JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Don't be foolish

Today's lesson focuses on how Jesus uses a story to issue a dare, as well how to understand why it's wise to apply Jesus' teaching to our lives. We'll look at Matthew 7:24-27 and our dare will be to choose a wise teaching from Jesus and apply it to our lives this week. Our memory verse is Matthew 7:24, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Luke 2:8-20
The Shepherds and The Angels
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

We had another full night with 35 boys coming out!!! Congrats to Alvin and Kogul who were our MVP's. They showed honesty on and off the court.

BE THANKFUL

Name some specific people in your life you are thankful for. Tell God why they mean so much to you. While you're at it, tell them why they mean so much to you. What person has most shaped your life? Why?

DEEP THOUGHTS

A calling is something you discover, not something you choose. The word vocation comes from the Latin word for voice. Discovering it involves very careful listening. People will sometimes speak about "choosing a calling," but a chosen calling is an oxymoron. The whole idea of a calling is that there is a Call-er and a call-ee. - John Ortberg.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today our lesson is called, "Don't Waste Your Time." Our passage is Matthew 6:25-34 and our verse is Matthew 6:33-34, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Our goals are to:

1.Understand that worrying about things can have a negative effect on them and the people they care about.

2. Realize that God wants them to trust him and trade their worries and anxiety for his perfect planet.

3. Figure out ways to view their worries with the proper perspective.

Don't forget, this Friday we are going bowling at Markham Bowl!

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Psalm 100:1-2 - Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

The word "worship" actually comes from an old English word, "worth ship." When we worship God, we tell him how much he is worth to us, or how worthy he is. Where else do you worship God besides church?

* Taken from The Bible League of Canada - Devotional Day Planner

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight many boys faced the cold weather and first major snowfall to come back out after 2 weeks off! It was a great night with 34 boys out. Our character matters trait for November is honesty - We behave in a sincere, trustworthy and truthful manner. Congrats to Bassel and George who won MVP honours tonight for showing honesty on and off the court.

THE GOOD LIFE OR THE 'GOD' LIFE?

"We define that [good] life as the presence of comfort and security combined with the absence of hardship and disappointment... [We] often try to buy experiences and environments that foster a soft and satisfying lifestyle... In contrast, a biblical understanding of "the good life" is one that provides and exploits opportunities in order to experience, obey and serve God and other people. The existence of difficulties, failures and even persecution are not so much indicators of failure as they are events that build character and test our resolve to know, love and serve God. If life is primarily a spiritual battle, then we must expect to encounter trials and pitfalls."
- George Barna - Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions

DEEP THOUGHTS

All human beings, including you and me, give their lives to something. Between this day and your last day, you will give your life to something. The only question is, what will you give your life to? Will it be worthy? - John Ortberg

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

We meet this Friday (November 21) at our church office, "The Main Connection" from 7:30-9:30. This week we'll be looking at session 3 of our series, "Futuristic sessions on never-ending worship. Our topic is, "If you can't say something nice..." and Bible passage will be Revelation 2. We will also be playing Fear Factor.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Psalm 77:19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

You want to follow God. You want to go where he leads. But the path he is taking you on looks kind of rough. Keep walking; he's right there with you. Do you find it harder or easier to see God's leading in difficult times?

* taken from the Bible League of Canada - Daily Devotional Planner

DEEP THOUGHTS

Failure does not shape you; the way you respond to failure shapes you. - John Ortberg

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we looked at, "Going Long"

We talked about the abstract concept of investing in eternal things, considered various was to invest in eternal things and finally were challenged to brainstorm 3 ways to make eternal investments and chose one to take as a dare this week.

Our memory verse was Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Today we looked at some random clips about dominoes and a Samson spontaneous melodrama that we made. We were talking about taking the high road and not seeking revenge when people do something wrong to us. Of course, we had to watch The Princess Bride - lightsaber scene. We also read Matthew 5:38-42 and introduced Sunday's topic which is investing in the right things. Our passage is Matthew 6:17-19. Say word!!!

DEEP THOUGHTS

Did Peter fail?... He took his eyes off of where they should have been. He sank. He failed... I there there were eleven bigger failures sitting in the boat... The worst failure is not to sink in the waves. The worst failure is to never get out of the boat. - John Ortberg

OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE CRISP FAMILY

Brandon Crisp, 15, ran away from his Barrie, Ont., home Thanksgiving Monday after arguing with his parents over his Xbox gaming habits.
His body was found last Wednesday by hunters in a wooded area east of Barrie, north of Toronto, and an autopsy concluded he died after falling from a tree.
Crisp's disappearance prompted a massive outpouring of support from across the country and hundreds of people volunteered to assist with the search.
"We are so very proud to have parented such a wonderful, caring and beautiful son who has touched so many hearts," Crisp's family said in a statement.
"We take great comfort in our time of grief, knowing that his story has and will continue to have a profound impact on parents and children alike, that more time will be made by families to share precious time together.
"Life and love should never be taken for granted."
* taken from The Canadian Press

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

2 Corinthians 4:8 - We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit.

Maybe you are having a hard time agreeing with the words of this verse because you want to quit. Before you quit, ask God for help. When in your life did you feel like quitting? Why did or didn't you?

* taken from The Bible League of Canada - Devotional Daily Planner

DEEP THOUGHTS

Fear and growth go together like macaroni and cheese. It's a package deal. The decision to grow always involves a choice between risk and comfort. This means that to be a follower of Jesus you must renounce comfort as the ultimate value of your life - John Ortberg.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Psalm 29:11 - The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

The price of peace is often paid for by the blood of many veterans. Thank God for their sacrifice, and ask God to keep our nation at peace! What in your life is worth fighting for?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today our topic is, "Take Them In Pairs" and are goals are:
1. To Understand that the desire to take revenge is a normal, human response that's been around since biblical times.
2. To see how revenge can make a situation worse, leading to tough consequences for everyone involved.
3. To think about some better, God-pleasing ways to respond instead of striking back when we feel attacked.

Our memory verse is Matthew 5:42 - Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Our challenge will be to write down things that happen to us this week and how we responded. We want to make better choices in how we respond when people do something wrong to us.

YOUTH CAREER EXPO

It's your future, What do you wanna do?

York Region Career Expo

When: November 13, 2008 (10am-3pm)

Where: Thornlea Secondary School - 8075 Bayview Ave. Thornhill

For more information 1 866 290 7208

www.yorkyouth.ca

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Hebrews 10:24 - Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

"Spur one another on!" Sounds a bit drastic doesn't it? Maybe that's what it takes to get us moving sometimes. So how 'bout it pardner? What do you need to get going?

STUDENT SUCCESS PROGRAM

On the job training is not only a great learning experience, it's a chance for students to pursue their individual interests and begin building a career. With expanded Co-op, specialist high school majors and the dual credit program, more students have the opportunity to gain experience while earning credits. Students get the chance to "test drive" career options and build on their individual strengths and abilities. This program helps students whether they are heading to university, college, apprenticeship or the workplace.
"I think if I’d had that chance in high school I would have jumped right in there, full blown." -Mike Holmes, Co-op Employer
For more information, contact your school or visit www.ontario.ca/studentsuccess

YOUTHQUEST SENIOR HIGH

This Friday, our topic will be, "The New-Look Jesus." It's part 2 of our series on Revelation.

People who picture Jesus as nothing more than a meek and mild teacher may be shocked to see him as the glorified king who returns to earth for the final showdown between good and evil.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has one one to help him up!

Thank God for your friends today. If you don't have any friends, find someone who needs a friend and be a friend to them. Who can you be a friend to today?

*taken from the Bible League of Canada - Devotional Day Planner.

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Psalm 27:14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

It takes real courage to be patient when things don't go as planned. But God's plan is not always your plan. His is better. Wait for it. What are you waiting on the Lord for right now?

DEEP THOUGHTS

"Life is about 1% what happens to you... and about 99% what you do about it." Allyson Arwood, age 14

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Get Past It!!!

Today's topic is reconciliation.

Goals:

1. To understand the biblical concept of reconciliation

2. To discuss why God cares about reconciliation, and what it looks like in the lives of young people

3. To choose a personal plan of reconciliation

a) Who have I done harm to?

b) How did I do harm?

c) What can I do to reconcile with this person?

d) Do I dare?

Our memory verse: "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23)

5 MINUTE DEVOTIONS

Isaiah 33:2 - O Lord, be gracious to us; we long fro you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Perhaps you have many things planned for your day. You can attempt to carry out your plans on your own strength or with God's strength. Make a conscious decision. Is God one of the first things you think of in the morning? Why or why not?