JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

GOD TALK - PRAYER

Yesterday we talked about how prayer is a conversation with God. Some times we feel like we don't need to pray or don't feel like it. But both talking and listening to God are crucial for understanding God and growing closer to him. We talked about how prayer can be intimidating or can make us feel guilty if we don't do it enough. It's not magic, we should use our own language and let him know what's on our minds. Our challenge was to try to pray for 2 minutes each day this week. We'll write things down and then look back over the week to see how God worked.

- From Junior high-middle school talk sheets by David Lynn.

DEEP THOUGHTS

If you aren't living on the edge, you're taking up too much room - Anonymous

Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference - Edmund Burke

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Wanting It All - Materialism

This past Sunday we talked about how in North America, we are saturated by a culture that more than any other values money and possessions. We talked about the pressure we feel everywhere we go. We discussed the dangers of getting caught up in wanting it all. Finally, we talked about how money doesn't buy happiness and how the love money is idolatry (Matthew 6:24). Money buys things, but not the things of God - happiness, joy, love, peace - and most importantly, eternal life. Our challenge was to look at Jesus' life and his call to his disciples to leave everything behind to follow him. Although times are different, we're still called to follow him and leave our wants behind. This week, we focus on changing one thing about our lifestyle to make us a little less materialistic.

DEEP THOUGHTS

At the deepest level, pride is the choice to exclude both God and other people from their rightful place in our hearts. Jesus said that the essence of spiritual life is to love God and to love people. (John Ortberg)

UPCOMING FAMILY EVENTS IN MARKHAM

Milliken Children's Festival 2009

Free Admission

Free activities and entertainment for children ages 2-12

Free hourly bus from Milliken Mills C.C. starting at 9 a.m.

Saturday, September 12 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Rain or Shine!

New Location! Markham Civic Centre

www.MillikenChildrensFestival.ca

GAMES NIGHT

On Friday we had a games night where we played some retro games.

DEEP THOUGHTS

History does not belong to the powerful, or the wealthy, or the rulers, or the armies, or the corporations, or the global media empires... History belongs to the intercessors - to those who believe and pray the future into being.
- John Ortberg

GAMES NIGHT

Come out to our games night on August 14th from 7:30-10:00pm at the Leung's house (Steve and Mymy - 14 Moses Cres. Markham). Rotate through old school classic games such as... Chess, Clue, Trouble, Connect Four and many card games. A $5 charge includes snacks and childcare. Contact Steve to reserve a space - ssleung@rogers.com

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Music To My Ears

The changes in music and technology, especially in the past 20 years or so, have changed the ways that youth today view and listen to music. Kids can download music video clips from nearly any music Internet homepage. Today we talk about what videos our kids watch, how we are influenced by them and how we can make decisions about them in the future. We talk about how we make choices about what we put in our minds and bodies. Music isn't necessarily bad, but they often don't reflect our values. It's important to make the best use of time. Time is valuable. Today we talk about making the best use of the time that God has given to us. Our main verse is Colossians 2:8 - See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

- from Junior High-Middle School TalkSheets - David Lynn.

DEEP THOUGHTS

Today we have largely traded wisdom for information. We have exchanged depth for breath. We want to microwave maturity. - John Ortberg

DEEP THOUGHTS

We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry form our lives. This does not mean we will never be busy... Jesus was often busy, but never hurried. Hurry is not just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart. - John Ortberg.

FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR MISSION'S TEAM

Here's a neat opportunity to support a good cause that is worldwide. Come and hear stories of how God rescued these young people (the Foxfires) out of tough circumstances. There will also be some great food, an auction for great items including a day at the spa and an African painting. African dancers and an awesome party afterwards. All for just $50! Tickets will be $60 at the door.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we look at family. Most junior high students are searching for their own identity, apart from their family. But families are still an essential support for them. Sometimes this can be frustrating and can cause tension in a family. We talk about how to understand our families and how to strengthen family ties. We look at Ephesians 6:1-4.
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise—
3"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.