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Parents, this section is just for you! Below you will find information about our Synergy service on Wednesday nights. Check back often to keep up to date on what we will be learning and discussing. It is the goal of our ministry to team up with you as a parent. So please stay connected to what your student is taking part in during Synergy!
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Angry:
What ticks you off? Traffic? Long lines? People who don’t follow through on their promises? It’s amazing how we all can do an emotional 180 when life fails to meet our expectations. For the next three weeks, your student will be challenged to redirect their anger from the stuff that doesn’t really matter to the stuff that does. They will be exploring the things that make God angry, and they will be working on ways to move outside themselves and begin doing something about bigger problems in the world.
Week One (February 6th)
Students will be challenged to look at their lives and think about the things that make them angry. They will talk about times that they have responded in anger, and begin to wrestle with the question: Why did a good God give us the ability to get angry? Is it because there is something good that comes from our anger? This week you may want to ask your student about their pet peeves or the things that make them most angry. Try to strike up a conversation about why those things really get to them.
Week Two (February 13th)
Students will be challenged to figure out what makes God angry. They will be looking for things in the world and in your community that just don’t seem right compared to God's standard. Ask them about the things they find most troubling from God’s perspective. They will also be working on creating a plan to do something about one specific thing that makes God angry. Ask them about their group’s plan. See if you can help make their project a success!
Week Three (February 20th)
This week, students will be challenged to come together as the people of God to do something BIG. Instead of meeting in small groups, students will respond to the session by participating in a group-wide experience, called The XP, as well as an activity with their small group. Ask them about their experiences. Encourage them to continue looking for ways to be a part of something bigger than themselves.
EXPERIENCE:
It may seem like your student doesn't want to hear from you, or that they think your words are cheesy and irrelevant. But the truth is, they still need to hear that you care. No matter what has happened in your family, no matter what hurt has passed between you and your student, they need to hear that they are loved and supported by you—their parent. This month, focus on encouraging your student with your words. You may want to choose something from the list of ideas below, or create your own experience. Make sure that your words are specific and genuine. Everyone can spot a fraud; it’s okay if you can’t say all of the things you might like to say. Just tell them what comes from your heart.
• Write your student a note or a card. Share with them specific talents and abilities that you see in them.
Include specific things that you love about them—things that make them unique.
• Praise your student in front of other people. Let your child see that you are proud of them by hearing you
share their accomplishments with someone else.
• Look for something that your student does well and tell them that you are proud of them.
• Watch the way you communicate. If you are frequently fighting, think about ways that you can remain firm,
but still let them know that you value them.
“You know that I trust you, but you still can’t spend the night at . . . ”
“You are beautiful, but you cannot leave this house in that outfit.”
“I know that you are very smart. That’s why you cannot use your cell phone until you bring up your homework average.”
(Last Month's Series)
Attached:
Every one of us is attached to something—some person, thing or experience. The trouble with our attachments is that sometimes they let us down. For the next three weeks your students will be exploring the attachments that become part of their identity, and uncovering the truth about their identity in Christ.
Week One (January 9th)
Students will be challenged to look at their lives and consider the things that require the greatest amount of their time, money and attention. In their small groups, they will take a quiz that will help them begin to identify attachments that may be shaping their identity. It is not a time for critique or judgment, but a time to peel back the curtain and look honestly at places of attachment. This week you may want to ask your student about attachments that they see in their lives.
Week Two (January 16th)
Students will be challenged to find their identity not in the things of the world—things that always change and have the potential to let them down and break their heart—but to find their identity in knowing that they are the beloved children of an awesome God. You may want to ask them what they heard the speaker say, and ask them what it means to be attached to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Students will also be challenged to “fast” for one week from something they are attached to. Maybe it’s the Xbox, or Ipod, or designer clothing. Ask your student what they have chosen to fast from and how it is going!
Week Three (January 23rd)
Now students have identified the things they are attached to, and have recognized potential dangers associated with creating an identity based on things that do not last. They have considered the truth that they have already been given an identity as the beloved child of God. Students will now be challenged to lean fully into Christ by fostering a growing relationship with their Creator. That feels risky to a student—and even to an adult. It’s not the reality, because trusting in God is never a real risk, but it sure feels that way sometimes. You may want to talk to your student about ways that you try to lean fully into Christ and things that make it really difficult for you.
EXPERIENCE:
It may not seem like your student needs you, or it may feel like they no longer want to spend time with you. But the truth is, they still need to know you care. No matter what has happened in your family, no matter what hurt has passed between you and your student, they need to feel loved and supported by you—their parent. Spend some quality time this month with your student. You may want to choose from the list of ideas below, or create your own experience. Make sure that the time you spend involves your focused attention. Ask questions about things that interest him or her. Be ready to listen and learn, but allow yourself to relax and simply enjoy time together.
• Go shopping for clothes or room decorations (make this leisurely and don’t rush).
• Go to a coffee shop and listen to a local band play.
• Ask them about a good movie that they have seen recently, or ask about one they want to see and
go see it together. Listen to them talk about their favorite parts.
• Have them teach you how to play Xbox, then play a game with them.
• Go to a baseball game together.
• Ask your student what they would like to do together!
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