Your Will Be Done

OK OK - Fuel was great and some of you have to be gone this weekend I really want to find a way to stay connected. That is why I'm writing these blogs. I'd like you and event the confirmation kids to read them and comment on them. Am I dreaming too big? "Thy will be done" is a BIG topic because it can encompass so much. Earth, heaven, God's Will, etc, where should we even begin?

What kind of BIG risk have people taken? What kind have you taken? What about that movie, "National Treasures: Book of Secrets," Nicholas Cage trys to kidnap the president - pretty risky. What about Martin Luther, standing up to the Pope with the risk of excommunication and being burned at the stake - pretty risky. What are you willing to take risks for - things that matter or things that are just to have a thrill? How do we even begin to understand God's will for our life?

Well, how about brain storming some things: daily quiet time for prayer, reading the Bible, serving people who are needy, signing up for the mission trip, helping out around the church, helping an elderly neighbor, interview some people around church about what they think God's will is - take notes and report back. Look up some bible passages that talk about God's will and write them down and post them around church. Give me some feedback when you get a chance. Thanks to all the teachers who love the Lord and are serving the youth of our congregation. Thanks to the kids for being here and to the parents who help make confirmation real at home too. God will bless you for your efforts.

Fuel Worship

This Sunday is the Fuel Worship - you have an option as teachers to attend the Fuel Worship Service or to have class. At least two of the students will be part of the band that morning. Our focus will be on Trust - which really fits with the next session which is "your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Please mark your calendars for October 25th at 7:00PM. I'd like us to have a conference call meeting to discuss how things are going, what we can improve, and any needs we have. Also please try to be at the Confirmation Service on the 31st at 10:45AM worship. Thanks for your ministry to the kids and for sharing in this important ministry. I will look forward to hearing from you and receiving input on how things are going. I will also be doing a video sometime in the next month on the Lord's Prayer that you might be able to show via DVD or YouTube during class time. I will keep you posted as to when that is available. Blessings.

Holy - Hallowed - be Your Name

God is holy and the 6 - 8th graders will be challenged into thinking about holiness and what that means. To be holy actually means to "belong to God." an immediate thought came to mind that you could make labels that said, "Belongs to God" and go around the church and place the label on people and things around the church. It is active and sends a message and I could even talk about during worship. The kids could each wear a label that said, their name and then "belongs to God" underneath.

Middle school kids need action, movement, teamwork, and independence. They love snacks too so hurray for those of you who thought of that. You could have each family volunteer to bring a snack each week or take up a special offering for snacks each week - but food is a help. Feel free to move around the building, next door park, and try out spaces that might be an alternative setting to the classroom. Even BJ's restaurant once in awhile is ok - like as a special treat for a month's perfect attendance.

Consider ways that God is "disrespected" in culture today - music, art, movies, etc. Why is this happening? What are ways we can honor God? Having our Bible with us, wearing a cross, talking with others about our church, bringing friends with us, brainstorm a little on this. Use a video clip if you like - I'm trying to get a TV or projector in every classroom so you can hook up dvd or computer - I have a mobile cart right now so you need to let me know if you need it the week before so I can reserve it for you (except in the CARE Room). Ask the High School kids to help you out if you like (they are in the Youth Room) and perhaps they could do a moveable skit and act out part of the lesson - call Jill Klingbeil or Jaunda Kneller to see if they might help out. Take over a bulletin board in the church to help drive a point home - what would they want on it - there is one in the lower hall, one in the CARE Room, and one in the lobby (Atrium) I could let each class have to do something related to the Lord's Prayer.

Consider a "prayer walk" walk around a block nearby and pray for each family in each house of that block. Maybe even leave a little flyer at the house telling the resident that your class is praying for them today. Have your class lead the Lord's Prayer in church using the modern translation - that will shock a few and make them think.

Always think outside the box with Middle Schoolers. They love it when you give them assignments and make them get involved - they love action and movement.

Also don't forget to start the day by making the sign of the cross (reminds us that we are baptized) - the Lord's Prayer, Apostle's Creed, Great Commandment, Great Commission, and Ten Commandments. If we say these in unison each week by the time they take the test in 8th grade it will be so well known that they will have no problem remembering them.