We need your help!

LRC Student Ministry Survey

If you are a:
a) Parent of a current 7-12th grader
b) Current 7-12th grader
c) Youth staff worker

Please help us out by taking some time to share your feedback. Chad and the youth staff will spend the next several weeks planning for the 2009/2010 school year. Your feedback will be valuable as we think about everything from Sunday morning Bible classes to special events.

The survey will be available online until April 24. Please take the time to share your input!

Parents, don’t forget that Generation Change - a 4-week study for students in grades 9-12 about financial responsibility and stewardship - begins this Sunday at 9 AM. It’s part of a larger study based on the book of Proverbs.

Students will receive a free kit as part of this series. Please make it a priority for your teen to be there. See Ashley Philbrick if you have any questions.

Lesson Summary:
God’s command not to commit adultery must be read with an understanding of the covenant of marriage. In this lesson, we explored what Scripture says about marriage and divorce. The following is a summary of points made:
1. Marriage is a covenant life-long relationship.
2. It’s exclusive.
3. It’s characterized by emotional, physical and spiritual unity with one another and God.
4. Adultery is the antithesis of this covenant. Adultery is used as the metaphor for continual disobedience and rebellion to God. It can lead to spiritual death.
5. The biblical basis for divorce is adultery. This was to protect the woman from abuse from men. The certificate of divorce was given by God to regulate what was already in practice. It was an endorsement for divorcing.
6. Marriage teaches us to be holy and committed to God

Some questions to consider/discuss with your teens at home:
1. What are some habits teens/singles to cultivate to prepare for a life-long commitment to marriage?
2. Can you enter a marriage knowing you’ll never divorce?
3. What has your relationship with your spouse revealed to you about God?

Next Sunday:
Continue discussing the 7th commandment. We’ll take a look at passages that talk about remaining single versus marrying. We’ll also look at Proverbs dealing with adultery and it’s spiritual impact.

The fourth of the 10 Commandments commands children to honor our parents. It’s the first of the commands that comes with a promise of blessing. Though the command seems simple and straighforward it’s implications are huge and its practice is often difficult.

Here are some questions to consider:
1. Are honor and obedience the same?
2. Why is it difficult to honor our parents at times?
3. What’s wrong with this statement: “I may be obeying, but inwardly I do not want to?”
4. How does honoring your parents change as you get older?
5. How does obedience and honor of our parents influence our relationship with God?

January 25: Do not murder
Texts: Exodus 20:13; 21:12-14, 20-21; Deuteronomy 4:41-43; Matthew 5:21-26

Lesson Summary:
The third and fourth commandments focus on two more aspects of our relationship to God. The the is the command not to misuse his name. The last has to do with taking time regularly to slow down, rest and reflect. The third emphasizes the holiness and mysterious nature of God. The fourth reminds us that rest is part of our nature. We need it. It’s as natural as breathing. Here are some questions to consider from our lesson this week:

Questions to consider:
1. Why do you think misusing God’s name is such a big deal? Aren’t there worse sins out there?

2. Why is significant about God’s name?

3. Why do you think God rested after 6 days of creation? Did he need it? Was he tired?

4. Do you think we take enough time to rest in our culture today?

Next week:
Honor your parents
Exodus 20:12; Matthew 7:7-12; Ephesians 6:2