JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday we studied the Holy Spirit. For most people (junior highs included), the Holy Spirit is a mystery. We can relate to God the Father and God the Son, but we aren't clear about God the Spirit.

We talked about how the Holy Spirit is God living inside each person that is a Christ-follower. A storehouse of power who gives people strength and wisdom to live the Christian life.

Here are some verses we looked at: John 14:15-31; Romans 8:1-7; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

We also looked at verses that talk about what the Spirit does for us: comforts (John 14:16-17; convicts us of sin (John 16:13-15); prays for us (Romans 8:26); gives us spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7) and leads us (Galatians 5:18).

Finally, we talked about the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control - Galatians 5:22-23). We chose one to focus on this week as our personal challenge in terms of an area the Spirit could help us to grow in.

* From Junior High-Middle School Talksheets - by David Lynn

DEEP THOUGHTS

One of God's deepest but most often misunderstood characteristics is his desire to include in his community anybody who will have him - John Ortberg

DEEP THOUGHTS

To run the best race you can, to give it everything that is in you, and win - that is glorious. To run the race, to give your best and lose - that's painful. but it is not failure. Failure is refusing to run the race at all - John Ortberg

Time is so precious that it is dealt out to us only in the smallest possible fractions - a tiny moment at a time - Irish Proverb

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

This past Sunday our topic was GOD IN A BOD (Jesus Christ). Here are some of the questions we looked at:
1. What words describe Jesus?

2. What do you think? If Jesus Christ lived in your town, attended your school, and was the same age as you -
- would he be popular or unpopular?
- where would he go to church?
- what kind of music would he listen to?
- what would he do after school?
- what tv shows would he watch? Why?

3. If someone asked if you believe in Jesus what would you say? Why? What would you say if they argued with you?

4. Christ asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13 - paraphrase). Find out what each of the following Bible verses says about Christ, then complete each of the sentences.
Matthew 16:16 - Jesus is...
John 3:16-17 - Jesus is...
John 10:30 - Jesus is...
Colossians 1:13-23 - Jesus is...
John 1:1-18 - Jesus is...

* From Junior high-middle school talksheets - by David Lynn

THOUGHTS FROM YOURFRIENDLYNEIGHBOURHOODYOUTHPASTOR

The Olympic torch just passed by my office. It made me think of some verses:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace (Acts. 20:24).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2)

DEEP THOUGHTS

Our ability to live in hope - to remain focused on Christ during the storm - is largely dependent on what we feed our minds. This is how what we are able to focus on the Saviour rather than the storm - John Ortberg

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Yesterday we had our final youth group meeting of the year. We had pizza, played some games, watched a trailer for a DVD series we'll be doing next year called Quest, and we talked about Jesus as King, Lord and Saviour.

DEEP THOUGHTS

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you," says the Lord - Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NLT)

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Although we had smaller numbers because of our first winter storm today, those who came still had a great time! Our Character Matters trait of the month is empathy. Congrats to Vikas who played a strong game but also noticed that some teammates weren't getting equal playing time. Now that's putting yourself in someone else's shoes! For our senior session, we ended up playing leaders against students. We won't say who won, but it wasn't the students :)

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Key verse – John 16:33 – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Yesterday we talked about the biblical concept of peace and that real peace can only be experienced in Jesus. We also discusses what it looks like for teens to not experience peace and finally our challenge was to take steps towards experiencing peace as well as write and commit to a plan of action for experiencing more peace in their own lives

Dare from Jesus:

- Rate yourself from 1 to 10. 1 = no peace at all, 10 = tons of peace every day.
- Think about what keeps you from experiencing real peace in their lives. Maybe it’s a specific issue, maybe it’s some general stuff. Write down 1 or 2 things.
- Write a few action steps you can take to experience more peace in your life
- Apply these action steps this week

DEEP THOUGHTS

Fear whispers to us that God is not really big enough to take care of us. It tells us we are not really safe in His hands. It causes us to distort the way we think about Him. - John Ortberg

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight we started a new Character Matters trait - Empathy - essentially, being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Congrats to our MVP's for today.