Series: ALL ABOUT JESUS (Feb. 3rd - Feb. 24th)

Knowing Jesus is more than just knowing His name. It involves getting to know everything about Him and why we are able to have a personal relationship with Him. Explain that the study for this month will help students understand and identify characteristics of Jesus they may have previously not known. It will also allow students the opportunity to get to know Jesus on a much more personal level and provide them with ways to do so. Students will gain an appreciation for who Jesus is and be challenged with knowing Him deeper than they have known Him before.

Session 1 The Visible God — Colossians 1:15-20 (2/3/16)

Jesus is the image of the invisible God. He is God. Jesus is present more than just in creation, He is the agent of creation from the very beginning. He is the Creator. Jesus is Lord. He was and is before all things and because of Jesus everything is held together. Jesus is the head of the body of Christ, the church. Jesus is the Savior of all people. In what ways do you know Jesus in these areas?

Session 2 The Caring God — Mark 2:1-12 (2/10/16)

Jesus loved teaching the people. Whenever people gathered to hear Him teach, He taught them about the good news that He had to offer. In addition to His teaching, Jesus healed the sick. The lame, the blind, the paralyzed, Jesus had no problems healing them even if it went against Jewish tradition and the Law. He cared for people immensely. Jesus’ way of caring challenged the people’s way of thinking. He challenged them to look at the message of hope and healing instead of traditions that often prevented them from seeing and meeting the need. Jesus didn’t act out of rebellion, but out of a genuine love and concern for people. Jesus cared enough to meet needs and not just merely keep traditions. How do you see the heart of God?

Session 3 The Saving God —  Matthew 26:36-46, John 10:14-18, Colossians 1:21-22 (2/17/16)

Jesus’ death was in God’s plan from the beginning. It was God’s will for Jesus to die for our sin. Dying was the only way for a relationship with God to be restored. Jesus chose to be obedient to His Father’s will and die on the cross for our sin. Jesus willingly gave His life because of His love for His Father. Because of our sinfulness, we were separated from God. Because of our sin, we need Jesus to bring us into a relationship with God. The death of Jesus on the cross gave us the opportunity to have a personal relationship with God. When we are involved in a personal relationship with Christ, God sees us as blameless and holy.

Session 4 The Living God —  1 Corinthians 15:12-23 (2/24/16)

We have a purpose because of the resurrection of Jesus. Without the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, there is no forgiveness for our sin and no reconciliation with God. We have hope because of the resurrection of Jesus. This hope is the assurance of the forgiveness of sin and eternal life with God in heaven when we die. The hope we have can only be attained through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection gave us a guaranteed eternity with Him. What does His resurrection mean to you personally?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Parenting Teens is a monthly magazine designed to provide relevant information, practical ideas, and biblical encouragement to parents of teenagers. Go to www.lifeway.com/parentingteens.

Series: FAMILY MATTERS (Nov. 11th - Dec. 9th)

Session 1 God’s Design | Genesis 2:18-24; Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (11/11/15)

Why did God create the family? The family is God’s unique environment for nurturing our development. When God created man, He did not want him to be alone. Family is a natural part of the order of God’s creation. Every family has the capability of having relationships within their family unit. God created the family unit to be close and enjoy intimate relationships. Not all families are perfect, but they are still family relationships. But God desires the family to help their children grow spiritually as individuals—and as a family unit. Parents are the primary spiritual developers of students.

Session 2 Planned for You | Romans 8:28; Genesis 37:1-11; 45:4-15 (11/18/15)

Why am I in this family? God is working out His purposes through your family circumstances. You may not understand why some things happen within your family, but God can and will take those things and use them for the good. God always has a plan in mind for you and your family. There is no such thing as a perfect family. Jacob’s family is one example of an imperfect family in the Bible. Every family has its own share of problems. Granted, there are some really difficult family situations in the world today. Problems within the family are opportunities for God to work. There is no problem within a family that God cannot fix and ultimately restore the family once again. Every family is different—with different circumstances and problems—but God has a great plan for each family.

Session 3 Your Responsibility | Ephesians 6:1-4; Exodus 20:12; Genesis 4:1-9 (12/2/15)
What are my responsibilities to my family? God calls you to honor and respect your family.  Children and teenagers alike are to obey and honor their parents—it is a command from God. Obedience pleases God and has blessings/rewards attached to it. Every family member has God-given responsibilities within the family. We are to show respect toward each other within the family. Respect can include: caring for; being responsible for; being committed to; and respecting their personhood. We are to be committed to each other in the family desiring the best for each other. Each family member should always be looking out for the other family members. The story of Cain and Able represents what can happen when we do not respect one another.

Session 4 Choices Matter | 1 Samuel 2:12,22-25,31-36; 2 Timothy 1:3-9 (12/9/15)

Your decisions have lasting impact. Every choice you make in life impacts not just you but your family as well. Family members must choose wisely keeping in mind their choices affect more than just themselves. Some choices we make carry negative consequences as well as punishment. The negative result of our choices can impact our family. The negative choices of Eli’s sons carried consequences for them and impacted their family. Some choices we make carry positive consequences and will allow us to reap rewards. The positive result of our choices can impact our family. Timothy’s spiritual heritage had a positive impact on his life—and the lives of others. Bottom line is that while we are free to make choices, we must keep in mind the affect it will have on us and on our family

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Parenting Teens is a monthly magazine designed to provide relevant information, practical ideas, and biblical encouragement to parents of teenagers. Go to www.lifeway.com/parentingteens.