking the student pastor
at your church (or where your teen attends). They can direct you to small
groups or environments where you can meet other parents just like you.
- Talk to them. Sometimes starting a
conversation with someone new can feel awkward. If you’re unsure what to
talk about, start with this parentCUE. Say something like, “Hey, did you
get that article in the parentCUE? What did you think about it?” Knowing you already have something in
common can open the door to more conversation. If not that, try opening up
first. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability. So think of some of things you
may have a hard time with when it comes to your student’s independence. And then share it. You may be
surprised at what someone shares with you in return.