Jesus & Stuff: Lesson 1

Dear Parents,

Hello! I wanted to remind you about the study we’re doing on what Jesus had to say about our stuff. This week, the lesson was titled “Where’s Your Treasure?” In this lesson, we helped students learn that Jesus said it’s impossible to both love our stuff and truly love God, and we challenged them to grasp that their stuff is fleeting; only the impact they have for God will go with them to heaven.

We looked at the following Scripture passage:

• Matthew 6:19-24

Please take a few minutes this week to read this passage.

Next Steps...
During the next week as you have time to talk with your teenager, remember that one way that will help him or her to understand and apply what he or she has learned is to explain it to someone else. Use the following questions to guide your conversation:

• How did you respond this week to what you learned about Jesus’ teaching on stuff? Do you think it’s possible in real life to love both God and our stuff? How would that work?
• What of your stuff do you find yourself struggling with attaching too much value or importance to?
• In what ways does our family put too much importance on stuff? What can we do together to change our attitudes regarding this?

Coming Up...
Wednesday Nights during the Holidays

*Nov 30 HSM Band “Worship Night” / MSM to Kincaid’s

*Dec 7 MSM & HSM** Christmas Parties / MSM & HSM Rooms

**HSM Chili Cook-Off / Need parents to make favorite chili recipes (Let Jim/Linka know)

*Dec 14 Church-wide Family Christmas Party



HSM Christmas Outreach @ Beautiful Feet, Ft. Worth / Fri Dec 9*Bring a new, unwrapped Christmas present
*Load @ 5pm / Return @ 11pm / Bring $ for snack/supper on way home

2017...*Jan 4 Community DNOW Preview Night @ NSBC / 6:30pm
*Jan 13-14 HSM Missions Weekend @ Beautiful Feet Ministries, Ft. Worth
*Feb 17-19 DNOW17

Jesus & Loving Others: Lesson 4

Dear Parents,

Thank you for encouraging your teenager to attend our Bible study series Jesus and Loving Others. We concluded the series with a study on what it means to be known or defined by our love for others. We talked about some people in the news and some throughout history who are well known because of something they either still do or something they did. We challenged the students to consider what they are known by, and what it would take for them to be known for showing the love of Christ to the world.

Here are the Scriptures that were used in this week’s lesson:

• John 13:31-35 
• John 15:12-13 

If you have time, take a moment to read these passages this week.


Next Steps...
Each week we close a lesson by looking at ways for your teenager to apply what he or she has learned in his or her life. This process of applying the Bible to life is especially important in the final lesson. Remember that real change takes place when we apply the Bible to our day-to-day life. With that in mind, see if you can engage your teenager by offering the some of the following challenges this week:

• Ask your teenager about the lesson this week and ask if there was any application associated with the study. 
• Ask about some family member who is or was known for something like a skill or a favorite food or maybe even a passion for God. Relate that to how Jesus wants His children to be known for their love for others. 
• Think about some ways that you can help engage your teenager in actively showing love to others. Is there a ministry opportunity near you or some ministry work you could help your teenager begin in your area? Encourage your child to get involved in loving others because of his or her love for God. 

We hope these past four weeks have been a great time of learning for both you and your teenager.


COMING UP...
HSM “FUEL” Movie Night / HSM Room @ 6:30pm*Wed, Nov 16 – “To Save a Life” (Movie Over by 8:30pm)

NO “FUEL” / Wednesday Night, November 23rd (THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY BREAK)

Jesus & Loving Others: Lesson 3

Dear Parents,

We are having a great time in our Bible study Jesus and Loving Others. This week we used Matthew 25:31-46 as our primary Scripture passage. We talked about how Jesus urged us to show His love to people He referred to as “the least of these.” Jesus identified these people as the hungry, the thirsty, the outcast, those in need of clothing, the sick, and those in prison. After looking at Jesus’ teaching, we took some time to discuss who “the least of these” would be in your student’s life and what he or she could do to show the love of Christ to those people. It was a great discussion.

Here are the Scriptures that were used in this week’s lesson:

• Matthew 25:31-46
• Deuteronomy 15:7-8 

Next Steps...
Here are some questions you may want to ask your teen this week to help him or her further grasp the lesson on loving those who need it the most:

• Why do you think Jesus was so focused on loving those who are truly needy? 
• Who are some people you talked about that might be considered “the least of these” in your world? 
• What are some practical things our family can do to show God’s love to the poor and the needy in our community? 
• In what way has your understanding of God’s love changed after the lesson you had this week? 

Thanks for supporting our ministry and for continuing to lead your teenager closer to Christ. Let me know if I can do anything to help in any way.


COMING UP...
Combo “Fuel” / HSM Room @ 6:30pm*Wed, Nov 9 – Eric Peters Concert

Fall Retreat*MSM / Nov 11-13, 2016 @ Sky Ranch, Van, TX

HSM “FUEL” Movie Night / HSM Room @ 6:30pm*Wed, Nov 16 – “To Save a Life” (Movie Over by 8:30pm)