&nbs= p; &nbs= p; March 2008	&nbs= p; April 2008
Your Passion Becomes Their Passion = “Like father, = like son” and “Like mother, like daughter” may not apply very often to you and your teenagers. But you’re having more of an influ= ence on your kids than you may realize. We’ve always known that parents’ faith is important for kids’ spiritual development. = Now some landmark research shows just how crucial your beliefs are. The National Study of Youth and Religion recently found that three out of four religious teenag= ers consider their own beliefs to be similar to those of their parents. What’s more, 77% of teenagers who belonged to a congregation said t= hey expected to be part of a similar congregation at age 25. Teenagers aren’t likely to come right out and admit that their parents are serving as role models. Sometimes you probably feel like your kids don’t even want to associate with you. But another major NSYR findi= ng is that most teenagers desire to have stronger relationships with their parents. They just aren’t sure how to make it happen. So that’= ;s where you come in! It’s up to par= ents to take the lead with faith discussions in your home. When you’re passionate about your beliefs, that passion will be contagious. Academic = studies and real-life examples prove that parents who strive to live out a devoted Christian faith raise kids who tend to do the same. Read on for tips and ideas about developing and passing along this passion.=
= Helpful Hints *NSYR researcher Christian Smith, author of Soul Searching,* offers this advice for parents of teenagers: 1. Don’t= be afraid of your kids or afraid of teaching them. Don’t= worry about not seeming “cool” when you relate substantial truths. Teenagers desire to be challenged in their faith walk.<= /p> 2. Work on your overall relationship with your teenagers. Organized youth groups are important, but kids benefit the most from significant bonds with mature, loving adults. Kids long to have respected grown-ups spend time with them “through the stuff of their ordinary lives,” Smith says.= 3. Play an act= ive role in youth ministry.** For better or worse, you’re the most import= ant “pastors” your kids will ever have. Instead of handing off all the responsibility of spiritual development to your church or a youth gro= up, look for ways to get involved with these faith-formation efforts.	= <= /p> Here are some more results from the NSYR: · &nbs= p; Half of the= teenagers surveyed said faith is “very important” or “extremely important” in their lives. · &nbs= p; Only 8% of teenagers said they’re “spiritual but not religious.” · &nbs= p; Teenagers who say th= eir parents love, understand, or pay attention to them are more likely to be religiously devoted than are their peers who say their parents don’= t love, understand, or pay attention to them. · &nbs= p; Of the teenagers who attend worship services, 70% rate their congregation as a “very good” or “fairly good” place to discuss serious issues or problems. = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; (National Study of Youth and Religion= ; Soul Searching)

Great Questions =

to Ask Your Kids

Although adolescence is a crucial time for faith formation, the process is never complete. Use these questions to talk with your kids about their under-construction beliefs:

1. How important is your faith to you? Would you say it’s your No. 1 priority? Why or why not?<= /span>

2. What aspects of believing in God a= re the easiest and the hardest for you, and why?

3. Do you know someone who’s passionate about God? If so, what do you admire most about him or her?

4. Are you being a spiritual example,= or mentor, for anyone right now? Explain.

5. If you could change one thing about our relationship, what would it be, and why?

Pray<= /b> that:<= /o:p>

1.<= span style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>    <= /span>God will strengthen your own faith and keep you focused on your relationship with = him.

2.<= span style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>    <= /span>God will he= lp you be a good spiritual example for your family and a trusted mentor for your kids.

3.<= span style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>    <= /span>Your teenag= ers will desire to grow closer to God and to you.

4.<= span style=3D'font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>    <= /span>Your teenag= ers will remain passionate about their faith throughout their lives.

Verse= of= the month

“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying h= is commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generat= ion of godly people will be blessed.” (Psalm 112:1-2)=

=

As our heavenly Father, God is worthy= of our honor, respect, and love. This mirrors the ideal relationship between earthly parents and their children. Parents aren’t perfect (just ask your teenagers!), but moms and dads who strive to live godly lives leave a lasting legacy for their kids—and for many generations to come. Obe= dience, whether it’s to God or to parents, results in joy and growth. Becau= se God promises eternal “success” to those who trust in him, a spiritual heritage is the best gift you could ever give your kids.

What’s Up<= /span> Wi= th Kids

= ;

Great News, Mom and Dad!

3D"teen

It’s= not car keys, cash, an endless supply of entertainment, or invites to killer parties that make today’s teenagers the happiest. It’s not ev= en hobbies or popularity. According to the latest research, it’s spend= ing time with family!

Yes, it’s true. Research conducted by the Associated Press and MTV (yes, MTV!) found that chillin’ with the fam ranked first on the happy-meter. Spending time with friends finished second, followed by spen= ding time with significant others. Did you catch that? The top-three sources of happiness for kids today are based on relationships! Honorable mentions include “sports” in 10th place and “achieving success” in 20th.

The happiness survey, more than 100 questions long, pried into almost eve= ry area of kids’ lives. It measured everything from money to spiritual experience to pets. Want the best news yet? Of the 1,280 young people pol= led (ages 13-24), 73% said Mom and Dad make them happy. Told you it was good news!

(SimplyYouthMinistry.com)

T= his page is designed to inform and educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any music, movie, or product.
Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your kids lis= ten to, see, and wear.

MUSICSPOTLIGHT

Background: Teenage recording artist Chris Brown began singing at age 11. Two years la= ter, while Brown was working in his dad’s gas station, a local production team discovered him. His 2005 self-titled debut album featured the hit si= ngle “Run It!” Brown’s newly released second album, Exclusive, scored another No. 1 = hit with “Kiss Kiss.” Now 18, Brown also has an acting career. He appeared in the dance movie Stomp= the Yard and in TV shows such as = The OC, My Super Sweet 16, and The Suite Life of Zach and Cody.

Albums: Chris Brown (2005), Exclusive (= 2007)

What You Should Know: Brown’s music addresses relationships, often with inappropriate and sexually explicit lyrics.

What Brown Has to Say: When asked how he keeps the fun in success, Brown says, “I think just by being mys= elf. You don’t have a whole bunch of dummies around you. Keep the people that you like around you, and just be yourself.”

<= /p>

Discussion Questions: Is it good to hang out only with people who you like and h= ave stuff in common with? Why or why not? In your life, who keeps= you grounded? Are you able to “just be yourself” around your friends? Why or why not?

<= /o:p>

Background:= Deitrick Ha= ddon began leading worship at age 11, when he gave a sermon at his father̵= 7;s church. He led the choir at age 13 and later led the singing group Voices= of Unity. In 2002, Haddon launched his Christian R&B solo career with Lost and Found. It reached No. 1= on Billboard’s Top Gospel charts and earned much radio time on gospel = and mainstream R&B stations. While continuing his own musical career, Had= don, 25, also produces for other artists, including his wife, Damita.

Albums: Lost and Found (2002), Just the Hits (2005), 7 Days (2006), Voices of Unity (2007)

= ; &n= bsp;

What You Should Know: Haddon’s energetic praise-and-worship music has many influences: bluesy, soul, big ballads, and dance gospel.

What Haddon Has to Say: “Every time I do something, I s= eek to do it better and do something I believe God is calling me to do,” Haddon says. “I just do what God gives me; I don’t try to be anybody else. I don't let the industry or people dictate what I do.”= ;

= ;

Discussion Questions: What do you think God wants you to do with your life, and why? How can you know God’s will and plan? When you’re making decisions, how much do you let other people sway you?

Movie: Prom Night (released April 11) &nbs= p;

Genre: Horror/suspense<= /p>

Rating: PG-13 for violence and terror, some sexual material, underage drinking, and language

Synopsis: Donna’s senior prom is suppose= d to be magical. But when the night turns murderous, only one man could be responsible. To survive their prom night, Donna and her friends must esca= pe the rampage of an obsessed killer. (This is a remake of the 1980 horror film.)

Discussion Questions: What types of feelings do you have about the prom or other school dances? What might make them “magical”? What might make them difficult? How can you avoid some of the challenges kids ofte= n face at these big events?

3D0408

1	2	1	2	3	4	5
		Jr and Sr High Small Group at Church 6:30-8:30
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
		Jr and Sr High Small Group at Church 6:30-8:30		Youth Board 7-8:30pm		Parents Night Out 3:30-8:30
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
		Jr and Sr High Small Group at Church 6:30-8:30
20	21	22	23	24	25	26
		Jr and Sr High Small Group at Church 6:30-8:30				10am-Super Chic –girls at Mabry’s Super men at Church
27	28	29	30
		Jr and Sr High Small Group at Church 6:30-8:30