Linking Parents to the Youth Ministry of Temple Baptist Church

DECEMBER  2021

Follow the Star 

~ To the real meaning of the season

There are a lot of things that are trying to pull us away from God at every time of the year, but it seems especially true during the season that we are to focus on the birth of his son. Much of the festivities are not bad per se and that is why they can so easily pull us away. If they were right out sinful then we could easily identify and avoid those things. When the activities are either neutral or even good things, then they can lure us away unknowingly. Don't misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with decorating your homes for Christmas or having Christmas parties. It all comes back to balance and focus. Are we focused on the gifts rather than on God the first gift giver? Are we focused on the places to go and people to see rather than the person this holiday is for?  Are we living in balance? As we celebrate the holiday with all kinds of festivities, but always making Jesus the focus. The wise men were like that. Even in their day, there was plenty of distractions, but they fixed their eyes on the star to lead them.  We must fix our eyes on God's light to lead us through our everyday lives, especially during the season that is supposed to be to celebrate the birth of his son.
HeartFlow will have limited activities this month outside our normal service times, in order not to overload a busy time of year and therefore detracting from the true focus. Teens will have the service project of Kids and Cookies on 12/11/21. Each Wednesday night that we meet from 12/8-12/29, will be a different Christmas theme. As we gather for our normal service and Bible study, we will add a Christmas theme to the night. The themes are as follows:
* Wed. Dec. 8 - Christmas Cookies theme night! - Bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share.
* Wed. Dec. 15 - Ugly Christmas Sweater theme night! - Prizes will be awarded for ugly Christmas sweaters
* Wed. Dec. 22 -  Christmas Movie Character theme night! - Dress like your favorite Christmas movie character.
* Wed. Dec. 29 - Hot Chocolate theme night! - Bring your favorite hot chocolate topper to share. Hot chocolate will be provided.
Then at the end of the month we will be having our CHILL Winter Camp. Remember, the registration deadline is Sunday, December 12! The events page and camp page have been updated with packing list, activities, and schedule.

One last thing. I know it is cold outside and summer camp maybe the last thing  on our minds, but our Dinner and Auction fundraiser for summer camp is really just around the corner on April 1, 2022. Please be thinking of businesses to request donations for. Also, watch for items that maybe on  clearance that you would be willing to donate, even smaller items that we could bundle with other items. We have great people willing to donate, we just need to get the items to auction off.

>> Wednesday Night

> Beyond All Barriers- God is above all and over all.
> Never Out of Control- God is in control despite the chaos.
> Beyond the Need to Change- God is never changing even in an ever-changing world.
> Beyond Failure and Truly Faithful- God is faithful even when we are faithless.

>> Sunday School

> Hallelujah What a Savior
>  Blessed Assurance
> Do You Have Room?
> Where Do You Put Jesus?

Things To Come:

December 2021 & January 2022:

> Wed. Dec. 8 - Christmas Cookies theme night!
> Saturday, December 11 - Kids & Cookies
> Wed. Dec. 15 - Ugly Christmas Sweater theme night!
> Wed. Dec. 22 -  Christmas Movie Character theme night!
> Wed. Dec. 29 - Hot Chocolate theme night!
>  CHILL Camp - December 30, 2021 - January 1, 2022

>> Lesson Info.: 

Lesson 1

Beyond All Barriers ~Psalm 97:9
Objective:
Students will learn that the transcendent God cares for people individually, and they will be challenged to worship God daily.
Key Thought: 
God is above all and over all.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the first lesson in a four-part series called, “Big God: He’s Got This.” This series is a doctrinal study of God the Father and we will be looking at four key character attributes of God (one per lesson). This lesson focused on the transcendence of God, or the truth that He is above all things. God stands outside of time, space, and matter. He is beyond all barriers! God is above all and over all.

We discussed five thoughts about God:
1) God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:7-9)
2) God created all things. (Isaiah 40:22)
3) God is not bound by space and time. (Jeremiah 23:24; Isaiah 57:15)
4) God is above all gods. (Psalm 97:6-9)
5) God is worthy of our worship. (Revelation 4:11)

Your student was encouraged to go outside sometime this week and take 5-10 minutes to look into the night sky. This time would allow them to think about God’s transcendent nature and worship Him for Who He is. Why don’t you join them? This would help you and your student connect with God and each other.

Lesson 2

Never Out of Control ~Job 9:4
Objective:
Students will understand that God is always in control, even in the middle of chaos, and will be challenged to trust His sovereignty.
Key Thought: 
God is in control despite the chaos.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the second lesson in a four-part series called “Big God: He’s Got This.” This series is a study in truth about God the Father. In this lesson we took time to focus on the sovereignty of God. God has the supreme authority and rule over all that happens, and He’s in control over all.

We learned about the sovereignty of God through the stories of Job and King Nebuchadnezzar. We learned from and through their lives the fact that God is never surprised, nor has He lost control of circumstances of life. The students were encouraged to express their belief in the sovereignty of God. If they were not ready to do that, they were encouraged to cry out to God to help them believe what is true about God.

As a parent, take the time to share with your student times where you have seen God’s control even when life seemed out of control. Discuss areas with your students where they feel like God has lost control.

As a way to continually encourage your student during a difficult time, if you have access to Post-it Notes, write the words “God Knows,” “God Cares,” or “God Is in Control” on a Post-it Note and hang it on the bedroom door of your student.

Lesson 3

Beyond the Need to Change ~ Malachi 3:6
Objective:
Students will learn that God does not change and will be encouraged to trust the unchanging God with the changes in their lives.
Key Thought: 
God is never changing even in an ever-changing world.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the third lesson in a four-part series called, “Big God: He’s Got This.” The focus of this series is God the Father. The first two lessons cover two big topics: the transcendence of God (He is above all and over all) and the sovereignty of God (God is in control despite the chaos). In this lesson, we discovered another big concept about God: God is immutable. His eternal attributes won’t change regardless of our perception or changing circumstances. God is immutable; He does not change!

Based on this truth, your student was asked if they would choose to trust the unchanging God even when changes come into their lives. They were then encouraged to share these amazing truths with someone who is going through difficult changes right now. You could take a few minutes to pray with your student this week and thank God for His consistency in your lives.

Lesson 4

Beyond Failure and Truly Faithful ~ 2 Timothy 2:13
Objective:
Students will learn of God’s unconditional faithfulness in the past and will gain the confidence to trust Him with the future.
Key Thought: 
God is faithful even when we are faithless.
Lesson Summary:
This lesson was the final lesson in a four-part series called, “Big God: He’s Got This.” In this fourth lesson of the series, we took the time to focus on the faithfulness of God. The goal was to help your student see from Scripture how God’s been faithful in the past, is faithful now, and will be faithful in the future.

We reminded the students that God is faithful to keep His promises, God is forever faithful, and God remains faithful even when we are faithless. Your student was encouraged to share with a friend or family member how they have observed the faithfulness of God in their own lives. We also encouraged them to start writing down the ways God has been faithful throughout their lives. Perhaps you could share something they may have not heard yet about how God has been faithful in your life or in your family. Spend some time in prayer together with your student thanking God for His faithfulness.