In a world that is anything but stable or normal, helping teens develop a healthy sense of self is challenging to say the least. The world has gone from rejecting certain moral standards to complete embracing them in a very short amount of time.  To the extent now that teens are told to question their very biological make up.  However, throughout the ever shifting sands of popular opinion, the Bible has remain constant and unchanging.  The moral order that God had set at the creation is still the moral order today.  The world says this is narrow, unaccepting and intolerant. This we would actually agree on. God's way is very specific (narrow), and rejects any contrary  way (unaccepting), and God will not and can not tolerate sin (intolerant).  This is not unloving or unkind, but because God is love and is kind he has given us the very best way to live.  He has set guardrails along the path of life not to restrict but to keep us safe.  People, especially teenagers need stability in their lives.  The world cannot give people stability, by their own wide, accepting, "tolerant" admission.  Pray with us, that God protects our teens and guides them to build their lives upon his unshakable foundation.
During Sunday School this month, our study will be on Identity & Sexuality. In this mini-series from Summit Ministries, expert leaders have gathered to provide answers to common questions regarding sexuality and the church.  Summit also has another study with longer and more detailed videos on Right Now Media. (click image below for link)

 This month we complete selling tickets for our To-Go Chicken Dinner Fundraiser and having the pickup night on October 29th.  All sold ticket stubs AND all unsold tickets AND all money is due no later than Wednesday, October 20th.  Due to the organizers of the Feed My Starving Children Mobile Pack event in Champaign cancelling, we will have our annual Bonfire following the Chicken Dinner pickup.  Hotdogs and hot chocolate will be provided. There will be a signup for teens to bring other food items.  We are also looking forward to our CHILL Winter Camp. We are offering a early registration special. All students that register and pay their $50 registration fee by November 1st can pre-order a camp hoodie sweatshirt at 1/2 price ($15)!
>> CHILL CAMP REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!! <<

The Most Important Mission ~Matthew 28:18-20
Objective:
Students will discover the mission of the Church and will be encouraged to become disciple-making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Key Thought: 
The most important mission is to make disciple-making disciples.
Lesson Summary:
lesson was the first of a four-part series called “The Church: Its Mission and Ministry.” The four lessons in this series are designed to help the students understand the mission of the Church, the leadership in the Church, and the two ordinances of the Church: baptism and communion. In this lesson, the students were presented with the mission of the Church and challenged to take steps to participate in this most important mission.
Jesus gave His Church, His followers, the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” Jesus gave His disciples the mission to make disciples who make disciples.
Your student learned what it means to be a disciple-making disciple of Jesus. He/she was asked to write down the name of one person who is currently not a follower of Jesus that they want to see become a follower of Jesus. They were challenged to commit to pray for, care for, and share Jesus with this person this week and in the weeks to come. How can you help your student invest in the life of another person? Can you pray with your student as he/she prays for their friend? Can you help provide resources for your student as he/she shows the love of Christ with their friend?
Ask your student who he/she is praying for, caring for, or sharing the Gospel with and commit to be involved in the process of helping your student lead his/her friend to Christ.

Lead Others Well ~Ephesians 4:11-12
Objective:
Students will learn about the roles of biblical leadership in a local church and will be challenged to serve in their local church.
Key Thought: 
Leadership is about helping others, not having control.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the second of a four-part series called “The Church: Its Mission and Ministry.” The four lessons in this series are designed to help the students understand the mission of the Church, the leadership in the Church, and the two ordinances of the Church: baptism and communion. This lesson was designed to help us understand the leadership of the Church.
Often leaders can find themselves either doing a majority of the work in the church or using their leadership ability in a self-serving way. But leadership is about helping others, not having control. God wants the leaders of the church to equip Christians to serve others. When they do this, the body of Christ is built up, the church members are united, they mature, and take a step toward Christlikeness. Everyone has a role to play and a job to do. When we use our gifts and serve others, we are leading in the way that God has uniquely fit us into the church.
We challenged the students to check with the leadership of the church and inform them that they are willing to serve to help the church. Maybe you and your student can work together in a ministry in the church. Take the time to approach the leadership of the church and let them know that you are willing to serve. Don’t go with any specific ministry in mind, just offer your help anywhere the church needs help.

Better Than a Logo ~ Acts 2:41
Objective:
Students will learn that baptism by immersion is a local church ordinance and will be encouraged to be baptized.
Key Thought: 
I’m with Him.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the third of a four-part series called “The Church: Its Mission and Ministry.” The four lessons in this series are designed to help the students understand the mission of the Church, the leadership in the Church, and the two ordinances of the Church: baptism and communion.
One of the main things Jesus commanded His followers to do was to baptize and be baptized. Baptism is the way Christians proclaim their identity with Jesus. No one can see your faith. No one knows if you have chosen to become a follower of Jesus or not just by looking at you. Baptism is the way someone expresses outwardly what has become an inward reality.
 
Your student was taught that baptism is the immersing of someone who has been saved in water as a way to identify with Jesus Christ. They were taught this act of immersion is only a symbol and does not have any special effect on someone’s life or salvation. Baptism is a pretty black and white issue, meaning either your student has been baptized or he/she has not. Take this opportunity to talk about why your student has or has not been baptized.
If your student has not been baptized, help them take the next step in being baptized. Talk with our pastoral staff today about the church’s process for baptism. If your student has already been baptized, brainstorm ways for him or her to boldly identify with Jesus this week.

That’s About Jesus Too? ~ 1  Corinthians 11:26
Objective:
Students will understand the concept of communion as a local church ordinance and will choose to participate when their church celebrates communion.
Key Thought: 
Never forget that it’s about remembering.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the fourth in a four-part series called “The Church: Its Mission and Ministry.” The four lessons in this series are designed to help us understand the mission of the Church, the leadership in the Church, and the two ordinances of the Church: baptism and communion. This lesson focused on the church ordinance called communion.
We began by learning that communion is rooted in the Passover feast and in the Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples prior to His death on the cross. Jesus took a well-known and beloved holiday and made it all about Himself because it really was about Him.
The bread and the cup are symbols to help us remember Jesus’ death. Followers of Jesus are instructed to continue remembering Jesus’ death by taking communion.
The next time your church serves communion, ask your student if they know what everything means. Make sure they know you are interested in helping them remember what it all means and that they can ask you any questions they have. Help them make communion a way to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. As a way to learn more about communion, your student was given several passages of Scripture to read to help him or her learn more. Take the time to read the following passages with your student: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:14-22; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.