Exposed Messages

We’re now two weeks into our Exposed series and we’ve gotten a great response so far. I’ve heard from a number of parents interested in more information about what we’re discussing so I wanted to pass on what I can to help best equip you to talk with your child. It could also be helpful if you’ve had to miss one of the weeks for any reason.

The series is based on something done at another church so I’ve attached their original outlines. I’ve also included mp3s of the audio for each message so far and even video (it’s a rough cut as we originally only intended to use the audio) of week two’s message.

1. 2/13- What was God thinking? -- Original outline,Message audio(right click to download)
2. 2/20- What went wrong? -- Original outline, Message audio(right click to download), Video (low quality…first try by one of our students but could still be helpful)
3. 2/27- What’s a Jr. Higher to do? -- Original outline, Message audio (right click to download)

PARENTS: This can be a tough topic to discuss with your kids but I’d encourage you to take advantage of this as an excuse to talk for the first time, or talk more in depth, about these topics. Look over the things we’re discussing in this series and then set aside a time now to get some ice cream or go to starbucks and talk things through. With such an important topic we want to make sure we address it with our kids at church but the real lessons will be learned, and lived, at home and throughout the week.

As always, if you’ve got any additional questions or if there is any way we can help, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Finally, as a little added bonus, you can check out our Jr. High band leading us in the song Like a Lion from this past Sunday.

*Post updated 3/1/11 to include final message audio

Exposed Series

In a world where students are bombarded with false messages about love and sex every day, it is vital that they hear the truth about God’s plan. On February 13th we will begin a new 3 week series in Velocity called Exposed: God’s Plan for Love & Sex. We’ll cover three big questions:

1. What was God thinking? – God’s plan, intended for man & woman inside marriage
2. What went wrong? – Four lies the the world tells about sex
3. What’s a Jr. Higher supposed to do? – Five steps toward purity

Parents: Obviously this series will address topics a little more sensitive than an average Sunday. They will all be Jr. High age appropriate but if parents have questions or concerns they are free to contact ChrisS@wschurch.org. If you feel your student isn’t ready to hear this material they are welcome to attend adult worship/ABF with you instead during the series.

R.O.O.T.S. Series

To kick off 2011 we’ll be going through a new series on spiritual growth called, R.O.O.T.S. It focuses on equipping students to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Each week kids will be challenged with a new way they can begin growing to develop their own faith. To help them, we’ve designed spiritual growth tools for each week’s topic. You can preview each of the tools right now.

In addition to the ROOTS tools for students, we’ve created a parent discussion guide for families to use together. You can download a copy here or pick one up in E205 this week. Then use it to talk with your family about how you are all growing and how you can help each other develop spiritually.

STUFF: Toast

This week we continued our series called “Stuff.” Each week we’re taking a look at a different everyday object to see how we can use it to apply God’s word to our lives.

This week we took a close look at Toast. We played Toast Toss, watched Toast videos and most importantly talked aboutwhat God can teach us through something as simple as toast. As we try to discover God’s plan for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11), we’ve got to learn to understand God’s timing. Just like with toast, if we try to rush it we end up with something undercooked and if we don’t watch and look for how God it working we can get burnt. In the end, the most important thing is learning to trust God’s timing (Proverbs 3:5-6) and know that he wants to lead us in an incredible life, even if we don’t always understand it at the time.

STUFF: Trash

This week we continued our series called “Stuff.” Each week we’re taking a look at a different everyday object to see how we can use it to apply God’s word to our lives.

This week we took a close look at Trash. One of the grossest chores we have to do can be taking out the trash. The key is not ignoring it and letting it build up on you. Our lives are the same way. We all have garbage in our lives (sin) and God wants to help us clean it out. Just like taking out our literal trash, we need to: 1) Look for the trash in our lives (ask God to show us our sin – Psalm 139:23-24), 2) Take out a load (confess to God and sometimes others – 1 John 1:9) and 3) Repeat that process regularly.

STUFF: Toothpaste

This week we kicked off a new series called “Stuff.” Each week we’ll be taking a look at a different everyday object to see how we can use it to apply God’s word to our lives.

This week we took a close look at Toothpaste. When you use toothpaste you have to remember 1) to be careful not to let too much out, 2) once it is out it can’t be put back, 3) it can really make a mess. We saw that our words are exactly the same. James 1:19 tells us to be cautious with our words and James 3:2-5 talks about the importance of controlling the things we say.

Our challenge this week is to control our words, especially with family, friends and siblings, and use them to build others up rather than speaking in anger and tearing them down.

Velocity Pictures – July

A little over a month ago Velocity transitioned out of our old room (E200) into a new room down the hall (E205). We’ve had a blast transitioning into such great new space. Here are just a few pictures of what we’ve been up to on Sunday mornings over the last month or so in E205.

On Location: Eiffel Tower

Our theme this summer is On Location. Each week we’re taking a look at different locations from around the world to see what God may want to teach us.

This week Ben spoke about lessons from the Eiffel Tower. If we want to build something great with our lives we need to make sure we have the strong connections that come from great friendships. Jesus gave us some valuable instructions about choosing friends in John 15:10-17. We need to look for friends who are 1) Obedient to God’s Word, 2) Loving and 3) Fruitful.

This week step back and examine the friends that you have and ask yourself if they’re going to help build you up or tear you down. Are they the kind of people you want your life to reflect?

Beyond just thinking about the kind of friends other are to you, also consider the kind of friend you’re being to others. Is there someone around you that could use your help as a good friend?

From Jealous to Content

This weekend in Velocity we concluded our series called eMotion. Each week we’ve been discussing how we can move from one negative emotion toward a more positive one.

This week we talked about how we can move from Jealousy to Contentment. We live in a society that pushes us to want more and need more all of the time. Being content goes against everything society tells us. But in Philippians 4:11-13 Paul tells us that with God’s help we can learn to be content in every situation. We can do that because we know that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11-14) and he wants to give us good things (James 1:17).

We watched a video about a father whose son really wanted a little ball from a mall kiosk. But the father had something so much better in store for his son, if only he would trust him. This week, “when you find yourself standing at the kiosk, asking, ‘Why can’t I have what I want?’ may you believe that God is good, and that across the street he has something better.”

Moving from Despair to Joy

This weekend in Velocity we started a new series called eMotion. Each week we’ll be discussing how we can move from one negative emotion toward a more positive one. This week we discussed moving from despair to joy.

Just like the fishermen at Pikes Peak Fish Market, everyday we wake up we have the opportunity to choose joy. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16 we are even commanded to “Be joyful always.” That can be hard when trials (James 1:2-3) but unlike happiness, joy isn’t based on what happens around us but the fact that Christ is with us.

To live each day with joy we need to choose our attitude (let our attitude follow our actions) and dwell on things we’re thankful for rather than the things that discourage us.

Parents – This week we encouraged students to find a few minutes each morning to begin the day by focusing on things they’re thankful for or things they’re looking forward to that day. Consider taking the challenge as a family. At breakfast each morning have everyone share something they’re looking forward to that day and something they’re thankful for.