Discussion Q's for 9/28

Big idea: The people in our lives will have an impact on the direction of our lives. Bad company will lead us down bad paths.

• Students: Share how Jezebel was "bad company" for King Ahab.
• Parents: How have you seen "bad company" have a negative impact on a person's life?
• Students: What do you think is most difficult about not spending time with "bad company"?
• Parents: What advice do you have for your student to avoid the negative impact of "bad company"?

I hope you have some great discussion!

Pastor Dave

Cool missions deal

Missions is a big deal to us in the Herd and I wanted to share a cool thing we started today to help keep missions on our minds and hearts. Thanks to technology we can do live video chats with anyone in the world that has access to the internet for free.

We searched and found a couple of missionaries that will connect well with the students and were willing to chat with us so that the students can hear from them about their missionary work.

This morning we talked with Kevin and Nozomi who are missionaries in Japan. It was after 1:00 am their time, but they were up and ready to talk with us and share their ministry with us. And before we "hung up" one of the students was able to pray for them. They were praying together in real time thousands of miles apart! That's cool stuff!

We're hoping to use this great technology to further implant missions into the DNA of the Herd and the students. Pray that God will make it happen.

Pastor Dave

Discussion Q's for 9/21

Big idea: In the story of God calling Elisha to serve Him, we see that God has a call on each of our lives that we must be ready and willing to follow.

• Students: Share a few details about the West family (be sure to include the story of how they responded to God's call).
• Parents: Share about a time that you sensed God speaking to you directly or through another person or circumstance.
• Student: Share with your family how you responded to the message this morning.
• All: What mission do you think God is calling your family to this school year?
• All: Pray that your family will be able to hear God's voice leading you and that your hearts will be ready to respond.

OK, most of these weren't actually questions, but we hope they prompt great discussion anyway!

Pastor Dave

Prayer

Here are some more prayer requests as we move further into the semester.

• Pray that the visitors that came to the Kickoff will be folded into the small groups and have more opportunities to hear the gospel and begin a relationship with God.
• Pray that the regular Herd students will bond in their small groups and quickly be ready and open to God working in their lives.
• Pray for the upcoming fall retreat - pray for all the logistics and preparation and for Dan and I as we prepare messages to share with the students.

Knowing that prayer is one of your greatest contributions to this ministry, thank you for your prayers on our behalf.

Pastor Dave

Discussion Q's for 9/14

Big idea: In 1 Kings 18:1-15 we see 3 different attitudes toward God - indifferent, hostile, and love.

• Students: Tell about an Ahab (indifferent), Jezebel (hostile to God), or Obadiah (loved God) in your life.
• Parents: How have you seen indifference to God affect someone in your life?
• All: Which of these attitudes poses a threat to your faith and why?
• All: Pray for one of the character types in your life.

Enjoy the discussion!

Pastor Dave

Pray for the small groups

Pray for the small groups (leaders and students) as we begin a new year together. Pray that...

• God's Spirit will saturate each group with His power to change lives.
• the students will settle into the groups and begin to build strong, healthy friendships.
• the leaders will quickly learn about their students and build lasting bridges into their lives.
• students who are far from God will take great steps closer to Him.

Pastor Dave

Talk about it

Wouldn't it be great to know what your Jr. High student learns in WIRED so you could talk about it with them? We think that would be pretty cool too.

So...beginning September 7 we will be sending home a few discussion questions to prompt family discussion about the topic that day in WIRED. We'll post them here on the parent page as well since students are notorious at losing things that are sent home!

For September 7

The big idea: God has a plan for our lives and the power to make it happen.

Questions:

• Parents: How have you seen that God has a plan for your lives?
• Students: What's your favorite example of God's power to make His plan happen?
• All: What are some ways you can discover God's plan for your life?
• All: What do you think is the biggest challenge(s) to follow God's plan for your life?

Hope these questions get you talking with your student!

Pastor Dave