Persecution: Lesson 3

Dear Parents,

We’ve wrapped up our last look at our three-lesson look at persecution. It’s been a great time of discussion and learning. My prayer is that it translates into real life-transformation for your teenager. Hopefully it provides insights and support to stand positively in the face of adversity. It seems like “persecution” issues are in the news more and more each week from bombings overseas to cultural and ideological battles on the courthouse steps and in the media. It seems like weekly it is getting more difficult to stand for the faith and its biblical principles it has been based on.

This final lesson, Lesson 3, was entitled, “Our Attitude In Persecution.” In this lesson our students learned that while it’s admittedly pretty awful to experience persecution, there are positive outcomes. We challenged students to identify where they have experienced persecution, and to consider both what it has taught them and how they can respond to it.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• Matthew 5:10-12
• 1 Peter 4:12-14
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
• James 1:2-4
• Matthew 5:43-44

I hope you will be able to take the time to read these passages as well, so that you can have some context for following up with your teenager.


Next Steps...
As you have time this week, consider asking the following questions to continue the discipleship-conversation with your teenager:

• It’s really challenging at your age, but how can taking a big-picture view of your life help you deal with any opposition you might face as a result of being identified with Christ?
• If we believe God is sovereign, then we have to believe that He allows you to undergo persecution. Why do you think He might allow you to experience pain or discomfort for being a Christ-follower?
• What do you think the problem is with hiding your faith out of fear of being persecuted? What’s at stake?

I hope this has been a meaningful time of growth for your teenager. As always, let us know what we can do for you in the future.


REMINDERS
BEACH CAMP 2016 - $100 DEPOSIT/REGISTRATION DUE (Form and payment guarantees spot for you and/or a guest)
*Check registration brochure (HSM/MSM Desks) for info on siblings and guests discounts


SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
MSM “Tacky Prom” – MSM Room @ 6:30pm / Wed, April 20


HSM BARN DANCE @ TEXAS STAR (6pm – 9pm) / Sat, April 30

HONDO MISSION TRIP / June 11-17
*If you missed this parent-student info meeting please make sure to grab an info brochure out of the youth rooms


If you don’t get the student ministry news e-mails or info through Facebook, please contact Linka, youth assistant, linka@nsbcweatherford.com.

We are glad that your family is a part of North Side!
Jim & Eric

Persecution: Lesson 2

Dear Parents,

I am thrilled to write to you again and let you know how we’ve progressed through our study on persecution. Last week we asked ourselves if we were living a life that may even warrant persecution from our peers. This week we took the time to see what the Bible says about why we experience persecution and how to use that for God’s glory.

Our second lesson was entitled “Because of Christ.” In the lesson this week we saw that by identifying with Jesus we will experience persecution. Yet, there is a silver lining on any opposition we face. We actually bring glory to God when we suffer for His name.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• John 15:18-21
• John 16:33
• Luke 21:12-13
• Philippians 1:12-14

Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with these passages. I pray that you’re challenged as much as we have been by what we’ve been learning.


Next Steps...
During the week as you have time to talk with your teenager, consider asking the following questions:

• Why do you think Jesus encountered persecution when He was bringing a message of hope to the world?

• In what ways are we like Christ when we experience persecution?

• We read where Paul shared that his own imprisonment could be seen as joyful because it meant that others may hear about the Good News of Jesus. What is the modern day equivalent of this? How does this look in your life?

• How can I help you succeed in your spiritual walk with the Lord and encourage you when you experience opposition in life?

I am excited to have the opportunity to partner with you on this journey to help your teenager go deeper in his or her relationship with Christ. Please let us know if we can help or answer any questions for you!


REMINDERS
BEACH CAMP 2016 - $100 DEPOSIT/REGISTRATION DUE (Form and payment guarantees spot for you and/or a guest)
*Check registration brochure (HSM/MSM Desks) for info on siblings and guests discounts


SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
Combined MSM & HSM “FUEL” with special guest – Isaac Tauaefa / Wed, April 13

MSM “Tacky Prom” – MSM Room @ 6:30pm / Wed, April 20


HSM LUNCH-IN FUNDRAISER / Sun, April 17 (Following morning services)
*Great way to earn $ for mission trip or summer camp

HONDO MISSION TRIP / June 11-17
*If you missed this parent-student info meeting please make sure to grab an info brochure out of the youth rooms


If you don’t get the student ministry news e-mails or info through Facebook, please contact Linka, youth assistant, linka@nsbcweatherford.com.

We are glad that your family is a part of North Side!
Jim & Eric

Persecution: Lesson 1

Dear Parents,

What a special Easter weekend here at North Side! We hope you were one of the 2,800 plus participants who worshipped with us at some point during the weekend. HE IS RISEN!

We always need that as a daily reminder especially in these crazy times of political and cultural uncertainty in our nation or the “terroristic fears” that plague our planet. A potential outcome for believers following Jesus Christ is the risk of persecution – spiritually, socially, emotionally, or even physically.

This new series will focus on the topic of persecution over the next three weeks. We far too often aren’t looking for God to use our pain. One truth we can embrace, God doesn't waste pain. Whether it is emotional, physical or otherwise; God wants to use us as a shining light to the world around us for His glory. We are different than those around us. We live with a hope. Often because of our identification with Christ, we experience persecution from those who don’t know Him.

This week we began our study with a lesson entitled, “Paying the Price.” The goal of this lesson was the help students evaluate whether their lives are so closely identified with Christ that they might experience opposition as a result.

We looked at the following Scripture passages:

• Psalms 38:19-22
• Psalms 119:68-72
• Psalms 119:85-87
• Psalms 69:13-18
• Psalms 74:8-21
• Psalms 124:6-8
• Psalms 37:12-13

I hope you will be able to take the time to read these passages as well, so that you can have some context for following up with your teenager.

Next Steps...

During the next week as you have time to talk with your child, consider asking the following questions:

• What resonated with you from the first lesson persecution? Did you learn anything new that you didn’t know before?

• Can you think of times you felt left out, or worse, because of your faith? If so, how did it feel?

• How can we come to grips with the fact that every day, all over the world, young people and old alike will lose their lives simply because they believe in Christ? How can we compare that to what we experience because of our faith?

• How can I pray for you, particularly as it applies to your relationship with God?

Thank you so much for your support of our ministry and for choosing to make time to engage your child in their spiritual growth. Look for another Parent Page next week regarding our lesson!

REMINDERS

BEACH CAMP 2016 - $100 DEPOSIT/REGISTRATION DUE (Form and payment guarantees spot for you and/or a guest)
*Check registration brochure (HSM/MSM Desks) for info on siblings and guests discounts

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

MSM “GAME NIGHT” – NSBC Gym @ 6:30pm / Wed, April 6

Combined MSM & HSM “FUEL” with special guest – Isaac Tauaefa / Wed, April 13

MSM “Tacky Prom” – MSM Room @ 6:30pm / Wed, April 20


HSM LUNCH-IN FUNDRAISER / Sun, April 17 (Following morning services)
*Great way to earn $ for mission trip or summer camp

HONDO MISSION TRIP / June 11-17
*If you missed this parent-student info meeting please make sure to grab an info brochure out of the youth rooms

If you don’t get the student ministry news e-mails or info through Facebook, please contact Linka, youth assistant, linka@nsbcweatherford.com.

We are glad that your family is a part of North Side!
Jim & Eric

P.S. If you see this and are the first parent to email Jim at jim@nsbcweatherford.com the code BEACHBUCKS25, your child will get $25 off of their cost for beach camp in PCB this summer!