Review week 1 How to Shout Without Screaming

Yesterday morning we talked about "making some noise" about the Good News, and how to share our faith with our friends.

Here's a quick review.

God put you in a position to reach your friends.

"Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere ..."
Mark 16:15

You can share the good news with your friends by:

1. Taking an interest in their lives.

"Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others." 

     Philippians 2:4 NCV

2. Being available

"There are "friends" who pretend to be friends, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24 RSV

3. Speaking less and listening more

"My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak." James 1:19 NLT

4. Using words that build others up

"Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things." Matthew 12:35 NCV

5. Tenderly correcting

"It is better to correct someone openly than to have love and not show it. The slap of a friend can be trusted to help you, but the kisses of an enemy are nothing but lies." 

Proverbs 27:5-6 NCV

How to Shout without Screaming...

This Sunday morning in the  Middle School worship service we're starting a new series called "How to Shout without Screaming." Join us at 10:45 in the youth room.

Here's a sneak peak into the next three weeks!

Week 1:

Making Noise with Your Friendships
Our peers are often the most difficult group of people to reach with the Gospel message. It's intimidating and sometimes our fears get the best of us. What if I don't know what to say? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I lose friends? What will they think of me? It seems easier to stay in the safe zone & not say anything at all. But, what if God has called us to something greater? The truth is God doesn't want us to leave our friends in the dark. We are His plan for reaching them. This week, we'll tackle some practical ways to share with friends the greatest news in all the world. 

Week 2:

Making Noise with Your Lifestyle
God has called his followers to be salt and light; that our lives would look so radically different from the world that people are drawn to Jesus. But statistics tell us that most Christians live no differently than those who do not have a faith in Jesus Christ. In week 2 of the series, we'll discuss the importance of living a changed life, and helping students ask if they want to live a life that seeks the attention of others to honor themselves, or if they want to live a life that grabs the attention of others while seeking to honor God.

Week 3:

Making Noise with Your Words

Scientists say on average, we all speak about 16,000 words each and every day. It's obvious that we all understand how to have conversations, but why does that suddenly change when it comes to Spiritual matters? Why do we clam up and think we have to give a mind-blowing presentation when we share our faith with others? This week we will dive into the reality that conversions take place through conversations and not presentations.

Put off your old self...

It was so exciting watching everyone walk into the new youth room and seeing the shock and excitement on all of your faces! 

We talked about becoming "new" and putting off the "old." Remember that in order to get rid of something "old" or undesirable in your life you first need to:

1. Recognize it - search yourself with God's help.

2. Remove it - do what it takes to get rid of it.

3. Rebuild it - make a plan of keeping the "old" thing out. This plan might include sharing this with friends that can help you, and should definitely include a lot of prayer.

Ephesians 4: 20-24 

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I can't wait to see you all on Sunday!!!!!

Be in the know

Here is all the info you'll need so you don't miss anything:

• Middle School Worship begins September 15th at 10:45am - this will be "kick-off" for the student ministry! In the newly renovated Youth Room!
• CORE will begin at 6:00pm September 15th in the youth room. Snack will be at the beginning of the evening - not during small groups - so don't be late!

Name changes: 

24/7 - will now be called Middle School Worship
CORE - will now be called middle school small groups.

This is much easier for new people to understand.

I can't wait to see all of you - it feels like it's been forever.

1 Timothy 4:12 "12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."