We will built our conversation around 2 Timothy 4:5-8, words from the Apostle Paul to his protégé Timothy. These words-written while Paul sat in a Roman prison-remind of us his consistency, faithfulness, and commitment as a follower of Jesus, and the impact he had on so many people’s lives. Paul wasn’t a perfect guy, but he was committed to consistently honoring, obeying, and pointing people toward God.

Young teenagers are beginning to recognize the struggle of acting a certain way at church, but living differently when they are at school or with friends. Many students really want to live for God but just don’t know how to have Jesus be a part of their daily life at home, at school, on the team, or in life’s daily circumstances.

As you talk with your teenager about this week’s lesson, here are some questions you might want to ask:

• What are some of the challenges to remaining faithful and consistent as a follower of Jesus? What are some especially specific situations that make it difficult?
• What do you think is the difference between perfection, which we can’t achieve, and consistency and integrity, which God wants to see in our lives?
• Why might a consistent life point your friends toward Jesus? How is a consistent life an effective demonstration of Jesus and his love?

Ah ha!

That’s the look I see on my students faces when it happens.  They jet a glance at me, then back to Doug [Senior Pastor], then back to me and smile. …..They have “Ah ha!  I get it.”  or “Ah ha! I caught you and Doug working together” written all over their faces.

This happens on those rare and wonderful Sundays when the Senior Pastor chooses to talk about a scripture or concept that I also happened to choose.  I teach the Young Teen boys Sunday School, after which, we all shuffle into the sactuary for worship.  When the congregation settles down to the sermon and Doug pulls out the scripture I just talked about, that’s when I see excitement on all my guys’ faces.  I think its fun for them because they already have a background in the sermon; they’re more engaged and attentive.

I get equally excited.  Here’s why:

• It makes me look like a Pro.  I know my guys are thinking that I must know what I’m talking about if Pastor Doug says the same thing.
• I also get thrilled because my students are enjoying learning about scripture.
• It’s amazing to be part of something that the Holy Spririt obviously orchestrated.
• Most importantly, I know that scripture is multi-faceted…that you never see the same thing, no matter how many times you look at it.  When I see my students learning that scripture is alive and 3-dimensional, I feel a real joy!

Enough about me, lets talk about you.  How would you like to feel like a pro?  Would you like to see your kids get excited about learning scripture?  If you could, would you help teach your kid that scripture is alive and 3-dimensional?  I think you would.  Here’s 5 easy steps to lookin’ like a Pro:

1. Click the link that leads to our calendar.
2. Click on the title of next Wednesday night’s lesson.
3. You’ll see a summary of the lesson, the main learning objectives, and scriptures we are going to use in our lesson.
4. Use this information on Monday and Tuesday to show your student a diminsion of the lesson we might not cover.
5. Alternatively, use this lesson on Thursday or Friday to take your student to a deeper level. Show them the same concept from a different perspective. Or let them teach you what they now know.

That’s all there is too it.  Now, if only I can get Doug to post his Sermons before Sunday morning……

Identity In Christ from Chris McCann on Vimeo.

If the link above doesn’t work for you, click here and select “The Thread” Video Preview.

Why is this important? Well communication has proven to be the single most difficult task of managing a junior high ministry. There is no single way to connect with every student. Even if there was a way, junior high students don’t make all their own decisions; and they sometimes (….ok, usually) forget to tell their parents about information that may be given out on paper. My hope is that you’ll sign up and sign up your student.

We’ve made some rules for ourselves to make you more comfortable with the system.

• First of all, the data is secure. When you sign up, your data is encrypted; plus we are only asking for a name, phone number, and cell carrier.
• Next, only the FMC Directors of Young Teens have access to the list. They are exclusivley responsible for the number, timing, and content of text messages.
• Finally, phone numbers will never, ever be shared with anyone for any reason, period.