1.
We’re Teaching this.
Branding- it’s everywhere. You can’t turn on the TV or drive
down the street without seeing hundreds of ads and billboards. Companies spend
millions of dollars trying to shape how YOU see THEM, developing their brand.
But what about the Church? What are WE known for? Philippians chapter 2, has a
lot to say about the way we love others. As we unpack this chapter, we discover
that our love for people, both inside and outside the church, ultimately
determines what we are known for—our brand.
Session 1: Unified (1/7)
Being
branded is a reality. We can’t escape it. Based on any number of things, people
will brand us with something—positive or negative. In a series of letters, the
apostle Paul urged the churches he served to guard their brand-their
identity-by choosing to “agree with one another whole heartedly” and extend the
love and acceptance that they had experienced to others. What Paul knew was
that by being known for these things
we develop a positive brand and gain influence in the world around us.
Session 2: Unselfish (1/14)
Isn’t
it true—fair or unfair—that Christians sometimes have a negative brand? If not
by people you know, then by culture itself? Don’t some people just assume that
Christians are going to be self-righteous, judgmental, maybe even closed-minded,
or worst of all, boring? Believe it
or not, church was never supposed to be like this. In fact, it’s almost as if
Paul anticipated this problem when he reminds us to live unselfishly, to be
known for looking out for others interests more than our own. By doing this, we
can change our brand little by little.
Session 3: Unique (1/21)
What
makes a person appealing? What is it about them that makes you want to spend
more time with them? When it comes to the Christians, usually the passion a
person has for their faith and the way they treat others are what makes people
want to run toward them or run away. The apostle Paul encourages us to shine
like bright lights and live in a way that attracts other people to our faith. What
if the most important thing we could do for the world around is to live in such
a way that others see our faith and want to join in?
2.
Think About This
From Losing Your Marbles / Playing for Keeps by Reggie
Joiner, Kristen Ivy, Elizabeth Hansen
I remember a few years ago
when I was leading a small group and one of the girls had stopped attending. I
knew she was making some unwise choices related to drinking, and she was
choosing not to come to church anymore because she didn’t want to feel judged.
But here’s the interesting thing: she still liked hanging out. We would meet
from time to time, at Starbucks, at a school event,—anywhere that she knew we
would have fun. And
in those moments, I didn’t talk about her decisions.
She knew what I thought. But I knew at that juncture in her life, it was more
important to have fun and stay connected than to continue reminding her of
something she already knew.
Hint: most kids and teenagers
shut down when you take the eye-to-eye, “let’s talk about what’s going on”
approach, they tend to talk when they’re engaged in a fun activity, not making
eye contact, and feel in control of the agenda.
If you’re a parent, you may
need to set aside time with your kids when you agree not to discuss their
issues. This can be especially true if they are in a tough season of life. When
the tension is high, you need a scheduled break—just to have fun together.
It’s not that fun is the most
important thing. If you give teenagers words and stories that are boring, they
may not care. If you belong to a tribe that never laughs, they won’t want to be
a part of it.
So whatever you do this week,
make it fun.
3.
Try This
When is the last time your family had
fun without an agenda? No strings attached, fun? No lesson involved, fun? No
obligations to the baseball team, work picnic, church activity or school
involved, fun?
Maybe it’s time for that.
Ask your student for ideas on something
that they think would be really fun to do as a family. Students tend to engage
more when they have some input into which activity is chosen. Say something
like this, “I think it’s time we do something fun as a family. How would you
feel about planning it?” Some students really like to go to the mall. Others
hate it. Some would love to play mini-golf with their family. Others would
cringe at the idea. Allowing them to plan the event, offering some ownership,
can help students have a positive attitude and prevent the dreaded eye-roll.
As parents, sometimes the idea of a
family event can be intimidating. “What if my teenager doesn’t want to be seen
in public with me?” That’s the great
thing about letting THEM choose. They may choose a big night out but or they
may ask for a simple movie night in the house. Choose to have fun together no
matter what you do! Simply spending time
together as a family without fighting can go a long way in easing the tension
between parents and teens.
Make a commitment on your part to do
the activity—no agenda, no complaining, and no lecturing. So give them a budget
limit, if appropriate, and let them be as creative or as simple as they want
Just have fun together. Remember, the
goal is to let students know you not only love them, but you like them and what better way to
communicate that than by hanging out with them and having fun?
Get connected to a wider community of
parents at www.orangeparents.org.