Week 2: Salvation Empowers Discipleship

Hello everyone!

We’re on week two of our new series, The Life. This week, the lesson was entitled “Salvation Empowers Discipleship,” and it focused on helping students understand that through saving faith in Jesus, we are no longer separated from God by our sins, but are instead reconciled to be in relationship with Him.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• Romans 10:9-13
• Romans 5:6-11
• Romans 3:23
• Romans 6:23

You’ll enjoy reading these powerful passages that demonstrate how Jesus’ rescue of us demonstrates God’s love for us.

Next Steps . . .

During the next week as you have time to talk with your family, remember that one way that will help him or her understand and apply what he or she has learned is to explain it to someone else. Use the following questions to guide your conversation:

• What does it mean that our relationship with God is broken by our sin?
• How can we know that God loves us?
• Where are you in terms of responding to God’s love? Is it something you’ve thought about? Have you said “yes” to Jesus and His offer of salvation?

Weekly Devotions

Check out this week’s newsletter email for links to Student Devotions!

Memory Verse

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Romans 10:9 (ESV)

Thank you for your support!

This post was adapted from content purchased from Youth Ministry 360. 

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Week 1: Introduction to Discipleship

Hello everyone!

Tonight, we began an exciting new journey through Scripture as we study what it means to be a follower of Christ. This week we looked at the call of the first disciples to simply follow Jesus. This lesson, titled “The Call to Follow,” led students to understand that the saving relationship Jesus offers us is wrapped up in the concept of following Him. We want them to begin to see their faith as a lifelong, relational journey with Jesus.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• Matthew 4:18-22
• Matthew 9:9-13

I encourage you to read these passages and notice the personal and loving nature of Jesus’ invitation.

Next Steps . . .

During the next week, look for ways to encourage your student as he or she reflects on what they are learning. Consider using some of these prompts to start the conversation:

• I heard that you were challenged to memorize a verse this week – can you share it with me?
• What do you think it means that a Christian is a follower of Christ?
• For me, following Christ is a personal experience because . . . (fill in some thoughts about your walk with Christ). What about you?

Weekly Devotions

Check out this week’s email for links to Student Devotions!

Memory Verse

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:12-13 (ESV)

Thank you for your support!

This post was adapted from content purchased from Youth Ministry 360. 

People of Grace

We’ve finally arrived at our third and final lesson in our study on God’s grace. I hope you’ve had some interesting discussions as we have journeyed through God’s grace. I pray that you’ve seen you or your youth group member applying some of what he or she has been learning in their lives.

This week the title of our lesson was “People of Grace.” In this lesson we helped students realize that they are called to be people whose every relationship is defined by grace. We’ve been shown so much grace! Motivated by this, we challenged students to express the love of God to others by showing grace through their relationships.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• Colossians 3:12-17
• Ephesians 4:1-3

As always, consider taking some time to read through these passages. Pray that God would challenge you through these verses as He’s challenged us!

Next Steps . . .

Please use this link to access the student devotional that ties to this week’s lesson. This is a great resource for continuing the learning from this week and deepening your understanding of this important truth.

During the next week as you have time to talk with your family, consider asking the following questions:

• Why is it hard to show grace to others, especially those that we may find hard to like?
• How do we seem to abuse God’s grace and hoard it for ourselves, instead of being willing to share it with others?
• Let’s brainstorm a list of ways we can show God’s grace to others in a very real and practical way. How can our family do this together?

I’ve enjoyed working through these passages and this topic over the past few lessons. God has truly challenged our hearts to accept and live out His grace. I hope that your discussions have been fruitful as well. I look forward to continuing this relationship of working together toward glorifying Christ!

Tyler

**Portions of this summary were provided as part of resources made available from YouthMinistry360**

A Gracious God

Hello all,

This week, we started our three-week study on grace. This week’s lesson was entitled “A Gracious God.” The goal of this lesson was to help students understand God’s grace as His goodness and loving-kindness towards people. We challenged students to consider how this truth shapes their interactions with Him.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• Psalm 31:19
• Micah 7:18
• Psalm 145:8-16

Next Steps . . .

Please use this link to access the student devotional that ties to this week’s lesson. This is a great resource for continuing the learning from this week and deepening your understanding of this important truth.

During the next week as you have time to talk with your family, consider asking the following questions:

• What resonated with you from the first lesson on the grace of God? Did you learn anything new that you didn’t know before?
• Let’s think of some examples of ways God has shown us grace. (Have fun with this. Don’t just think in terms of things we might understand as “spiritual.” It’s OK if your list includes stuff like “The taste of hot popcorn,” or “a warm blanket on a cold night.”)
• How can I pray for you, particularly as it applies to your relationship with God?

Thank you so much for your support of our ministry and for choosing to make time to engage in you or your child’s spiritual growth.

Tyler

**Portions of this summary were provided as part of resources made available from YouthMinistry360**

Jesus Performed Incredible Miracles

Hello Everyone! I’m glad you’re here to check out what’s going on in CrossTraining Youth Group this week.

The youth group has finished their two-week series on things Jesus did—specifically, different kinds of miracles he performed. In this second lesson, we examined the feeding of the 5,000 from Mark 6.

This passage reveals that huge crowds followed Jesus wherever he went, Jesus was concerned with people’s everyday needs, and his disciples frequently struggled to recognize his ability to perform all kinds of miracles (but as we’ve been learning on Sunday, we would likely have reacted the same way!). We saw that Jesus and his disciples were so overwhelmed by the crowds that they often weren’t able to eat. Yet when faced with this opportunity to teach, Jesus seized it—and he apparently taught for hours that day because eventually, his disciples realized it was late in the day and people were getting hungry.

Jesus’ miracles were seen as signs—evidence that God was trying to communicate something. The miraculous feeding demonstrated that natural limitations don’t constrain Jesus, and that nothing in our lives is too big or too small for God’s help.

I’d encourage you to find time this week to talk with your family about our lesson. Here are some questions you might want to include in your conversation:

• If you were one of Jesus’ disciples, what would you have said if he had told you to feed that crowd of thousands? How would you have reacted?
• Why do you think Jesus performed so many miracles?
• How would you describe your level of trust in Jesus right now? Do you find it difficult to trust him during tough situations? What steps might you take to grow in your trust and faith this week?

Have a blessed week!

Portions of lesson summaries are provided by SimplyYouthMinistry.

Jesus Healed People In Need

Hello everyone! Last week, the youth group began a two-lesson series on the miracles of Jesus. In this first lesson, we examined three healing miracles from Mark 5.

Jesus’ earthly ministry was marked by his frequent healings. Crowds would gather to see Jesus, bringing their sick friends and family members with the hope that Jesus would heal them. Mark 5 tells the stories of three healings: a man possessed by demons, a woman with an incurable illness, and a young girl who was dead. We saw how these healings amazed the crowds, revealed Jesus’ great compassion toward people, and displayed Jesus’ power and authority.

I’d encourage you to spend time this week talking with your teenager (or parents!) about our lesson. Here are some questions you might want to consider and discuss:

• Why did Jesus’ healing miracles amaze people?
• Is it important for followers of Jesus to have compassion toward people? Why or why not?
• Even if you haven’t experienced a physical healing in your life, God has done many miracles and has answered many prayers. The greatest miracle is the opportunity to receive forgiveness for our sins. Why do we often forget to be thankful for God’s work in our lives?

This week, we’ll explore one of Jesus’ most famous miracles: the feeding of the five thousand. If you are facing some challenges that feel overwhelming, come hear some encouragement from God’s Word at youth group on Wednesday!

Thanks for your prayers for our ministry. Have a great week!

Portions of the lesson summaries are provided by SimplyYouthMinistry

Welcome and Summer Events

Hello everyone!

I hope you’re enjoying your summer and that you’re taking some time to relax, do things you enjoy, and grow in your relationship with Christ!

We have a lot of exciting things coming up this summer in youth group!

First, on July 7, we will be having our annual Summer Promotion Picnic on July 7 from 5:30-8:30 at the church.

Dinner will be provided at 5:30 for the youth. The children will then play some fun games and learn more about what to expect in youth group this year.

THIS EVENT IS FOR ALL YOUTH GROUP MEMBERS, whether you have never been to youth group or have attended 100 times! 

Parents, we ask that you arrive at 8:00 for a brief informational meeting to give you an overview of the youth group ministry and what to expect this year!

We highly encourage you and your youth-group-aged children (grades 6-12) to attend this picnic to learn more about CrossTraining Youth Group and what’s in store this year.

If you plan on attending, please RSVP by Wednesday by clicking this link. We are also seeking food and drink donations for the event. If you are willing to donate to the event, please sign-up using this link.

Thank you for your support of the youth group ministry at Nittany Bible Church! We look forward to seeing you all on Friday!

Vacation Bible School is just one month away and the youth group has the opportunity to play a special part in this year’s program! We would like to perform a skit that was created for the VBS program during each of the four nights of VBS. If we perform the skits, we will spend each of the four VBS work nights in July practicing for the performances.

Before we give the show the “green light,” we need to know who is willing to act in the skit. There are three major roles and four minor roles in the performance (I’ve read the play, it’s pretty funny too!). This is an amazing opportunity to serve the Lord in a creative way during VBS while having a lot of fun in the process!

If you are interested in an acting role and can make it to the VBS Work Nights in July, please reply to this email ASAP so that we can start our rehearsals on Wednesday. Even if you are not interested in acting, we could use your help in helping the show run as smoothly as possible!

If you have any questions, let me know!

After the picnic, I’ll have more information about our Bible Memorization program for this summer and fall.

Have a great day! Live today for Him!