The  Bible is clear that we should be grateful and thankful... and not just during the month of November.  Verses such as 1 Chronicles 16:34, O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, give us the instruction to live grateful and thankful lives. As we live with a thankful heart, we are not only obeying scripture, but we are also setting the way to be content. The goal really isn't just to be thankful for all the blessings and stuff that God has given us, but to say that what God has given is enough. To be able to say, I have enough and to be thankful, yes, but also to be content. We are told in 1 Timothy 6:6-7 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. This is the goal, to be able to not always wanting more things and stuff, but to say what God has provided is enough. This is a challenge to strive for, but even more so for your student. They are still maturing and navigating through the adolescent years in a society where having the newest and greatest possession is so highly promoted. Pray that God will help you be an example of contentment and that your student will mature to contentment.
Our To-Go Chicken Dinner Fundraiser was a success. Teens raises over $500 towards CHILL Winter Camp! This is a fundraiser that we will do again. Due to scheduling conflicts we will need to postpone the Dare 2 Share LIVE event that was scheduled on November 13th.  A new date will be announced at a later time. Remind your student that they and their friends need to be registered for CHILL Camp no later than Sunday, December 12, 2021!

Stuck in Idle ~Ezekiel 14:6
Objective:
Students will learn what the Bible teaches about idols of the heart and will be challenged to identify any idols that live in their heart, and then repent and remove them in order to wholeheartedly pursue God.
Key Thought: 
Idols in life always lead to a life in idle.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the first lesson in a four-part series called “Stuck: Bogged Down by Idols.” This series addresses the issue of modern-day idolatry. Idolatry is when we give excessive devotion to something other than God. Your student learned that when they allow idols in their heart, their decision actually leads to spiritual stagnation—they become stuck or idle in their spiritual walk. In this state, it is impossible to pursue God. The solution to this is recognizing and removing the idols by repenting of them and restoring God to His rightful place.
Your student was given an opportunity to recognize and repent of any idols of their heart. To prevent the idols from coming back into their heart, they were encouraged to spend time with God by picking three specific days in which they would set a timer on their phone for ten minutes and use that time to read their Bible and pray.
There are a number of ways that you could help reinforce this lesson. Ask your student about his or her understanding of idolatry and repentance. Ask them to share the “Two Questions to Help Identify Idols of the Heart” with you. Share with them the biggest idols that you have struggled with either in the past or currently. The more transparent you are willing to be with them about this, the more likely they will be transparent with you. The goal in these discussions should be for our relationship with God to be unhindered and for God to have His rightful place as the King of our lives.

Stuck on Me ~Matthew 23:11-12
Objective:
Students will learn how their outward appearance can become an idol and will be challenged to prioritize God by viewing themselves through the lens of humility.
Key Thought: 
Don’t let how you look be lord over your life.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the second lesson in a four-part series called “Stuck: Bogged Down by Idols.” This series addresses the issue of idolatry. Idolatry is when we give excessive devotion to something other than God.
In this lesson, your student learned that being obsessed with their outward appearance can easily become an idol by distracting them from worshiping God in humility.
Using the example of the scribes and Pharisees recorded in Matthew 23, we asked the students to answer three questions about themselves.
1. Is your motivation to be seen by others?
2. Do you seek a position to make you look important?
3. Do you want true greatness?
We discovered that our outward appearance (how we look to others) is a horrible lord to serve. We wanted them to leave with the understanding that they could overcome this idol through humility.
So often people’s phones and social media are full of pictures of themselves. This week, the students were challenged to turn the camera around and take a picture of something (other than themselves) and give the glory to God. If they don’t have a camera, they were challenged to think of a way that they could humbly serve someone that would bring glory to God, not themselves.
Take the time to talk with your student about the issue of outward appearance. Ask them questions about the pressure they face from school, social media, and their peers about how they look. You might be surprised how much you can relate to their feelings. Finally, take the challenge for yourself. Take a picture that honors God, and then share it with someone while giving God the glory for it.

Stuck on Others ~ Proverbs 29:25
Objective:
Students will learn that the fear of man is a trap that causes them to live for the approval of others and will be challenged to live only for the approval of God.
Key Thought: 
Be aware of the snare.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the third lesson in a four-part series called “Stuck: Bogged Down by Idols.” This series addresses the issue of idolatry. Idolatry is when we give excessive devotion to something other than God.
Your student learned how the desire to have the approval of others stems from what the Bible calls the “fear of man.” The word “fear” isn’t just to be afraid, but to reverence something. When we reverence man’s opinion over God, we turn those opinions into idols.
In this lesson, we identified why we crave and chase the approval of others. We also discussed how the fear of man is a snare or trap that we never even notice until it captures us. The fear of man and seeking man’s approval is difficult to break free from, but it is possible if we change our outlook. We must come to the realization that God’s approval is the only approval we need! God approves of those who place their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. He adopts them into His family. God approves of our daily lives as we live by faith.
We challenged your student to go public with their love for Jesus. It would be good for them to know that you want them to live for God’s approval above anyone else, including your own. Discuss how your family can be aware of the snare set by the fear of man and boldly proclaim your love for Jesus this week.

Unstuck ~ 2 Chronicles 34:33
Objective:
Students will learn how to remove idol worship from their heart and will choose to only worship the one true God.
Key Thought: 
If you love God more, remove and restore.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the fourth lesson in a four-part series called “Stuck: Bogged Down by Idols.” This series of lessons addressed the issue of idolatry. Idolatry is when we give excessive devotion to something other than God.
Your student learned about an Old Testament king by the name of Josiah who removed idolatry from the nation of Judah and restored true worship to the only true God. He did this by first making the right changes in the kingdom. He removed both the places and people associated with idolatry. Then he made meaningful commitments by aligning himself with God’s Word and establishing accountability with God’s people.
The students were challenged to follow these same principles so that they can remove any idol they may have and restore true worship to God. We specifically encouraged them to find an accountability partner who would help them be more consistent in their spiritual growth.
You could reinforce this lesson in your student by having an honest conversation with them about the danger of giving excessive devotion to anything but God Himself. Openly discuss how easy it is for idols to take control. Partner with your student to help them remove any idol and restore true worship to God. Be sure to share with them areas where idols can creep into your life. Consider creating an accountability relationship with your student to help each other remove idols and restore true worship.