Monday, May 18, 2009
SessionSunday May24
Hey guys, considering this weekend is Memorial Day weekend, I thought we would do things different this week. We have been hitting these lessons pretty hard and have been in some unchartered water over the past few weeks. We have learned a whole lot of new stuff that the kids have never studied before. With that said, this week we will REVIEW what we have learned over the past weeks. We will do Session 90: Humanism on Sunday May 31. I think we need this week of review so we don't get in too big of a hurry and miss some important stuff in all these lessons. If you get finished early, use this time for outreach, planning a class party, game time, social time, etc. I think you get the picture. Here's the deal: I know we all have been busy and have a whole lot going on, but I think we need to focus more on what we are teaching. The blog has been very very quiet over the past few weeks. I know that I have not given you anything that you do not already have, but it encourages me to see each of you respond. We need each other in order to learn more about what we are teaching. I also know that each of you are encouraged by the comments of others. Please, Please, Please help me in trying to blog each week. Just let me know that you are reading what we are posting. If not, do you guys think this is something we can do without? Just asking!? Is the blog helpful or do you view it as extra work? Let me know. Please blog this week to let me know you understand the plan for Sunday. Thanks for all you do! Billy
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7 comments:
I think that is a great idea! We have covered a lot of information and the kids (as well as us) need to revisit some of it.
Seth Boyette made a very profound comment yesterday in regard to why some countries do not help their poor. He said that they believe that it is that person's karma and they are being punished for sins of a former life. I had really never thought of that before, but I do believe it is true in many cases.
I have really enjoyed these lessons and learned alot. Mostly, I have learned how hard it is to witness to some of these other "religions". We commented yesterday on our beliefs having some rules and many of these religions letting the believer make up the rules as they go. Which would you choose if you were a teenager?? Rules or no rules?? This is why it is so hard sometimes!
We have to equip our kids to know what they believe and WHY they believe it. Many of them have their parent's faith and not their own. Eventually, they have to own it and many choose not to.
Billy, I read the blog each week. I enjoy hearing what others are saying and have used some of ya'lls stuff. Or at times I have had a direction in mind and read the blog and changed that direction.
Debbie you are right. This past week, we got a little off topic when discussing absolute truth, a female student said she didn't agree with abortion, but thought it should be that women's decision. After spending less than 10 minutes going over the basics of, is something being killed?, what is it? who determines what it is? and then explaining the abortion procedure and partial birth abortion, this young lady was horrified. Why? She didn't know! We assume, or I do too often, that our kids know, they don't! Another student excitedly told the story of how they were in a car with their friends this past week and saw some Mormons on Bikes. One friend said Mormons believe in re-incarnation. The student proceeded to explain that re-incarnation was a Hindu belief and why they believe it.
That's the key folks. We are developing the World View that will carry these kids through life. We are competing with a public school system, in most cases, that have these kids 40hrs a week and television that has them for another 15 hrs. at a minimum. We've got 1 hour vs aprox 55hrs. That is a loosing scenario, OH!.....but wait!....we have an ace in our hand, the Holy Spirit, and the Truth in the form of the Word of God. The Bible is true, if not May 31st lesson will win. PRAISE TO THE LION OF JUDAH!
I think a time to review is good. We always take time for a quick review in our class. I think it primes the student’s brain activity. It’s lets them and me know that we’re actually retaining some life changing information. It also gives me a good starting point with the lesson yet to be taught. Now, I’ll respond to Billy’s comments with regards to the pros of this blog. I couldn’t help but notice a common denominator in his statements. Billy listed at least four reasons we should blog. Number one……. He is encouraged by it. Man, what more could we ask for? A leader that actually cares what we think, teach, and better yet, what the students are learning. Number two……Because we can learn from one another. How great is that? I’ve certainly grown as a result of the opinions, and sometimes facts of others. Thanks to all of you! Number three……We’re encouraged by the comments of others. I know I’ve been inspired by many of the comments posted. Many times I reach for my bible just to support or refute an opinion. Either way, it results in growth. Number four…… Posting provides accountability. Billy just wants to know that we’re prepared to teach. If we have time to study, we must have time to blog. The common denominator is “encouragement” and/or the effects of it. Encourage is defined : to inspire with confidence: to give hope or courage to: to contribute to the progress or growth of. The bible uses a much stronger word for encourage. The word is “exhort”. Exhort is defined: to force or impel in an indicated direction: to urge on or encourage especially by shouts.
( Hebrews 3:13) But EXHORT one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
There you have it! The bible says to exhort one another daily. Since we don’t see one another daily, I think this blog serves as an excellent source of exhortation.
By the way Billy, you failed to mention that this blog was presented as a substitute for weekly meetings. I think that was a wise decision. This is much more convenient as I have an abundance of time from 10 to 12pm.
Cool video Paul!
I meant 10pm to 12am. Man its gettin late. See ya'll tommorrow. I prat you guys have a great day tommorrow.
I think the blog is a great tool. I usually print it every week and put in a folder with my study folder. Many of you make me see a different point of view and open my eyes to a world of new knowledge. Even as the youth minister’s wife, I fail to blog the way I should. I often get caught up in everything that is happening at work and at home and make that my excuse not to blog. I do however read it every week. I promise I will do better.
As for our last few lessons, the kids amaze me about how much they know about these religions but my seven graders have informed me that they have studied most of these in world history of course they don’t cover Christianity.
Crystal
Good video Paul! Thanks for being faithful in providing that for us each week. Trey told me this week that he took a test and was able to answer one of the questions because he learned about the religion in SS. Keep up the good work. Is anybody else out there? Let me know that you know what the plan is for Sunday!!
I've just read your blog,and have already studied for this week, but feel overwhelmed by all the info that is new to me. I wanted so much to do a review over the past weeks due to my not being there and needed to dig a little deeper into the ones I've missed, so this is an answer to prayer. God knew that I needed the review even if the students don't. My main objective is to get them to be strong and not afraid when someone of another religion talks with them as well as to be able to pray for them and/or witness or be a witness to them.
I will try to be more faithful in blogging now with more time on my hands.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support, as well as your friendship.
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