We believe to have a lasting impact and reach this next generation is to see the light of the church be combined with the heart of the family. We desire to continually grow as a ministry in our partnership with parents. There is great power in a parent who raises up a child spiritually, and we want you to know you don’t have to do it alone. The Parent Cue is one way to come alongside your teen in what they are learning.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Series: UPSTREAM (September 13th - October 4th)


Our ever-evolving society has an impact on every generation of young people, including your current students. But through Jesus, society will also feel the impact of teenagers who are following Jesus and living lives of service and influence.

This four-lesson series will encourage young people to stay fully connected to Jesus while being fully engaged in society. Through Scripture, students will examine how to remain faithful to him without removing themselves from—or being swept away by—the world Jesus has called them to love.

Lesson 1: For God So Loved the World | John 17:13-19 (9/13/17)
In our first lesson, we read Jesus’ prayer from John 17:13-19, which focuses on protection, wisdom, and purpose. He prayed not that God would take us out of the world but that God would protect us from the evil one. With God’s protection and love, we can be a shining light in our society.

This week, spend a few minutes talking with your teenager about the lesson. Consider building your conversation around these questions:
  • Jesus prayed that God would protect us from the evil one. What’s it like to know that God is actively protecting you from evil?
  • Why do you suppose Jesus would pray that we “not be taken out of the world”?
  • How do people become so comfortable within our culture that Jesus is no longer their top priority? What can we do if we realize that’s happening to us?

Lesson 2: Abide—Stay Connected to Your Life Source | John 15:1-12 (9/20/17)
This week, we studied John 15:1-12, where Jesus uses a beautiful, clear metaphor to describe himself as our life source. He explains that he is the vine, and we are the branches.

In our culture, we often look for meaning and identity in many other sources. But only when we recognize Jesus as our life source can we experience complete, fulfilled joy. In verse 11, Jesus says he has spoken these things so our joy will overflow.

This week, spend a few minutes with your teenager reviewing our lesson. Here are some questions you can use to fuel your conversation:
  • How does being connected to Jesus, our vine, make you feel more alive?
  • In what ways is this connection evident in people’s daily lives?
  • What are some things that might try to disconnect you from the vine? How can you be aware of those things and prevent them from interfering with your relationship with Jesus?

Lesson 3: At the Foot of the Mountain | Matthew 17:1-14 (9/27/17)
To continue our series on culture, we explored Matthew 17:1-14 this week. After some of the disciples climbed a mountain with Jesus, they witnessed his appearance change. God’s presence was so strong it was like Jesus’ face was the sun. But Jesus didn’t stay up on the mountaintop. He took the disciples back down, where people who needed healing and forgiveness waited to encounter Jesus. Similarly, he wants to take us to the foot of the mountain, where we can love and serve those who need him.

This week, I encourage you to spend a few minutes talking to your teenager about our lesson. Consider using the following questions in your conversation:
  • What might it have been like to experience God’s presence on that mountaintop?
  • What are some ways you encounter God during your day-to-day life?
  • Jesus took the disciples up a high mountain to be alone with God the Father. When’s the last time you made this kind of effort to be alone with God?
  • How did Jesus’ time alone with God fuel him for ministry at the foot of the mountain, with people who needed him? What “fuels” you for living out your faith?

Lesson 4: Jesus’ Irreplaceable Love | 1 John 5:16-21 (10/4/17)
As we wrapped up our series on culture this week, we discussed 1 John 5:16-21. This Scripture instructs us to keep away from anything that might take Jesus’ place in our hearts. With so many things in today’s culture clamoring for our time and attention, this can be hard to follow.

This week, I encourage you to take a few minutes to review our lesson with your teenager. Please consider these questions for your conversation:

  • In your life and your daily schedule, what things sometimes take a higher priority than your relationship with Jesus?
  • How can you tell when Jesus falls to second place—or lower—in your life? What needs of yours don’t get met when that happens?
  • How does seeking Jesus first and making him the center of our life shift our attitudes? our actions? our outlook?