figuring out God’s plan – a lesson for the graduate

This lesson is designed to help lead youth into identifying God’s plan for their lives; which may not be as hard as they may think!
In this lesson:

• Realize that God has a plan for you!
• Recognize His plan for you is unique and specific.
• Realize you do not choose your plan, but discover it.
• Identify ways to help you discover His plan for you!

Click here to download this lesson.

how can a Christian love what they don’t like?

God tells us to love our neighbors, therefore Christians must do just that to everyone they come into contact with, if they truly want to please God. “There is no greater commandment…” (Mark 12:30-31). This even includes those waitresses you think twice about tipping and the telemarketers that refuse to take “No” for an answer. It may be a hard concept to digest for the most seasoned believer, but the even bigger conquest is figuring out how to go about doing this.

How does a Christian truly love someone they don’t agree with, especially in heated issues like homosexuality? A lesbian student, Constance McMillen, requested to escort her girlfriend to the senior prom in Jackson, MS. (Associated Press). Soon after, the Itawamba County School district canceled the dance “due to the distractions to the educational process caused by recent events.”

The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi filed a lawsuit on 18-year-old Constance’s behalf, seeking a court order for the school to hold the prom, allow her to escort her girlfriend and wear a tuxedo. The ACLU previously demanded that banning same-sex prom dates violated students’ rights and that not allowing her to wear a suit violated her free expression rights. Who knows if the board was full of well-intentioned individuals or just the opposite, but from a believers’ perspective, did this situation breed love?

Since circumstances like this are not specifically mentioned in the Bible, how do we figure out just exactly “what would Jesus do?” We all know that Jesus is a not a “respecter of persons” (Romans 2:11). You never see Jesus in the Bible anywhere shaming away any of the biggest sinners… He still was gentle towards the woman at the well, the tax collectors, etc. The only time you even see him get angry at anyone was at the religious leaders who were so high-minded on the smallest issues that they missed the very definition of what it means to love (Matthew 15, 21:12).

Does loving Constance mean to block her from attending prom because she is going astray from God’s plans and attempt to save her from herself and from potentially influencing other students to honor what God does not?

Or does loving Constance mean to stay secure in who you are in Christ, but allowing her to attend prom in the manner she wants to because it’s her decision how to live her life?

In the eyes of a believer, homosexuality goes against God’s commandments. But not everyone in this world is a believer. And it is a Christian’s duty to still love everyone, including Constance, but what would be the best example of it?

“i’m about to graduate…so what’s next?”

Are you confused about what to do not that you are finished with high school? Have your college plans been shattered?  Are you afraid of what is ahead of you in this next phase of your life?  Do you think you have your plans all mapped out and know exactly what direction you are going?  Well, this devotion is for you!

Click here to download this devotion. 

ellen on idol!

By Valerie Kennedy
XYM Entertainment Researcher

America…what do you think of Ellen DeGeneres as a judge on American Idol?

We are now in Season 9 and the first week of the Top 12 contestants has begun.  I have to tell you this season has drawn me in and it isn’t because of the new contestants.  It is because of the new judge Ellen DeGeneres.  This is Ellen’s first season on American Idol replacing former judge Paula Abdul who had been a judge since Season 1. Many have mixed feelings on having Ellen on the judge panel.  Some say what does she know about music?  I feel that she represents a voice for America.  While the other 3 judges may be able to give input on the pitch, tone, or the selection of song, Ellen speaks from the heart and gives good and constructive criticism.  She keeps me tuned in because I always want to know if she is going to say what I am thinking.  I don’t know about you, but I will continue to watch Season 9 of American Idol and Ellen welcome to the show!

Examples readers what do you think?  Take our poll to the right!

celebrity head game

Materials:

Three headbands or headpieces that you can stick paper into

10-15 index cards

Marker

 Instructions:

1.)    Get three headbands or headpieces onto which you can slot or stick a piece of paper or card into it. 

2.)    Make sure you have 10-15 cards, and write the name of a celebrity in big letters on each card. 

3.)    Then choose three volunteers to sit in front of the group. Place a headpiece with a card on each volunteer. 

4.)    Be careful not to let them see the name of the person on their headpiece. It’s their job to guess which name is on their head, but the catch is the answer can only ask “yes” or
“no” questions. (For example, “Am I a male?”  “Am I on TV?”)

5.)    Each person can ask as many questions as they want until they get a “No” answer, then it goes to the next person and so-on until eventually someone guesses and they are declared the winner!

6.)    This works well if you throw in a ‘local’ celebrity (such as the Youth Pastor, etc)