Lost in Translation Parent Cue (Week One)

This blog is your cue.  Every Wednesday we’ll post a “Parent Cue” which will tune you in to what we are talking about at theEDGE and cue you in on some steps you can take to lead your student into taking their next steps.  

Series Overview

We’ve all used words while being a little uncertain of the actual meaning. But when it comes to words like “belief,”  and “salvation,” our understanding makes a huge difference in how we live our Christian faith and how we view God. So, we’re going to take a look at these commonly used words and figure out not only what they mean today but what they meant to the writers of the Bible thousands of years ago. In other words, over the next two weeks we are going to take what may have been lost in translation and recapture and rethink it in a way that could transform us in ways we never imagined. 

Week One:  Refining the Relationship

We believe in God.  We believe in Jesus.  We believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  We believe that Jesus rose from the dead.  These are all beliefs.  We believe all of these statements of facts.  But way back in the day, to believe meant something different.   They didn't just believe facts about Jesus.  They believed, trusted, and committed to follow Jesus because they experienced Him first hand, not just because they were told to believe a list of facts.

Parent Cue
This week students will reflect upon their belief in Jesus.  Is it based on facts that they were told to believe or is it based upon personal experience with Jesus.  Students will spend time reflecting on the following questions in their small groups.

1.  Do you only believe in facts about Jesus?  OR  Do you believe in Jesus through a relationship and experience with Jesus?

2.  What in your life would change if your belief changed from believing in facts to experiencing Jesus?

Your cue this week is to spend some time reflecting upon these questions and engaging in conversation with your student about these questions.  This exercise is meant for you and your child to share together not just for you to ask your child.  This may not come naturally or easily, but as you stumble through it together, keep in mind that your vulnerability is one of the most effective tools in furthering your child’s personal spiritual journey.

Meet theEDGE Leaders (Eric and Jordan)

Meet theEDGE Leaders is an opportunity for you as parents to get to know the other adults in your students lives. This week, meet Eric and Jordan, two of our 8th grade guys small group leaders.

My name is Eric Smugala.  I live in Eau Claire and I work in the IT department at Sacred Heart Hospital.  This has been my first year working with the youth at Jacobs Well and it has been a blast so far!  In my spare time I enjoy a large variety of hobbies.  I enjoy cooking, motorcycles, mechanic work, home audio/video and just having a good time with friends.  I was raised in a Christian home and ever since going to theEDGE once to check it out I've been hooked.

I love serving at theEDGE for many reasons.  One of the main reasons is I went to a youth group similar to theEDGE when I was in middle school and it helped me in more ways than I can count.  theEDGE is a place where the middle schoolers can be safe and have good genuine fun and learn about the Lord at the same time.  I see the kids come back week after week and I am just thrilled seeing their faces.  theEDGE is an absolutely awesome program for the youth in the area.

theEDGE  is one of the best things your children can be involved with.  Just working with the guys for a short time, it's a place that they can feel safe and a place that they can be genuine with the students and the leaders.  They come and have great conversation and can take a little breather from their busy weeks.  I absolutely love working with the 8th grade guys and I'm excited for them to take what they've learned from theEDGE and bring it up to highschool with them.  Thank you for letting your children come here, it is an absolute blessing having them here.

My name is Jordan Hurlburt, I live in Durand, WI and I am an assistant manager of the customer service department for Citizens Community Federal Bank in Eau Claire, WI. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time with family and friends. I was born and raised in a Christian home and I have been a born again believer for 17 years. I have had Type 1 diabetes for 10 years and with God's grace I have been able to live a healthy life and plan to continue to. I love singing and playing guitar. I co-lead worship at theEDGE and I am privileged to lead worship for the students. To hear them sing worship songs to the Lord gives me goosebumps.

I love serving at theEDGE because I love seeing young people on fire for the Lord. To see young men and women interested in growing in their faith and growing in relationships with other young people is so encouraging to me. To see the kids get a foundation this early in life to build their spiritual lives on is so awesome. I absolutely love the opportunity I have as a leader to walk with these guys and learn from them and hopefully teach them things that I've learned throughout my life.

A word of encouragement for you as parents, your boys love theEDGE. I love seeing them every Wednesday. I look forward to hearing how their weeks have gone and what is going on in their lives. I love hearing their stories about sports they play, concerts they are in, or school events they have going on. I enjoy having your boys in my small group and I wish them the best as they are transitioning from middle school into high school. There are no doubts in my mind that they will succeed in whatever they set their minds on doing. Thank you for allowing me to share my life with your sons' lives.

Ask your student who their small group leaders are and what they think of them. Do you have any stories about how a small group leader has impacted your child's life? Share it in the comment section below.

40 Days Parent Cue (Week 6)

 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  (Psalm 119:105)

 

This blog is your cue.  Every Wednesday we’ll post a “Parent Cue” which will tune you in to what we are talking about at theEDGE and cue you in on some steps you can take to lead your student into taking their next steps. 

Overview (3/21/12):  After five weeks of learning how to develop a relationship with God and how to study the bible, we "Review It" and talk about making a Next Steps Plan.  Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches, if you remain in me you will bear much fruit."  So, what does it look to remain in God and remain in his word?  How do we continue on to remain in the word of God when the 40 Days in the Word is finished?

Next Steps Plan:  We all need to make a plan of what we are going to do when the 40 Days in the Word experience is done.  The students will ask and answer these questions to develop their plan.

1.  When will you spend time with God daily?

2.  Where will you spend time with God daily?

3.  What book of the bible or bible reading plan will you begin with?

4.  Who will you share your thoughts with? 

Parent Cue:  This week your student will spend time using Psalm 1 to practice all 6 devotional bible study methods that they have learned over the past couple of weeks.  This week's "Parent Cue" is for you to develop and share your "Next Steps Plan" and then share it with your student.  Using the 4 questions above, develop and share your Next Steps Plan for remaining in God's word.  Then ask your students to share their plan.  Some students may actually benefit from actually making a family plan or developing the plan together.  This exercise is meant for you and your child to share together

Use PSALM 1 for days 36-40 this week!

Day 36: Pronounce It | Day 37: Picture It | Day 38:  Probe It | Day 39: Paraphrase It | Day 40:  Personalize and Pray It

This blog is an interactive community for parents.  Use the comment section below to share exciting stories and challenges that you are having this week as you engage with your kids.

Meet theEDGE Leaders (Krina and Brittney)

Meet theEDGE Leaders is an opportunity for you as parents to get to know the other adults in your students lives. This week, meet Krina and Brittney, two of our 8th grade girls small group leaders.

Hi! I'm Krina Fenske, I am a small group leader for the eighth grade girls. I am married to my wonderful husband Randy, together we have two teenage kids, Jonathan 15 and Emilee 13 (Yikes!). I enjoy doing things outdoors, and an afternoon nap.
 

I love serving at theEDGE and seeing my children and your children growing up, not just physically but spiritually as well. It's amazing to see the changes in them as they get older, and speaking of getting older, I'm not a spring chicken but the kids help keep me up to speed with their generation which helps me feel younger!  It's a great feeling when you're out in public, at school, the park or the mall and one of the kids from theEDGE recognizes you with a big hello and sometimes even a hug, Remember the Bible mentions many times that God loves children and we adults need to be more like them, so we as adults need to start spending more time loving them as well.

Hello All! My name is Brittney Ender, and I co-lead a small group of 8th grade girls with Krina Fenske. I am a student at the technical college in the chippewa valley. I am in process of switching my major from nursing but God has not showed me what my next step is yet, so I am getting my generals for nursing done right now. I am a CNA at Dove Health Care West. I have gone to Eau Claire schools since  I was in 1st grade when my mom and I moved up here when she got married to now my dad. I have two brothers from my dad. I have been going to Jacob's Well I think now for about 6 years! You may also know me from Waterworks I am a TLC down there every weekend. So if you want to meet me in person please feel free to come find me!

I love theEDGE because I love watching the kids grow and get to know God more. I love being able to be someone I hope they can look up to. I love the community theEDGE brings. I love working with kids and it has become a passion to work with them for a long time. These kids are on fire for God and I love that, even the ones just willing to learn it just makes my heart smile. I love getting to know the kids and they have changed my life by showing me what it is like to be a teenager again...aaahhh just kidding, but they have helped me come to there level and put myself in there shoes, which is much easier to lead these guys!

A story....Well on theEDGE retreat this last weekend I got to have the privilege to go on, I had five girls in my room and we had a lot of fun. What really got me was when we were doing our study part of the retreat everyone was will to try something new and willing to actually share their thoughts with me and the other girls. These girls were amazing, I had some girls who never talk in small group that were non-stop talking and it was awesome!! It truly made my heart smile. These middle school students are just amazing and I am glad God let me be apart of this wonderful group!

Ask your student who their small group leaders are and what they think of them. Do you have any stories about how a small group leader has impacted your child's life? Share it in the comment section below.

40 Days Parent Cue (Week 5)

 

"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."  (Matthew 7:24)

 

This blog is your cue.  Every Wednesday we’ll post a “Parent Cue” which will tune you in to what we are talking about at theEDGE and cue you in on some steps you can take to lead your student into taking their next steps. 

Overview (3/14/12):  We remember and memorize the things that are important to us: sports facts, song lyrics, movie lines, and love notes.  So, if that's the case then there are some verses in the bible that we should be memorizing.  Tonight we'll say that we should remember and memorize the verses in the bible that have special meaning to us.

Method:  The "Personalize It!" and "Pray It" bible study methods go hand in hand as God's personal messages to us and our personal prayers in response.  The "Personalize It!" bible study method is when you put your name in the place of the nouns or pronouns in the passage and rewrite it as a personal message from God to you.  The "Pray It!" bible study method is when you put the verse into a prayer from you to God in response.

Parent Cue:  This week your student will spend time using the "Personalize It!" and "Pray It!" bible study methods as they read through the book of Philippians.  This week after you and your child have spent time with God ask this question.  Today I prayed this verse to God in response to what he showed me in the verse.  What did God show you in that verse and what would your prayer of response be?  This exercise is meant for you and your child to share together.  Be real and authentic in your response.  Your student will be able to see right through you if you come up with a fake answer that doesn’t really mean anything to you.  The more vulnerable and real you are, the more vulnerable and real they will be.

Day 29: Philippians 1:6| Day 30: Philippians 1:27a | Day 31:  Philippians 2:13 | Day 32: Philippians 3:12b | Day 33:  Philippians 4:6-7 | Day 34:  Philippians 4:13 | Day 35:  Philippians 4:19 

This blog is an interactive community for parents.  Use the comment section below to share exciting stories and challenges that you are having this week as you engage with your kids.