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8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 140
bcc|youth
2014-2015
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 240
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Dear Students of BCC
Well itrsquos finally September Summer is already becoming a distant memory school is in full
swing and for us here at Bellingham Covenant Church it is now time to get down to
business The student ministry team here at BCC has put a ton of prayer time and eort
into this upcoming year and we couldnrsquot be more excited about what God has in store for
our ministry and for you
In order for this year to be a success for you there has to be a joint eort between you and I
Unfortunately involvement isnrsquot always easy for you because of your schedule Homework
sports work friends and familyhellipeven the youth group Everything is pulling you in a
kajillion dierent directions
My ultimate hope and prayer for you is that you would continuemdashat whatever level you are atmdashto grow in your
understanding of who God is No matter how busy you are
I also hope and pray that youth group church and the Bible are seen as needs for your spiritual development I
know that the 1 (one) thing that drives your decision for involvementhellipwhether or not you are going to be an
active part of this youth group part of church and move towards an understanding of the Christian lifehellipis your
friendships
Herersquos what I mean I know that if you have friends at youth group then you will actually show up and even
grow in your walk with Jesus If however you donrsquot feel comfortable here or donrsquot feel like you have any friends
then I know full well that you are out This is a challenging reality to live in But it is reality none the less So that
means for you to have a successful year at youth group you have to show up You have to have friends You
have to feel comfortable in our community where you can be known loved served and celebrated by your
leaders and your peers This can only happen if we work together
MY PART
I will work incredibly hard to make the youth group experience emotionally safe fun engaging and make theChristian story relevant to your life I will train our youth sta to make space for you They will see you care for
you and walk through this year with you I will provide a program that makes connections easy and set the table
for strong friendships to be built
YOUR PART
Be here as often as possible
Easier said than done I knowhellipIn order to grow in your relationships with God and with your peers you need to put time in Your relationship
with God wonrsquot just happen You have to be intentional with your time So please finish your homework ask for
Wednesday nights o from work and come after your school activitieshellipeven if yoursquore late
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This mission statement isnt just for the adults of
Bellingham Covenant Church As students in 6th-12th
grade we too try to live out this mission of our
churchand as you might expect we put our own little
twist on it Our approach to this mission statement has
evolved over the years and we have come up with asystem that seems to work for us We call it C3 Christ
Community Cause Each of these Cs help us learn how
to follow Jesus love others and live our lives serving
others
We desire to embody a
biblical communityrooted in the life and
message of Jesus Christ
and follow him with
our heart head
and hands
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C A U S E As followers of Jesus we are all ldquosent outrdquo to reflect the gospel
in how we live As we study the words of Jesus we notice His
heart for people In learning to be His disciples we are taught
to reach out to others our neighbors families homeless
people schoolmates teachers friendseveryone really God
may call us to go on a service trip overseas--or he may simply
ask us to invite a lonely person to lunch Our community hopesto cultivate lives where service and relationship are an essential
part of growing in love for God and others
Jesus said Peace be with you As the Father has sent me
I am sending you John 2021-22
C O M M U N I T YWhen Jesus began His earthly ministry the first thing He did
was call 12 disciples to His side The disciples lived worked
prayed traveled ate and taught with Jesus They chose to do
life together even to the point of suering for His name As
Christians we want to live in community with our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ For us this means knowing
loving serving and celebrating one another asking questions
listening and spending quality time together as a group of
people who follow Christ$
A new command I give you Love one another As I have
loved you so you must love one another By this all men
will know that you are my disciples if you love one
another John 1334-35
C h r i s t
The word ldquoChristianrdquo literally means ldquolittle Christrdquo ndash we are a
group of students who want to live as Jesus lived Jesus was
the Son of God who humbled Himself both in life (as a teacher
servant and friend) and in death (as our forgiver and Savior)
When we confess our sins and accept Christ as our Lord we
are given the blessing of eternal life but also the charge of
living our lives for Jesus We invite all students to join us on
our journey as we learn more about Jesusrsquo life and how we are
called to follow Him
ldquoI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but
Christ lives in me The life I live in the body I live by faith
in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for merdquo
Galatians 220
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Wednesday Night Groups ENTER Wednesday night youth group will continue to be the place where you can have entry level interactions with faith and community These nights are intended to be fun for you We want you to connect with your old friends make new ones andget to know the adult leaders who show up each week to remind you that you are loved by God
The beauty of Wednesday nights is thisndashyou can simply come and be a part of whatrsquos going on when your schedule allows for itWhen you are here yoursquoll be able to experience the entire bcc| youth group community through our games activities andteaching and worship time Then yoursquoll get the chance to get to know just a few of your peers on a deeper level through ourWednesday night small group time Here yoursquoll be able to discuss the teaching topic of the night as well as whatrsquos going on inyour daily lives
Itrsquos essential for you to be here with us because this is the one place where ALL bcc students are gathered There is somethingspecial about our groupespecially when wersquore all together at the same time So please continue to make Wednesday NightYouth group a priority this year Wersquore simply not the same without you
Jesus never intended for us to live our Christian livesby ourselves or all on our own We are encouragedand challenged to be in community with otherfollowers of Christ Itrsquos because of this we spend alot of time in groups here at bcc| youth This yearwersquore going to do some new and fresh things withGroup Life
Why Groups
God is a God of community This is first exemplified in the Triune expression of the Father Son and Holy Spirit Througheternity God has never been alone He is a God of relationships Understanding this part of His divine nature then we candeduce that Godrsquos creation is designed with this same imprint The family design is all about relationship between husbandwife and children Church design is about relationship between the Trinity and the body of Christ There is no direction in whichwe can turn where we do not see Godrsquos design for community Therefore developing healthy groups where students can grow(spiritually relationally and missionally) is necessary for a student ministries community to be transformed through Godrsquos divineorder This is crucial to us moving toward the vision God has given us as a church
We imagine group experiences where someone experiences Christrsquos forgiveness for the first time
We imagine group experiences where Scripture is illuminated and a Christ-follower experiences deep truth thattransforms their thinking andor behavior
We imagine group experiences where students become best friends
We imagine group experiences where people discover and grow in their passions gifts and skills
Group Life
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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Dear Students of BCC
Well itrsquos finally September Summer is already becoming a distant memory school is in full
swing and for us here at Bellingham Covenant Church it is now time to get down to
business The student ministry team here at BCC has put a ton of prayer time and eort
into this upcoming year and we couldnrsquot be more excited about what God has in store for
our ministry and for you
In order for this year to be a success for you there has to be a joint eort between you and I
Unfortunately involvement isnrsquot always easy for you because of your schedule Homework
sports work friends and familyhellipeven the youth group Everything is pulling you in a
kajillion dierent directions
My ultimate hope and prayer for you is that you would continuemdashat whatever level you are atmdashto grow in your
understanding of who God is No matter how busy you are
I also hope and pray that youth group church and the Bible are seen as needs for your spiritual development I
know that the 1 (one) thing that drives your decision for involvementhellipwhether or not you are going to be an
active part of this youth group part of church and move towards an understanding of the Christian lifehellipis your
friendships
Herersquos what I mean I know that if you have friends at youth group then you will actually show up and even
grow in your walk with Jesus If however you donrsquot feel comfortable here or donrsquot feel like you have any friends
then I know full well that you are out This is a challenging reality to live in But it is reality none the less So that
means for you to have a successful year at youth group you have to show up You have to have friends You
have to feel comfortable in our community where you can be known loved served and celebrated by your
leaders and your peers This can only happen if we work together
MY PART
I will work incredibly hard to make the youth group experience emotionally safe fun engaging and make theChristian story relevant to your life I will train our youth sta to make space for you They will see you care for
you and walk through this year with you I will provide a program that makes connections easy and set the table
for strong friendships to be built
YOUR PART
Be here as often as possible
Easier said than done I knowhellipIn order to grow in your relationships with God and with your peers you need to put time in Your relationship
with God wonrsquot just happen You have to be intentional with your time So please finish your homework ask for
Wednesday nights o from work and come after your school activitieshellipeven if yoursquore late
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This mission statement isnt just for the adults of
Bellingham Covenant Church As students in 6th-12th
grade we too try to live out this mission of our
churchand as you might expect we put our own little
twist on it Our approach to this mission statement has
evolved over the years and we have come up with asystem that seems to work for us We call it C3 Christ
Community Cause Each of these Cs help us learn how
to follow Jesus love others and live our lives serving
others
We desire to embody a
biblical communityrooted in the life and
message of Jesus Christ
and follow him with
our heart head
and hands
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C A U S E As followers of Jesus we are all ldquosent outrdquo to reflect the gospel
in how we live As we study the words of Jesus we notice His
heart for people In learning to be His disciples we are taught
to reach out to others our neighbors families homeless
people schoolmates teachers friendseveryone really God
may call us to go on a service trip overseas--or he may simply
ask us to invite a lonely person to lunch Our community hopesto cultivate lives where service and relationship are an essential
part of growing in love for God and others
Jesus said Peace be with you As the Father has sent me
I am sending you John 2021-22
C O M M U N I T YWhen Jesus began His earthly ministry the first thing He did
was call 12 disciples to His side The disciples lived worked
prayed traveled ate and taught with Jesus They chose to do
life together even to the point of suering for His name As
Christians we want to live in community with our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ For us this means knowing
loving serving and celebrating one another asking questions
listening and spending quality time together as a group of
people who follow Christ$
A new command I give you Love one another As I have
loved you so you must love one another By this all men
will know that you are my disciples if you love one
another John 1334-35
C h r i s t
The word ldquoChristianrdquo literally means ldquolittle Christrdquo ndash we are a
group of students who want to live as Jesus lived Jesus was
the Son of God who humbled Himself both in life (as a teacher
servant and friend) and in death (as our forgiver and Savior)
When we confess our sins and accept Christ as our Lord we
are given the blessing of eternal life but also the charge of
living our lives for Jesus We invite all students to join us on
our journey as we learn more about Jesusrsquo life and how we are
called to follow Him
ldquoI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but
Christ lives in me The life I live in the body I live by faith
in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for merdquo
Galatians 220
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Wednesday Night Groups ENTER Wednesday night youth group will continue to be the place where you can have entry level interactions with faith and community These nights are intended to be fun for you We want you to connect with your old friends make new ones andget to know the adult leaders who show up each week to remind you that you are loved by God
The beauty of Wednesday nights is thisndashyou can simply come and be a part of whatrsquos going on when your schedule allows for itWhen you are here yoursquoll be able to experience the entire bcc| youth group community through our games activities andteaching and worship time Then yoursquoll get the chance to get to know just a few of your peers on a deeper level through ourWednesday night small group time Here yoursquoll be able to discuss the teaching topic of the night as well as whatrsquos going on inyour daily lives
Itrsquos essential for you to be here with us because this is the one place where ALL bcc students are gathered There is somethingspecial about our groupespecially when wersquore all together at the same time So please continue to make Wednesday NightYouth group a priority this year Wersquore simply not the same without you
Jesus never intended for us to live our Christian livesby ourselves or all on our own We are encouragedand challenged to be in community with otherfollowers of Christ Itrsquos because of this we spend alot of time in groups here at bcc| youth This yearwersquore going to do some new and fresh things withGroup Life
Why Groups
God is a God of community This is first exemplified in the Triune expression of the Father Son and Holy Spirit Througheternity God has never been alone He is a God of relationships Understanding this part of His divine nature then we candeduce that Godrsquos creation is designed with this same imprint The family design is all about relationship between husbandwife and children Church design is about relationship between the Trinity and the body of Christ There is no direction in whichwe can turn where we do not see Godrsquos design for community Therefore developing healthy groups where students can grow(spiritually relationally and missionally) is necessary for a student ministries community to be transformed through Godrsquos divineorder This is crucial to us moving toward the vision God has given us as a church
We imagine group experiences where someone experiences Christrsquos forgiveness for the first time
We imagine group experiences where Scripture is illuminated and a Christ-follower experiences deep truth thattransforms their thinking andor behavior
We imagine group experiences where students become best friends
We imagine group experiences where people discover and grow in their passions gifts and skills
Group Life
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Dear Students of BCC
Well itrsquos finally September Summer is already becoming a distant memory school is in full
swing and for us here at Bellingham Covenant Church it is now time to get down to
business The student ministry team here at BCC has put a ton of prayer time and eort
into this upcoming year and we couldnrsquot be more excited about what God has in store for
our ministry and for you
In order for this year to be a success for you there has to be a joint eort between you and I
Unfortunately involvement isnrsquot always easy for you because of your schedule Homework
sports work friends and familyhellipeven the youth group Everything is pulling you in a
kajillion dierent directions
My ultimate hope and prayer for you is that you would continuemdashat whatever level you are atmdashto grow in your
understanding of who God is No matter how busy you are
I also hope and pray that youth group church and the Bible are seen as needs for your spiritual development I
know that the 1 (one) thing that drives your decision for involvementhellipwhether or not you are going to be an
active part of this youth group part of church and move towards an understanding of the Christian lifehellipis your
friendships
Herersquos what I mean I know that if you have friends at youth group then you will actually show up and even
grow in your walk with Jesus If however you donrsquot feel comfortable here or donrsquot feel like you have any friends
then I know full well that you are out This is a challenging reality to live in But it is reality none the less So that
means for you to have a successful year at youth group you have to show up You have to have friends You
have to feel comfortable in our community where you can be known loved served and celebrated by your
leaders and your peers This can only happen if we work together
MY PART
I will work incredibly hard to make the youth group experience emotionally safe fun engaging and make theChristian story relevant to your life I will train our youth sta to make space for you They will see you care for
you and walk through this year with you I will provide a program that makes connections easy and set the table
for strong friendships to be built
YOUR PART
Be here as often as possible
Easier said than done I knowhellipIn order to grow in your relationships with God and with your peers you need to put time in Your relationship
with God wonrsquot just happen You have to be intentional with your time So please finish your homework ask for
Wednesday nights o from work and come after your school activitieshellipeven if yoursquore late
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This mission statement isnt just for the adults of
Bellingham Covenant Church As students in 6th-12th
grade we too try to live out this mission of our
churchand as you might expect we put our own little
twist on it Our approach to this mission statement has
evolved over the years and we have come up with asystem that seems to work for us We call it C3 Christ
Community Cause Each of these Cs help us learn how
to follow Jesus love others and live our lives serving
others
We desire to embody a
biblical communityrooted in the life and
message of Jesus Christ
and follow him with
our heart head
and hands
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C A U S E As followers of Jesus we are all ldquosent outrdquo to reflect the gospel
in how we live As we study the words of Jesus we notice His
heart for people In learning to be His disciples we are taught
to reach out to others our neighbors families homeless
people schoolmates teachers friendseveryone really God
may call us to go on a service trip overseas--or he may simply
ask us to invite a lonely person to lunch Our community hopesto cultivate lives where service and relationship are an essential
part of growing in love for God and others
Jesus said Peace be with you As the Father has sent me
I am sending you John 2021-22
C O M M U N I T YWhen Jesus began His earthly ministry the first thing He did
was call 12 disciples to His side The disciples lived worked
prayed traveled ate and taught with Jesus They chose to do
life together even to the point of suering for His name As
Christians we want to live in community with our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ For us this means knowing
loving serving and celebrating one another asking questions
listening and spending quality time together as a group of
people who follow Christ$
A new command I give you Love one another As I have
loved you so you must love one another By this all men
will know that you are my disciples if you love one
another John 1334-35
C h r i s t
The word ldquoChristianrdquo literally means ldquolittle Christrdquo ndash we are a
group of students who want to live as Jesus lived Jesus was
the Son of God who humbled Himself both in life (as a teacher
servant and friend) and in death (as our forgiver and Savior)
When we confess our sins and accept Christ as our Lord we
are given the blessing of eternal life but also the charge of
living our lives for Jesus We invite all students to join us on
our journey as we learn more about Jesusrsquo life and how we are
called to follow Him
ldquoI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but
Christ lives in me The life I live in the body I live by faith
in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for merdquo
Galatians 220
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Wednesday Night Groups ENTER Wednesday night youth group will continue to be the place where you can have entry level interactions with faith and community These nights are intended to be fun for you We want you to connect with your old friends make new ones andget to know the adult leaders who show up each week to remind you that you are loved by God
The beauty of Wednesday nights is thisndashyou can simply come and be a part of whatrsquos going on when your schedule allows for itWhen you are here yoursquoll be able to experience the entire bcc| youth group community through our games activities andteaching and worship time Then yoursquoll get the chance to get to know just a few of your peers on a deeper level through ourWednesday night small group time Here yoursquoll be able to discuss the teaching topic of the night as well as whatrsquos going on inyour daily lives
Itrsquos essential for you to be here with us because this is the one place where ALL bcc students are gathered There is somethingspecial about our groupespecially when wersquore all together at the same time So please continue to make Wednesday NightYouth group a priority this year Wersquore simply not the same without you
Jesus never intended for us to live our Christian livesby ourselves or all on our own We are encouragedand challenged to be in community with otherfollowers of Christ Itrsquos because of this we spend alot of time in groups here at bcc| youth This yearwersquore going to do some new and fresh things withGroup Life
Why Groups
God is a God of community This is first exemplified in the Triune expression of the Father Son and Holy Spirit Througheternity God has never been alone He is a God of relationships Understanding this part of His divine nature then we candeduce that Godrsquos creation is designed with this same imprint The family design is all about relationship between husbandwife and children Church design is about relationship between the Trinity and the body of Christ There is no direction in whichwe can turn where we do not see Godrsquos design for community Therefore developing healthy groups where students can grow(spiritually relationally and missionally) is necessary for a student ministries community to be transformed through Godrsquos divineorder This is crucial to us moving toward the vision God has given us as a church
We imagine group experiences where someone experiences Christrsquos forgiveness for the first time
We imagine group experiences where Scripture is illuminated and a Christ-follower experiences deep truth thattransforms their thinking andor behavior
We imagine group experiences where students become best friends
We imagine group experiences where people discover and grow in their passions gifts and skills
Group Life
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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This mission statement isnt just for the adults of
Bellingham Covenant Church As students in 6th-12th
grade we too try to live out this mission of our
churchand as you might expect we put our own little
twist on it Our approach to this mission statement has
evolved over the years and we have come up with asystem that seems to work for us We call it C3 Christ
Community Cause Each of these Cs help us learn how
to follow Jesus love others and live our lives serving
others
We desire to embody a
biblical communityrooted in the life and
message of Jesus Christ
and follow him with
our heart head
and hands
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C A U S E As followers of Jesus we are all ldquosent outrdquo to reflect the gospel
in how we live As we study the words of Jesus we notice His
heart for people In learning to be His disciples we are taught
to reach out to others our neighbors families homeless
people schoolmates teachers friendseveryone really God
may call us to go on a service trip overseas--or he may simply
ask us to invite a lonely person to lunch Our community hopesto cultivate lives where service and relationship are an essential
part of growing in love for God and others
Jesus said Peace be with you As the Father has sent me
I am sending you John 2021-22
C O M M U N I T YWhen Jesus began His earthly ministry the first thing He did
was call 12 disciples to His side The disciples lived worked
prayed traveled ate and taught with Jesus They chose to do
life together even to the point of suering for His name As
Christians we want to live in community with our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ For us this means knowing
loving serving and celebrating one another asking questions
listening and spending quality time together as a group of
people who follow Christ$
A new command I give you Love one another As I have
loved you so you must love one another By this all men
will know that you are my disciples if you love one
another John 1334-35
C h r i s t
The word ldquoChristianrdquo literally means ldquolittle Christrdquo ndash we are a
group of students who want to live as Jesus lived Jesus was
the Son of God who humbled Himself both in life (as a teacher
servant and friend) and in death (as our forgiver and Savior)
When we confess our sins and accept Christ as our Lord we
are given the blessing of eternal life but also the charge of
living our lives for Jesus We invite all students to join us on
our journey as we learn more about Jesusrsquo life and how we are
called to follow Him
ldquoI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but
Christ lives in me The life I live in the body I live by faith
in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for merdquo
Galatians 220
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Wednesday Night Groups ENTER Wednesday night youth group will continue to be the place where you can have entry level interactions with faith and community These nights are intended to be fun for you We want you to connect with your old friends make new ones andget to know the adult leaders who show up each week to remind you that you are loved by God
The beauty of Wednesday nights is thisndashyou can simply come and be a part of whatrsquos going on when your schedule allows for itWhen you are here yoursquoll be able to experience the entire bcc| youth group community through our games activities andteaching and worship time Then yoursquoll get the chance to get to know just a few of your peers on a deeper level through ourWednesday night small group time Here yoursquoll be able to discuss the teaching topic of the night as well as whatrsquos going on inyour daily lives
Itrsquos essential for you to be here with us because this is the one place where ALL bcc students are gathered There is somethingspecial about our groupespecially when wersquore all together at the same time So please continue to make Wednesday NightYouth group a priority this year Wersquore simply not the same without you
Jesus never intended for us to live our Christian livesby ourselves or all on our own We are encouragedand challenged to be in community with otherfollowers of Christ Itrsquos because of this we spend alot of time in groups here at bcc| youth This yearwersquore going to do some new and fresh things withGroup Life
Why Groups
God is a God of community This is first exemplified in the Triune expression of the Father Son and Holy Spirit Througheternity God has never been alone He is a God of relationships Understanding this part of His divine nature then we candeduce that Godrsquos creation is designed with this same imprint The family design is all about relationship between husbandwife and children Church design is about relationship between the Trinity and the body of Christ There is no direction in whichwe can turn where we do not see Godrsquos design for community Therefore developing healthy groups where students can grow(spiritually relationally and missionally) is necessary for a student ministries community to be transformed through Godrsquos divineorder This is crucial to us moving toward the vision God has given us as a church
We imagine group experiences where someone experiences Christrsquos forgiveness for the first time
We imagine group experiences where Scripture is illuminated and a Christ-follower experiences deep truth thattransforms their thinking andor behavior
We imagine group experiences where students become best friends
We imagine group experiences where people discover and grow in their passions gifts and skills
Group Life
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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C A U S E As followers of Jesus we are all ldquosent outrdquo to reflect the gospel
in how we live As we study the words of Jesus we notice His
heart for people In learning to be His disciples we are taught
to reach out to others our neighbors families homeless
people schoolmates teachers friendseveryone really God
may call us to go on a service trip overseas--or he may simply
ask us to invite a lonely person to lunch Our community hopesto cultivate lives where service and relationship are an essential
part of growing in love for God and others
Jesus said Peace be with you As the Father has sent me
I am sending you John 2021-22
C O M M U N I T YWhen Jesus began His earthly ministry the first thing He did
was call 12 disciples to His side The disciples lived worked
prayed traveled ate and taught with Jesus They chose to do
life together even to the point of suering for His name As
Christians we want to live in community with our fellow
brothers and sisters in Christ For us this means knowing
loving serving and celebrating one another asking questions
listening and spending quality time together as a group of
people who follow Christ$
A new command I give you Love one another As I have
loved you so you must love one another By this all men
will know that you are my disciples if you love one
another John 1334-35
C h r i s t
The word ldquoChristianrdquo literally means ldquolittle Christrdquo ndash we are a
group of students who want to live as Jesus lived Jesus was
the Son of God who humbled Himself both in life (as a teacher
servant and friend) and in death (as our forgiver and Savior)
When we confess our sins and accept Christ as our Lord we
are given the blessing of eternal life but also the charge of
living our lives for Jesus We invite all students to join us on
our journey as we learn more about Jesusrsquo life and how we are
called to follow Him
ldquoI have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but
Christ lives in me The life I live in the body I live by faith
in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for merdquo
Galatians 220
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Wednesday Night Groups ENTER Wednesday night youth group will continue to be the place where you can have entry level interactions with faith and community These nights are intended to be fun for you We want you to connect with your old friends make new ones andget to know the adult leaders who show up each week to remind you that you are loved by God
The beauty of Wednesday nights is thisndashyou can simply come and be a part of whatrsquos going on when your schedule allows for itWhen you are here yoursquoll be able to experience the entire bcc| youth group community through our games activities andteaching and worship time Then yoursquoll get the chance to get to know just a few of your peers on a deeper level through ourWednesday night small group time Here yoursquoll be able to discuss the teaching topic of the night as well as whatrsquos going on inyour daily lives
Itrsquos essential for you to be here with us because this is the one place where ALL bcc students are gathered There is somethingspecial about our groupespecially when wersquore all together at the same time So please continue to make Wednesday NightYouth group a priority this year Wersquore simply not the same without you
Jesus never intended for us to live our Christian livesby ourselves or all on our own We are encouragedand challenged to be in community with otherfollowers of Christ Itrsquos because of this we spend alot of time in groups here at bcc| youth This yearwersquore going to do some new and fresh things withGroup Life
Why Groups
God is a God of community This is first exemplified in the Triune expression of the Father Son and Holy Spirit Througheternity God has never been alone He is a God of relationships Understanding this part of His divine nature then we candeduce that Godrsquos creation is designed with this same imprint The family design is all about relationship between husbandwife and children Church design is about relationship between the Trinity and the body of Christ There is no direction in whichwe can turn where we do not see Godrsquos design for community Therefore developing healthy groups where students can grow(spiritually relationally and missionally) is necessary for a student ministries community to be transformed through Godrsquos divineorder This is crucial to us moving toward the vision God has given us as a church
We imagine group experiences where someone experiences Christrsquos forgiveness for the first time
We imagine group experiences where Scripture is illuminated and a Christ-follower experiences deep truth thattransforms their thinking andor behavior
We imagine group experiences where students become best friends
We imagine group experiences where people discover and grow in their passions gifts and skills
Group Life
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Wednesday Night Groups ENTER Wednesday night youth group will continue to be the place where you can have entry level interactions with faith and community These nights are intended to be fun for you We want you to connect with your old friends make new ones andget to know the adult leaders who show up each week to remind you that you are loved by God
The beauty of Wednesday nights is thisndashyou can simply come and be a part of whatrsquos going on when your schedule allows for itWhen you are here yoursquoll be able to experience the entire bcc| youth group community through our games activities andteaching and worship time Then yoursquoll get the chance to get to know just a few of your peers on a deeper level through ourWednesday night small group time Here yoursquoll be able to discuss the teaching topic of the night as well as whatrsquos going on inyour daily lives
Itrsquos essential for you to be here with us because this is the one place where ALL bcc students are gathered There is somethingspecial about our groupespecially when wersquore all together at the same time So please continue to make Wednesday NightYouth group a priority this year Wersquore simply not the same without you
Jesus never intended for us to live our Christian livesby ourselves or all on our own We are encouragedand challenged to be in community with otherfollowers of Christ Itrsquos because of this we spend alot of time in groups here at bcc| youth This yearwersquore going to do some new and fresh things withGroup Life
Why Groups
God is a God of community This is first exemplified in the Triune expression of the Father Son and Holy Spirit Througheternity God has never been alone He is a God of relationships Understanding this part of His divine nature then we candeduce that Godrsquos creation is designed with this same imprint The family design is all about relationship between husbandwife and children Church design is about relationship between the Trinity and the body of Christ There is no direction in whichwe can turn where we do not see Godrsquos design for community Therefore developing healthy groups where students can grow(spiritually relationally and missionally) is necessary for a student ministries community to be transformed through Godrsquos divineorder This is crucial to us moving toward the vision God has given us as a church
We imagine group experiences where someone experiences Christrsquos forgiveness for the first time
We imagine group experiences where Scripture is illuminated and a Christ-follower experiences deep truth thattransforms their thinking andor behavior
We imagine group experiences where students become best friends
We imagine group experiences where people discover and grow in their passions gifts and skills
Group Life
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Sunday Morning Groups integrate This group is for those of you who have the desire to find ways of integrating all that you are learning about the Bible and aboutyour relationship with Christ into your daily lives Since these groups meet on a Sunday there are some students who have tobe there but hopefully the majority of students are choosing to come
Ultimately our hope is that you would choose to make a commitment to attend Sunday morning worship and then participate in
the Sunday morning group In addition to connecting with the youth of bcc this time also allows you to connect with the largerfaith community of Bellingham Covenant Church
This group may be co-ed at times and discussions will be centered around Biblical texts and topical issues of faith Helpingyou learn how to read the Bible and integrate what yoursquore learning into your daily life is the primary goal here
LifeGroups Evaluate This group is for those of you who have the desire or need to connect with your faith and community on a deeper level As youwould expect the Bible will drive the direction for these groups but we may also use a relevant book to prompt our thoughtsand conversations
Commitment and expectations for a mid-week group is a bit higher You will intentionally say yes to this group and to thecommitments required (being on time being prepared and being willing to enter into the dialogue of each session etc)
This group is gender specific and discussions will naturally be deeper and will give you the time and space to evaluate all thatyou are learning about your faith
Finally these groups will have entry and exit points to accommodate the busy seasons of your lives Generally these mid-weeksessions with be 4-6 weeks at a time
Growing On Your OwnThroughout the year youll find really exciting opportunities and challenging ways for you to grow on your own Grab ordownload a Bible Study jump in on a service project to meet some of the needs in our community or travel the world to care forpeople in a foreign country Whatever the case we encourage you to take steps to strengthen your faith and experience theBible for yourself
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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Our LeadersYet again we have another astounding team of volunteers who have each committed to helping our
students grow closer to Christ They do this by spending time with them praying for them guiding
conversations leading Bible studies and by living their lives of faith in front of our students No they
are not perfect but each one has a growing relationship with Christ They seek to know God better in
their own lifeand as a result they serve God by knowing loving serving and celebrating our students
Thanks in advance for all you do to help our students know and trust God
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Wednesday Nights
with bcc|youthWe believe that our youth are not just the church
of tomorrow but that they are the church of
today Because of this we place a high value in
providing a safe place for students to experience a
growing relationship with God and with each otherWednesday evenings allow us to accomplish this
Each evening will typically include games snacks
a devotional lesson and small group discussion
The overall hope for this night is that students
would encounter our Godwho is actively in
pursuit of them What could be better than taking
time out of a busy week to be reminded of this
Wednesday nights from 7-830 are for any student
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
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October
Comparison TrapOn a scale of one to ten how do you measure up Are you
tall enough Pretty enough Smart enough Funny
enough And on that scale which number represents
enough Do you have to score a ten or will a solid seven
do How about a five Itrsquos better than average right Most
of us measure how wersquore doing by how everyone else is
doing Not a day goes by that wersquore not tempted to glance
to the left and to the right to see how we measure up tothe people around us This is especially true at school We
see everyone elsersquos grades clothes athletic ability talent
and popularity And itrsquos easy to feel like we donrsquot measure
up So we adjust course try harder spend more and then
compare again Its exhausting In this 3-part series we
will explore the difficultmdashbut not impossiblemdashchallenge of
escaping The Comparison Trap
Session One The Land of Er
Bottom Line Therersquos no win in comparison
Have you ever heard of a win-win outcome Comparison
is the opposite of that When we look to our left and our
right to compare ourselves to others we are engaging in a
lose-lose activity And we may not even realize how
destructive it is Being smart-er or funny-er or awesome-
er may feel like a short-term win but for ourselves our
friends and our family comparison is a game with no
winners King Solomon was wise-er (not to mention rich-
er cool-er and powerful-er ) than anyone around him And
what he says about all of it may come as a surprise
Through his words we find that real satisfaction may not
come from winning the game of comparison but from
bowing out of the competition altogether
Session Two Looking AroundBottom Line Take your cue from
the one who made you
Who is the one person yoursquod love to hear say ldquoyoursquore
awesomerdquo Is it your dad A coach A sibling A
teammate We all have a tendency to look toward other
people when we want to know if wersquore okay And if wersquore
honest most of us have a nagging suspicion that we fall
short no matter how hard we try Itrsquos human nature to lookfor approval but what if wersquove been looking in the wrong
place God has something to say about whether wersquore
okay whether we ldquomeasure uprdquo And it may not be what
you think As we take a closer look His opinion of us may
provide something we havent yet found comparing
ourselves to others
Session Three Itrsquos In The Bag
Bottom Line What yoursquove been entrusted with is far
less important than what you do with what you have
Have you ever looked at someone else and thought ldquoDoes
heshe have more ______ than merdquo Comparison is being
caught in the trap of constantly asking how we measure up
to others ldquoDo they have more money than merdquo ldquoDo they
get more attention from othersrdquo ldquoAre they more talented
than merdquo We preoccupy ourselves with these questions
but God has a better plan Jesus was a great storytellerHe used the story of three servants each entrusted with a
certain amount of money to illustrate the question God
would have us askmdasha question that will free us from the
comparison trap once and for all
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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November
AliveWords are powerful You probably already knew that
Words can make your day or ruin it Words can make
friends or create enemies On a global level words can
start a revolution or bring peace Now think about how
much more powerful Gods words are Simply by speaking
He caused the world to be created along with everything in
ithellipmountains oceans thunderstorms planets the sun
He spoke all of it into existence Gods words are the most
powerful force in our entire world but if were
honestmost of us dont think of them that way We hear
Gods Wordrdquo or the Bible and think about an old dusty
book something complicated outdated or even boring
But what if it was never meant to be that way What if
were missing out by seeing it as simply a history book or
something to study As we take a closer look at Gods
Word we may be surprised at what we find God is inviting
us to hold read and experience the same Word thatcreated everything we see Its more than a book Its
better than a story Its alive
Session One Out Of The Fish Bowl
Bottom Line Give Gods Word a chance to change you
What words come to mind when you think about the Bible
Exciting Mind-blowing Life-changing If youre honest
probably not Even though we arent quick to admit it inchurch many of us dont feel all that excited about reading
the Bible Maybe for you it just seems like a history book
filled with random facts about random people that dont
really matter Or maybe it feels more like a foreign language
textbook with lots of words and phrases that dont make
sense Either way its hard to see how an old book written
by a bunch of dead guys about an invisible God could be
relevant to anything were doing today But that was nothow it was intended to be experienced Through a letter
written to the Hebrews we discover that the Bible is more
than just a recording of the past
Session Two Baby Bottle
Bottom Line Find a way to feed yourself
Have you every taken care of a baby It isnt easy They
constantly need your help They need to be fed changed
carried and fed again Eventually babies grow up and
learn to feed and care for themselves Its a natural
process and itd be weird if they didnt The truth is were
all growing up in different ways and our lives arent
maturing and growing at the same rate One area where we
tend to stay immature is our faith We depend on our
pastors our small group leaders and our parents to
spiritually feed us or tell us what Gods word says what
to think and what to believe But we were never meant to
be infants forever In the a letter written to the Hebrew
Christians we find that Gods desire is for us to grow up
and be healthy spiritually as much as physically And the
only way for us to do that is to find a way to feed
ourselves
Session Three Forget Me Not
Bottom Line When you memorize it opens your eyes
Memorizing just doesnt sound like much fun does it
Maybe youve had to memorize something for school and
found yourself wondering why In a world where you can
Google the answer to just about anything why would
anyone bother to memorize There must be a better use ofour time That may have been exactly how Joshua felt He
was just about to take over leading the nation of Israel
from Moses It was no easy task and there was a ton that
needed to happen At this pivotal moment in history God
tells Joshua that the key to his success hinges on him
committing his time and attention to knowing and
meditating on scripture It probably seemed
counterintuitive He had work a lot of other work to do Butthrough his story we find that keeping Gods word in us is
the first step to dealing with anything thats going on
around us
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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December
In the PresentWhat is it about this time of year that causes us to feel a
little more generous We naturally think about helping
families in need by providing Christmas presents or a meal
we visit soup kitchens donate clothes or drop food off at
the local food pantry Studies show we give more money
and clothing to charity in December than any other time
But why In the Gospel of John we find a part of the
Christmas story that doesnt always make it into thenativity scene Long before Mary and Joseph made it to
Bethlehem Long before there were choirs of angels
visiting shepherds or wise men making their way from the
East Christmas began with a single decision made on our
behalf A decision God made to give That simple but
monumental decision has shaped this season ever since
And when we begin to understand all God has given to us
we cant help but bring that tradition that began with Hisgenerosity into our present
Session One Bell-Ringers
Bottom Line God doesnt just ask for our generosity
He demonstrates His
This time of year there are opportunities to be generous on
nearly every corner Enter the Bell-ringers You know who
Im talking about They stand in front of the mall Walmart
and most grocery stores and ring their bell in hopes that
someone will drop some spare change in their bucket to
benefit the charity they represent As much as we love the
idea of giving there is also a part of us that cringes when
the subject comes up Its not that we hate helping people
Its just that the whole idea of giving comes with a lot of
guilt We feel guilty when we dont give dont want to give
or dont have much to give In his Gospel John describes
Gods choice to be generous to us by sending His sonWhen we take a closer look at the very first Christmas and
Gods gift to us we find that He doesnt just ask for our
generosity He demonstrates His
Session Two Christmas Lights
Bottom Line Being generous should be continuous
The only downside to Christmas is when its over One day
every house is decorated and every street has twinkling
lights Then all of a sudden its gone Lights go back in
the box Decorations are packed in the garage and its
almost as if the Christmas Spirit was never there But there
is more to the Christmas Spirit than just Santa suits andstrands of lights For many of us Christmas is a time of
giving celebrating the ultimate gift God gave us But
around the same time that the tree comes down it seems
our generous Christmas spirit goes back in the box as well
The needs around us havent disappeared Its just that our
motivation our natural inclination to help others gets
shelved after the holidays But it doesnt have to be that
way In fact according John Jesus modeled a generosity
that was just the opposite and following His example
means we take our generosity off the shelf and put it into
practice during this month and all of the ones that follow
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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January
All InHave you ever taken a big risk Irsquom talking about
something that could have only ended with a big win or a
big disasterhelliplike asking a girl to prom a pep-rally dance-
off or stealing second base in the last inning of the
playoffs If youve ever gone all in taken a big risk theres
only one reason you did it For the payoff For every risk
theres the promise of a reward And if the reward is worth
it if its enticing enough you just might be willing to dothings you might otherwise never consider Did you know
that serving the people around you can be risky Not only
is there no guarantee of being successful of actually
helping someone but serving also means putting our
comfort our convenience and our reputation on the line
On the other hand choosing not to serve others has risks
as well Not only could we miss out but those around us
may go without something that they really need Eitherway theres a lot on the line So the question you have to
ask is Am I going to play it safe or am I going to go all in
Session One Give Something
Bottom Line You have power to serve in powerful
ways
Lets be honest the subject of giving to help others makes
us all a little nervous Its not that we dont want to helpothers or give to the needy Its just that most of us feel
like we dont have much to offer Maybe you have an
allowance or a part-time job but that doesnt mean youre
exactly rolling in the dough What can your two or five or
even ten bucks do to help someone really As a student
its easy to feel powerless when it comes to giving and
serving others But what if that isnt true What if we have
more power to help others than we realize What if giving
isnt as complicated as we make it The book of Proverbs
teaches that we all have the power to give And by doing
so we may get more in return than we ever imagined
Session Two Do Something
Bottom Line Courageous gt
ComfortableHumans love to be comfortable
Its why we invented air conditioners and sweat pants The
problem is that sometimes our love of comfort hold us
back from doing really great things Its why many of us
are tempted to shy away from the idea of serving others
Serving can mean getting up early giving up weekends
working really hard and being around people you might
otherwise avoid Its naturally uncomfortable And yetpeople who serve seem to find it worth the risk every time
How is that possible Jesus made it clear that people who
serve even in small ways are a big deal to God He even
went as far as to say that serving another person is the
same as serving Him While His words wont protect our
comfort they may just lead us toward something even
better something that will push us forward instead of
holding us backcourage
Session Three Be Something
Bottom Line Being kind is a state of mind
Have you noticed that there are a million shows on right
now that have a group of people called judges Whether
its singing dancing or baking cupcakes all of these
shows have judges that watch the contestants every
move They evaluate score and criticize as the entireworld watches Being a student can be brutal in the same
wayhellipyou are surrounded by judges who constantly
decide where you fit in the social system It feels like
everything you do or say or wear can affect your social
ranking Even being nice to someone of a different status
is a huge risk In one of his most famous parables Jesus
told a story that isnt all that different In a world of strict
social categories a man of lower status sees a man of
higher status in need And what he does demonstrates
exactly what it means to go all in when faced with a risky
social situation
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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February
Catching FireWhen you were a little kid did you ever try to light
something on fire using a magnifying glass Did you love
sitting around a campfire Or dream about the day when
youd be old enough to light the fireworks yourself It
seems theres something in all of us that is fascinated by
the power of fire But along with that power comes a lot of
responsibility Depending on how it is used fire has thepower to make our lives better or to destroy everything
we care about But flames arent the only things with that
kind of power The Bible teaches that our words our
comments and our conversations can have a lot in
common with fire Weve all seen how words used
recklessly can quickly get out of control and leave
everything a charred mess But imagine what would be
possible if we began using the power in our words forsomething good and beautiful instead What if instead of
using our words to destroy we used them to build
something amazing
Session One Out Of Control
Bottom Line Words have the force to set your life on
course
Have you ever seen a fire get out of control It can be
really scary One minute youre enjoying the smell of a
candle The next youre watching flames climb the
drapes While the initial spark always seems small and
weak a careless mishap can catch fire and spread faster
than we ever imagined In the New Testament James
Jesus brother teaches that our conversations work the
same way Words that seem minor and insignificant to us
can spread like wildfire doing more damage than we ever
intended and taking our lives in a direction we nevermeant to go But James gives us insight on how to take
control of the words we speak and determine whether we
use our speech to cause harm or to do good
Session Two Sweeter Than Honey
Bottom Line Words help heal
You cant beat a good fireworks show One little spark
one little match and the whole sky lights up When you
look at the tiny boxes fireworks come in its hard to
imagine what they can become and how little a spark it
takes to make them explode into something mind-blowing Our words work that way too We cant always
see the power of a single compliment And lets be
honest sometimes saying nice things can feel awkward
But as we take a closer look at a Proverb from King
Solomona man known for his wisdom we see that
those positive words may be one of the most powerful
tools we havein the lives of others and in our own lives
Just as careless words have the power to destroy wordswell spoken have the power to heal
Session Three Controlled Burn
Bottom Line When you forgive it helps you live
Many of us know the power of words all too well Words
someone said (or didnt say) to us have left us angry and
bitter and our hearts are still a little charred Sure its
important to be careful with the words you control but
what do you do when youre the one who has been hurt
The Apostle Paul knew that part of having relationships
with others is the possibility of getting burned In his letter
to the church as Ephesus he reminds us that there is only
one way to move past hurt and begin to really live It
wont come naturally but if were willing to do the hard
work of forgiving we just may find that were healthier
and happier after the fire than we ever were before
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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March
RevealThe way we use the word miracle can be pretty broad
And when our students talk about miracles it can range
from ldquogetting through that exam was a miraclerdquo to ldquoI need
a miracle for my mom to be cured of her cancerrdquo But
miracles are about more than just the supernatural
occurrence whether thatrsquos making the grade or
witnessing an unexplainable healing A miracle revealsGodrsquos goodness and reminds us of who we can be And
the greatest miraclemdashJesusrsquo resurrectionmdashis an invitation
to put the past behind us and become a new creation
every day
Session One Redefine
Bottom Line A miracle reveals Gods goodness
One of the most memorable stories in the Bible is thefeeding of the 5000 It was the moment when Jesus took
something so small (a few loaves of bread and some fish)
and miraculously fed thousands of hungry people And
when we look at this miracle we tend to see what
happened as the end of the storymdashas the only thing that
really mattered But for Jesus this miracle (and every
miracle that He ever did) was about more than just the
display of power It was a sign pointing towardssomething bigger Because every miracle whether big or
small is a clue leading us towards God and His work in
our lives Anything that draws our attention back to God
is a miracle
Session Two Remind
Bottom Line Godrsquos there and God cares even when
we donrsquot get what we want
Everyone wants a miracle at some point But the reality is
we donrsquot always get what we want when we want it And
the same was true for Mary and Martha Because when
their brother Lazarus was sick all they wanted was forJesus to come and give them their miraclemdashto save their
brother from death But thatrsquos not what Jesus did He
chose to remind them who He was in a way that was
different than anyone expected He chose to show them
that He cared for them even when they didnrsquot get what
they wanted
Session Three RefocusBottom Line The resurrection invites you to become
someone new
The resurrection of Jesus that we celebrate every year on
Easter Sunday is the most important and earth-shattering
miracle of all Because of what Jesus did on the cross we
have the ability to be a new creation And for our
students this truly is Good News They are no longer
defined by their past mistakes or their current strugglesThe invitation of the resurrection redefines their past and
gives them hope for a new future every day
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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April
Alter EgoEveryone loves a superhero Superman Wonder Woman
Iron man They swoop in and fight the bad guys save the
day and somehow make their spandex suit look cool all
at the same time But chances are if we ran into one of
them on street we wouldnrsquot recognize them Because
almost all superheroes have another sidemdashtheir mild
unassuming simply-not-as-awesome alter ego Their real
every-day life identity is rarely as impressive In that way
we all have something in common with superheroesTherersquos a public side of us A super-identity that most of
the world gets to see Wersquore funny We have friends Wersquore
confident But deep in our hearts we know therersquos an
alter egomdasha less than super side wersquod rather hide away
As we take a closer look at three habits that often bury
themselves in our alter egos we find that God has
something to say about each one that can free us from
living a double-life
Session One No Worries
Bottom Line When Godrsquos worrying about your
worries you donrsquot have to
What do you worry about Your looks Reputation
Whether your parents will get you a Chihuahua for your
birthday Everybody worries We stress about our family
school future friends and about a million other thingsUnfortunately our worries donrsquot seem to accomplish
much Think about it Have you ever stressed out about
something so much it fixed itself Probably not But
whatrsquos the alternative The Apostle Paul had plenty to
worry about He had been threatened beaten
shipwrecked and arrested but he still found the courage
to say ldquoDo not be anxious about anythingrdquo As we take a
closer look at Paulrsquos words we find that God has given usan alternative He has provided a way for us to give away
our worries and replace them with peace
Session Two Bad To The Bone
Bottom Line Shame holds you
back Jesus pulls you close
Have you ever been so embarrassed you wanted to run
and hide Probably so Those moments sneak up on all of
us Maybe you dropped your lunch in front of everyone at
school or maybe you tripped on the bleachers at a game
For a moment it felt awful but it was temporary The
problem is many of us live with that feeling all the time It
isnrsquot just because of a moment Itrsquos because of who weare We feel like wersquore not as smart not as cool or just
not as good as those around us That feeling is called
shame and just like embarrassment shame makes us
want to run away from everyone including God The
question we have to ask is What are going to do with our
shame Are we going to trust it Hide behind it ignore
it The writer of Hebrews tells us there is a better way
Because of what Jesus did we arenrsquot required to give into shamersquos demands And even when shame tells us to
run and hide Jesus tells us to run toward Him
Session Three All About Me
Bottom Line Others first me second
Lots of things come naturally to us Breathing Eating
Sleeping till noon And for most of us selfishness is on
that list As little kids we learn to yell me first and thatrsquosmine Even though itrsquos natural living selfishly doesnrsquot
improve the quality of life In fact itrsquos exhausting and
lonely Most of us would agree that focusing on ourselves
is a miserable way to live but we still act selfishly anyway
So how do we fight it In a letter to some of the earliest
Christians the Apostle Paul addresses that very question
and what he says may surprise you Spoiler alertmdashitrsquos not
twenty-seven steps to being less selfish No Paul givesone challenge One idea that can change the way you see
everyone around you and help you escape the trap of
selfishness once and for all
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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Philosophy of Senior High Summer Trips
Here at Bellingham Covenant Church we believe strongly in giving students hands-on experiences with their faith This
looks like weekly community gatherings monthly service projects retreats and summer trips Our summer trips areintended to get us out of the building and into a new environment where we can experience our relationship withChrist in new and unexpected ways We currently have a 3-year rotation for our summer trips
amp Year 1- Denominational Event (CHIC) (2015)
amp Year 2-amp In-Country Service Experience (2016)
amp Year 3-International MissionService Trip (2017)
The overall purpose of each summer trip is to explore with students how Christ is working throughout our entire worldmdashand to invite them to join this redemptive work Therefore wersquod like to announce that this summer is going to be ourDenominational Event called CHIC Covenant High In Christ
2015 Summer Trip
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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Beginning in 1956 hundreds of high school age Covenanters gathered together as the CovenantHigh Congress This event has morphed throughout the yearsmdashmoving from regional campscentered on small group Bible study to large group gatherings with speakers music andrecreationhellipoutgrowing venues all along the way This growth prompted a change and in 1972when the East and West Coast Congresses combined necessitating a location that was more
conducive to the nearly 1500 students who attended
This legacy has become what is now called ldquoCovenant High in Christrdquo best recognized as ldquoCHICrdquoby the thousands who will attend (and tens of thousands who have attended)
From the time they arrive CHICsters are stunned not only by the volume of the music but also bythe sheer number of their peers who have intentionally gathered out of a desire to play worship
learn and grow in understanding and in faith with others from throughout the US Canada andabroad
CHIC acts as a catalyst in studentsrsquo lives helping them see the big pictures of Godrsquos Kingdom andinspiring them to dive deeper in their faith Throughdynamic speakers relevant messages small groupsand worship CHIC Inspires students to livetransformed livesmdasheven giving of their time and
resources to impact local communities and the world Through the years CHIC has been modified anddiversified innovated and revolutionized however afew key elements remain CHIC is a triennial eventwhere thousands of youth gather for small group Biblestudy and devotion large group gatherings withspeakers and music and outdoor recreation Praise beto God faithful throughout the ages
We hope you will be counted as one of the many whohave experienced CHIC
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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CHIC Fundraising Made Simple
OK this might just be one of the easiest fund raisers EVER If you take part in it you can raise$70300 in an instant Sound too good to be true Read on
First a little math
37 X (37+1) = 703
1
Do you know 37 people I bet you do You probably even know more people than that right
Well this fundraiser uses your social connections to help you raise money for this life changing tripHerersquos how is works
You get 37 envelopes and write a number each one with a dierent number (1-37) You find people to ldquosponsorrdquo one of the envelopes 37 people for 37 envelopes Each person agrees to pay the number on the outside of each envelope Once all the envelopes and money are returned to you you will have $703 (This is a little more than the registration fees for each student attending CHIChelliptransportation feesare still being negotiated )
Irsquom asking all students and leaders who go to CHIC to do this fundraiser as a way to help you get tothis life changing experience Please do NOT use our congregation as one of your 37 people We aregoing to do an all-church fundraiser with them at a later date
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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Sunday mornings are a significant time for our students hereat bcc| youth A couple things happen each and everySunday First this is the one place where our entire bccchurch family is gathered Our students have theopportunity to be connected to a larger community of faithThis may sound inconsequential but it is extremelyimportant Studies show that students who are known by aworship community have a greater chance of keeping anddeveloping a faith that will last beyond High School
Second Sunday mornings provide us an opportunity to helpstudents grow in their understanding and knowledge of GodThis is accomplished through our Sunday School options
Sunday Morning WorshipEach and every Sunday the entire Bellingham CovenantChurch family is gathered for our weekly worship serviceThis is our time to respond to Godrsquos presence in our livesWe worship God based on what God has done in our liveswhat God is currently doing and based on what God haspromised to do in the future Join us every Sunday from930-1045 for worshiphellipthen head to one of our Sunday
School options
Sunday Mornings withbcc|youth
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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6TH GRADE
Our sixth graders will meet weekly in classroom 2 with ateam of parents and volunteers who will teach them Biblestories that cause them to consider who Jesus is in theirdaily life
CONFIRMATION
(78 GRADE) Confirmation is a two-year course of study where studentsare exposed to a survey of the Bible from Genesis toRevelation Along with this they will be exposed to some
basic Church History and Doctrine and will get a chance toknow our pastors on a more personal level Our number onehope for confirmation is that your student will grow in theirfaith and devotion to Jesus Christ
Confirmation is different than Sunday School there will beBible memorization and homework (homework comes in theform of a daily journal) One of the most important lifelessons we will be looking at is the importance of daily timespent with Godmdash and the journal is a tool that can help us
get into that habit
If you have questions about Confirmation please contactJeff G
SENIOR HIGH
This year Sundayrsquos are going to take on an entirely new lookfor our senior high students Wersquore going to spend time inthe deep end of the poollearning about our relationship
with Christ through discussing some of the ldquohot topicsrdquo ofthe day Topics that will challenge us to consider what itmeans to incorporate all that we are learning about our faithinto our daily lives The Christian life that we are living is notintended to be a solo adventure so having theseconversations in community will challenge encourage andequip our students to grow in their relationship with Jesus
Keep reading for a brief overview of the topics wersquoll bediscussing this year
i t j h
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Hey Everyone
My name is John Folkerts Here are a few
things about me that you might not know Igrew up in a Christian family Both of my
parents grew up in Christian households so
the Christian faith has always been
a part of my life and has been
rooted deeply through
many generations of a
faith based family Thismakes my faith very
important to me But
itrsquos not the only thing
important thing in
my life Here are a
few more things that
rank high in my life
My family I love my
fami ly I have two
brothers (Abraham and
Isaac) and two sisters
(Charis and Elisabeth) I fall
right in the middle of the five of us Myparents Randy and Sandy are the best
parents anyone could ask for I have a great
family that I wouldnrsquot trade the world for
Sports are also important to mehellipI grew up
playing lots of sports Irsquove played football
basketball soccer volleyball baseball and
track
Itrsquos odd to say but Iowa is important to me
too Irsquom from a small town in Iowa called
Aplington Growing up in a small town gaveme the opportunity to participate in a lot of
different activities I fell in love with
basketball and volleyball and continued
to play them for some time in my
collegiate years at North Park
University While at NPU I
studied Youth Ministry andplayed basketball for a year
and played on the club
volleyball team for 3 years
I have a large passion for
sports and you can often
f ind me brows ing o r
watching ESPN Thatrsquos a
little about me obviously
there is a lot more that I
couldnrsquot share with you but I
would love to do that So if you
have any questions about me my life
or my passions please feel free to ask andwe can set up a time to hangout and chat
John
internjohn
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
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Meet Grant Our Guest Speaker for the weekend
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Secret SundaysAre you in high school
Are you looking to add a little spice and adventure to your life
Well we have just what yoursquore looking forIntroducing (drum roll please) Secret Sundays
What is it You ask
Simple
Itrsquos a gathering of high school students just like youYoung people desperate for something fun to do
Wersquoll meet once a month to explore hang discover playcreatehellipyou name it wersquoll probably do it
Mark you calendars and COME to these events becauseitrsquod be lame without you
Sooo will we see you at the next Secret SundayOf course we will
Secret Sunday DatesOctober 19November 2December 21January 18February 8March 8
April 12May 17
AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTO
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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AWKWARD FAMILY PHOTOCHRISTMAS PARTYThere is noting better than being totes awk with your bcc|youth family right Right
Thatrsquos why wersquore hosting an Awkward Family Photo Christmas Party on Wednesday December 17Are you wondering what you should wear Herersquos your guide
Middle Schoolershellip Wear as much
denim as humanl y possible
High SchoolershellipThink 80rsquosBIG hair florescent colors popped collars and peg legged jeans
LeadershellipUgly Sweaters
H T S Y
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Every year our volunteer leaders get to see tremendous growthin the lives of youndashthe students who call bcc| youth their homeMany of the lessons we observe center around one thingndashTRUST
For some the growth we see comes in the form of studentslearning how to trust God with their livesmany students likeyourself will make a first time commitment towards a growingrelationship with Christ which is SO exciting to see
For other students growth means learning how to trust
themselves You are transitioning through the stages in lifewhere you go from being totally dependent on your parents forevery aspect of your lives to taking the reigns in certain areas forthe first time Freedom like that can be fun but it can also be
scary and stressful
We also see students grow in the area of learning to trust
others Relationships are undoubtedly one of the most pivotalelements in your life during these middle school and high schoolyears Not only are you learning how God created youyou arealso trying to figure out how to be this person around yourfriends family teachers coaches bosses youth leaders etcEveryone places dierent demands on you and learning how tobe yourself around others can be a challenge to say the least
Finally students are challenged with trusting the world they livein We see you evaluating all that yoursquore learning about God inthe home and at church with what you see and experience atschool through media and in the relationships yoursquore buildingwith friends and family Your world is always changing andfinding solid ground can feel like a never ending task
All this to say trust is perhaps one of the most significantlessons you are learning on a daily basis Itrsquos because of this we
want to oer some advice on surviving middle school and highschool This is by no means an exhaustive list Just a fewpointers for you all as you travel through this amazingly awkwardtime in your life known as Adolescence
6t 983144 Grader 983155 I hate to break it to youbut yoursquore about to start one of themost awkward phases in human development Adolescence isthat beautiful time in your life where everything you know aboutyourself and the world you live in changes Bodies voices
relationships and even your relationship with God all undergosome pretty impressive transformations Donrsquot worry though atthe end of the process you will be rewarded with the one thingyou want and desire above all elsebeing an adult Before youget there though you have to survive your 6th grade year Thisyear might be pretty challenging for you Yoursquore at the bottom ofthe pecking order in your school simply because yoursquore theyoungest Relationships can change on a daily basis and youmay quickly learn that you need to work really hard to keep up inschool sports and anything else you undertake While 6th
grade may be stressful at times yoursquore also going to have a lot ofgreat moments Many of them just may take place here atchurch We have a great group of middle school and high schoolstudents who are all on the same journey as you Thatrsquos the bestnews of all-YOUrsquoRE NOT ALONE Talk it over with your parentsand try to make Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings apriority for yourself Come be a part of our community and learnabout yourself AND about the God who created you You areinvited
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 A new command I give you Love one another As I have loved
you so you must love one another By this all men will know
that you are my disciples if you love one another
John 1334-35
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise but the companion
of fools will su er harm
Proverbs 1320
Love each other with genuine a ection and take delight in
honoring each other
Romans 1210
How To Survive Your
Adolescence
7th G d 8th G d
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
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Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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7th GradersWahoo You made it through your 6th grade year Nowyoursquore in the middle of the pack You know how to getaround your school you know whatrsquos expected of youwhen it comes to your school work and hopefully yoursquovebeen able to make some new friends From the outside
looking in it appears as if things are going pretty good foryou If thatrsquos the case enjoy it My challenge for you is touse this time to grow closer in your relationship with GodMake time for God through reading your Bible prayerserving others Sunday worship and anything else thatdraws you closer to the Lord Just as you need to maketime to grow closer to your friends you also need to taketime to get to know God better too So do all you can tobe intentional in this area of your life If you ever need
ideas on how to do this please talk to one of yourleadersthey have LOTS of ideas on how to spend timewith God
Some Verses to Keep In MindSo come on letrsquos leave the preschool finger painting
exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art
Grow up in Christ The basic foundational truths are in
place turning your back on ldquosalvation by self-helprdquo and
turning in trust toward God baptismal instructions laying
on of hands resurrection of the dead eternal judgment
God helping us wersquoll stay true to all that But therersquos so
much more
Letrsquos get on with it
Hebrews 61-3
8th GradersYou are now the top dog 6th graders tremble in fearwhen you walk by them at school and life can feel prettygood these days when yoursquore at the top Yoursquore gainingconfidence in yourself and your abilities your parentseven notice how much yoursquore growing up They may
even let you make some decisions about what you dowith your free timeif so take this serious Keep doingall you can to earn your parents trust in you believe me--itrsquoll be worth it Temptations are all around you so workhard at resisting peer pressure and do all you can tomake good choices There are so many challenges thatcome with growing up My advice is to continually striveto become the person God calls you to be Fight againstpeer pressure and find satisfaction in the right things of
life Try to become the kind of person who encouragesother people with words and actions Our world needsmore people like you Remember yoursquore blessed to havea place like bcc| youth This place has lots of people herewho genuinely care about youand I bet you have somefriends in your life who could use some extra care andlove in their lives Would you be willing to invite them tochurch or youth group with you That might beintimidating I know But maybe (just maybe) God wants
to use you to let others know about him How coolwould that be I have a feeling that your 8th grade yearmay just be the best one yet
Some Verses to Keep In MindNo test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
For God so loved the world that he gave his One and Only
Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but
have eternal life
John 316
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this Whilewe were still sinners Christ died for us
Romans 58
Freshma983150 Sophomore983155
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
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Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Freshma 983150 You just went from being a super sick 8th grader to thebottom of the food chainagain You may feel weirdbeing in a school thatrsquos twice the size of your last one butyoursquoll get the hang of things in no time Remember that allthe students above you were freshmen once so they
actually do understand feeling awkward and theyrsquore morewilling to help you than you think Donrsquot be afraid to askthem to help you find a class or tell you how to surviveclasses with the craziest of teachers High school will goby faster than you think so make sure you look for ways toget involved Donrsquot put o signing up for a talent showtrying out for the volleyball team starting a Pokeacutemon clubmeeting the friends sitting next to you in class auditioningfor the musical enrolling in Yearbook or doing track with
all your friends Donrsquot be afraid to try dierent things andsee what you have the most fun with The more you put inthe more yoursquoll get out of high school so embrace thosespirit days do your homework and above all seek Godout in this new season of life Ask Him to provide you witha solid group of friends to guide you as you look for waysto get involved and to help you trust that He has a plan foryour next four years And rest assuredmdashyou donrsquot have tohave everything figured out
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 Keep company with God get in on the best Open up
before God keep nothing back hersquoll do whatever needs to
be done Hersquoll validate your life in the clear light of day and
stamp you with approval
Psalm 374-5
Because I your God have a firm grip on you and Irsquom not
letting go Irsquom telling you lsquoDonrsquot panic Irsquom right here
to help yoursquo $
Isaiah 4113
Sophomore 983155 So yoursquore about to start your second year of highschoolthe infamous in-between grade But look on thebright sidemdashyoursquove had a year to get accustomed to thewonderful world of high school This year try finding aspot on campus where you can chill during lunchmdashit could
be that really awesome tree the bench in the middle ofcampus the stairwell or that good olrsquo air-conditionedlibrary Itrsquos easy to get comfortable with your seeminglysolidified group of friends but try to stay invitingmdashthereare still tons of students you havenrsquot met and you neverknow who God wants you to become friends with Tryinviting the friends yoursquove met to church and build yourfriendships on Christ so that they are strong and lastingKeep in mind that your grades definitely matter so donrsquot
be afraid to say ldquoNordquo to some social gatherings if itmeans keeping those As and Bs Be careful not to getcaught up in the wrong things like partying or slacking o on your school work Even doing your homework can bedone for the glory of God Fix your eyes on Christ and Hewill help you overcome the temptations struggles andconfusions of high school He wants to bless you with ayear full of deep friendships fun memories and feelingfully confident in who Hersquos made you to be
Som 983141 Verse 983155 t 983151 Keep I 983150 Min 983140 No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the
course of what others have had to face All you need to
remember is that God will never let you down hersquoll never
let you be pushed past your limit hersquoll always be there to
help you come through it
1 Corinthians 1013
Pursue the things over which Christ presides Donrsquot shu e
along eyes to the ground absorbed with the things right in
front of you Look up and be alert to what is going on
around Christmdashthatrsquos where the action is See things from
his perspective Your old life is dead Your new life which
is your real lifemdasheven though invisible to spectatorsmdashis
with Christ in God He is your life
Colossians 32-3
Juniors Seniors
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3240
This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
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httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
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Can you believe yoursquore already an upperclassman Wetold you high school flies by So many slight changesmdashthechance to go o campus at lunch friends who can driveyou around a whole new load of challenging classes andnow being in the older half of the whole school We hopethat you start this school year feeling even more sure
about your identity in Christ feeling plugged into bcc| youth and joyfully realizing that every day at school is anopportunity to share Godrsquos love with people Whilefriendships may have started to feel really stable andyoursquove got a good idea on how to navigate school workand fun continue to let God be your rock As classes getharder let yourself have some funmdashkeep dressing up onspirit days hitting up the football games and showing theunderclassmen how to soak up all that high school has tooer
Some Verses to Keep In MindObviously Irsquom not trying to win the approval of people but
of God If pleasing people were my goal I would not be
Christrsquos servant
Galatians 110
Godrsquos way is perfect All the Lordrsquos promises prove true He is a shield for all who look to him for protection For who is
God except the Lord Who but our God is a solid rock
God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect
Psalm 1830-32
Work willingly at whatever you do as though you were
working for the Lord rather than for people
Colossians 323
Donrsquot fret or worry Instead of worrying pray Let petitions
and praises shape your worries into prayers letting God
know your concerns Before you know it a sense of Godrsquos
wholeness everything coming together for good will come
and settle you down Itrsquos wonderful what happens when
Christ displaces worry at the center of your life
Philippians 46-7
Your last year of high school is finally here Crazy rightWe hope that instead of feeling burned out you are readyto dive into these last nine months of one of the mostunique exciting seasons of life Itrsquos easy to go into senioryear expecting an easy class load and the gloriousfreedom of getting out of school at lunch but be careful
that this assumption doesnrsquot lead you to committing to toomany things with all that extra free time Itrsquoll fill up fasterthan you think You guys are the role modelsmdashnowdisciple underclassmen You have the power to make themfeel like the coolest kid in the whole school Think of whatyour love and attention could do to their four-yeartrajectory Reflect on how God has gifted you as youconsider what to study in college but be patient withyourselfmdashitrsquos totally fine if you arenrsquot sure what your majorshould be or which college to commit to God will revealHis plan to you in His timing so press into Him andexperience His peace as He prepares you for theupcoming transition
Some Verses to Keep In MindTrust in the Lord with all your heart do not depend on
your own understanding Seek his will in all you do and he
will show you which path to takeProverbs 35-6
Get all the advice and instruction you can so you will be
wise the rest of your life You can make many plans but the
Lordrsquos purpose will prevail
Proverbs 1920-21
I focus on this one thing Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead I press on to reach the end ofthe race and receive the heavenly prize for which God
through Christ Jesus is calling us
Philippians 313-14
T f S t l G th
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Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
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Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
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This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
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As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
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Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3040
Tips for Spiritual GrowthHere are some helpful tips from intern John
Spiritual growth can be a tricky path to tread Its not always easy and we donrsquot always see immediate results In a
culture that has come to expect instantaneous results a process like spiritual growth can be daunting and
frustrating Here are a few things that have helped me and hopefully will help you if this is something you would
like to explore There are three things I would like to highlighthellipreading your Bible spending time in Christian
Community and finding someone to mentor you
Bible
I know there is a lot of great devotional material out there that can help you stay in the Word and in-line with Godrsquos
principles BUT these can never replace actually picking up and reading your Bible The Bible is a powerful tool
that God has given us to help understand him and the world that we live in Tangibly picking up your Bible and
reading it to see what it says is a great place to start spiritual growth You may want to find a reading plan or
something to tell you what to read in order to keep you on trackhellipnever trade reading a devotional or something
equivalent for spending time in the your Bible
Community
The second tip I have for growing in your relationship with the Lord is having a community of Christian believers
around you This is very important You and I arenrsquot meant to live our Christian faith by ourselves Itrsquos meant to be
done in a communityhellipwhere you are able to experience personal growth and the benefits of accountability that
only comes from being involved in a community of other Christians Everybody needs community to some extent
As humans we were created to be communal beings and even God lives in community with His son Jesus and
the Holy Spirit
Mentor
Finally we all need mentors A mentor is simply someone who has dedicated their time to walking with us on our
faith journey They are the people we go to in order to make sense of our complicated lives They are the first
people we call when we are in distress Mentors should be older and wiser than yourself so that they can give you
some perspective and life experience that you may not yet have Mentors are extremely important and enable us
to make wise decisions when we confide in them
These are three things that have become important to me in my spiritual growth I know that without them I
couldnrsquot be where Irsquom at today The final word I want to leave you with is patience Growth is a process that takes
time You wonrsquot see it happen overnight you probably wonrsquot even see it in a week maybe in a month but thatrsquos
G O Y O
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3140
Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3240
This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3340
As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3440
Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3140
Growing on your own requires a little practice perseverance and dedication Many Christians will refer to the timethey spend with the Lord as a quiet time
What is quiet time Well itrsquos intentionally taking time out of your day to spend with God It is choosing to respond to
all that God has given you by acknowledging Him in your daily life God is always present with usso taking a ldquoquiet
timerdquo enables us to get a taste of who God is When we seek God we will find God When we discipline ourself to
spend time with God our desire to be with God will increase
Why should I spend quiet time with God Irsquom glad you asked If you think about it you naturally spend time with the
people you lovelike your friends and family God shouldnrsquot get any less of your attention Quiet times with God are
important because they help shape your spiritual journeyand ultimately your relationship with the Lord
Everyone experiences God in different ways especially when it comes to engaging in a quiet time But it is important
to remember that you must to CHOOSE to take time to be present with God It must be a conscious effort My hope
for you is that you would have a desire to spend time growing in your relationship with God
A personal quiet time does not have to be seen as a lonely timebut rather a time of solitude Itrsquos time set apart to
commune with God You are simply embracing Godrsquos presence and acknowledging Him This can simply mean
slowing down enough for a few minutes to breathe and be still before the Lord Often times it can be as simple as
taking 5 minutes to shut off your brain and open yourself to the presence of the Lord
What might a quiet time look like for you
For some being active is essential
Some people need to be actively doing things during their quiet moments with God A couple of things to keep inmind
Be open to do any number of things that keep you focused on God
Be encouraged to pray while being active
Going for a bike ride
Prayer coloringdoodling
Nature walk
For others removing all distractions is the way to go
If you happen to be sitting alone at a coffee shop or in your room take time to try some of these things
Growing On Your Own
T P
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3240
This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3340
As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3440
Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3240
This method of prayer is based on remembering and reflecting on a previous period of time in our lives Examen is a Latin
term describing the indicator on a scale that points to the true weight of something placed on that scale It means an
lsquoaccurate assessment of a situationrsquo The prayer of Examen is a way of assessing onersquos life before God on a regular basis
The Examen is especial ly helpful in the evening as we can review the previous 24 hours of our lives Christian monastics
have traditionally viewed the day as beginning in the evening when we prepare for sleep and place our souls in Godrsquos care
The ldquosecond halfrdquo of the day begins when we awaken as we pray about partnering with God in his work in the world
Biblically we can find many references to this type of prayer
Ps 167 ldquoI will praise the Lord who counsels me even at night my heart instructs merdquo
Practicing the Prayer of ExamenRecall you are in the presence of God
We are always in Gods presence but in prayer we are aware of this in an especially attentive way Find a place with
no distractions relax and take a moment to quiet your mind and heart
Psalm 4610 ldquoBe still and know that I am God I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earthrdquo
Request the light of the Holy Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you know the hidden motivations of your heart to see the dai ly gifts yoursquove been givenfrom God and how yoursquove responded to them Examine how conscious you have been of Godrsquos presence and
actions in your life
Psalm 13923 24 ldquoSearch me God and know my heart test me and know my anxious thoughts See if there is any
offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlastingrdquo 3 Review your day with gratitude
Review and watch your day like a movie that replays in your mind
Pay attention to the details and give thanks to God for the gifts of that day Special memories may come to mind a
good nightrsquos rest the gift of conversation and friendships physical exercise or the pleasure of hard work a goodmeal or a lesson learned
The Prayer of
E
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3340
As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3440
Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3340
As you review your day ask 2 questions
1 Where was I in step with how Christ wants me to live my life
Where did you honor Him through your thoughts and actions Where were you aware of Godrsquos presence Askwhether you brought your strengths your sense of humor your abilities your encouragement your patience to
others today
Thenoffer prayers of thanksgiving and appreciation
Colossians 317 ldquoAnd whatever you do whether in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks
to God the Father through himrdquo
2 Where was I out of step with how Christ wants me to life my life
Note the times where you were ungrateful and may have grieved Christ in your actions or treatment of othersWhere did you fail today Were there moments when you lived out of anger or bitterness Were there tasks and
people that you avoided or left in disarray
ThenOffer prayers of confession asking for forgiveness
Ephesians 430 ldquoAnd do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemptionrdquo
Reconcile and Release
The final step is a heart-to-heart talk with Jesus giving him all your thoughts and concerns At this time release all your
cares from the Examen to God
I Peter 567 ldquoHumble yourselves therefore under Godrsquos mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for yourdquo
As you practice Growing On your Own here are some things to keep in mind
Always be attentive and intentional with the time you are spending with God
Quiet time is definitely a discipline Like with most things in life consistency makes it easier When we continually choose to
engage in a quiet time with God it becomes a true desire of our hearts Be encouraged Its not always easy but always worth
Examen
L t D
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3440
Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3440
Maybe being contemplative is your style
For some focusing all of their thoughts on the Lord is the way to go Many will look at specific Bible passages repeatedly or pray
about their day in a specific way If this sounds like you the here are two ideas for you to consider Lectio Divina or the Prayer of
Examen
Lectio Divina is a specific way to read Scriptures and has been used by Christians for centuries It is sometimes called
Sacred Reading or Holy Reading Herersquos what you do
1Select a short passage of scripture The Psalms and the Gospels are a great place to begin
2Be purposeful Sit comfortably and attentively Invite Godrsquos presence
3Read the passage (1 or 2 times) Stop when a word or phrase stops you becomes vibrant or attracts you Bring all your
senses to your listening Where are you Who else is there What do you hear smell see taste feel Become a
participant in the story Let the story unfold Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence
4Read the passage again Listen to discover how this passage touches your life today Stay open to the Spiritrsquos leading
This is a time of reflection so just let the scripture wash over your life Allow for 1-2 minutes of silence creating
openness to the Spirit
5Read the passage once more You may become aware of an invitation from God or notice that Jesus has drawn near to
you Open your heart and will to receive and respond to Jesusrsquo presence or Godrsquos invitation (Be aware of resistance and
bring it to God if you detect it) Allow for 2-3 minutes of silence and response to God
6Share and pray Take time to express your encounter with God If alone write out your experience or write a prayer ofresponse to God In a group share aloud the word image or invitation received
A verse to remember
ldquoBut grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christrdquo mdash2 Peter 318
Lectio Divina
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3540
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3640
Where to look when Afraid
bull Psalm 344bull Matthew 1028bull 2 Timothy 17bull Hebrews 1356
Anxious
bull Psalm 46bull Matthew 619-34bull Philippians 46bull 1 Peter 567
Backsliding
bull Psalm 51bull 1 John 14-9
Bereaved
bull Matthew 54bull 2 Corinthians 134
Bitter ndash Critical
bull 1 Corinthians 13
Conscious of sin
bull Proverbs 2813
Defeated
bull
Romans 831-39
Depressed
bull Psalm 34
Disaster threatens
bull Psalm 91bull Psalm 11856bull Luke 822-25
Discouraged
bull Psalm 23bull Psalm 426-11bull Psalm 5522
bull Matthew 51112bull 2 Corinthians 48-18bull Philippians 44-7
Doubting
bull Matthew 826bull Hebrews 11
Facing crisis
bull Psalm 121
bull Matthew 625-34bull Hebrews 11
Faith fails
bull Psalm 425
bull Hebrews 11
Friends fail
bull Psalm 419-13bull
Luke 1734bull Romans 1214171921bull 2 Timothy 416-18
Leaving home
bull Psalm 121bull Matthew 1016-20
Lonely
bull Psalm 23bull Hebrews 1356
Needing Gods protection
bull Psalm 271-3bull Psalm 91bull Philippians 419
Needing guidance
bull Psalm 328
bull Proverbs 356
Needing peace
bull John 141-4bull John 1633bull Romans 51-5bull Philippians 467
Needing rules for life
bull Romans 12
Overcome
bull Psalm 6bull Romans 831-39bull 1 John 14-9
Prayerful
bull Psalm 4bull Psalm 42bull Luke 111-13bull
John 17bull 1 John 51415
Protected
bull Psalm 181-3bull Psalm 347
Sick - In pain
bull Psalm 38bull Matthew 2639bull Romans 53-5bull 2 Corinthians 12910bull 1 Peter 4121319
Sorrowful
bull Psalm 51bull Matthew 54bull John 14
bull 2 Corinthians 134bull 1 Thessalonians 413-18
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3740
Tempted
bull Psalm 1bull Psalm 1392324bull Matthew 2641bull 1 Corinthians 1012-14bull Philippians 48bull James 47bull 2 Peter 29317
Thankfulbull Psalm 100bull 1 Thessalonians 518bull Hebrews 1315
Traveling
bull Psalm 121
Trouble in
bull Psalm 16+31bull John 141-4bull Hebrews 725
Weary
bull Psalm 90bull Matthew 1128-30bull 1 Corinthians 1558bull Galatians 6910
Worriedbull Matthew 619-34bull 1 Peter
Christian virtues
and character
Abundant life
bull John 1010
Citizenship
bull Romans 131-7
bull Titus 31
Consecrationbull Romans 1212
Contentment
bull Philippians 411-13bull 1 Timothy 66
Courage
bull Psalm 2714
Diligencebull Romans 1211
Duty
bull Luke 2021-25
Endurance
bull Luke 219-19bull 2 Timothy 23
Faith
bull Matthew 85-13bull Mark 1122-24
Faithfulness
bull Matthew 2523
Forgiveness
bull Mark 112526bull Ephesians 43132
Freedombull John 831-36
Fruitfulness
bull John 151-8
Godliness
bull Titus 211-14
Happiness
bull
Matthew 53-12 Holiness
bull 1 Peter 113-16
Honesty
bull 2 Corinthians 821
Honor Parents others
bull Ephesians 61-3bull 1 Peter 217
Hope
bull 1 Peter 113
Humility
bull
Luke 189-14bull Philippians 23-11
Joy
bull Luke 1020bull John 1511
Kindness
bull Colossians 31213
Labor
bull John 94
Love
bull Luke 1027bull 1 Corinthians 13
Obedience
bull John 1415-24bull Acts 529
Overcoming bull John 1633
Patience
bull Hebrews 1036
Peacefulness
bull John 1427bull Romans 1218
Perseverancebull Mark 135-13
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
Topical Bible Passages
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3840
Prayer
bull Luke 111-13bull Ephesians 618
Pure thinking
bull Philippians 48
Purity
bull Matthew 527-32bull 2 Timothy 222
Reading the Biblebull John 539bull Psalm 12bull Psalm 11997
Resolution
bull Ephesians 610-18
Righteousness
bull Matthew 56bull Matthew 633
Sincerity
bull Philippians 1910
Steadfastness
bull 1 Corinthians 1558
Stewardship
bull 1 Corinthians 42
bull 2 Corinthians 967
Temperance
bull 1 Thessalonians 56-8
Trust
bull Psalm 373-5bull Proverbs 356
Truth
bull
John 146bull John 1717bull Ephesians 41415
Victorybull 1 Corinthians 1557bull 1 John 54
Watchfulness
bull Mark 1334-37
Worship
bull John 42324
Zealbull Romans 1211
Teaching about life
Adultery
bull Matthew 527-32
Adversity
bull Matthew 1016-39
Anger
bull Matthew 522-24
Anxiety
bull Matthew 619-34
Conceit
bull Luke 189-14
Covetousness
bull Mark 721-23
Crime
bull Matthew 1517-20
Death
bull John 112526
Depravity
bull John 319-21
Doubtbull Matthew 1428-31
Drunkenness
bull Luke 2134-36
Excusesbull Luke 1415-24
Extravagance
bull 1 Timothy 67-12
Fault finding
bull Matthew 71-5
Fear
bull
Luke 125 Flesh
bull Romans 1314
Greed
bull Luke 1215-31
Hatred Enemies
bull Matthew 543-48
Hypocrisy
bull Matthew 232728
Judging
bull Matthew 71
Lip service
bull Matthew 721
Lust
bull Mark 41819
Self-exaltationbull Luke 1411
Self-righteousness
bull Luke 181112
Sin
bull John 834-36
Worldliness
bull
1 John 215-17
Here is a list that by no means is complete You can use this as a fast reference or to just have A great online Bible studytool is wwwyouversioncom We highly suggest you become familiar with the YouVersion smart phone app
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 3940
8102019 2014-2015 bcc|youth Catalog
httpslidepdfcomreaderfull2014-2015-bccyouth-catalog 4040