Remember, sign-ups for Winter Retreat are due back to the Journey Office by March 11, at 10AM. Call Chris if you have any questions.
Parenting Advice from 2 Guys Who Do Not Have Kids
Ok, so I know this is going to sound a little strange, but the following is not just an update on what is going on at the SLAM, but is also some advice about parenting from 2 guys (Andy Garber [Student Ministries Coordinator] and Chris Townley [Student Ministries Pastor] that do not have kids.
A couple weeks ago, I (AG) read a great book that I believe every parent should read. Now, before you turn me off, let me explain. This book “The Last Christian Generation” by Josh McDowell brought to light some very scary, and saddening realities concerning the churched youth in America today. Here is a quick glimpse:
- 65% of churched youth believe that there is NO WAY to tell which religion is true.
- 63% of churched youth do not believe that Jesus is the true, only Son of God.
- 51% of churched youth do not believe that Jesus actually, physically rose from the dead.
As someone that works with the churched youth in America, this broke my heart. Students are not understanding the most basic, foundational truths that are at the very heart of the Christian faith. So often we work to help the students trust and put their faith in Jesus, but the question comes down to “Which Jesus are they putting their trust into?”. If our students do not understand the most foundational truths about Christianity (Jesus is the Son of God, He physically died on a cross, and He physically rose again), how can we ever expect them to walk with God for a lifetime and see the transforming power that He can have on their lives? we need to get back to the basics. We need to make sure our students have a clear picture of who the True God of the Bible really is, and how He has designed us to interact with Him.
PARENTS, THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. This needs to start at the home. As much as I would like to say that I have an immense impact on the spiritual lives of your children, it pales in comparison to you! Your impact, in every capacity (but especially spiritually), will impact the life of your student far greater than any impact that any youth group will. The truth is, we need to get back to the basics.
This week at the SLAM, I spoke on John 14:6. “Jesus said to him (Thomas), ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one can come to the Father except through Me’.” I wanted to get to the heart of what Jesus had to say about this, and the truthful realities and foundations of His life. I also spoke to the students about those statistics mentioned above. As I was preparing this message, I thought, “I know these statistics, but our students must be exceptional. I do not think they follow this same trend. Our students understand these truths.” At one point in my message I asked them, “Is Jesus a truthful reality (fact), or a preference (opinion). I was shocked by their answers. Almost all of them, far greater than 65%, said preference. It broke my heart. I know it is hard to hear, but your students, are not understanding the truthful foundations of Jesus and Christianity.
Now, again, please do not take offense to this, but we need to get back to the basics; and it starts at the home. We at the SLAM are committed to doing what we can to help. But that is it… help. We are here to help. We are not here to give students all that they need for spiritual survival. We are here to help you (parents) as you love and guide your children to Jesus Christ.
Now this weekend, it is Student Takeover! We are running the place. The message this weekend will be coming from Chris Townley, and he will be talking more about these kind of ideas (just a sneak peek… you have to come to hear the rest). My point in writing this is to encourage you. Talk to your students about what they think. Their minds are asking questions. I want to encourage you to come back to the foundational truths of who Jesus is. I want to encourage you that we (Chris, Kate, and myself) are here to help. I want to encourage you to check out Josh McDowell’s book, “The Last Christian Generation” (if you want to borrow mine, give me a call). I want to encourage you to love your children greater, and value their spirituality as one of the highest priorities. Please let us know how we can help.
PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON!
So with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to do a dating/relationships series here at the 6-ONE-6! It is called, “Put Your Clothes On,” and it starts tonight! Over the next 3 weeks, you will hear messages about what godly, God-glorifying relationships look like and what ungodly, unglorifying relationships look like. Come prepared to laugh, have fun, ask questions but also be challenged about your relationships now (if you are in one) and about what your relationships may look like in the future (God willing). Tonight we will be looking over Colossians 3:12-12 and I Timothy 4:12… Check ‘em out!
***PARENTS*** We want to challenge you to talk to your students about this! We know that you still see them as your little babies, but the reality is they are growing up; and before you know it they will be married and having babies of their own. They are asking questions and want answers! Here at the 6-ONE-6 we love to talk with students and be of any help that we can, but the majority of influence is going to come from YOU, their parents! Over this next month, really dig in and ask your students questions about relationships. Let them ask questions too. Work through problems with them and help prepare them for the future. Your influence wil be 100x greater than ours!
Check out the new graphic below… and do not forget about those February Reading Plans!
February Reading Plan
Hey Guys, here is the February Reading Plan. Check it out… download it! Bring it back at the end of February, signed by your parents, for a sweet surprise!
“You Pick” is Complete… for now!
What’s up everyone?!? Last night we finished up the “You Pick” series @ the 6-ONE-6! It was an awesome series created by you and your awesome questions. The talks and videos will be posted up on here soon… as well as our facebook page. Check ‘em out and feel free to send them to your friends or anyone you think would like to hear it. Also, just because “You Pick” is over, that does not mean you should stop asking questions! Keep thinking of questions that you would like answered and send them to Chris and Andy. They will do their best to answer them… or pull in the “Big Guns” again. Hope you all enjoyed it, and get ready for the beginning of a new series next week… “Put Your Clothes On!” If you want to sneak ahead… check out Colossians 3:12.
