Series: LIGHT OF THE WORLD (Nov. 29th - Dec. 13th)

The Christmas season is the most wonderful time of the year. But not because of all the things associated with the season.

Most Wonderful | John 1:4-5 (11/29/16)

The Christmas season is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. But for many people, it’s complicated. It’s a time of year that surfaces tensions in relationships, unmet expectations, and the pain of absent loved ones. What do you do when the magic and wonder of the Christmas season feels out of reach? How do you reconnect with the reason for the season? During the Christmas season, we’re confronted with problems we can’t solve, people we can’t control, and expectations we can’t meet. It’s important not to lose sight of the truth that Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year because of what is happening but because of what happened. Christmas isn’t the most wonderful time of the year because of who is with us but because of who is for us. Christmas is a reminder that Jesus is the life and light that overcomes darkness.

Toddler King | John 1:4-5 (12/6/16)

Maybe you wandered away from the church. Maybe the church pushed you away. You lost interest. You got busy. You got hurt. You thought you were done with God forever. But then you started to miss the peace. Despite everything you had experienced, you sensed a light out there. The doubt, the anger, the disappointment with God, the sin, and the shame didn’t put out the light. And here you are in church again. How did that happen? What will your story be in relation to the light of the world? Do you want to build your kingdom or participate in God’s kingdom? Do you want to cling to what you can’t keep or surrender what wasn’t yours to begin with? Do you want your way or his way? There is good news: the darkness has not put out the light of life in you. Take a step to reengage or engage for the first time with the light of the world.

It's Personal | John 3:16-17 (12/13/16)

First-centuries Jews expected the arrival of a messiah. Scripture had recorded God’s promise to provide them with a Savior. They believed that this messiah would be a political and military leader. He would save their culture by driving out the Roman Empire and making Israel a feared military power in the region once again. But when God orchestrated Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, he was up to something much bigger . . . and much more personal. We think we need security and comfort. We think we need a life without conflict. We think we need the right job, a beautiful home, and a perfect family. In spite of what we think we need, God understands what we actually need: a personal Savior. That’s why he sent his Son—Christ the Lord—to die for your sins and to give you hope by rising from the grave and conquering death.

Series: THOUGH AS NAILS (Sept. 13th - Sept. 27th)

Uncertainty is unavoidable. Being fearful is optional.

In The Beginning | Matthew 10:29–31 (9/13/16) Life is full of danger and uncertainty. We see news reports almost daily about violence and terrorism. And sometimes it feels like faith is under siege. 2015 was the worst year in modern history for Christian persecution. More than 7,100 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons; 2,400 churches were damaged or destroyed. Surrounded by uncertainty, it’s difficult not to be afraid. But Jesus offers us another option. Uncertainty is for certain. It’s unavoidable. It’s beyond your control. But living in fear is optional. Remember that Jesus—your Savior—was born into, lived through, and walked into the jaws of uncertainty. A world too often defined by violence, arrested and crucified him . . . and then God raised him from the dead. That is the cornerstone of our faith. That’s why living in fear is optional.

Fix Your Eyes | Hebrews 12:1–2 (9/20/16) The New Testament records that early Christians didn’t fear loss. They were selfless and confident. They weren’t arrogant or self-confident. They were humble because their confidence wasn’t in themselves; it was in Jesus. That faith in who Jesus was and what he had done for them freed them to boldly love others. Does our faith look like that? How would it change our world if it did? Is your version of Christianity worth the price early Christians paid for it? The author of the book of Hebrews wrote, “They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them.” What would that kind of faith look like for you and me?

Our Once Upon a Time | Acts 4:12 (9/27/16) Once upon a time . . . Jesus stood against the injustice of an empire and the hypocrisy of the temple. He introduced God as father. He taught his followers to love their enemies and forgive everyone. Jesus never wrote a word or traveled farther than he could walk. But he taught a way of thinking, believing, and behaving that, though it was foreign and seemingly impractical, changed the world forever. Jesus isn’t finished changing the world. He calls on each of us to stand against injustice, love our enemies, turn the other cheek, and follow him. As a nation trembles in fear, looking to the government for salvation, as rhetoric gets nastier and more dangerous, people take sides. Compassion wanes. Racial divides increase. But there are those who have no fear. They’re informed, but not worried. The worse things get, the better they get. They are Democrats, Republicans, Independents, but above all, they are Christians. What will our Once Upon a Time… story be?

Series: SQUAD (June 21st - July 12th)

No matter how you cut it, life would be extremely difficult without friends involved in our lives. Hopefully, we all have good friends and are a friend to somebody else. Explain to parents that this month of study focuses on friendships. This study will help students gain a good understanding of what it takes to be a good friend as well as what it takes to keep good friends. Students will also learn skills that will be helpful in resolving conflicts within their friendships.

Session 1 True Friends — 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (6/21/16)

True friendship involves commitment to one another. Being committed means sticking with them through both good and bad times. Jonathan and David were deeply committed to one another. Communication is an extremely important aspect of any friendship. A true friend loves—and is not afraid to be loved or show love. A true friend is willing to sacrificially give of themselves with no strings attached.

Session 2 Wise Choices — Proverbs 22:24-25; 25:19; 1 Samuel 23:16-18 (6/28/16)

The Bible provides wisdom and guidance in choosing friends. When it comes to choosing friends, being able to trust them is important. We are all familiar with people whom we have found to be unreliable. Being able to trust a friend means you know they have your back regardless. Choosing good friends means discovering friends that will not lead you into trouble. Listening to parents and trusting their abilities to see things you can’t can be helpful in choosing your friends. Choosing friends who will encourage you to be and do your best is wise.

Session 3 Bring ’em Back — Proverbs 17:17; 27:6,17 (7/5/16)
A true friend is never afraid to speak the truth. It may be difficult for a friend to hear the truth, but you should still share the truth in love. True friends hold each other accountable. Don’t forget that as a child of God, you are held to a higher standard. Holding each other accountable means setting boundaries and living by them. No matter what happens within a friendship, you keep on loving the person.

Session 4 Work It Out — Matthew 5:23-24; 18:21-22; Acts 15:36-39; 2 Timothy 4:11 (7/12/16)

Every friendship is going to have problems that arise. Learning to respond appropriately is the key to resolving conflicts within friendships. When disagreements come up, learn to forgive just as God has forgiven you. Remember that no one is perfect, not even you. Be willing to take the first step in resolving the conflict regardless of whose fault it may be. Resolution and restoration are possible in any situation.

 

Series: ASK IT (May 25th - June 14th)

Every day brings new questions. 

Should I stay? Should I go? Buy it? Sell it? Start it? Stop it?
Did you know there's a question that makes it easy to determine the answer to all the other questions?

It's true.  

All you have to do is ask it!

Session 1: Question Everything (5/24/16)

What if there was a question that would clarify your best option for ninety percent of the decisions you make in life—a question that answers just about everything? It would have the potential to foolproof your relationships, marriage, finances, calendar, pace, and health. It would reduce the complexity of your life. It would save you time, money and tears. You would carry around less regret. And best of all, you wouldn’t have to apologize nearly as much. Of every invitation, opportunity, relationship, or decision, ask “What’s the wise thing to do?” If you were going to do the wise thing, what would it be? By asking that question, even if you don’t follow through, you will discover something about you. You owe it to yourself to know the answer to that question.

Session 2: Musical Chairs (5/31/16)

Solomon, the third king of Israel, wrote more about wisdom than any other biblical writer. He was considered by some to be the wisest man who ever lived. In his writing, he laid out three kinds of people who lack wisdom: the simple lack experience; fools know the difference between right and wrong, but don’t care; and mockers not only know the difference between right and wrong but are critical of those who choose to do right. Eventually, people in each of these categories need wisdom . . . but they may not find it. The path of wisdom offers a way to live in safety, peace, and without fear of harm. But to leverage all that wisdom offers, you have to ask it: In light of my past experience, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do?

Session 3: Time Over Time (6/7/16)

Scripture says God has determined the number of your days. You can make more money and you can make more friends, but you can’t make more time. You can count your money and your friends, but you can’t count your time. In light of that truth, knowing what to do with your time matters. It’s vital that you use your time wisely. Look ahead to your desired future. In light of your past experience, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, where do you need to begin making consistent deposits of time? Reallotting your time can set you up for healthy relationships with the most important people in your life, and create a future without regret

Session 4: The Beginning (6/14/16)
You are painting a picture entitled Your Life. It’s made up of a series of decisions. And you don’t get to hide your early endeavors in the attic. You get only one canvas. Will you do it yourself or will you let someone guide your hand? There’s one important question that we hope you will ask the rest of your life: In light of my past experience, current circumstances, and future hopes and dreams, what’s the wise thing for me to do? But asking that question will clarify what you should do . . . not what you will do. Whether or not you have surrendered yourself to the Author of wisdom will determine what you actually do.

Series: WHEN GOD (May 2nd - May 9th)

 

What do you do...

When God feels distant?
When God doesn't cooperate?
When God seems late?

We all face times when it feels like God is far away. Our prayers seem unanswered and our circumstances go from bad to worse. During these times, God doesn't just seem distant; he seems distracted. These are many of the reasons why people stop praying, stop believing prayer works, or even stop believing that God exists.

In these times people tell us to pray more but it seems useless. So how do we keep our connection to God through prayer while not becoming discouraged? In this series, we will the lives of three men from the New Testament, each loved by God, but whose circumstances seemed to tell a different story.

When God is Inattentive

Is God's silence a sign of his absence? Or does it mean something else? In this message, we recount the story of a man Jesus said was the greatest who ever lived. And yet, even this man struggled with God's inattentiveness. How do we handle it when we ask God for something but it seems he is being inattentive? How do we keep praying when it seems that God has lost sight of our struggles and circumstances? The message Jesus sends him in the middle of his doubt contains a secret reassurance for us 2,000 years later.

Has there been a time when God seemed inattentive when you prayed to him? Did it rattle your faith?

Is God actually inattentive to our prayer or is there something else going on?

When God is Uncooperative
We've all seen athletes point to heaven after touchdowns or home runs. And we've heard actors thank God during their acceptance speeches. How come other people seem to have so much success while we pray and seem to never get what we want? How do we keep going when God seems to be saying, "No"? Does a “no” from God mean that he doesn’t love us or that we have done something wrong? What is the point of praying if God always seemingly says “No?”

Imagine a God you could control. What would you like or dislike about him?
Is there value to prayer even if you don’t get the results you are asking for? What is the value?

When God is Late

Why didn't God do something? Sometimes, despite our most fervent prayers, God doesn't show up the way we want him to. The cancer isn't cured. The company fails. The foreclosure goes through. In this message, we will discover what to look for when it feels like God forgot to show up.

How might the idea that God leverages your pain for his glory give you hope during a difficult

circumstance?

 

 

 

Series: WINSOME (March 29th - April 26th)

If we could remove all of the endless distractions of our everyday lives and reduce life to its irreducible minimum, that single element of life which we cannot do without, what would we end up with?

When we look at the gospel, the answer becomes strikingly clear: people need Jesus. We can manage to coast through life without many things, but we cannot afford to walk through life without Jesus. That is life's irreducible minimum.

Winsome reminds us that the gospel was never intended to end with us - it is meant to work in and go through us for the salvation of others. God has called us to be storytellers of grace, pointing those around us to Jesus, the One whom they were created by and for. The time is now to join God's kingdom story. The time is now to see those around us the way God sees them. The time is now to win some.

1.    The Irreducible Minimum (3/29/16)
The big idea is we have found the irreducible minimum in life and its people need Jesus. If that is what life is all about then the lens at which I look at life changes permanently. Every person you know, and every person you will ever meet has a paramount and urgent banner over their life. The banner reads this, “they were created by and for Jesus.”  In other words, nothing on this earth can fill a place that was created for Jesus. When you get the irreducible minimum you get a clear and compelling purpose, to share the Gospel. It’s not pressure to tell it’s just living a life that leads to others asking why.

What do you think when you hear the word evangelism? Does evangelism make you nervous?  What if it was true that when the Gospel is proclaimed people who are searching, open, hungry, hurting respond?

 2.    The Irrefutable Argument (4/5/16)

People are searching, people are open, people are hungry and people are hurting. You are here for that reason. It’s not about converts it’s about living a contagious life. The kind of life that people ask questions about your life. It’s asking God to do something amazing in your life, it’s saying “I want my life to change to the degree that others want what is changing my life.” When this is our reality we have an irrefutable argument. We don’t argue people to Jesus that is not the point, the point is we have an undeniable story when Christ starts changing our lives. We need to share our story.

Do you believe if you have a story of grace you have a story of grace to tell? What stopping you from sharing?

3.    The Irresistible Attraction (4/12/16)
Winsome is living a life that leads to “why?” When was the last time people asked what is the deal with you? What God has done for us and in us is what people are really looking for. The degree that we really have embraced the Gospel is reflected in the attractiveness of our lives to the world. Because of the Gospel we are extravagant in a selfish world, secure in and insecure world, faithful in a fickle word, and confident in a shaky world. Do you stick out?

Is the Gospel in you to go through you?

4.    The Irrepressible Longing (4/19/16)
Do you believe what God did in you can happen to anybody? Do you have confidence to share your story? We gain confidence when we get all are searching and have eternity written on their hearts. We become free to share when we realize it’s our role only to define God not defend Him. Bottom line the results belong to God and we are called to care for other and share.

What do you think it means to be in the world but not of it? How does this playout for you in be winsome?

5.    The Irreplaceable Plea (4/26/16)

God works when we pray. The city is waiting for the church to pray. No one is praying for the city if we are not. There is a connection between our prayers and the Gospel. We need to really see others to pray. We pray when we see people. We pray when we grasp our responsibility and opportunity to mediate for the Mediator. You should have friends that aren’t praying, but you shouldn’t have friend who aren’t being prayed for. Are you sleepwalking through life missing the moment that heaven is open today?

Who are you praying for to become winsome in their faith for the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few? Who are you praying for to come to faith in Jesus?

Series: CHOOSE JOY (Feb. 23rd - March 15th)

We live in a world that spends the majority of its time focusing on things that will make them happy. This study will help students to gain a firm understanding of what joy is and where it comes from. It will help them discover that God wants us to have joy and not just live a life looking for happiness. This study will also help students gain the knowledge of how live a life of joy each day. It will also help them learn how to be content in life no matter what comes their way.

Session 1 Real Joy | Proverbs 14:13; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Galatians 5:22-23 (2/23/16)

Joy and happiness are two different things. Happiness is based on things we do or things we receive. Happiness can come and go depending on what we are pursuing at that moment. Joy is internal. Real joy—true joy—can only come from one source and His name is Jesus. When Christ comes in and is a part of your life, He becomes your Source of joy. Joy becomes a part of our character as a believer. Joy is being able to look beyond the moment, even if it is bad, and know that it is going to be OK because of your relationship with Jesus. How would you describe the difference between joy and happiness?

Session 2 Joy and Contentment | Philippians 4:10-20 (3/1/16)

While happiness is based on circumstances, joy and contentment are not. Being content means that all of your needs have been met in Christ Jesus. Joy and contentment are found solely in the power of Christ. We experience frustration and dissatisfaction in life when we try to do things in our own power. Knowing that God will provide for our every need brings joy and contentment. Learning to live a life where our only desire is to know Christ more is the key to finding and keeping joy and contentment. What would you say your contentment level is?

Session 3 Joy in Tough Times | James 1:2-4 (3/8/16)

It is a fact of life that you will experience trials in your life. Trials are not the same as temptations. Trials provide an opportunity for us grow in our faith and relationship with God; temptations are intended to break our fellowship with God. When we face trials, we are still to maintain joy in our lives. Trials provide the opportunity for God to display His greatness to others as you lean on Him to get you through. When you have walked through a trial, it is then that you are able to look back and discover just much you have grown as a result of the trial.

Session 4 Take a Look Around | Romans 5:11; Proverbs 17:22; Psalm 118:24 (3/15/16)

Because of our salvation in Christ, we are able to rejoice in Him because of what He has done for us. Coming to Jesus and the change that He brings should cause us to rejoice. Studies have shown that those who have joy in their lives live longer and more productive lives. Living a life of joy causes people to want to be around you more. Every day is a new day that God gives us the chance to be joyful. We don’t have to look very far each day to discover something to be joyful about.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCE

Parenting Teens is a monthly magazine designed to provide relevant information, practical ideas, and biblical encouragement to parents of teenagers. Go to www.lifeway.com/parenting teens

Series: ALL ABOUT JESUS (Feb. 2nd - Feb. 23rd)

Knowing Jesus is more than just knowing His name. It involves getting to know everything about Him and why we are able to have a personal relationship with Him. Explain that the study for this month will help students understand and identify characteristics of Jesus they may have previously not known. It will also allow students the opportunity to get to know Jesus on a much more personal level and provide them with ways to do so. Students will gain an appreciation for who Jesus is and be challenged with knowing Him deeper than they have known Him before.

Session 1 The Visible God — Colossians 1:15-20 (2/2/16)

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is God. Jesus is present more than just in creation, He is the agent of creation from the very beginning. He is the Creator. Jesus is Lord. He was and is before all things and because of Jesus everything is held together. Jesus is the head of the body of Christ, the church. Jesus is the Savior of all people. In what ways do you know Jesus in these areas?

Session 2 The Caring God — Mark 2:1-12 (2/9/16)

Jesus loved teaching the people. Whenever people gathered to hear Him teach, He taught them about the good news that He had to offer. In addition to His teaching, Jesus healed the sick. The lame, the blind, the paralyzed, Jesus had no problems healing them even if it went against Jewish tradition and the Law. He cared for people immensely. Jesus’ way of caring challenged the people’s way of thinking. He challenged them to look at the message of hope and healing instead of traditions that often prevented them from seeing and meeting the need. Jesus didn’t act out of rebellion, but out of a genuine love and concern for people. Jesus cared enough to meet needs and not just merely keep traditions. How do you see the heart of God?

Session 3 The Saving God —  Matthew 26:36-46, John 10:14-18, Colossians 1:21-22 (2/16/16)

Jesus’ death was in God’s plan from the beginning. It was God’s will for Jesus to die for our sin. Dying was the only way for a relationship with God to be restored. Jesus chose to be obedient to His Father’s will and die on the cross for our sin. Jesus willingly gave His life because of His love for His Father. Because of our sinfulness, we were separated from God. Because of our sin, we need Jesus to bring us into a relationship with God. The death of Jesus on the cross gave us the opportunity to have a personal relationship with God. When we are involved in a personal relationship with Christ, God sees us as blameless and holy.

Session 4 The Living God —  1 Corinthians 15:12-23 (2/23/16)

We have a purpose because of the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, there is no forgiveness for our sin and no reconciliation with God. We have hope because of the resurrection of Jesus. This hope is the assurance of the forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God in heaven when we die. The hope we have can only be attained through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection gave us a guaranteed eternity with Him. What does His resurrection mean to you personally?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Parenting Teens is a monthly magazine designed to provide relevant information, practical ideas, and biblical encouragement to parents of teenagers. Go to www.lifeway.com/parentingteens.