PARENT CUE

Session Two: One and Only (Sunday January 2)

Bottom Line: The most important decision you make is what you place in the center of your life.

The first two commandments - "You shall have no other gods before me" and "You shall not make for yourself an idol" - are two of the most often forgotten. They have nothing to do with ego - in fact, they have more to do with us. If our lives revolved around God, then all of the other commandments, such as stealing, lying, adultery, etc., wouldn't be an issue. So what would your life look like if you had no other gods but God?

PARENT CUE: What are some things that are other "gods" in your life? How can we help each other not make those "gods" the center of our lives?

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

TEN (1) - THE RULES
The main idea for most religions is that there’s a “good God” and there are “bad people.”

Where did we get the notion that in order for God to answer our prayers or love us or accept us, we have to be good and behave ourselves?

The idea that God loves and accepts us based on our behavior didn't come from God at all. God’s message is just the opposite.

So where did we get this idea?
For most, it comes back to the story of the Ten Commandments.

You can discover a lot about a person by the laws he or she makes.

God’s rules reveal what’s important to Him.

TRUTH “I am the LORD your God” (Exodus 20:1 NIV).

“Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat” (Exodus 12:3-4 NIV).

God acted first. God moved first. God proved Himself first. Before the rules, before the requirements, before God asked anything of Israel, God made His character known. He made His love known. He made the relationship known.

Rules are never the starting point for a relationship with your heavenly Father.

The number one thing for God was simply, “Will you trust Me?”

The rules are simply a confirmation of the relationship that already existed.

God has invited you into a relationship based on nothing you do but on something He’s done.
He has delivered you through the blood of His Son.

God is not a God who operates through guilt manipulation.

God has already made it clear that more than anything, a relationship matters, and His rules are simply a confirmation of that relationship.

www.xp3students.org - A product of the reThink Group, Inc. 2009 - Andy Stanley

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

This Sunday, we'll be starting a new series in our XP3 Curriculum, called, "TEN." based on the Ten Commandments

TEN Series Overview
Thirty-five hundred years ago Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with a short list of rules that has shaped the values of people and nations for centuries. We know them as the Ten Commandments, but do we really know them? Many people believe that the rules are a condition for a relationship with God, things we must do to get in His good graces. But just the opposite is true. The relationship came before the rules. And the commandments were meant to not only reveal God’s heart, but to keep His people free.

Session One: The Rules (December 26th)
Bottom Line: Relationship always precedes rules with God.
To many, Christianity is about following a set of rules. And if you asked them “Why?” they would point to a single source—the Bible. Specifically, they would probably mention the Ten Commandments. But what most people miss is the whole context for that list. God established a relationship with the Israelites long before He even gave them the rules. He wanted them to know they were His people. The reality is that following the rules will never make God love us more. In fact, when you try to live them out, you begin to see just how much you need Him. With God, the relationship always precedes the rules. Always.

Session One Parent Cue: The relationship and rules connection is something that you live with in your role as parent/child. Talk about how relationship always precedes rules in your home.

Session Two: One & Only (January 2)
Bottom Line: The most important decision you make is what you place in the center of your life.

Session Three: That’s Not My Name (January 9)
Bottom Line: When you use the name of God to dodge the will of God, you will ultimately miss out on God entirely.

Session Four: Do Nothing (January 16)
Bottom Line: When we stop and acknowledge how God has cared for us and our world, we realize who is really in control.

Session Five: Unto Others (January 23)
Bottom Line: God places value on each person, and desires for everyone to be free.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

A CHRISTMAS STORY (3): MARY

What’s the picture on your box? Is it you?

Sometimes our life becomes all about ourselves.
We can sometimes completely miss God. Even if we have the best intentions.

SCRIPTURE“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly” (Luke 1:5-6 NIV).

“Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside” (Luke 1:8-10 NIV).

Sometimes even those of us who are focused on God miss Him completely.

Mary wasn’t the type of person you would expect to be visited by an angel. She was not born great, and what the angel said to her put her in an incredibly dangerous position.

The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end . . . The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:30-37 NIV).

Instead of saying, “God, bless me,” Mary’s prayer is the complete opposite, “God, how can I bless you?”

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said’” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

APPLICATION:Mary realized she was a small piece in a much bigger puzzle.

When life is focused on who we are, how we look and what we bring to the table, those are the moments that we miss God when He shows up.

Life is really simple. I’ve got to let God be God. And I’ve got to be me. And I’m good at being me when I’m me, and I’m bad at being God. But God is really good at being God.

It’s really not about us and the mark we make on the world in this life. It’s about how God makes a mark through us on the world we encounter every day.

BOTTOM LINE: The size of your story depends on the size of your God.

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Although our program is on break for the Christmas Holidays, the leadership still took time to meet and talk about the program. Of course it helped that we did it over a great meal at Kelsey's!

CREATING A RHYTHM

Increase the quantity of quality time you spend together.

Have you ever been a part of something bigger than yourself? Maybe you were able to send food, shoes, or presents to a family hundred’s of miles away. Maybe you were able to hold the hand of a grieving stranger. Our world is full of need and each one of us has been equipped with resources to meet some of those needs. And when we do that, we also gain in the process.

Whenever we are able to work together as a team, neighborhood or family, it is amazing how much we are drawn together. In the act of serving together all the tension and stress of our day-to-day lives seem to melt away, and we walk away with a powerful shared experience. This month, think about a project that you and your family can do together so that you can be a part of something bigger than yourselves.

You may want to consider one of the following options:

Compassion International: Compassion International is a Christian child advocacy ministry dedicated to release children from poverty. Through sponsorship programs, Compassion addresses the economic, health, environmental, social, educational and spiritual needs of these children. Currently, Compassion helps more than 800,000 children in 24 countries. Log onto their web site to find out one of the many ways your family can partner with Compassion to make a lasting difference in the life of a child.

[www.compassion.com]

TOMS Shoes: TOMS was born in 2006 by Blake Mycoskie out of a commitment to produce stylish, comfortable, and practical footwear while improving the lives of children around the world. Every pair sold is personally matched with a donated pair to a child in need. This Christmas have fun giving TOMS shoes and celebrating the children who will also be comforted by your donation.

[www.tomsshoes.com]

In Your Community: Find a local women’s shelter, soup kitchen or other community program in your area and see where you can help. You may want to present the idea of a project to your student and let him or her have ownership in the process by doing some research online to see what you can do.

(Cornerstone initiatives)

Volunteers needed at Food/Toy Warehouse
If you would like to help sort food and toys, we need volunteers at the Warehouse on:
- Friday, Dec. 17th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 18th, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Just drop in whenever you are available and Anna will give you the tour and assign a job for you to do! All help is welcome. However, for safety reasons, only those who are 14 years and above are allowed in the warehouse. The warehouse is located at 105 Gibsons Drive (Warden and Steeles). Wear warm clothing.

Christmas Carolling at Markham Stouffville Hospital
Saturday, Dec. 18th at 10am
We will be sharing God's love and care with patients at the long term care unit at Markham Stouffville Hospital through singing Christmas Carols and visitation. Please consider joining together with us and being a blessing to patients and staff at the hospital. Carolling will take place on Dec. 18th from 10:00am - 12:00pm. Sign-up on the insert provided in Sunday's bulletin or contact Genevieve Ko: genevieve.ko@sympatico.ca for more information.

PARENT CUE

XP3 - A CHRISTMAS STORY - Session 2 - DECEMBER 12

It’s so easy for something to capture our sense of wonder, especially during the Christmas season. For some of us, there is that one thing we would love to unwrap. Whether it’s the latest cell phone, wide screen TV or money for a shopping spree, there is one thing that makes our heart skip a beat with anticipation wondering if this Christmas it will happen. Simeon lived his whole life with that type of anticipation. His life was consumed by one thing, but it was really the only thing that mattered.

Session Two Parent Cue: What would your life look like if the one consuming thing behind every action and every word was Jesus?

COLLEGE-UNIVERSITY GROUP

On Sunday we had a small group gathering at Sarina's house. We had some good food, discussion and watched a video by Rob Bell, "The God's Aren't Angry." We also had a short devotional about time.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

A CHRISTMAS STORY (2): SIMEON

Everyone loves to receive good things.

Sometimes our waiting is longer than we expect.
How long do I keep asking? How long do I keep waiting?

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: ‘Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.’
The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too’” (Luke 2:28-35 NIV).

Hope is found in holding on to what God has promised.

When hope seems to fade away, what are you still holding on to?
Hold on to the One who is worth it.

What is the one thing that consumes your thoughts?

May our lives look more like Simeon this Christmas, so that we, like him, are consumed with the right thing.

BOTTOM LINE: Let your life be consumed by one thing—just make sure it’s the right thing.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we had a great night at the Chan's house as we wrapped up our junior high program for the Christmas season. We had a crazy gift exchange, games where we dressed up as Santa and Christmas Trees, tons of food (turkey with all the trimmings) and a chocolate fondue fountain with an eating contest. Junior high pandemonium!

We had a great night as our season winds down for the Christmas Holidays. We had special presentations, lots of giveaways and of course, our weekly MVP's who displayed our monthly Character Matters Trait (Empathy). We were challenged to think about what holds us back from God over the holidays. It was a good way to 'rap' up the year!

Cool Video

Check out this video. A pastor interviews "satan" about how he divides church people. Funny and interesing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDqRheBu2cg&feature=player_embedded

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday we started our new curriculum (XP3). We started a series entitled, "The Christmas Story."

We talked about puzzles and how the goal of a puzzle is for the end result to look like the picture on the box. Without the box, everything becomes complicated and difficult.
We all have a picture of what we want our lives to look like. One day we will look back and see the pictures of what we constructed with our lives.
Because of fear, we hold on to the pieces of our life puzzle and hope that no one will ruin our picture.

To many people, Jesus was a piece of the puzzle that didn't seem to fit.

Our main Bible passage was Matthew chapter 2. We studied Herod. God's picture of the puzzle was different from the picture Herod had been constructing.

Challenge:
Following Jesus costs something.
Following Jesus can sometimes be threatening. What is threatened in your life by Jesus?

Following Jesus will cost you something. Not following Jesus will cost you everything.

What puzzle pieces do you need to let go?

Parent Cue: What are some events in your life that turned out differently than you hoped? Looking back, did things work out better than you expected at the time?

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

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

On Wednesday we started a new month with our Character Matters Traits - This month is empathy (essentially, putting yourself in someone else's shoes). We had a moment of silence and prayed for the family of Anoush Verdi, a young man who went missing in Markham and sadly whose body was found recently. We didn't know him that well although he came out to our basketball program a couple of times. We mostly know his brother who came out regularly before he graduated. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

This past Sunday, we finished our study on Pictures of God with the lesson, "God is Like a Judge."

Our main verse was Psalm 50:6, "And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge."

We talked about how God is like a a judge as well as how we can make good decisions by exercising wisdom.

This Sunday we start a new curriculum called, "XP3." We'll be doing a Christmas series looking at Herod, Simeon and Mary.

JUNIOR HIGH RETREAT

Some pictures from our Junior High Retreat at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort. The Theme was "Shine." We were challenged with stories from the book of Daniel. Of course we had lots of fun playing games like volleyball, basketball, scavenger hunts and more. We enjoyed the worship and the sessions, the food was good and the snow was refreshing. 9 of our youth went up to the front after a challenge from the speaker on the Saturday night!

JUNIOR HIGH RETREAT

Here's some pics from our retreat to Muskoka Woods Sports Resort.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

A Christmas Story:
Series Overview
Christmas is such a crazy time. Students are busy dreaming about what they want to get, and parents are shopping frantically for what they want to give. We all become consumed with malls and wrapping paper. It’s a Wonderful Life and How the Grinch Stole Christmas play on TV and Santa Clause poses for pictures with every excited (and screaming) child. At church we tell the story about shepherds, angels and a manger, but so often the significance of the story is lost because it seems like just one more holiday tradition. Or we’ve heard it so much that we don’t hear it anymore. Our upcoming series is going to tell the Christmas Story—but in a slightly different way.

Session One (Sunday December 5)
Everyone has a vision for their lives. We dream of the type of home we’ll live in, the car we’ll drive, the job we want, the love we desire or the family we’ll have. And even if we wouldn’t dare share those things with someone else, deep within us we hope that life will turn out one way . . . even if we’re at the same time skeptical it won’t. But sometimes the life we envision is different than the one we actually have . . . okay, most of the time. So how do we react when life doesn’t turn out the way we hoped? And more importantly, what do we do with Jesus, because as wonderful as He is, He steps into our lives and makes things messy. He leads us down paths we never thought we would go. He asks us to do things we don’t always want to do. And even with all that, somehow life still turns out even better than we dreamed.

Session One Parent Cue: What are some events in your life that turned out differently than you hoped? Looking back, did things work out better than you expected at the time?

Session Two (Sunday December 12)
It’s so easy for something to capture our sense of wonder, especially during the Christmas season. For some of us, there is that one thing we would love to unwrap. Whether it’s the latest cell phone, wide screen TV or money for a shopping spree, there is one thing that makes our heart skip a beat with anticipation wondering if this Christmas it will happen. Simeon lived his whole life with that type of anticipation. His life was consumed by one thing, but it was really the only thing that mattered.

Session Two Parent Cue: What would your life looked if the one consuming thing behind every action and every word was Jesus?

Session Three (Sunday December 19)
It’s the easiest thing in the world to do, and that’s probably why so many of us are guilty of doing it. God gives us something--a talent, a provision, a relationship--we take it, make big plans for it, then somehow forget all about Him. In the act of serving God, sometimes we completely miss Him. Sometimes our big God becomes very small in our lives. Perhaps that’s why God chose Mary, someone who was very aware of what little she had to offer, to provide the gift that the world so desperately needed. Mary is remembered not only for what she did, but for why she did it--simply to honor God’s request.

Session Three Parent Cue: Have you ever had a moment when you felt like God asked you to do something specific? How did you respond?

DEEP THOUGHTS

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
C. S. Lewis

Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.
C. S. Lewis

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight we finished off our month on honesty. Both the junior and senior sessions were exciting with the games coming down to the last basket. Congrats to our MVPs!

YOUTHQUEST JUNIOR HIGH

We have been continuing our Pictures of God series. Last Sunday, our topic was, "God is Like a Comedian." Our main verse was Psalm 126:2a, "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."
We talked about why God is like a comedian and how we can use humour in good and profitable ways or in destructive ways.

Yesterday, our lesson was, "God is Like a Child." Our main verse was Matthew 18:4, "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
We talked about why God is like a child and how we can be like a child by loving God with a pure and uncomprimising faith.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Yesterday we had another great night. We continue talking about honesty as our character matters trait of the month. Congrats to the MVPs.

CORNERSTONE

Today we collected shoeboxes at Cornerstone for Operation Christmas Child. We'll be sending them out to children less fortunate than us all over the world.

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

On Wednesday we had a slow start because most of the boys had a volleyball game, but it picked up for the second half. We continued our talks about honesty. Congrats to our MVPs!

DEEP THOUGHTS

What is your boat? In what area of your life are you shrinking back from fully and courageously trusting God? Fear will tell you what your boat is. Leaving it may be the hardest thing you ever do. But if you want to walk on the water, you've got to get out of the boat. (John Ortberg).

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday our topic was, "God is Like a Listener." Our main verses were: Before they call I will answer; while they are speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24) and, "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." (Psalm 34:15)

We talked about how challenging it is to listen to others and how God is always available to listen to us. Our weekly challenge was to choose a person that we have trouble listening to and try our best to listen better to them this week. We are also challenged to tell God what's on our hearts, knowing that He listens to us. Next week, our lesson is, "God is Like a Comedian."

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Yesterday we had over 30 boys out to our session. Our character matters trait for the month is honesty. Congrats to our MVP's!

YOUTHQUEST JUNIOR HIGH

Yesterday we cancelled our Sunday school class so that we could get involved in serving at Cornerstone. We helped out in the nursery, toddler, preschool, schoolage and A.V. department. Way to go guys!

DEEP THOUGHTS

Love always grows, not just deeper, but wider. Love always loves people more and always loves more people. Love calls us to community; love calls us to humanity; love calls us to each other - Erwin McManus - Soul Cravings

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

We had a good turnout today with almost 30 boys out. We talked about responsibility as well as how with the world as complicated as it is, there must be something (someone) behind it (Namely, God). Congrats to our MVP's of the day (Sailavam and Thomas).

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

On Sunday, our topic was, "God is Like a Mom." Our main verse was Isaiah 66:13a, "As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you." We talked about understanding our ability to influence people in good ways or bad ways as well as choosing a specific person, place and time to influence toward right living in the next week.

YOUTHQUEST JUNIOR HIGH

Today we had a P.A. Hang out at Trevor's house. Bill and Melissa hosted our excellent adventure. We had a great lunch, played some games, had some great dessert and overall just had a good time hanging out. Look out for our Christmas Party!