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.

“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)

is it okay to date a non-christian? (lesson)

There are many things that I believe the Bible gives very clear instructions on, but at the same time gives room for “heart intent” and grace for limited understanding and times of personal growth and maturity in the Word. The subject of this lesson, I believe, falls into this category.

1. No Communion with Unbelievers

Let’s start by looking at 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in
common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

The word yoked means to be “joined” together or to be “attached.”

When people fellowship or when you have a “communion”, there is some type of common association in which an “exchange” of some sort is happening.

Here are a few types of words used to describe fellowship and communion:

Share, community, association, joint participation…here are some deep ones…intimacy, intercourse (Oooo…)

Based on these words, this scripture is basically asking us:
“How can two people that are unequal have a true, intimate relationship?”

We are not saying that one person is better than the other. That’s not what this means.

It’s asking, “How can two people who believe differently, have different values and morals have an effective relationship”?

If you have made a decision to live a life according to God’s Word, it’s important that you do your best to put people in your life that have decided the same. If not, you may have a harder time, maybe even impossible time, trying to live a life pleasing to God and one filled with His blessings. You also will open your life up to a boat load of conflicts, arguments, disagreements, and DRAMA. From how to spend your money, how to raise your kids, how to resolve issues…when one person wants to do the Word and the other can care less about doing the Word…you get my drift. The Bible tells us that two people living like this CANNOT do any of the above effectively:

Amos 3:3 (New Living Translation)
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?

1 Corinthians 6:15 (New Living Translation)
What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

After reading this, it should be pretty clear what the Word of God instructs in regards to being in a romantic relationship with someone that does not confess Jesus as Lord AND does not desire to live according to the Word.

The answer is: We should not do it!

2. I Know People That Are Married but Only One Spouse is Saved…What About Them?

There are many, many circumstances where a couple is married and one person is saved and the other person isn’t.

This could happen for a number of reasons:
1. Neither were saved when they got married, but one became saved after the fact.
2. The saved partner didn’t know any better (regarding what the Word says) at the time they got married.
3. The saved partner really didn’t care that the other person was not saved and married them anyway.

Whatever the reasons are, God in His infinite wisdom has made allowances in His Word for this and has given the saved partner instructions on how to apply the Word:

1 Corinthians 7:12 – 15
12 Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. 13 And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. 14 For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. 15 (But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)

God also gives instructions on how a saved spouse can lead an unsaved spouse to Christ:

1 Peter 3:1 – 2
1 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.

Even though this scripture is talking to wives, the principle of living a godly life in front of your spouse applies to husbands as well in order for them to lead their unsaved wives to God.

In one area of the Word, God is clearly instructing us to not join ourselves in close relationships (like courting and marriage) with unbelievers, but also shows us how to live if we end up in a marriage with someone that does not believe the Word. God is so good to us.

3. What This is NOT Saying

OK, just to make some things clear, let’s outline a couple of things that this these scriptures are NOT saying:

a. They are not saying that you have a choice to enter into “either” a relationship with a Christian or one with a non-Christian.

Yes, ultimately it is our own choice and free will to do what we want to do, but the Word is instructing us on the best way to enter into a relationship, while also extending grace to those that did not enter into a relationship the best way.

b. They are not saying that a relationship will not work out if you don’t follow instruction #1.

On the contrary, God wants His goodness in our lives and has done all that He can to ensure we experience His goodness, even in our missteps.

Some may have parents that are not both saved. Life can still be good – for both them and for you.

Either application of the Word explained above will produce God’s goodness for all involved. One path may be a bit more challenging than the other, but good nevertheless.

Lesson Downloads
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caress thirus – june student spotlight winner

Reading while still wearing diapers: Impressive.
Being 16 years old with an Associates Degree: Quite Impressive.
Knowing God reigns first in your life: PRICELESS!

Caress Monet Thirus is a teenager on the move – heading to Roosevelt University in the fall and already planning to be a Dean’s List honoree. And while being young, talented and driven, she never forgets that her wit and strength come from a higher power.

“God has blessed me and my parents in such a way that I was an advanced student,” Caress says. “He allowed me to be reading by one, and I began first grade around the age of 2 or 3. Thankfully, I never fell behind.”

Caress never fell behind because she kept going forward. “I’ve never had a summer off,” she says laughing, “but it was worth it!” While her peers were preparing for a high school graduation, Caress was earning a Liberal Arts degree at Prairie State College.

Now, she’s focused on early childhood education. Once Caress finishes at Roosevelt, she’ll be qualified to teach children from birth to third grade. She also plans to do far more than studying before earning her bachelors degree.

“I am currently working on starting a Christian youth group in my subdivision,” Caress said. “I also want to learn to play guitar and piano because I’d love to be an established music artist.”

And just incase the music scene falls flat, Caress is already thinking of a “Plan B.” She intends to spend more time working with children this year. “I’d love to own a daycare center one day,” Caress adds.

Shockingly, underneath this innovative and mature spirit, Caress sometimes reminds people that she’s just a teenager. She enjoys watching kid shows and reality TV. She also loves pizza and the color aqua blue.

Still, her parents, Zane and Wynde Thirus have a right to be in awe of their daughter. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 where the Lord says: “I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not to abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (The Message Translation) ”

“It always helps me to put my trust in God and to forget about my circumstances,” Caress says. “It’s like my life story.”

Congratulations Caress on being our XYM Student Spotlight!

examples student spotlight nomination form

Do you have an outstanding student in your youth group that you think deserves some extra recognition?
Has your teen done something outstanding that you think others should know about?
Do you know of a student that has done something outstanding and you would like to share it?

Examples wants to know!
Each month Examples will spotlight a student nominated by a youth/ministry leader, parent, friend, or other adult in our newsletter, FB page, and website in order to share with others their achievement. Whether it be academic, athletic, ministry oriented, something outstanding at home, artistic, whatever – we want to know about it!

Examples will chose a winner each month from those submitted and that student will receive the following:
1. $15.00 i-Tunes Gift Card
2. (1) Youth Ministry Resource (a book or resource of our choice)
3. $10 Gift Certificate to a fast food restaurant of their choice

At the end of the year, one student will be chosen to win our grand prize to be announced later in the year.

How do you nominate your student?
Complete the form below and include the following:
1. Your Name
2. The Student’s Name
3. Where the student is from
4. Church Name/Youth Group Name (if applicable)
5. How to contact you
6. Description of why your student should be our Student Spotlight

That’s it!

Nominate your student NOW!

1. Your Name(required)
2. Student's Name(required)
3. Where student is from(required)
4. Church/Youth Group Name
5. Your Contact(required)
6. Description of why your student should be our Student Spotlight(required)
7. Please Enter Code

 

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‘Note To God’: Charice releases first single

Jennifer Hudson made “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” her trademark. So it can take a whole lot of guts to be just 15 years old and publically attempt to sing the song on the Ellen DeGeneres show.

But Charice Pempengco didn’t need guts – she’s got unspeakable talent.
As soon as Charice opened her mouth on Ellen’s show in December 2007, she proved that her vocals were as strong as the beat of the drum and a destiny was being fulfilled.

The now 17-year-old wonder appeared on the Oprah Show to perform her first U.S. single, “Note to God.” The song was released on May 18, and hit No.2 on Amazon’s MP3 Downloads Bestsellers and Hot New Releases the next day. The song even surpassed Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” and Beyonce’s “Halo,” according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

When Oprah asked the teen how it felt to sing her new song, Charice fought back tears.

“I’m about to cry because I was so nervous,” she said smiling. “I felt like I was going to faint because this is really big for me. I sang my first song…my own song…people are going to say that’s Charice’s song.”

There are millions of people saying just that! “Note to God” also ranked No. 9 on the ITunes charts the same week it was released.

The song describes an intimate conversation Charice would have with God if she wrote him a letter. Backed by a powerful choir, Charice prays for God to “helps us find a way,” “give us the strength to make it through… because it seems like so much is going wrong” and “for all the hate to be swept away for love.” And even with the soulful sound of the dozens of older choir members, Charice’s voice still leads the pack by a landslide.

Even though Charice is an international success, times weren’t always so great. The Philippine native began singing in amateur competitions as a child to make money for her family. Barely a toddler, Charice, her mother and younger brother left their father because of domestic abuse. It wasn’t until 2007 where Charice gained worldwide attention on YouTube.

Her album, which was produced by music superstar David Foster, will hit stores in the fall. Charice’s fame continues to grow as she works with big name artists. “Note to God” was written by the legendary Diane Warren, who’s known for Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” and Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart.”

As her appearance wrapped up, Oprah reminded Charice to remain humble with her newfound success. “I hope you keep your feet on the ground,” Oprah said, “even when you’re wearing better shoes.”

by Teresa Sewell

is dating in the bible? (lesson)

Is dating in the Bible? To answer upfront NO.

Dating, by definition, is a fairly new concept to our culture.

Now, as time goes on, new cultural and social practices will continue to be introduced and created.

Things will always be changing in this world we live in and social norms will continue to evolve.

It is because of this, however, that we should cling to what the Word instructs us regarding all areas of our lives so that we don’t stray too far from God’s original intent for His us.

Example:
God created music. He created it for our enjoyment and for His for that matter. The ways we listen to and enjoy music, however, has changed since the beginning of mankind. We are living in a world where we can access music from just about anywhere; the internet, our phones, music videos, downloads, etc. Even though the ease or access, distribution, and creation have changed, God’s original intent has not. The impact music has on and in us has not. Even though God desires for us to enjoy it, He also desires to be glorified in and with music. Also, no matter how music evolves, words will always, ALWAYS have great power.

Proverbs 18: 21 (Message Translation)
Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

So, no matter how technology advances, the words and lyrics we allow ourselves to listen to will always have the power of death and life in them.

The wisdom from the Word regarding music will always remain constant:
• Guard our hearts with all diligence, for out of our hearts come the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
• Evil communication corrupts good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
• Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. Whatever you sow you will reap. (Galatians 6:7)

The point is, no matter how society evolves the truths of the Word do not and will always apply to our lives in some shape or form.

The same is true regarding this whole dating thing.
We have to take the more modern day practice of dating and line it up the best we can with the models set in the Bible in order to get back to God’s original intent.

Matthew 1:18 (New Living Translation)
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the King James version, the word that was used instead of engaged was “espoused.”
This word means the following:

1 to woo her and ask her in marriage
2 to be promised in marriage, be betrothed

The word “espoused” implies that there was some type of relationship between Joseph and Mary before they were married.

Joseph, in some way or fashion, “wooed” Mary in order to win her affections.

This is HEALTHY and GODLY. There is nothing wrong with attempting to win over the affections of someone you like. BUT, God designed for this “wooing” to be going on towards the person we are considering for marriage.

We are not talking about casual attractions here.

We are talking about a person we are seriously considering to marry and be a potential parent for our children.

Now that we have a Biblical model, we should desire for our own personal life applications to follow suit.

Every ones own personal life experiences will merit different forms of applicability, but here are some considerations:

1. If you are in a relationship now, is it with someone that you can see yourself marrying?
2. If you are in a relationship now, do you find yourself interested in other people?
3. Do you go out on dates with different people only because you think it is fun to do?
4. Are you even ready to be considering marriage? Financially, in maturity, responsibly, spiritually?
5. Is marriage the farthest thing from your mind right now, but you still like going out alone with people you are attracted to, engage in kissing and other forms of affection with those people without desiring any type of serious commitment?

OK, so take your answers to those questions and then look back to the model of Joseph and Mary. If you are not “wooing” as a result of a desire and readiness for marriage, then you probably need to just hold off on serious relationships right now.

Just that easy, you are lining yourself up with the Word of God and setting yourself up to receive God’s best in this area of your life.

This is the walk of faith.

To sum this all up:
1. Dating is a fairly new concept to our culture.
2. There are no Biblical examples of “dating.”
3. Our desires regarding relationships, regardless of how our society and culture define them, should always strive to be in line with God’s original intent and plan.

Lesson Downloads
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happiness is not just for heaven

Choosing not to sin can potentially make you feel isolated from your peers and make you feel like the “right way” sometimes equals the “lonely way.” People point out that you don’t cuss or wonder why you choose not to blame it on the alcohol. But choosing God’s will for your life instead of Jamie Foxx’s or T-Pain’s way, will always, ALWAYS make up for seeming like the oddball. God will never leave you hanging. Obeying His Word is always worth it. You’ll reap what you sow; which means you’ll live a longer and fuller life. What can beat that? NOTHING CAN!

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.”

So, when you choose life, NEVER forget that despite your struggle to stay afloat in this world – staying away from the worlds way of doing and being happy – God cares about your happiness. Yes, staying righteous can be difficult, especially for young adults these days — that’s why so many people go astray. However, God wants those who follow Him to enjoy life too and have many blessings right here on earth…you don’t have to wait until heaven to see God’s promises.

Genesis 18:14

God told Sarah she would have a child at 90 years old. And she laughed! But He responded, “Is there anything too hard or too wonderful for the Lord?”

And at her appointed season, God gave barren and old Sarah her precious Isaac – the child she longed for all of her life. So go on and ask Him to bless your studying to pass that math test. Or heal your sick family member. Or don’t even be afraid to ask God to help you fund a trip to the movies with your friends.

Because there is clearly NOTHING your Heavenly Father won’t give you if it lines up with His Word and will for you (timing is always key!). He created ALL things so nothing is too impossible or too small for Him to accomplish in YOUR life.

Psalm 34:10

The young lions lack and suffer hunger ; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

And don’t be afraid to just ask the Lord to bless you and your future. Creative Recreation and Stilettos weren’t always here with the creation of the earth. Someone had to have a vision and believe that the shoes would sell and become big name companies. So don’t be afraid to ask Him for big requests. What vision does God have for your life? Ask Him so you can receive it. Believing in yourself is one thing, but having God in alignment with your dreams will lead to an amazing life above your imagination.

Look what happened to Jabez when he prayed for big things in 1 Chronicles 4-9:

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

NOTE: Be careful not to treat God like a genie who grants “wishes.” He needs for you to do your part too. If you ask Him for money to go out, show Him how appreciative you are obeying what His Word says regarding your money: tithing, giving offerings and alms, and saving the little money you do have. And when you ask Him to bless you in anything, sincerely believe in your heart that He will answer your prayer.

Psalm 37:4 (Amplified Bible)

Delight yourself (be flexible and moldable for God) also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

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