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Who I amReside in St. Louis Missouri currently, Lived in California & Colorado.Husband.Father.Pastor.Football Enthusiast.Teacher.Learner.Dreamer.Reader.Friend. [thoughts & comments blogged here are my reflections living life trusting Jesus as God]

Monday, February 06, 2012

It's New

The Month of January we did a series called "It's New" in our student ministry.  We focussed on the truth that a life altering faith decision with Jesus means EVERY aspect of our life and the way we live needs transformed.  Everyday "It's New".  Each week we had one word as a key thought to hold onto as well as an attempt at a visual with the key verse.  The series was a good way to start off 2012 and had some decent feedback from students each Sunday.


The Key word each week was;
Week 1- LIFE 2 Corinthians 5:17
Week 2- MINDSET Romans 12:1-2
Week 3- LIFESTYLE Colossians 3:1-17
WeeK 4- FOUNDATIONS Mark 4:1-11
Week 5- COMMUNITY 1 Thessalonians 2:8


The biggest learning I had from teaching this series to our students was the reminder that students need pointed to the transforming imagery of the cross.  Our lives should look differently and they won't "just happen" unless we diligently understand the desire God has through His Holy Spirit to transform us so the outward evidence is blatant!


I also learned how many of our students, grown up in the church or not, needed a healthy reminder that life is NOT about them as a follower of Jesus.  South Orange County is such an animal that loves to devour the identity of Christ followers with distractions of sports, accolades, prestige, money, fame & apathetic lives that get bragged about.  To live countercultural isn't just a good metaphor for our students but it is a daily struggle.


After living in several regions & being a part of leading ministries there I am confident in saying that Southern California is one of the HARDEST places to have a healthy student ministry because of the lifestyle surrounding our students!  


I'm not naive enough to know that this message is probably already forgotten by our students but I'm glad we tackled this series and can build off it as a reference from now till the summer!


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