PARENTS,
Thank you again for allowing your daughters, grand-daughters, nieces and young friends attend this event. We believe in our messages and want to share them with you so you can better understand the messages we shared with them. These are not written verbatim, but you will get an idea. At the end of each of the sessions, our teachers have put in a few questions and tips for you to encourage your beautiful young lady to continue on her journey of becoming all God created her to be. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you!
blessings!
jenny johnson
for TWU Faculty and TEEN Team Teachers
GROUP SESSION #1 - CHOSEN
Speaker - Jenny Johnson
(First session of the day)
What does CHOSEN mean?
Synonyms – selected, preferred, special, picked, taken, wanted
Definitions - Decided from among a range of options. Having made deliberate decisions.
These words sure are happy words. Do they make you feel good? It makes a big difference in how we feel and how we view ourselves when we feel we are here on purpose and are who we are for a reason.
It’s a very proactive and intentional word – Chosen. If you are chosen, that means someone intentionally picked you, on purpose, not by chance, but meant to select you for a specific reason. It’s a very big word.
Look at pix of seeds.
The fun thing about seeds is that until they bloom, we won’t really know what they will look like. We don’t know what’s really on the inside until these seeds are cared for and cultivated to become what they were created to become. These small seeds can become trees. And even though we know they are specific tree seeds, they will all look different when they bloom.
All the seeds start out so small, but look what is on the inside. It’s amazing to see how much is packed inside of them. Even the tiniest of seeds can become something huge – the redwood seed is so tiny yet it has packed on the inside of it the potential to become one of the largest and the tallest trees in the world, over 350 feet tall
Similar to these seeds, we are each created with so much packed on the inside of us. YOU were created with a God-given identity and purpose – packed with special gifts and talents that were chosen especially for you. The creator of this entire universe and beyond CHOSE to create you. He CHOSE to create you exactly as you are and He was intentional when He chose what to pack within you – so much beauty, so much talent, so much compassion, so much heart and so much more.
You are a seed, precious in His sight. And up til now, we are getting only a little glimpse of what’s inside that seed. As you get older, as you experience more in life, as you learn and grow, more of what’s inside that original seed begins to spring out. But you have to Choose to do this. You have to choose to put yourself out there. Most of the time it won’t be easy and most of the time you might feel super vulnerable, but when you are vulnerable in God’s hands, the hands of your Creator, you can truly bloom and become what He created you to be.
Not only did He choose to create you, but each and every day - He Chooses you, He desires you just as you are, creative, talented, beautiful AS WELL AS all of your flaws, secrets, and mistakes. He doesn’t ask you to become anything other than who He created you to be. He doesn’t ask you paint like her, sing like her, dress like them, have hair like them, have legs like her, have ears like her, and so forth. He knows everything about you. He Chooses us, He wants us just as we are – to have a genuine relationship with Him. He wants and desires to help us become what He knows is on the inside of us.
As seeds need the sun in order to grow and mature into the most beautiful flower with the brightest blooms, we need the Son – S.O.N. – in order to become all we were created to be. All day, you will hear about the SON, ways He can influence you and ways God’s word can guide you.
You may not recognize all that He’s put on the inside of you right now and that’s ok. And you may not know why He chose the things He chose, but He chose them – and He chose every one of them for a reason. We hope to get you thinking about those things today.
Parents –
1. We don’t actually choose our kids :) - even tho some are chosen thru adoption, we don’t choose them because we already know who they will become. Try to find ways you can let your daughter know you choose her as she is – talents to faults. Remind her that she doesn’t earn your love.
2. Try to be more intentional when noticing things that are unique about your daughter and be specific. Then maybe make a list of 3-5 things that you appreciate about her unique qualities.
3. Remind your daughter that you want to be part of her journey as she discovers what God packed inside of her. Encourage her to step out and be willing to explore her talents. Challenge her to find ways to express her personality in ways that will honor God and that will encourage others.
What does CHOSEN mean?
Synonyms – selected, preferred, special, picked, taken, wanted
Definitions - Decided from among a range of options. Having made deliberate decisions.
These words sure are happy words. Do they make you feel good? It makes a big difference in how we feel and how we view ourselves when we feel we are here on purpose and are who we are for a reason.
It’s a very proactive and intentional word – Chosen. If you are chosen, that means someone intentionally picked you, on purpose, not by chance, but meant to select you for a specific reason. It’s a very big word.
Look at pix of seeds.
The fun thing about seeds is that until they bloom, we won’t really know what they will look like. We don’t know what’s really on the inside until these seeds are cared for and cultivated to become what they were created to become. These small seeds can become trees. And even though we know they are specific tree seeds, they will all look different when they bloom.
All the seeds start out so small, but look what is on the inside. It’s amazing to see how much is packed inside of them. Even the tiniest of seeds can become something huge – the redwood seed is so tiny yet it has packed on the inside of it the potential to become one of the largest and the tallest trees in the world, over 350 feet tall
Similar to these seeds, we are each created with so much packed on the inside of us. YOU were created with a God-given identity and purpose – packed with special gifts and talents that were chosen especially for you. The creator of this entire universe and beyond CHOSE to create you. He CHOSE to create you exactly as you are and He was intentional when He chose what to pack within you – so much beauty, so much talent, so much compassion, so much heart and so much more.
You are a seed, precious in His sight. And up til now, we are getting only a little glimpse of what’s inside that seed. As you get older, as you experience more in life, as you learn and grow, more of what’s inside that original seed begins to spring out. But you have to Choose to do this. You have to choose to put yourself out there. Most of the time it won’t be easy and most of the time you might feel super vulnerable, but when you are vulnerable in God’s hands, the hands of your Creator, you can truly bloom and become what He created you to be.
Not only did He choose to create you, but each and every day - He Chooses you, He desires you just as you are, creative, talented, beautiful AS WELL AS all of your flaws, secrets, and mistakes. He doesn’t ask you to become anything other than who He created you to be. He doesn’t ask you paint like her, sing like her, dress like them, have hair like them, have legs like her, have ears like her, and so forth. He knows everything about you. He Chooses us, He wants us just as we are – to have a genuine relationship with Him. He wants and desires to help us become what He knows is on the inside of us.
As seeds need the sun in order to grow and mature into the most beautiful flower with the brightest blooms, we need the Son – S.O.N. – in order to become all we were created to be. All day, you will hear about the SON, ways He can influence you and ways God’s word can guide you.
You may not recognize all that He’s put on the inside of you right now and that’s ok. And you may not know why He chose the things He chose, but He chose them – and He chose every one of them for a reason. We hope to get you thinking about those things today.
Parents –
1. We don’t actually choose our kids :) - even tho some are chosen thru adoption, we don’t choose them because we already know who they will become. Try to find ways you can let your daughter know you choose her as she is – talents to faults. Remind her that she doesn’t earn your love.
2. Try to be more intentional when noticing things that are unique about your daughter and be specific. Then maybe make a list of 3-5 things that you appreciate about her unique qualities.
3. Remind your daughter that you want to be part of her journey as she discovers what God packed inside of her. Encourage her to step out and be willing to explore her talents. Challenge her to find ways to express her personality in ways that will honor God and that will encourage others.
GROUP SESSION #2 - SELF IMAGE
Speaker - Darla Socarras
I. What is self image?
a. What do you believe people think about you?
b. It’s the idea of who you are; sense of one’s worth.
c. When you look in the mirror whose standard are you listening to?
d. What do you say to yourself? (do you point out the negative)
II. The world’s definition of beauty.
a. Perfection, flawless and sexy.
b. The world’s view of beauty is unattainable and unrealistic
The world’s view is not working. Women have a higher rate of depression and we are trying to obtain perfection that is resulting in starving ourselves, anxiety, suicide and using drugs to cope with the pressure to be perfect.
The world is on one side saying you need to be perfect, what does God have to say?
Psalms 45:11 says - “The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.”
Before meeting my husband, if I got a note from Toby Mac or Ryan Gossling , that said they were enthralled or captivated by my beauty I would…first think it’s a prank, then go and tell all my friends. And perhaps carry myself differently (see myself as more valuable).
The King of Kings, the Creator of all things has sent us a note that says, “He is enthralled by your beauty”. What Toby Mac and Ryan Gossling say about my beauty pales in comparison to what God thinks. (Knowing this would you carry yourself differently? Would you take care of yourself more? Would you see yourself as valuable?)
III. How can we honor him with our beauty?
a. It’s like a tug of war everyday. We either serve our bodies to impress others or serve our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. This is a daily battle for every woman of every age.
b. How do we honor God by our beauty?
By the way we act and the way we dress ourselves. Shari Braendel in her book, Good Girls don’t have to Dress Bad, shares what she calls the 5 B’s of beauty,
1. Be yourself: dress in what you love and what loves you back.
2. Be colorful: wear shades that flatter you and your personality (red and green are not mine).
3. Be satisfied with your body: wear the size that fits, not too small, not too big (don’t compare)
4. Be beautiful: Remember you are amazing exactly as you are (true beauty radiates from within)
5. Be respectful. Ask your self would this out fit trip up a guy (any age)?
c. Each woman has an image that tells something about her. What does yours say about you?
IV. Show video of guys 4 minutes
(This video shows a perspective that most young women don’t hear. Christian guys who don’t want to be distracted by a girls body but want to see her inner beauty).
You probably have not heard from guys with those opinions very often. Maybe you don’t know guys like that because you are dressed to attract the opposite.
V. Let’s talk about Modesty.
“Dressing modestly doesn’t mean being old fashion and dressing puritan like. What is does mean is having an attitude in dressing that reflects a respect for God, our self, and even the opposite sex.” (Shari Braendel).
The "5 B's to avoid"
1. visible bra straps
2. bust lines (visible cleavage),
3. visible bellies
4. visible bottoms
5. "bubbling." (The last "B," explained Braendel, is the odd rippling, wrinkling or dimpling that occurs when denim is too tight or a bad fit.)
a. The point of the demonstrations was that fashion comes down to what gets attention. Braendel's message is, if a woman's physicality is spotlighted, it is going to drive attention to that part of her being. If the clothes highlight the entire person then the personality, the words and actions come through.
b. We are responsible to people not for people (not what they do or say). Guys are responsible for where their thoughts go. We are responsible for how we dress and present ourselves.
c. One of the things that drew my husband to me was my humor, personality, quick wittedness and good looks. It wasn’t because I was wearing skimpy clothes.
VI. Negative attention/Positive attention (any attention is better than no attention).
a. of you may get the attention you want from guys because you dress to show off your body. This may work for a time but what happens when your body changes and you get older. This guy that thinks your hot now may not think so when another chic walks in. Those short skirts and tight tops won’t look so good when your older. What will you be left with?
b. The world has its set of standards and we have a choice to decide what we listen to and believe. When I walk into a store, they don’t kick me out because I am too fat but when I try on the clothes its what I tell myself. If I continually tell myself I am fat, ugly, no thigh gap, too short, too tall….then I start to believe it. Ladies, if I try on clothes that don’t look good then I need to find something else to put on this amazing body that God has given me.
VII. God tells us to renew our minds. How do we do that? By memorizing and applying scripture.
a. Gen 1:27, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female”.
b. Psalm 139: 13-14, “For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well”.
c. Isaiah 40:26, “ Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing”.
d. Isaiah 43:1b, “I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine”.
e. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.
VII. What if we actually believed we were not only created in His image, but that we were beautiful too?
a. How would your life impact others?
Would my sons see women of God or a cheap imitation. Would they see women torn apart by unrealistic standards of beauty?
b. While our outer appearance isn’t meant to IMPRESS man – or woman – it IS meant to reflect Jesus. And how we dress, how we take care of ourselves, reflects what we think about ourselves, how we see ourselves, and ultimately it’s a reflection of Jesus.
Remember, Psalms 45:11 says - “The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.”
Parents,
If I could share one or two things with you it would be:
1. Tell your daughter that she is beautiful and not for what is on the outside. Find specific qualities that you like about her.
2. Take her shopping to try on different styles and types of clothes. Use the guidelines and help her see that modesty is beautiful.
3. Memorize scripture!!! The way to guard our hearts is by knowing and applying God’s word.
a. What do you believe people think about you?
b. It’s the idea of who you are; sense of one’s worth.
c. When you look in the mirror whose standard are you listening to?
d. What do you say to yourself? (do you point out the negative)
II. The world’s definition of beauty.
a. Perfection, flawless and sexy.
b. The world’s view of beauty is unattainable and unrealistic
The world’s view is not working. Women have a higher rate of depression and we are trying to obtain perfection that is resulting in starving ourselves, anxiety, suicide and using drugs to cope with the pressure to be perfect.
The world is on one side saying you need to be perfect, what does God have to say?
Psalms 45:11 says - “The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.”
Before meeting my husband, if I got a note from Toby Mac or Ryan Gossling , that said they were enthralled or captivated by my beauty I would…first think it’s a prank, then go and tell all my friends. And perhaps carry myself differently (see myself as more valuable).
The King of Kings, the Creator of all things has sent us a note that says, “He is enthralled by your beauty”. What Toby Mac and Ryan Gossling say about my beauty pales in comparison to what God thinks. (Knowing this would you carry yourself differently? Would you take care of yourself more? Would you see yourself as valuable?)
III. How can we honor him with our beauty?
a. It’s like a tug of war everyday. We either serve our bodies to impress others or serve our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. This is a daily battle for every woman of every age.
b. How do we honor God by our beauty?
By the way we act and the way we dress ourselves. Shari Braendel in her book, Good Girls don’t have to Dress Bad, shares what she calls the 5 B’s of beauty,
1. Be yourself: dress in what you love and what loves you back.
2. Be colorful: wear shades that flatter you and your personality (red and green are not mine).
3. Be satisfied with your body: wear the size that fits, not too small, not too big (don’t compare)
4. Be beautiful: Remember you are amazing exactly as you are (true beauty radiates from within)
5. Be respectful. Ask your self would this out fit trip up a guy (any age)?
c. Each woman has an image that tells something about her. What does yours say about you?
IV. Show video of guys 4 minutes
(This video shows a perspective that most young women don’t hear. Christian guys who don’t want to be distracted by a girls body but want to see her inner beauty).
You probably have not heard from guys with those opinions very often. Maybe you don’t know guys like that because you are dressed to attract the opposite.
V. Let’s talk about Modesty.
“Dressing modestly doesn’t mean being old fashion and dressing puritan like. What is does mean is having an attitude in dressing that reflects a respect for God, our self, and even the opposite sex.” (Shari Braendel).
The "5 B's to avoid"
1. visible bra straps
2. bust lines (visible cleavage),
3. visible bellies
4. visible bottoms
5. "bubbling." (The last "B," explained Braendel, is the odd rippling, wrinkling or dimpling that occurs when denim is too tight or a bad fit.)
a. The point of the demonstrations was that fashion comes down to what gets attention. Braendel's message is, if a woman's physicality is spotlighted, it is going to drive attention to that part of her being. If the clothes highlight the entire person then the personality, the words and actions come through.
b. We are responsible to people not for people (not what they do or say). Guys are responsible for where their thoughts go. We are responsible for how we dress and present ourselves.
c. One of the things that drew my husband to me was my humor, personality, quick wittedness and good looks. It wasn’t because I was wearing skimpy clothes.
VI. Negative attention/Positive attention (any attention is better than no attention).
a. of you may get the attention you want from guys because you dress to show off your body. This may work for a time but what happens when your body changes and you get older. This guy that thinks your hot now may not think so when another chic walks in. Those short skirts and tight tops won’t look so good when your older. What will you be left with?
b. The world has its set of standards and we have a choice to decide what we listen to and believe. When I walk into a store, they don’t kick me out because I am too fat but when I try on the clothes its what I tell myself. If I continually tell myself I am fat, ugly, no thigh gap, too short, too tall….then I start to believe it. Ladies, if I try on clothes that don’t look good then I need to find something else to put on this amazing body that God has given me.
VII. God tells us to renew our minds. How do we do that? By memorizing and applying scripture.
a. Gen 1:27, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female”.
b. Psalm 139: 13-14, “For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well”.
c. Isaiah 40:26, “ Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing”.
d. Isaiah 43:1b, “I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine”.
e. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”.
VII. What if we actually believed we were not only created in His image, but that we were beautiful too?
a. How would your life impact others?
Would my sons see women of God or a cheap imitation. Would they see women torn apart by unrealistic standards of beauty?
b. While our outer appearance isn’t meant to IMPRESS man – or woman – it IS meant to reflect Jesus. And how we dress, how we take care of ourselves, reflects what we think about ourselves, how we see ourselves, and ultimately it’s a reflection of Jesus.
Remember, Psalms 45:11 says - “The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.”
Parents,
If I could share one or two things with you it would be:
1. Tell your daughter that she is beautiful and not for what is on the outside. Find specific qualities that you like about her.
2. Take her shopping to try on different styles and types of clothes. Use the guidelines and help her see that modesty is beautiful.
3. Memorize scripture!!! The way to guard our hearts is by knowing and applying God’s word.
GROUP SESSION #3 - Identity and Social Media
Speaker - Sarah Brooks
Sarah Brooks is from the Ft Worth, TX area. She and her friend Kylie Pope flew in for this event to share with us. We found Sarah's blog in a cray, round about way (IE, GOD!) and we invited her to come speak. The blog post we read, that made us want her to come speak to the girls, was on Social Media. It was actually written as a note to parents, so rather than her write a summary of her session, we wanted you to read the blog post for yourself - since it was written for you. She adapted this message beautifully for the girls and will recap some of her session in her follow-up to them. Click on the link below to read her blog and see the pictures.
SARAH BROOKS' BLOG
SARAH BROOKS' BLOG
GROUP SESSION #4 - Choose to be Intentional
Speaker - Jenny Johnson
(Last session of the day)
We’ve talked about being Chosen and Choosing to make wise decisions in our lives. The last main point we want to leave you with today is to Choose to be Intentional. Being intentional suggests purposeful action and activity. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and allow life to happen all around you and to you. Choose to be Intentional.
In your syllabus, there is a quote, one of my favorites. It’s on the page with making new friends info. It says, “be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you. Be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.” Remember you are a seed. God created you, but if you are not growing in a beneficial environment and you do not have positive and Godly influences for friends, you may not bloom to reveal all God put inside of you, all that you could be. Look again at the Redwood trees’ root systems? Their roots do not go very deep so for stability, the trees grow very close together. Those we choose to be friends with and share our lives with can help us withstand the forces that will come against us like the Redwoods, We are stronger when we are together. Choose friends who will encourage you to make wise decisions and who are making wise decisions themselves.
Be intentional with your perspective. Another one of my favorite quotes is, “the real journey of discovery is not in having new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Sometimes we just need to look at things a different way. Understand God wastes nothing! Everything you have been thru up to this point in your life can be used for good – even if what you’ve been thru isn’t good. Even if you have made bad choices in the past - God can use everything. In tough situations, when you are making decisions, try to have new eyes - Take a step back, ask others for advice, talk to your parents, try to get suggestions from every angle, not just the easy angle or the seemingly fun one in the short-term, but try to keep a big picture perspective so you are able to see more clearly and make better decisions.
And finally, as our scripture on our graphic says, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Intentionally choose compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as you are becoming all God created you to be. As you choose these things, you will be reflecting Jesus to the world. You will be His mirror and will be reflecting His image.
Please remember though, Your choices here on earth affect your life here, but they do not affect God’s love for you. U can train wreck your life with bad choices, but God still loves you. YOU ARE CHOSEN!!! God chose to create you and have a relationship with you. He chose to give up His only Son for you and Jesus willingly Chose to die for you. We don't earn His love. He chooses us every day. Choose Jesus and Choose to bloom!
PARENTS -
1. Take time to remind your daughter that we ALL make mistakes. It's not about being perfect - only Jesus was perfect. It's not about pretending we don't make mistakes. It's hard to make mistakes and move past them, but remind them that nothing they can do can make them stop loving you.
2. Encourage them to share their struggles with you. You probably already do that, but if and when they want to talk, put down your phone, walk away from your computer and look at them face-to-face, eyeball to eyeball, let them know they matter to you and that their struggles and challenges matter to you. You are there to help them make better choices and see things from a new and different perspective. Try not to instantly give solutions, but rather listen and be sympathetic to them first - that's what us girls need so many times, a listening ear and sympathy before we need a solution. :)
3. Try to give her room to bloom – she will make mistakes and misunderstand God’s direction. Love her thru the blooming process and encourage her to keep going even when it gets tough and she makes mistakes. Remind her you make mistakes and are still on your own journey of discovery.
We’ve talked about being Chosen and Choosing to make wise decisions in our lives. The last main point we want to leave you with today is to Choose to be Intentional. Being intentional suggests purposeful action and activity. Don’t just sit on the sidelines and allow life to happen all around you and to you. Choose to be Intentional.
In your syllabus, there is a quote, one of my favorites. It’s on the page with making new friends info. It says, “be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you. Be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.” Remember you are a seed. God created you, but if you are not growing in a beneficial environment and you do not have positive and Godly influences for friends, you may not bloom to reveal all God put inside of you, all that you could be. Look again at the Redwood trees’ root systems? Their roots do not go very deep so for stability, the trees grow very close together. Those we choose to be friends with and share our lives with can help us withstand the forces that will come against us like the Redwoods, We are stronger when we are together. Choose friends who will encourage you to make wise decisions and who are making wise decisions themselves.
Be intentional with your perspective. Another one of my favorite quotes is, “the real journey of discovery is not in having new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Sometimes we just need to look at things a different way. Understand God wastes nothing! Everything you have been thru up to this point in your life can be used for good – even if what you’ve been thru isn’t good. Even if you have made bad choices in the past - God can use everything. In tough situations, when you are making decisions, try to have new eyes - Take a step back, ask others for advice, talk to your parents, try to get suggestions from every angle, not just the easy angle or the seemingly fun one in the short-term, but try to keep a big picture perspective so you are able to see more clearly and make better decisions.
And finally, as our scripture on our graphic says, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Intentionally choose compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as you are becoming all God created you to be. As you choose these things, you will be reflecting Jesus to the world. You will be His mirror and will be reflecting His image.
Please remember though, Your choices here on earth affect your life here, but they do not affect God’s love for you. U can train wreck your life with bad choices, but God still loves you. YOU ARE CHOSEN!!! God chose to create you and have a relationship with you. He chose to give up His only Son for you and Jesus willingly Chose to die for you. We don't earn His love. He chooses us every day. Choose Jesus and Choose to bloom!
PARENTS -
1. Take time to remind your daughter that we ALL make mistakes. It's not about being perfect - only Jesus was perfect. It's not about pretending we don't make mistakes. It's hard to make mistakes and move past them, but remind them that nothing they can do can make them stop loving you.
2. Encourage them to share their struggles with you. You probably already do that, but if and when they want to talk, put down your phone, walk away from your computer and look at them face-to-face, eyeball to eyeball, let them know they matter to you and that their struggles and challenges matter to you. You are there to help them make better choices and see things from a new and different perspective. Try not to instantly give solutions, but rather listen and be sympathetic to them first - that's what us girls need so many times, a listening ear and sympathy before we need a solution. :)
3. Try to give her room to bloom – she will make mistakes and misunderstand God’s direction. Love her thru the blooming process and encourage her to keep going even when it gets tough and she makes mistakes. Remind her you make mistakes and are still on your own journey of discovery.
BREAK-OUT LAB - Challenges --- 6th-8th graders
Speakers - Sarah Brooks & Kylie Pope
Music. Movies. Books. Language.
These are HUGE areas of our lives that we don’t often think of as “challenging”. But, believe it or not, what we say, what we hear, and what we see are of the utmost importance for our relationship with Jesus, because what we fill our eyes and ears with directly impacts our heart. Our senses our connected to our souls. Every single thing we say, hear, and see can either bring us closer to or draw us further from God.
Whoa.
I don’t know about you, but I see and hear and say a lot. Sometimes without even meaning to.
We all know that cussing isn’t the best use of our words, or that R rated movies might not be the best to see…but what about the little decisions we make? Do those little decisions affect us?
How about instead of thinking,
“How much can I do or say or see without getting in trouble?”
…what if we thought,
“How much can I honor Jesus with what I do, say, and see?”
Because God has given us the opportunity to show people His love in these seemingly small decisions!
So it’s not about how much “bad” language we avoid, but how much we can honor God and each other with our words. We can encourage one another, use positive nicknames, and make jokes that aren’t at someone else’s expense.
It’s not avoiding “bad” music, but choosing music that makes us more like Jesus just by listening to it. We’ve got to be intentional in knowing the lyrics of the music we listen to, because it’s filling our hearts with something and we need to know exactly what that something is.
It’s not about avoiding “bad” movies, but choosing to watch shows, movies, YouTube videos, etc. that glorify God. Shows where teenagers respect their parents and authority, where boys act appropriately towards girls, and where girls lift each other up instead of tearing each other down. And – remember – pay attention to what you’re laughing at in comedies. A lot of times Satan uses humor to bring down our defense. “Well, it was super funny, even though it had 974651684 cuss words…”
Ultimately, the choices you make in entertainment and language may look different than someone else’s, and that’s ok. It’s not a list of rights and wrongs in song and movie and book choices, it’s a conversation between you and God.
You may find that listening to a certain song or artist puts thoughts and messages in your head that you don’t need to focus on, or that reading a certain book inadvertently makes you treat your friends badly, or that watching certain shows negatively affect the language you use ...
Ask God to identify these trends. Ask Him to show you specific areas where your heart can draw closer to Him through the decisions and choices you’re making in your language, music, and entertainment.
God gave us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak. Our senses are gifts from Him…isn’t that cool?! So let’s give back. Let’s be intentional about honoring Him with the gifts he’s graciously given us.
PARENTS -
1. Be aware of the music, movies, and books you allow and encourage your daughter to listen to, watch and read. We sometimes forget how much these things can influence the way we view ourselves and the world around us. It might be obvious, but sometimes we lose track of the messages that they send our daughters.
2. Sometimes what is popular isn't necessarily beneficial for our daughters, and even though it may seem harmless, we need to recognize what our daughters are hearing and focusing on. Discuss with your daughters what messages are presented in the songs and books and movies and TV shows - don't just deny them, discuss why you prefer they not watch them or listen to them. Give them reasons not just rules so they grow to make the wise choices themselves.
Whoa.
I don’t know about you, but I see and hear and say a lot. Sometimes without even meaning to.
We all know that cussing isn’t the best use of our words, or that R rated movies might not be the best to see…but what about the little decisions we make? Do those little decisions affect us?
How about instead of thinking,
“How much can I do or say or see without getting in trouble?”
…what if we thought,
“How much can I honor Jesus with what I do, say, and see?”
Because God has given us the opportunity to show people His love in these seemingly small decisions!
So it’s not about how much “bad” language we avoid, but how much we can honor God and each other with our words. We can encourage one another, use positive nicknames, and make jokes that aren’t at someone else’s expense.
It’s not avoiding “bad” music, but choosing music that makes us more like Jesus just by listening to it. We’ve got to be intentional in knowing the lyrics of the music we listen to, because it’s filling our hearts with something and we need to know exactly what that something is.
It’s not about avoiding “bad” movies, but choosing to watch shows, movies, YouTube videos, etc. that glorify God. Shows where teenagers respect their parents and authority, where boys act appropriately towards girls, and where girls lift each other up instead of tearing each other down. And – remember – pay attention to what you’re laughing at in comedies. A lot of times Satan uses humor to bring down our defense. “Well, it was super funny, even though it had 974651684 cuss words…”
Ultimately, the choices you make in entertainment and language may look different than someone else’s, and that’s ok. It’s not a list of rights and wrongs in song and movie and book choices, it’s a conversation between you and God.
You may find that listening to a certain song or artist puts thoughts and messages in your head that you don’t need to focus on, or that reading a certain book inadvertently makes you treat your friends badly, or that watching certain shows negatively affect the language you use ...
Ask God to identify these trends. Ask Him to show you specific areas where your heart can draw closer to Him through the decisions and choices you’re making in your language, music, and entertainment.
God gave us eyes to see, ears to hear, and mouths to speak. Our senses are gifts from Him…isn’t that cool?! So let’s give back. Let’s be intentional about honoring Him with the gifts he’s graciously given us.
PARENTS -
1. Be aware of the music, movies, and books you allow and encourage your daughter to listen to, watch and read. We sometimes forget how much these things can influence the way we view ourselves and the world around us. It might be obvious, but sometimes we lose track of the messages that they send our daughters.
2. Sometimes what is popular isn't necessarily beneficial for our daughters, and even though it may seem harmless, we need to recognize what our daughters are hearing and focusing on. Discuss with your daughters what messages are presented in the songs and books and movies and TV shows - don't just deny them, discuss why you prefer they not watch them or listen to them. Give them reasons not just rules so they grow to make the wise choices themselves.
BREAK-OUT LAB - Challenges --- 9th-12th graders
Speaker - Meaghan Stewart
Challenges & Choices Parent’s Recap
Challenges
ž What are the different challenges that you deal with daily?
› Self image & self esteem issues?
› Peer pressure?
› Addiction?
› Lust/Sex?
ž For every challenge you will ever face there are ultimately two basic choices you will have to make: Godly choices or Worldly choices.
Choices
Godly Choices
› The “good” choices, but usually the difficult ones to make.
› These are the choices that aren’t always the popular ones.
ž Worldly Choices
› The “bad” choices, but usually the easiest ones to make.
› The popular choices that make life SEEM easier at the time.
Jacob & Esau (Gen. 25:27-34)
ž Esau was a man who had great potential. He was skilled at almost everything he did. The problem was, he made many poor choices in his life, culminating in him giving away his inheritance to his brother, Jacob, for a bowl of soup!
ž Esau did not understand the value of his inheritance or his future in God. He could only see the immediate pleasures available to him. His appetites were driven by his flesh, and his choices led to a life that even God said He despised in Esau. Every day there are “Esaus” living out their calling in the same way. They make choices based on what seems “right” at the moment for immediate gratification. God has a future and a plan for every person, but you have to CHOOSE to follow this plan.
Triggers
ž What are the different circumstances in our lives that can cause us to make choices that we would not normally OR do not really want to make?
› Divorce
› Depression
› Friends
› Struggles at school
› Struggles in relationships
Guardrails
A system designed to keep vehicles from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.
A standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience.
How do you deal with the challenges you face?
ž Have your guardrails already in place. Decide from the start (BEFORE you get into a situation) how you plan to respond to the different challenges you will face as a teen.
ž Here are a few ideas to help you get started: GUARDRAILS:
ž Drinking/Drugs:
ž Don’t ride with people who are under the influence.
ž Don’t attend parties where it is KNOWN that alcohol or drugs will be used.
ž Get your parents involved
ž Make sure they are willing to come get you if you ever find yourself in a situation where you just need to GET OUT!
ž Self-Image:
ž Commit to modesty from the start.
ž Limit what you watch, read, listen to, etc.
ž Hang around positive people who support your views or commitment.
ž Have positive role models.
ž Peer Pressure:
ž Don’t feel like you owe anyone an explanation or “excuse” for saying no to a situation or environment.
ž Again, have positive role models and friends who support your commitments and beliefs.
ž Stay away from situations, people, etc. that have the potential to bring you down.
ž Get and KEEP your parents involved.
ž Talk to your parents before you ever “need” them to bail you out of a mess on how yall will respond to these types of situations.
Challenges
ž What are the different challenges that you deal with daily?
› Self image & self esteem issues?
› Peer pressure?
› Addiction?
› Lust/Sex?
ž For every challenge you will ever face there are ultimately two basic choices you will have to make: Godly choices or Worldly choices.
Choices
Godly Choices
› The “good” choices, but usually the difficult ones to make.
› These are the choices that aren’t always the popular ones.
ž Worldly Choices
› The “bad” choices, but usually the easiest ones to make.
› The popular choices that make life SEEM easier at the time.
Jacob & Esau (Gen. 25:27-34)
ž Esau was a man who had great potential. He was skilled at almost everything he did. The problem was, he made many poor choices in his life, culminating in him giving away his inheritance to his brother, Jacob, for a bowl of soup!
ž Esau did not understand the value of his inheritance or his future in God. He could only see the immediate pleasures available to him. His appetites were driven by his flesh, and his choices led to a life that even God said He despised in Esau. Every day there are “Esaus” living out their calling in the same way. They make choices based on what seems “right” at the moment for immediate gratification. God has a future and a plan for every person, but you have to CHOOSE to follow this plan.
Triggers
ž What are the different circumstances in our lives that can cause us to make choices that we would not normally OR do not really want to make?
› Divorce
› Depression
› Friends
› Struggles at school
› Struggles in relationships
Guardrails
A system designed to keep vehicles from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.
A standard of behavior that becomes a matter of conscience.
How do you deal with the challenges you face?
ž Have your guardrails already in place. Decide from the start (BEFORE you get into a situation) how you plan to respond to the different challenges you will face as a teen.
ž Here are a few ideas to help you get started: GUARDRAILS:
ž Drinking/Drugs:
ž Don’t ride with people who are under the influence.
ž Don’t attend parties where it is KNOWN that alcohol or drugs will be used.
ž Get your parents involved
ž Make sure they are willing to come get you if you ever find yourself in a situation where you just need to GET OUT!
ž Self-Image:
ž Commit to modesty from the start.
ž Limit what you watch, read, listen to, etc.
ž Hang around positive people who support your views or commitment.
ž Have positive role models.
ž Peer Pressure:
ž Don’t feel like you owe anyone an explanation or “excuse” for saying no to a situation or environment.
ž Again, have positive role models and friends who support your commitments and beliefs.
ž Stay away from situations, people, etc. that have the potential to bring you down.
ž Get and KEEP your parents involved.
ž Talk to your parents before you ever “need” them to bail you out of a mess on how yall will respond to these types of situations.
BREAK-OUT LAB - Relationships --- 6th-8th graders
Speakers - Tricia Schnoor & Molly Sears
Hello moms and dads!
First of all we would like to express how much we enjoyed getting to teach your daughters at the teenSHE event. We wanted to share with you, some of the topics we covered in our session on relationships, so that you have the chance to discuss and unpack some of these ideas as a family.
During our discussion, we hit three major topics: Relationships with parents, relationships with friends, and relationships with boys. We camped out mostly in the friendship area, because we feel it’s the most pertinent type of relationship during the middle school years. However, we feel that our girls need guidance in all three of these types of relationships. Our goal through our discussion was to encourage them, and give them tools that they can use to conduct their relationships in a way that is healthy, and honors God.
Here were are primary points in each discussion:
Parents-
· Your parents REALLY DO love you. (It’s out of this love that they make decisions, create rules and boundaries, and exercise discipline.)
· Parents are stewards over their children. (They are accountable to God for the way they rear them and build their character.)
· Discipline (It is beneficial and necessary. God disciplines us out of His great love for us. Heb. 12:5-12)
Friendships-
· Many friendships are seasonal (They may not last forever—and that’s okay!)
· Jonathan and David are a Biblical model of a healthy friendship.
(Jonathan was selfless and giving, and David honored him in return.)
· The Love Languages of Friendship (Based upon the writings of Gary Chapman in his book, “The Five Love Languages”)
· How to resolve conflicts (Forgiveness within friendships)
· Gossip (How to counteract and reverse negative conversations)
Boys-
· Boys are friends first (Before they are objects of affection, they are brothers in Christ.)
· Don’t get carried away (Healthy crushes vs. obsession)
· It’s not a race (There is no rush to enter into dating relationships.)
PARENTS -
(Practical Ways to engage your daughter in important conversations)
· Try chatting in the car after school when situations are fresh on your daughter’s mind.
· Ask your daughter about her friends in a friendly, casual way.
· Share insight about friendships from your personal life or past. If you open up to them (in an appropriate way,) they may be more likely to open up to you.
· Let your daughter know that your relationship is safe. They are free to tell you anything, and you will still love them.
First of all we would like to express how much we enjoyed getting to teach your daughters at the teenSHE event. We wanted to share with you, some of the topics we covered in our session on relationships, so that you have the chance to discuss and unpack some of these ideas as a family.
During our discussion, we hit three major topics: Relationships with parents, relationships with friends, and relationships with boys. We camped out mostly in the friendship area, because we feel it’s the most pertinent type of relationship during the middle school years. However, we feel that our girls need guidance in all three of these types of relationships. Our goal through our discussion was to encourage them, and give them tools that they can use to conduct their relationships in a way that is healthy, and honors God.
Here were are primary points in each discussion:
Parents-
· Your parents REALLY DO love you. (It’s out of this love that they make decisions, create rules and boundaries, and exercise discipline.)
· Parents are stewards over their children. (They are accountable to God for the way they rear them and build their character.)
· Discipline (It is beneficial and necessary. God disciplines us out of His great love for us. Heb. 12:5-12)
Friendships-
· Many friendships are seasonal (They may not last forever—and that’s okay!)
· Jonathan and David are a Biblical model of a healthy friendship.
(Jonathan was selfless and giving, and David honored him in return.)
· The Love Languages of Friendship (Based upon the writings of Gary Chapman in his book, “The Five Love Languages”)
· How to resolve conflicts (Forgiveness within friendships)
· Gossip (How to counteract and reverse negative conversations)
Boys-
· Boys are friends first (Before they are objects of affection, they are brothers in Christ.)
· Don’t get carried away (Healthy crushes vs. obsession)
· It’s not a race (There is no rush to enter into dating relationships.)
PARENTS -
(Practical Ways to engage your daughter in important conversations)
· Try chatting in the car after school when situations are fresh on your daughter’s mind.
· Ask your daughter about her friends in a friendly, casual way.
· Share insight about friendships from your personal life or past. If you open up to them (in an appropriate way,) they may be more likely to open up to you.
· Let your daughter know that your relationship is safe. They are free to tell you anything, and you will still love them.