Announcements/Important Dates:
Summer Camp: July 21-25. This will be at Heart of Texas Baptist Camp (the same place we went to last summer). I will get the cost & details to y’all soon!
Abide Weekend: This is a youth conference-style event we will be putting on at our church. The dates are April 25-26 & the cost is $25. Do not let money be a reason for your child to not attend; we can help you in whatever way that looks like! Here is the sign up link: https://form.jotform.com/250846900950156
Senior Sunday: This is a Sunday where we honor our seniors. This will be on May 4th.
Senior BSM Road Trip: We take the seniors on a Saturday before they graduate to visit the BSM within driving distance to help them get plugged in during this next stage of life. This will be April 19.
Sunday School: We are walking through the Passion Week (Jesus’ last week on Earth). I do not have a way to share this curriculum on Substack, but I will have hard copies at the church, and they will be on the shelves outside the church’s atrium on the bridge! We start Sunday school at 9:45 AM on Sunday mornings and have classes for both your students as well as for YOU as parents as well!
Enjoy this week’s substack over Week 1 of “The Cross As...”
Series Overview:
We are walking through a new series called “The Cross as…” This series focuses on the sacrifice of Jesus and how we view the cross as an act of forgiveness, sacrifice, victory, etc. These first two weeks really focus on the foundation to build off of. In order to see the cross as forgiveness, we must see what we are forgiven for… In order to see the cross as a victory, we must see what we have received victory over… This series is one that is focused on the joy of our salvation and what we have been saved from. However, this series can also be very heavy and introspective for your students because we are covering topics that carry weight. Such as the ways in which we sin/fall short of perfection, the brokenness of this world, and, in a sense, our own mortality and what our fate with God looks like. We will check in with your students, but I encourage you as parents to also check in with them.
Summary for March 26th—— A conversation on sin (Genesis 3:1-19)
This week, we are laying the groundwork to build off of for the duration of our series. We are looking at sin and what it means to disobey God. We will discuss our actions and how when we disobey God when we sin, it does not just affect us. Many times, our sin can affect others as well. I’m going to share about my friend who was abused by his teacher (I will not go into graphic detail, but I will say that He was abused, and even though He did not cause that sin, He was still affected by sin, and in turn, His view of God has been changed now.
Sin is something that has affected humanity since its creation, but it is something we choose. The Apostle Paul describes it as “15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate, I do. 16 If I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” (Romans 7:15-20) This dichotomy shows the inward struggle of humanity. We desire to follow God and do the “right” thing, but there’s a part of us that doesn’t. We will look at Genesis 3:1-19 and see what happens when we allow God’s word to be distorted. Adam and Eve allowed God’s truth and word to be distorted, and through the distortion of God’s word, they doubted and were led into sin. In many ways, we today sin because God’s word is distorted to us. We believe that things outside of God can sustain us and bring us happiness, joy, etc. However, the truth of the matter is… (and we will continually return back to this) that it is CHRIST & CHRIST ALONE that can fulfill us, sustain us, etc. Sin is a liar, a thief, and something that we as Christians should HATE because it separates us from a God who loves us.
Phrases that could cause some confusion:
Sin: Anything action that goes against and pulls us away from God.
Discussion Questions for parents and students:
This section gives you some ideas to talk with your students about this week's passage! Use one question, use them all, use none of them, and chat with them differently. However, don’t miss this chance to connect with your students this week about how God is moving in their lives!
Question 1: Read Genesis 2:15-17. Why do you think God gave Adam & Eve a rule?
Answer 1: God gives us rules in the same way our parents do. They see what’s best for us and put rules in place in order to guide us to the best of our potential. God is better than the best and worst of our Earthly parents. He gives us rules to abide by because He loves us, and because we love Him, we want to follow Him fully.
Activity: This activity is probably outside your comfort zone, and that is okay! I want to encourage you to try it anyway. Talk to your child about the ways you sin. Tell them that you’re not perfect, and you are also seeking God the best way you know how. Then pray for your child. You can give them time to respond, but if they don’t want to thats okay! Be vulnerable. This simple act will do so much for your relationship with your student. When kids see their parents show vulnerability, they, too, feel open and able to be vulnerable in turn. (NOTE: Don’t be discouraged if your child doesn't confess their deepest, darkest secrets to you here; for many, this is the first time you’ve opened up to your child in this way! It’s a process that takes time!) Your child wants and needs to connect with you in this way! Please know I’m praying for you as you parent your children, and know I’m always available to you as a resource!