JULY 2013

PLUGGED IN
A MONTHLY PUBLICATION TO HELP PARENTS BETTER PLUG IN TO THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR STUDENT

July Issue
THIS MONTH

HS BIBLE STUDY (TUESDAYS) MS BIBLE STUDY (WEDNESDAYS) TORONTO GO TRIP MS CAMP VBS

COMING SOON

YOUTH EVANGELISM CONFERENCE (8/9-10) CHURCH-WIDE DISCIPLESHIP CONFERENCE (8/24)

Inaugural Issue
WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF IBC STUDENT MINISTRYS PLUGGED IN NEWSLETTER FOR PARENTS. THIS NEWSLETTER IS A MONTHLY PUBLICATION TO BETTER HELP YOU PLUG IN TO THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR STUDENT. AFTER ALL, SCRIPTURE TEACHES THAT PARENTS ARE THE PRIMARY DISCIPLERS OF THEIR CHILDREN. EACH ISSUE WILL INCLUDE THINGS/EVENTS TO EXPECT THAT MONTH AND UPCOMING MONTHS, AN ADULT VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO WHO SERVES, VALUABLE ARTICLES AND OTHER RESOURCES TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR TASK OF MAKING MULTIPLYING DISCIPLES THROUGH YOUR FAMILY, AND RECENT STORIES OF STUDENTS ENGAGING THEIR FAMILIES...THEIR PEERS...THEIR WORLD...WITH THE GOSPEL.
A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

VOLU NTEER SPOTLIGHT

GINGER WADE

ENGAGE

ONE WEEK, LASTING IMPACT

EQUIP

YOU SAY YES, I SAY NO-HOW PARENTING STYLE MAY AFFECT TEEN BEHAVIOR

EMPOWER

DISCOVER YOUR FAMILYS RHYTHM

STUDENT MINISTRY STAFF

Matt Hubbard
Lead Student Pastor
And when they could not nd them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, These men who have turned their world upside down have come here also...saying there is another king, Jesus. Acts 17:6-7

Melissa Sponer
Girls Ministry Associate
Though you have not seen him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and lled with glory. 1 Peter 1:8

Ross Spigner
Middle School Pastor
For by grace you have been saved through
faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Amanda Beach
Ministry Assistant
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Ephesians 2:8-10

From Our Heart

In the early days of world history, God purposed that faith was to be known and owned by each generation and passed down to subsequent generations. From Adam and Eve to Seth to Noah to Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and on, and on. Faith in the creator God was to be known and owned individually then passed down from generation to generation through an institution even more prized by God than the church...the family. After all, the Bride of Christ is made up of families of God's people. He absolutely adores His church, but He died for His people! Technological advancements from the past 3000+ years include items such as the wheel, the printing press, the light bulb, the computer, and now the iPhone all invented to make us more productive. Sadly, with many of us, these advancements have distracted us from being productive in the most important task that we have--being and making disciples of Jesus. Capitalism has trumped discipleship not just in our culture, but also in many ways our church and our families. The Hebrew culture of the Old Testament understood the cost of even one generation not knowing and owning their faith. Steve Wright writes in his book ReThinkof a "Two-out-of-Three Ain't Bad" epidemic that plagues our families and churches today. Our culture has accepted the fact that as long as two out of three of my kids place their faith in Jesus, that's pretty good...that 'ain't bad.' Sadly, that one generation who chose not to follow Jesus has ripples that will affect generations to come. Our perfect God, through reasoning far beyond my brain capacity, chooses to use imperfect parents like you and I to fulll a seemingly impossible task--making reproducing disciples of our families! Yet Scripture still afrms that "what is impossible with men, is possible with God." (Luke 18:27) Our student ministry...our church...is not here to replace the parent. We exist to glorify and magnify God through being and building reproducing disciples of Jesus. Our staff knows that we are not here to replace you--the parent--nor can we. We are here to equip, empower, and enable you to do what God has called you to do. We want to help our families pursue and achieve, through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, a new philosophy. A philosophy that says, "With God, Three-out-of-Three IS Possible." Know that we are not professionals in parenting, but we do feel that God has equipped us in ways to challenge, encourage, and equip you to pursue and accomplish this never-ending task. This is our heart...this is our call...this is our task. Our student ministry staff is looking forward to joining you on this journey.

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013 A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

WEB ON THE

RST TH UNDE U O Y D N RENT A FOR PA R E T N E C ES NISTRI I M D R HOMEWO

ANDING

NT IN PRI

RPOSE DOM PU G N I K TH ING WI atlock PARENT Mark M y b s ent is rld Par t Harr Real Wo d Bret n a x le by A THINGS DO HARD

ichard by DR. R

Ross

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
GINGER WADE
MY FAMILY: WHERE STEVE (HUSBAND...MARRIED 26 YEARS) EA (DAUGHTER...24...MARRIED TO JAMES) JIM (SON...21) DUKE (THE LARGE CAT) 9TH GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER, HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS DGROUP LEADER. I ALSO TEACH IN THE HEAVEN ROOM IN 4TH GRADE VBS EVERY SUMMER. I TEACH PART-TIME AT LITTLE ROCK CHRISTIAN. I TEACH 7TH GRADERS SO I GET TO TEACH SOME OF MY LRCA STUDENTS AGAIN AS 9TH GRADERS. 7 YEARS. ANYWHERE I CAN VACATION WITH MY FAMILY. NOW THAT BOTH KIDS ARE OUT OF THE NEST, THOSE RARE OCCASIONS WHEN WE ARE ALL TOGETHER ARE SWEET BLESSINGS. I LOVE PEANUT M&MS. IN LUKE 10, JESUS VISITS MARY AND MARTHA. MARY IS IN AWE OF HER SAVIOR! SHE FALLS AT HIS FEET. SHE JUST WANTS TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE. MARTHA IS SO BUSY SERVING JESUS THAT SHE PASSES UP A CHANCE TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE. THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN FROM EACH OF THESE LADIES! I ALSO LOVE THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW IN LUKE 18. I BELIEVE IN PERSISTENT PRAYER. MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW THAT IM AN INTROVERT.

I SERVE:

I HAVE SERVED FOR:

MY DREAM VACATION DESTINATION IS: MY FAVORITE SNACK FOOD IS: MY FAVORITE BIBLE STORY IS:

MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW THIS ABOUT ME:

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

HS Bible Study

2013 / July
4 5 6 12 13
VBS Joint Worship The Spot (5:45-7:15 PM)

2 Shufeld Home 3
(6-8 PM)

HS Bible Study MS Bible Study Hamby Home 10 The Spot 11 (6-8 PM) (5:45-7:15 PM)

14

Toronto GO Trip Commissioning 15 Toronto Training Cafe, 4:00 PM

VBS

VBS HS Bible Study 16 17 Hubbard Home (6-8 PM)

18

VBS

19

VBS

20

Toronto GO Trip

21 Toronto GO Trip 22

Toronto GO Trip Toronto GO Trip Toronto GO Trip Toronto GO Trip 23 24 25 26 MS Camp MS Camp MS Camp MS Camp

Toronto GO Trip MS Camp

27

28

29

30

HS Bible Study MS Bible Study Geurin Home 31 The Spot (6-8 PM) (5:45-7:15 PM)

COMING SOON

AUGUST 8-9 AUGUST 13 AUGUST 18 AUGUST 21 AUGUST 24

STATEWIDE YOUTH EVANGELISM CONFERENCE (@IBC) CHURCHWIDE SUNDAY SCHOOL LEADERSHIP DINNER PROMOTION SUNDAY WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGR AMMING BEGINS DISCIPLESHIP CONFERENCE

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

ENGAGE

ONE WEEK, LASTING IMPACT

A Story from Middle School GO Trip to Mission Arlington. Often times it is hard to grasp what kind of an impact our middle schoolers can make on a 5 day mission trip in an out of state city. There is a tendency to wonder if the impact will last, if the relationships and love expressed to the kids will be remembered. One story from this trip conrmed to me that God is able to make a lasting impact through our students, even over the short course of 5 days. On the rst afternoon of our trip, one of our VBS groups went to an apartment complex called Chula Vista. As we arrived several students recognized this place and quickly realized that this was a ministry site from last years trip. The majority of the kids spoke Spanish and the only place to gather was near the entry road under the lone tree on campus. Needless to say, the conditions for a VBS type of ministry seemed dicult. The tree oered limited shade, the conversations hard to establish, and the opportunity to play with the kids was constantly interrupted by a car needing to pass through. However, none of these diculties seemed to alter the apartment kids excitement to be with us nor our students willingness to show the love of Christ. As kids arrived and as we limped our way through the rst 30 minutes with awkward conversations and interrupted play, we began our VBS scheduled activities. Several students condently shared their testimony, another courageously told a Bible story. We transitioned to some songs and then we began our craft. That days craft was a picture frame. The kids were allowed to decorate their own and on the inside of the frame

was our weekly Bible verse. One kid in particular, when seeing the picture frame, excitedly jumped up to ask if he could go home only to come back real quick. He did not tell us why, but it was as if he had a surprise to show us. Alex ran home and returned with a picture frame craft that he made last year when our students had come to Chula Vista. He proudly displayed his picture frame that was in nearly mint like condition. After displaying it to us, he ran home a second time to return again with a second craft from last year. It too was in excellent condition as if it had been kept in a safe place. Both of these items over the course of last year had become valuable keepsakes for Alex. The reason certainly was not because of the price value of the craft supplies, but because they were reminders to him of Gods love and the people who loved him enough to come and tell him about Jesus. Seeing Alexs excitement and enthusiasm about the craft clued me in on how God is able to make a lasting impact on lives even when there is a limited amount of time available to do so. I am thankful our middle schoolers seized the opportunity to share the love of Christ and I am overjoyed to reect on how God is using our middle schoolers to impact kids like Alex. Thanks for sending our students!
By Ross Spigner, Middle School Pastor

EQUIP
(NOTE: IBC Student Ministry does not necessarily endorse the content and viewpoints expressed in these articles.They are posted here for purposes of keeping you informed as to what is happening in the world of youth culture.)

YOU SAY YES, I SAY NO-HOW PARENTING STYLE MAY AFFECT TEENS BEHAVIORS
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/ healthy_kids/You-say-yesI-say-nohow-parenting-style-may-affectteensbehaviors-.html#BIhSom7Kr233BLTC. 99 As Groucho Marx once said, Getting older is no problem. You just have to live long enough. If only getting older were so simple. For some teens and their families, the teenage years are lled with stress and turmoil. And why wouldnt they be? After all, the child is becoming an adult, moving from dependence on parents to independence and greater self-reliance. This transition may involve indecision, anxiety, conict and rebelliousness. If you are a parent of a teenager living through these experiences, hopefully you will nd comfort in knowing that you are not alone. In early adolescence, they may argue with you. Teens begin to analyze the world around them and compare their values with those communicated by friends and the media. As a result, they may argue with their parents and challenge their authority. The same child who idolized his or her parents just a short time ago now thinks of them as ordinary human beings, capable of making mistakes. You are educated when you have the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or selfcondence. - Robert Frost

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

In middle adolescence, they may ignore you. During this period your teens are more likely to ignore you than to disobey you. They spend more time with friends and away from home. To be like their peers, they may experiment with drugs and sex. Even as kids reach adolescence, they need more than ever for us to watch over them. Adolescence is not about letting go. Its about hanging on during a very bumpy ride. - Ron Tael, Ph.D. In late adolescence, they may actually tolerate you! During this phase, teens may start thinking more seriously about their future careers and relationships. They may become more tolerant of their parents, and actually return to many of their parents values and views. As a man, I've been representative of the values I hold dear. And the values I hold dear are carryovers from the lives of my parents. - Sidney Poitier How can we help children grow up to become independent and responsible adults? Take a look at your style of parenting as it may play an important role. If you are an authoritative (balanced) parent you may...

Or is your parenting style authoritarian (strict)? You may tend to...

Be controlling and demanding Set rigid rules, which may be unrealistic for your childs age and abilities Not explain the reasons for rules (Because I say so) Expect 100% obedience Punish your child for not meeting expectations

Parenting is not easy - especially when living through the process of adolescent development with your teenager. If your parenting style is authoritative (not authoritarian or permissive), odds are that your teenager, who argued with you and ignored you just a short time ago, will turn out just ne. When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years. - Mark Twain
By Rima Himelstein, M.D. Crozer-Keystone Health System

Children of authoritarian parents may not develop the ability to make decisions independently. Perhaps you are a permissive parent who tends to... Not be demanding Set few rules Rarely correct your child Act more like your childs friend than a parent Children of permissive parents often grow up feeling that their parents dont care. More evidence that parenting style seems to make a dierence: researchers at Brigham Young University found a link between parenting style and teen bingedrinking. http://news.byu.edu/ archive10-jun-parentingstyle.asp They surveyed 5,000 adolescents about their drinking habits and their relationships with their parents.

Focus more on guiding than controlling behavior Set rm rules that are realistic for your childs age and abilities Explain the reasons for rules Allow for some give and take Forgive and teach more often than punish

WHEN I WAS A BOY OF 14, MY FATHER WAS SO IGNORANT I COULD HARDLY STAND TO HAVE THE OLD MAN AROUND. BUT WHEN I GOT TO BE 21, I WAS ASTONISHED AT HOW MUCH THE OLD MAN HAD LEARNED IN SEVEN YEARS. MARK TWAIN

Children of authoritative parents will likely grow up to become assertive, responsible, independent and cooperative.

Teens with authoritative (balanced) parents were least likely to be binge drinkers. Teens with authoritarian (strict) parents were more than twice as likely to be binge drinkers Teens with permissive parents were nearly three times as likely to be binge drinkers.

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

EMPOWER

DISCOVER YOUR FAMILYS RHYTHM

HTTP://WWW.ORANGEPARENTS.ORG/DISCOVER-YOURFAMILYS-RHYTHM/ A couple once shared with me that they had no balance in their lives. Their home seemed like a battleeld lled with daily conicts. Their children were frustrated and discontent most of the time. As a husband and wife, they felt like they couldnt nd margin in their lives to do the things necessary to make their marriage and home life better. Frustrated and in tears, they said they couldnt nd peace in the midst of the chaos, and they were about to give up. After a little more discussion, I asked them if they had any sort of routine in their daily or weekly schedule. The wife responded to me quickly that she had grown up in a very

unique qualities and will need a certain type of ow that ts them specically, so this approach can feel like putting a square peg in a round hole. After a while, we nd ourselves following a specic routine that doesnt make sense to us because it was written in a parenting book that could never take into consideration our unique situation. Peace in the home happens when a family understands a certain set of principles and then creates their own rhythm based on these principles. This approach ensures parents and children know what to expect each day and week, creating harmony in the home. Once I explained this strategy to this particular couple, they developed a calendar for their home based upon their current schedule. They eliminated some events that were breaking the family apart with stress and tension. At the

IF YOU DONT HAVE TIME TO DO IT RIGHT, WHEN WILL YOU HAVE TIME TO DO IT OVER? COACH JOHN WOODEN
structured home, and now she absolutely did not believe in sticking to any type of schedule. Many couples run from routines and schedules because of a bad experience growing up in environments where they were rigidly enforced. The truth is, a routine or schedule is not a bad thing. But like most things, if not done with moderation, a routine or schedule can be a nightmare on children and their parents. In the book Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Reggie Joiner unpacks the concept of every family developing their own rhythm. While routine and structure might be built on a clock or sequence, a rhythm is based upon the unique dynamics and ow of each individual family. All too often, families try to adopt a schedule based on something theyve read. But taking a standard approach and applying it to a specic family can be dicult. Every family has its own same time, they had room to add some things that would bring their family together, like game night and pancake breakfasts. This schedule soon created an amazing rhythm they were excited about. In the weeks to come, they found conicts began to lessen and their enjoyment grew as they nally found some type of balance in their lives. Life in todays world can get messy. If you are struggling in the day to day, try working on your calendar and create a rhythm that works specically for you. It doesnt take much to have peace. By Terry Scalzitti is Associate Pastor for Adult and Family Ministries at First Baptist Fort Lauderdale.

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013

IBC STUDENT MINISTRY

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A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org 2013