Thanks to the Christmas Holiday along with our REVEALED ministry with Hyaets we haven't had a teaching lesson since mid November. Now we're back and we're digging in. 

Our goal all along is to help student CONNECT to God and GROW closer to Him in relationship. Our hope is that their lives would be TRANSFORMED as a result. 

Elevate (Wed nights) is a good spot for students to GROW. For the first few weeks of the new year we are going to mirror some of the topics that we are talking about on Sunday morning. This is a chance for students to take what they hear in a sermon and dig deeper.

 Last week we talked about Meditation. We talked about how time away from every thing in your our lives to spend time with God. This means taking time away from family, friends, and TECHNOLOGY!  It's important for students (not to mention you!) to have quiet time before God. Take time to reflect on God's word. Take time to think through it. Take time to LISTEN. So often our prayers are just laundry lists presented to God in hopes that he will take care of our needs. We don't sit in silence and search our hearts to hear if God is talking to us or changing us. 

Here are some questions for you and your student.

1. Is your home a home that promotes a chance for quiet time. (in high school I would get up at 5:30 am because that's the only quiet time in my house!)

2. Do you (or your student) spend time in meditation or doing devotionals?

3. Do you (or your student) have a devotion guide to help them in this time?  ( our ministry gives them away for free, just ask!)

4. Do you (or your student) have a Bible that they can read and understand? (this would be a good one to ask your students!)

This week we are talking about Fasting. Historically fasting is see as intentionally denying oneself food to spend time focusing on God. It's an awesome Discipline if it's done right. At Elevate, we'll spend some time talking about what fasting is, and what fasting isn't (dieting!) We'll also spend a lot of time talking about how you can fast from things other than food.

I know a lot of people who fast from Facebook, the internet, computers, TV, cell phones, .etc.  We live in a culture that has grown to completely rely on these objects. In most cases they take us away from God or take up time we could spend growing closer to God. Our hope is to challenge students to consider a fast of some sort (food or other) for a short period of time. 

In doing this we understand that fast from food, if done incorrectly could be bad for anyone. If a student is looking into a fast from food. We'll let you know and work with you and the student to make sure it's done right. (most kids won't fast from food. They are also Baptist which also discourages them from fasting from food!! j/k)

Some questions for you.

1. Have you ever considered a fast from something? (it might be time to put the Blackberry down!) 

2. Have you ever considered a family fast?  (no tv at night for a week?) - this could help family time incredibly!

3. Do you have any questions about fasting?  (feel free to email me or catch me in the hallway. We want you to GROW too!)

Our goal in this series is not to have every student do every discipline. Our goal is to equip students to learn different ways to grow closer to God. This will help them mightily when they graduate high school and enter the world on their own. I encourage you to take the lead in this goal by demonstrating some of these disciplines at home as well!

(just don't fast on Taco Night....Tacos are from God!!! :-)

Until Next Week,

Jon