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.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday we looked at Giving our whole heart to God - Loving God. Our main verse was Matthew 22:34-38,

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment.

We considered what it meant to love God, talked about different ways we can express our love for God;
- spend time talking to God
- show some love to someone in the name of God
- obey God in an area of our lives where we've been disobeying him
- spend time getting to know God better in the Bible
- giving some money to God's work
- spend time worshipping God
- write a prayer or poem to God
- other:

We chose one of these to practice over the next 48 hours.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

HOW DOES BELIEVING IN GOD AFFECT MY MORALS?

- No one should judge another person based on their sexual orientation
- If someone sincerely believes that their religion is the right one, they should be entitled to their own opinion
- Whether a mother has her baby or not should be completely up to her
- If I am a good person, that's all that is really important
- If two people really love each other, no one has the right to tell them they can't live together
- Claiming Christianity is the only path to God is intolerant and arrogant
1. What do you think of these statements? Do you agree or disagree with the thinking here?
2. Have you ever heard someone say that there is no moral absolute truth? If so, what has your response been in the past when you've heard that?

THE ORACLE - read Matthew 25:31-46

1. How does Jesus describe the actions of those who follow him (the sheep)?
2. If Jesus described the actions of sheep in today's culture, what types of activities do you suppose he would include?
3. How does Jesus describe the actions of those who are not genuine followers (the goats)?
4. If Jesus described the actions of goats in today's culture, what types of activities do you suppose he would include?
5. Jesus talks a lot in this passage about 'the least of these.' Who were ' the least' in this passage?
6. Does Jesus' teaching match up with what you would have thought the moral standard is supposed to be for a Christian? Why or why not?
7. Notice how integrally Jesus tied the idea of moral behaviour with how we treat people. How does that impact the way you think about moral behaviour?

SELF REFLECTION
1. What is it that determines your moral behaviour? Is it rooted in anything concrete, or (in all honesty) does the way you happen to feel today influence what you believe is wrong and right?
2. What stops you form looking to Jesus for moral guidance?
3. How would your life look different if you decided to follow Jesus' words?

* taken from Following After God - What difference does God make? By Daniel Hill

DEEP THOUGHTS

Never try to have more faith... just get to know God better. And because God is faithful, the better you know him, the more you'll trust him. The way to get to know his trustworthiness is to risk obeying him - John Ortberg

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH RETREAT

This past weekend, the junior highs went to Muskoka Sports Resort for a retreat. There were over 500 junior highs there and we had a great time of getting to know each other and being challenged by the sessions which included great worship music from the band Esoteric.

DEEP THOUGHTS

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do – Helen Keller

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Another great night with a large group of boys out. Congrats to Shane and Osei for winning MVP honours. They showed honesty during the games and all night!

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday, our Sunday school class was about love - "SHOW THE SIGN." our main verse was JOHN 13:34-35,
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Our goals were: To learn that loving one another should be the distinguishing mark of Christians, to discuss implications of our youth group being loving to each other and to agree to a group application of holding each other accountable to love. Our dare was a group dare. To show love and unity.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

On Friday (February 13th). We had a great night of wacky games, (mafia, picture broken telephone and hug tag). The hug tag introduced the lesson we would be studying on Sunday - based on John 13:34-35. We also watched a preview video of a series we'll be starting in the New Year called "Quest."Quest is a seven session DVD series designed to engage youth in discussion of spiritual issues from a Christian perspective. We also had discussions on who is God and who is the Holy Spirit - based on our Sunday school lesson from the previous week.

DEEP THOUGHTS

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

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight was another great night of ball. We had a great turnout, great games of basketball and a good times all around. Congrats to

Bassel and Chris for winning MVP. They showed that character matters by showing honesty during the games and throughout the night.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Yesterday we talked about the big dare - GOD'S LOVE. Our key verse was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
We talked about understanding Jesus' dare to believe, to consider what and who were are being dared to believe in and to write a personal statement of belief.
These are the questions we asked and some thoughts shared by the students (anonymously)

1. What do I believe about God?
- I believe that God is the giver of life and is our Creator. He has made everything
- He is the one who made the world from scratch
- I believe that God loved the world and sent His one and only son that whoever believes in him may not be lost but have everlasting life. I believe he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
- He is real. He created the world and us. He cares for us
- everything he creates does and destroys helps guide our lives and forgives us even though we sin
- I believe that God is real, and is everywhere and that he can answer all your prayers
- I've read about him in the Bible and I just know he's there
- God is good. God is real

2. What do I believe about the Holy Spirit?
- It is the redeemer and has given our soul purpose and meaning. Without it we are soulless
- It will protect me from evil and darkness
- I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- It is part of God and will stay with us
- I believe that the Holy Spirit is God and Jesus is one
- same as God
- Holy Spirit is holy and a spirit

3. What do I believe about the Church?
- church is where we meet with God and learn... where others meet and communicate as one...
- it is a place of peace and happiness. A place to praise God
- I believe that the church has a Christian Faith
- take time off and pray to God
- church is where people show their Christian belief
- they teach me about the Bible and about God and Jesus
- Church is a place of God

4. What do I believe about how a Christ follower should live?
- a Christ follower should believe in God but not challenge Him in any way. Accept his gift and not ask for anything
- try not to sin and praise God
- I believe that a Christ follower should live according to how God wants us to live
- listen to God's word from the Bible
- they should live without sin and pray...
- they should be caring, friendly, Jesus like...
- we should live a good life

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

FOLLOWING AFTER GOD - SESSION 3

How does believing in God affect How I view people?

On Friday we talked about how society elevates some people - movie stars, athletes, etc. and downgrades others - special needs', immigrants, poor, etc. We talked about how this is in contrast with how much God values each individual life. We looked at the 3 parables in Luke 15 - The parable of the lost sheep, lost coin and lost son.

Here are the questions for self reflection:

1. If I had to paint a picture of how I view God and how I think God views every individual person, what would that picture look like?

2. (Based on Luke 15) How does this reading affect how you view God and how you think God views each individual person?

3. If what you read is true, how should you respond to such incredible love?

4. How should this truth change the way you view and treat other people?

EXPLORE YOUTH EVENT!

This Saturday (November 7th), come check out the new Immigrant Youth Centre (IYC). From 11:00am - 3:00pm. It's open to all immigrant youth.
Free admission
Fun activities
Open mic event
Prizes and giveaways
Program registrations
Special performances
** First 30 immigrant youth that bring a valid 'permanent resident' card will receive a free welcome package.

5284 Highway 7 E, Unit 2
Markham On,
(Northeast corner of HWY 7 and McCowan)
Fro more info. Please call Amir 905 294 8868 ext 202
email: amir.akbari@cicscanada.com
website: www.cicsiyc.org

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we look at faith - "Believe It!" Our goals are to: Understand the dare from Jesus that we exercise more faith, to consider what a teen exercising more faith looks like and to choose an area of our lives where we need to exercise more faith and write a prayer to God about it. Our main verses are Mark 11:23-24

"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

DEEP THOUGHTS

You may know what it is to walk in darkness. Sometimes faith is walking in darkness and simply refusing to quit. Sometimes faith is just hanging on - John Ortberg

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight we had over 30 guys out for a great night of basketball. We continued our discussion on responsibility. Congrats to Preston and Justin, our MVP's for the night. They showed responsibility on and off the court.

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today we look at Humility through our lesson, "Start at The Back." Our main verse is Matthew 23:12, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Our goals are to understand the Biblical concept of humility, to consider what real humility looks like in the life of a young teen and to write a prayer to God expressing our desire to grow and change in this area of our lives.

JUNIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we had a fun night out at Laser Quest!

DEEP THOUGHTS

Any truly meaningful human accomplishment will require perseverance. Gifts, talents, IQ - these are to some extent beyond our control. Endurance is the gift that we can offer. Spiritual transformation won't happen without it - John Ortberg

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Last night was another great session with a lot of boys out. Congrats to our MVP's Dev and Mathew. Our Character Matters trait of the month is responsibility - We are accountable for all our actions. We follow through our commitments

CHRISTIAN COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY FAIR

On Wednesday November 4th, The Yorkland School will be hosting the Christian College and University Fair. This is a great opportunity to see the options that are out there for quality post-secondary education in with Christian principles. This will be the only one of it's kind in the Toronto region this season. Here's the link for more info: http://www.ccufairs.ca/

CORNERSTONE SUNDAY SERVICE

Today the youth led the music part of Cornerstone's worship service. Zach did a great job as leader. Awesome job team!

RIDE FOR REFUGEES

The numbers are staggering – 67 million refugees and internally displaced peoples according to a United Nations 2007 report. Over half are women and children, vulnerable and voiceless while they flee war, persecution and tribal violence. Today a group of us from Cornerstone joined over 200 riders in Markham for it's first Ride for Refugees. Together, we raised over $50,000 and worldwide we raised over $800,000 for this worthy cause. The specific cause we rode 50k for was a lady who helps refugees in Iraq. She'll be sharing at Cornerstone about exactly what she does.

For more info or to support, click on the link
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?SID=2400352

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Tonight was another specatular night with almost 40 boys out. Congrats to our MVP's of the night for showing responsibility on and off the court.

DEEP THOUGHTS

When the heart is well ordered, we are not only increasingly free from sin, but also increasingly free from the desire to sin. If the heart were truly well ordered, we would love people so much we would not want to deceive or manipulate or envy them. We would be transformed from the inside out - John Ortberg

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today our topic was GIVE 'TIL IT HURTS - SACRIFICE. A very fitting lesson for Thanksgiving. We talked about what generous giving looks like, why Jesus cares about it as well as to brainstorm ways teens can be generous giver. Our challenge was to choose a plan to be a generous giver this week.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Tonight we had some fun and games and TMC. We had a Thanksgiving lesson on thankfulness and looked at Luke 17:11-19. Happy birthday Anson!

YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

Today we had over 40 boys out for a great night of intense basketball. We also had 12 student volunteers and 10 adult volunteers. Congrats to Piran and Osei who won MVP honours for showing responsibility on and off the court.

WE DAY

We Day is Free The Children’s annual signature event. Taking place on September 29 at Vancouver’s GM Place and on October 5 at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, these events are a celebration of the Me to We philosophy of reaching out to help others, while engaging youth to be the change as they support the international development work of Free The Children.
The largest event of its kind, each We Day event celebrates the power of young people to change the lives of others. Every year, the We Day events feature a series of inspirational and motivational speeches by top leadership and social issues activists, speakers and entertainers.
But the action doesn’t stop here. Every person attending We Day has committed to take tangible actions for a better world. They’re part of a support network of students, educators and facilitators that stretches from coast to coast.
Students will take action throughout 2009-2010 through Free The Children’s campaigns to raise awareness and funds. Donations will build schools and provide clean water and alternative income streams for some of the most remote and impoverished people in the world. Each step will lead us closer to creating global equality and ending poverty in the developing world.

http://weday.ctv.ca/Home/About

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION - THE NARROW ROAD

Today we looked at understanding why this is the granddaddy of all dares, the big kahuna, the mega-dare! Also, to consider what it looks like for young teens to choose the “narrow way” as well as to write out the implications of making this choice for their own lives. Our main verses were Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

THE RIDE FOR REFUGEES

The numbers are staggering – 67 million refugees and internally displaced peoples according to a United Nations 2007 report. Over half are women and children, vulnerable and voiceless while they flee war, persecution and tribal violence. The RIDE is a way that I can personally connect to this crisis, and it's a way for me to make a real difference in a refugee’s life. Thank you for your help. Cornerstone has a team doing the ride in Markham on October 17th. Please support us by riding with us or by going online and making a donation.

The Ride for Refugees

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SENIOR HIGH YOUTHQUEST

Last night, we continued our study - Following After God, We did part 2 - How does believing in God affect my purpose in life. We talked about how people like Jordan, Madonna, Elvis became famous by excelling in sports or Hollywood. We also talked about people like Hitler, Osama who became famous for cruel and disturbing behaviour. Then we talked about how Mother Teresa was famous yet never excelled at a sport, never made a song and never established herself in the political or business world. We talked about how deep down we all long to have a name that symbolizes a life of importance. The scripture we looked at was Matthew 25:14-30 (the parable of the talents). Our homework was to think about some of the things that you would like to have our lives remember by. Following our 1st session, this brings us to a Matrix moment where we need to acknowledge the gifts that God has given to us as well as do our part to use them for him and develop them in community.

CORNERSTONE YOUTHQUEST BASKETBALL

And finally... our Wednesday night basketball program returns to Greensborough! We had a great turnout with almost 40 boys and 16 student volunteers. Congratulations to Andrew and Anushan, our MVP's for the night. This month, our Character Matters Trait is RESPECT - We respect ourselves and treat others with courtesy, dignity and positive regard. We honour the rights of others. We respect their belongings, the environment and the world around us

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Today our topic is, "MAKE IT A TWO-WAY STREET - FORGIVENESS. We talk about why forgiveness is such a big deal to Jesus, consider the difficulty of forgiveness in third-person case studies and to choose a specific act of forgiveness to put into action this week.

Our verses for today are Matthew 6:14-1514 - For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL

Today was Cornerstone's annual International Food Festival. We had well over 150 people come and some great food! All of the proceeds went to the Markham Food Bank so it was a great cause. As well as international food and

dress, we were also treated to special performances including Indian guitar and Bob Marley reggae!