[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=687ScZp96Zg]

Use these questions on your own or with a friend to help you apply Wednesday night’s message to your life.

Tonight we began a new series titled David’s House of Vinyl.  Mike talked about David’s persecution from Saul out of Psalm 59 and 1 Samuel 19:8-18.

From what we learned tonight, what is your place of refuge; your safety?  Maybe your safety is being at home, your parents, your best friend, boyfriend/girlfriend, etc.  What is it for you personally?

What was the place of refuge that David went to in these passages?  He went to God.  Is God a place of refuge/safety for you?  Do you run to him and ask him for help in times of trouble, or do you try to help yourself?  If no, why is it hard for you to go to him? Discuss this with a friend or pray to God about this.  Take time to think about it before moving on to the next question.

In your life what are some ways that you are persecuted?

How do you respond when you are persecuted?

Take time to re-read Psalm 59:1-17 and look at how David reacts to each situation.

Pray

If you’re missing an item from the week of Living Christmas Tree, we may have it! We have a bunch of clothes and other items from the girls’ dressing room. Guys, you seem to have taken all your stuff with you. Good job. If you’re missing something let me know and I’ll see if we have it. Anything that’s unclaimed after a couple weeks will be headed to church lost and found and then out to be donated to charity.

Small Groups

One of our goals is to help committed Junior High students develop some habits that will help them continue to grow in their faith. With this in mind, we have created Small Groups. Small Groups is a self-paced set of studies that help students understand and participate in Bible study, Scripture memorization, Journaling, Evangelism, Giving and Ministry. Each Small Group meeting is facilitated by a mentor and both student and mentor follow a devotional book that last (typically) 6 weeks. Small Groups maintains an open-door policy. The price to participate is generally $5 which covers the costs of the material.

If you are interested in joing a small group, please email Lucas.

If you’re not already signed up, make sure you sign up for our monthly Parent Email Newsletter.  Click here and fill out the form to get going.

Use these questions on your own or with a friend to help you apply Wednesday night’s message to your life.

Tonight we talked about asking “what is the WISE thing to do”?  In Proverbs 28:26 it says “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered“.  What is it that you need to be delivered from?  What are some of the sins that you find yourself habitually committing?

A reality in our culture today is that we do not live in a morally neutral society, but rather negative.  What are some of the negative influences of society today?

With our culture being morally messed up, what are some of the things you need to be careful about/not careless about?

Ephesians 5:15-17 states , “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is”.

How can you understand the will of the Lord? (Remember that understanding is more than just knowing the right answer; more than just yes or no)

Take a minute to reflect on how much time you have spent in the Bible this past week.  How can you do better next week?

Take a moment now to think about your past.  Decide what changes you may need to make so that you do not fall back under those same sins.

Now take a moment and think of the future.  What do you want to be?  What do you not want to be?  What are some wise decisions you can make today that will keep you from ruining these dreams?

Pray

Here’s what we showed last Wednesday night……enjoy!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlmbExJspDM&hl=en&fs=1]

Here’s one of the videos we showed last Wednesday…..enjoy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYeH61rTodY&hl=en&fs=1]

Starting this Wednesday night we’ll be meeting in my office (B211) from 5:45-6:00 to pray for the night.  All students and leaders are welcome to join us.  Just show up.

We’re launching a new series this Wednesday called “Dear God.”  The main idea is this: if you could ask God ONE question, what would you ask?  We’ll attempt to answer those questions from the Bible each week.  If you have a question for the series, shoot me an email and we’ll see what we can do.