30 Days of Prayer Week Three

May 15th

Pray that members of the church would be prepared for persecution, remembering to love, not curse, their persecutors.

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:20

May 16th

Pray that hope for political change would be outpaced by a hope for our true land - heaven.

Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
1 Peter 2:11

May 17th

Pray that giving of tithes, time, and talents would be faithful, joyful, and consistent.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

May 18th

Pray that more members would use their careers to take the gospel to places it has never been.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.
Colossians 3:23

May 19th

Pray that members would be good and do good in their workplaces this week.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:12

May 20th

Pray that we have a clear understanding of God's will in our personal lives and the life of the church.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

30 Days Of Prayer Week Two

May 8th

Pray that the elders remain above reproach - that they would be kept from falling into temptation, complacency, and worldliness.

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
Titus 1:7-9

May 9th

Pray that the church's prayers would be infused with biblical ambitions, honesty, and humility.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others."
Matthew 6:5

May 10th

Pray that the church's songs would teach members to biblically confess, lament, and praise.

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
Psalm 96:1-3

May 11th

Pray that the church's adult members would work to disciple younger church members.

"You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us."
Titus 2:1-8

May 12th

Pray that the church's primary teachers and leaders grow in dedication to God's Word.

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day."
Acts 17:11

May 13th

Pray that the church would grow in being distinct from the world in love and holiness as it works to engage those outside of the church.

[Prayer of Jesus to His Father, God] "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
John 17:15-18


May 14th

Pray that members of the church would share the gospel this week with others who are not believers!

"So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly."
Acts 6:7

30 Days of Prayer - Week One

Week One Prayers

May 2 

Pray that we have unity amid diversity. We have the gospel of Jesus in common if nothing else.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Ephesians 4:4-6

May 3

Pray that we develop a culture of disciplining which views instruction and encouragement as vital to the Christian life.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20

May 4

Pray that we have faithful elders who rely upon God's Word to prepare for the work of ministry.

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." 
1 Timothy 5:17

May 5

Pray that we have a hunger for studying the gospel so that we are prepared in God's Word.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:15

May 6

Pray that we have transparent, meaningful relationships with one another.

Jesus prayed about his followers: "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."
John 17:21

May 7

Pray that God's Word is proclaimed carefully and correctly through preaching and teaching.

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?"
Romans 10:14

Messy Stuff - Lesson Sample For April 2016

In this 5-week small group video series, Fusion Youth will examine the reality of our messy lives-and discover how valuable they are to God, despite their messiness. We will investigate the wrong ways and the right ways to handle the stuff that makes life messy and causes our pain and brokenness. And we will be encouraged to invite God and other people into the process of change in their lives.

Fusion Youth students will discover that despite life's messiness, we can be healed and made whole.

Topics for this series include:

•    Me, Valuable?

•    Um, What Happened?

•    How To Handle The Hurts

•    Finding Hope in the Messiness

•    Remember, Life's Pain Isn't Permanent!

Join us Sunday nights at 6 p.m. to experience God's plan for your life!  

Resource Article For Teens March 2016 - Dating

Dating Advice for Young Adults
MARCH 3, 2016 • DEB KOSTER

The world of dating relationships is riddled with challenges to maneuver. How do you find the right one to walk with you through life? What should the relationship look like when? Are there rules, benchmarks, or steps for measuring the depth and health of a relationship? God designed us for fellowship, but it's confusing when relationships don't come together or come together too fast. So how can we be good dates for serious relationships?

Don’t rush.

There may be people that you love who would like to see you find a relationship quickly, but don’t feel pressured to comply. Choosing the person with whom you want to spend your life should be a selective process. So take your time and be discerning. Relationships are built over time, and should never be rushed into, neither because of your parents nor because you feel the senior scramble pressure before graduation.

Drop the rush. 

If you've got someone in mind, feel free get to know each other in group settings. Feel free to have dates alone too, so that you can get to know each other--sharing a meal or a movie doesn't mean you're instantly an item (leave that for Facebook!). Be willing to take your time. If you are in too much of a hurry then you will be tempted to settle for less than God desires for you.
Still, while there's no rush, keep the end in mind. The goal of romantic relationships is a permanent, lifelong marriage. That's not tomorrow, but neither are you simply out to have a good time while it lasts. That dishonors everyone involved, including you. Take your time, enjoy the walk, but know there is a destination at the end of the path. Friends hang out forever. Couples grow in intimacy.

Be yourself.

At first, we're all on our best behavior to make a good impression. But be yourself. If you find you are adjusting yourself in order to fit someone else's expectations, be cautious. Our friends should make us better people, but don't try to be someone you're not, because it's not true and it's not sustainable.

Also, seek romantic relationships with those that share your faith, and avoid relationships with those that don't. Our culture says religion is about trivial preferences, but true religion is the foundation for how we order our lives. You can't build a life on a mismatched foundation. Do not be unequally yoked. Seek those that encourage you to be more Christ-like. Don't put your relationship with God in second place to enter a romantic relationship.

Build connections.

Intimacy has four facets: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical. Your relationship should grow in all those connections in proportion as you mature together. Do you enjoy talking and doing things together? Is there mutual respect and even admiration of each other's gifts? Are you in tune with how the other is feeling, and what their hopes, joys, and fears are? Are you growing and practicing faith together, in worship, prayer, and service? Are you comfortable, tender, and responsible in each other's space?  You need deepening connections in all these areas, not just one. Cultivate them intentionally. Talk about them and make plans explicitly on how you can grow together appropriately if needed. Danger or trouble in one area is a red flag for them all.

Live out your passions.

God has given you passions that excite the heart and drive engagement with the world. Seek those who share or affirm your passions--it's a natural platform for intimacy. Dating someone with opposite interests means both of you will fight for attention with these things you enjoy, either dragging the other along, or without the other's involvement, or you simply drop the opportunity to enjoy them. Don’t settle for someone who doesn't encourage you in living out God’s gifts in your life. Your passions are part of God’s gifting to you, and should be followed instead of dismissed.

Face insecurities.

We're all damaged with insecurities, and trying to grow closer touches on our vulnerabilities. Your partner is broken too, and you will step on each other's toes. Expect a little conflict, and decide to treat relationship missteps as opportunities to learn and grow together.
Yet, some relationships will end (and should end), and that will be OK. It is important to look honestly at ourselves without getting too uptight. Let each relationship teach you something about yourself. You have to own your triggers, but you are fully worthy of love. Let your sense of self-worth come from your identity as a child of God and not from what other people think about you. Don’t let your insecurities keep you from reaching out and stepping into a relationship.

Be picky.

Don’t settle for a less than a God-honoring relationship. Don't hold out for someone who is perfect, because no one is perfect. But be choosy for someone who honors God and honors you. Don’t settle for someone who is living outside of God’s guidelines for life. A person of questionable moral character is not someone you want to build a life with. Befriend them, witness to them, but don’t date them--it will only lead to heartache.

Keep a sense of humor.

Every relationship will have awkward moments. Decide not to get bent out of shape over the screw-ups. There is nothing productive to be gained from kicking yourself over past mistakes. It is a blessing to learn to laugh at your own mistakes. Decide to take life as a fun adventure and acquire some interesting stories and laughs along the way. If you will be able to laugh about it down the road, then why not start by laughing now.

Seek wise counsel.

Listen to what the voices around you have to say about your relationship. Gain wisdom by listening to those not emotionally invested in the relationship. If all of the voices in your life are suggesting that your relationship is not healthy, be willing to consider their perspective. If you have emotional wounds that need healing, seek out some professional help before pursuing a new relationship. Bringing our brokenness into a relationship won’t bring us healing, it just brings baggage into the presence of a new person. Let wise counsel set you on the right course for pursuing a healthy relationship.

Follow God’s leading.

If our relationships are out of sync with the way that God has called us to live, then it is our relationships that need to change. God has a plan for you, plans to prosper you. Seeking God’s will should be the priority. Matthew 6:33 tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Decide to make following God the priority and discover what blessings he adds to your life.

Dating can be challenging to maneuver, but these truths can help you discover a relationship that will be right for you and honoring to God. You want to be sure that the person with whom you plan on spending your life is someone who honors God and will be a blessing to you in your life.


Deb Koster is a producer, writer, and speaker for Family Fire. After over 20 years as a Registered Nurse, she is following her passion for family ministry. Deb and her husband Steven enjoy leading marriage retreats and family seminars to encourage people in their most intimate relationships. The Kosters are the parents of three awesome young adults and reside in the Chicagoland area.

Read more articles like this at: www.familyfire.reframemedia.com/parenting.

Parent Resource Article March 2016 - Parenting Skills

Living into the Authority God established for Families
FEBRUARY 8, 2016 • DEB KOSTER

Who's in charge at home? Healthy families need structures of authority, and we all have authorities in life to which we answer. God cares about the flourishing of families, and calls us to be accountable to one another in our roles, in society and at home. Consider the authority that God has set in place and evaluate how your family is embracing a Biblical model of authority.

Everyone answers to God’s authority.

Even at home, parents are never so above the law that they can behave in any way they choose. We are all accountable to God and we should live in obedience to God’s word. Psalm 47:7-8 says, “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.” We serve in obedience under God’s authority. Our lives should reflect an obedience to God’s commandments. Jesus said in Matthew that, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” If we can recognize that the authority of this world is placed into hands that we can trust, it may make it easier for us to relinquish control.

God has instituted authorities.

In society, we have a responsibility to respect those with authority over us and model respect for those God has commanded us to obey. Romans 13:1 says, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” Parents have an opportunity to model respect for authority by how they live under the authority of the church and the government. Protest can be appropriate, for all people are under God's design, but it should still be respectful. The obedience and respect that we model will be the obedience and respect we'll see in our kids.

God placed parents in charge.

At home, parents are in charge, and their parenting goal is to raise godly kids. Our culture pushes an ongoing temptation to defer to the wishes of our children. Our culture has made an idol out of childhood. We love our children and desire that they would feel our affection. We dote over children trying to provide them with every new opportunity. But as a child's happiness, rather than character, becomes the focus, children become entitled, expect others to serve them, and take on an authoritative role in the home as parents defer to their desires. But this is not how God established the authority in the home. Parenting is not about meeting children's expectations. God placed parents in the position of leadership in the home and we should not neglect the responsibility God has given us as parents.

Be the parent: Accept the responsibility given to you.

Parents can feel helpless when a newborn is placed in their arms and entrusted to their care. Parents may feel clueless about how to parent well when a child's behavior is baffling. Parents may wish to remain forever young and not act like their own parents. But that does not alter the call of parenting nor the position of authority that God gives parents in the home.

You are the grownup, and there is help available. Sometimes parents need each other. Sometimes we lean on God in prayer for strength. Sometimes professional resources through Christian counseling centers can be very helpful, whether seminars or counseling. God promises to give wisdom to those who seek it. Proverbs 13:24 says,“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” Exercising our authority and disciplining is a demonstration of love to our families. It is in your power to say no to things and set limits. As those given authority, it is okay to say no to things that interfere with making God central in our homes. God places us in authority over our children and calls us exercise that authority faithfully. Parents can delegate age appropriate responsibilities to help their children learn responsibility, but they do not neglect the role of being in charge.

Ignored responsibility is harmful.

We harm kids when we do not serve them by being in charge. Children should have age-appropriate decision making power, but they shouldn't be responsible for parenting siblings or without resources for meeting their own needs. It is far healthier for children to exercise age appropriate independence. Absent or neglectful parents raise anxious and directionless kids since structure provides the supports that children need for success. Children should not be in charge of home finances or house rules; this is part of the parents' domain. Children should have age appropriate responsibilities without being put in a position to carry a burden that is beyond their ability. The brain of child is still developing and it is ill prepared for seeing the consequences of actions so do not give them authority that God did not entrust to them.

Obey authority over you.

Children answer to the authority of the parents. As Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” This is the structure that God has put in place. As parents we need to accept the position in which God has placed us. Our culture tends to put the wants and desires of children central in family life. This is not the role that God established so we need to be careful not to give our children undue influence into the functioning of the family. It is appropriate for parents to take into consideration the needs of everyone in the home, but ultimately it is the adults who must be exercising decision making authority. This indulgent parenting is harmful to children in that it gives them authority that is beyond their capabilities.

Wield authority with love.

We do not neglect our role as parents leaving our children without leadership or abuse our role by being harsh with our authority. It is important to listen to the voices of everyone involved and allow opportunities for other voices to be heard. As Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Neglectful or abusive parenting is as destructive as indulgent parenting. Parents who exercise authority without love are too enamored with their own power. Our children should obey not just because we say so, but because they know that we love them and want what is in their best interest.

Negotiating the authority in the home can be challenging, but God has established his channels of authority to bless us. If we are all fighting for control then we the result is chaos. Following God’s design brings us to a place of orderly function.


Deb Koster is a producer, writer, and speaker for Family Fire. After over 20 years as a Registered Nurse, she is following her passion for family ministry. Deb and her husband Steven enjoy leading marriage retreats and family seminars to encourage people in their most intimate relationships. The Kosters are the parents of three awesome young adults and reside in the Chicagoland area.

Read more articles like this at: www.familyfire.reframemedia.com/parenting.

"Sexpectations"

The following is taken from an article from Jonathan McKee at TheSource4YM.com. 

WARNING: The following article references elicit sexual imagery from today's youth culture and might be offensive. If you are offended... good! You should be. Because our kids are exposed to this content every day. 

Valentines Day is approaching, a month with cumbersome unwritten pressures to be in a relationship. The question is, what does that relationship entail? Are there… expectations?

If you peek through the perspective of today’s young people, you can’t ignore where they’re gleaning information for these decisions. Sure, they’ve got their parents, who might have just sat them down once two summers ago and gave “the talk” (even though all research shows the need for ongoing conversations). And if they happen to go to church, they might even hear the once a year “true love waits” talk. But then during the rest of the year they are plugged into entertainment media and technology for an average of about 9 hours a day. What kinda “talk” do you think they are gleaning during these hours?

The sum result might be a little bit confusing to young people. Parents and church are telling them to “wait,” and every other source is telling them, “Go with what feels right in the moment.” Many young people go into relationships unsure exactly what to do?

Maybe that’s what Justin Bieber’s song, What do you mean? is inferring (the song went No. 1 in September and has been riding the top 10 for the last 18 weeks) when he sang:

When you nod your head yes, 
but you wanna say no...

Or maybe his music video of the song, viewed literally over half a billion times already on YouTube, conveys what those expectations truly look like, because it only took the girl 26 seconds before she began removing her clothes once she greeted Justin at the hotel room door.

Enter the mind of the young person watching this video as they process the images and lyrical melodies, weighing in their own mind if this relates to their world.
Am I supposed to look perfect like that?

Is this what I am supposed to do with my emotions and impulses?

Will sexual intimacy like this fill my need for affirmation?
How are today’s young people supposed to discern what relationship protocol looks like today? When is sex expected? Is 26 seconds the standard? Is it as quick as 10 texts or less?

Is Justin Bieber’s hotel room hookup the standard, or will that just lead to regret, like when Bieber declared:

And now I know, I'm better sleeping on my own 
(Love Yourself, Justin Bieber)

Next thing we know he’s just going to just come back and say:

Is it too late now to say sorry? 
Cause I’m missing more than just your body. 
(Sorry, Justin Bieber)

In a world that is desperately trying to make sexual intimacy no big deal, many who have ventured down that road are slowly realizing… sex matters.

It’s almost like sexual intimacy has more bonding power than people realize. Even the world of entertainment media can’t help but reveal this in its attempt at authentic storytelling. How many times have you watched a movie or TV show where the characters become sexually intimate with full disclosure that “this means nothing,” only to find out it bonded them uniquely. Perhaps there’s merit to that key verse in Genesis, Chapter 2 when God says, “The two will become one flesh.”

In the research for my book Sex Matters earlier this year, I discovered some remarkable realities about sexual connection:

Sex is a big part of this union as “one.” It’s a special gift created for married couples to share uniquely, and their relationship actually becomes more connected the more the two of them are intimate with each other.

The human body releases a powerful hormone called oxytocin when you hug or kiss someone you really care about. This hormone, often called the bonding hormone, or cuddle hormone, is stimulated big time during sex. It actually deepens the feelings of attachment each time a couple has sex. In one study, men were given oxytocin while they looked at pictures of women—including complete strangers, women they were acquainted with, and women they were in love with. The pleasure and desire regions of their brains lit up at the mere sight of the women they loved.

This is why the pain of a breakup is so great. Think of the thousands of songs written about this kind of hurt. The more we bond with someone and share the most intimate part of ourselves . . . the more it rips us apart when we separate.

It’s almost as if the creator behind the design of all this didn’t want us to make that sexual connection unless we meant to stay together, eh? (Sex Matters, Bethany House)
It’s funny how prophetic that sentence was: “songs written about this kind of hurt.” If you were to look at the charts today and start adding a little checkmark next to songs about breakups and post relationship drama, then your pen might run out of ink pretty quick. In fact, you’d check 8 out of the top 10 songs in the Billboard Top 100 right now, including Adele’s, Hello, where she sings:

They say that time's supposed to heal ya 
But I ain't done much healing 
Hello, can you hear me…

But today’s music isn’t just full of heartache, it’s also full of hookups, whether late night booty calls…

“Call me on my cell phone 
Late night when you need my love 
I know when that hotline bling 
That can only mean one thing…” 
(Hotline Bling, Drake)

…or blunt sexually explicit proposals…

Baby girl, you're so damn fine though 
I'm tryna know if I could hit it from behind though… 
(679, Fetty Wap)

Note that the above is the “clean version” because it doesn’t have any strong curse words. So when he references wanting to have sex from behind… that’s “clean.”

What is scarier: the blunt sexual rants of Fetty Wap, or the desperate longing for attention from Selena Gomez in her current song, Good for You:

“Gonna wear that dress you like, skin-tight 
Do my hair up real, real nice 
And syncopate my skin to your heart beating 
'Cause I just wanna look good for you, good for you, uh-huh 
I just wanna look good for you, good for you, uh-huh 
Let me show you how proud I am to be yours 
Leave this dress a mess on the floor 
And still look good for you, good for you, uh-huh” 
(Good for You, Selena Gomez)

As today’s young girls are evaluating their own looks, desiring relationships, and deciding how sexually intimate they will be in these relationships… will this song resonate with them? Is “looking good for him” going to keep him? Does it mean simply “wearing a skintight dress”, or going further and “leaving the dress on the floor” (advice from the girl who can't keep her "Hands to Myself")?

Or will that just leave them feeling the same way Selena feels when she sings, “…I’m sick of that same old love, my body's had enough.” (Same Old Love, Selena Gomez)


FOR PARENTS (or teens wanting to learn):

Get the help you need in two books by Jonathan -

MORE THAN JUST THE TALK (for parents and adult role models)
and SEX MATTERS (for teens and tweens).

GET BOTH BOOKS HERE IN ONE PACK FOR JUST $15 TOTAL BY CLICKING HERE.

January Thrive Teens - Get Wisdom!

Check out this devotional from Youth Pastor Neal Bowes! You can get more devotionals from him at www.dailydevos.org.

Seeking Wisdom
        by: Neal Bowes

Read

Proverbs 3:13 (CEB)
13 Happy are those who find wisdom
and those who gain understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:13-14 (NLT)
13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

James 3:17 (CEB)
17 What of the wisdom from above? First, it is pure, and then peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good actions, fair, and genuine.

Reflect

There was a man in our church congregation named Dick Cuddeback. He passed away some time ago, and I still miss him because he was so very wise. It didn’t really matter what the subject was, I could always count on him for amazing insight, kind words, and useful advice. Dick loved God, loved God’s people, and certainly had the Spiritual gift of wisdom. Receiving a word from Dick was like hearing directly from God, and I always felt better after a conversation with him.
We have so much information at our fingertips. Most of us carry in our pockets more computing power than what they used to land on the moon. But information is different than wisdom. Sometimes we need loving insight from somebody who is connected to God and Spiritually gifted with wisdom.

Do your friends often come to you for advice? Do you believe that God guides you to make good decisions? Can you often see easy solutions to complex problems? If so, you might have the Spiritual gift of wisdom.

Respond

If you think you might have the Spiritual gift of wisdom, talk to your pastor or other trusted spiritual leader about it. Pray for God to help you develop this gift and put it to use.
Meanwhile, take some time in prayer to thank God for the wise person whom you depend on. Make it a point to let that person know how much their advice means to you.

Relate

If today’s devotion spoke to you in a particular way and you feel led to share your thoughts with others, please do so.

January Study For Fusion Youth

In January and February we will be exploring some scriptures from the book of Proverbs which will give us tools on how to make good decisions and handle all the stuff in life that is thrown our way! For example, look and see that this is the very reason they were written:

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

for gaining wisdom and instruction;

    for understanding words of insight;

for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,

    doing what is right and just and fair; 

for giving prudence to those who are simple,

    knowledge and discretion to the young—

let the wise listen and add to their learning,

    and let the discerning get guidance—

for understanding proverbs and parables,

    the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

    but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(Proverbs 1:1-7)

Join us Sunday nights at 6 pm for fun, fellowship, and study of God's word! 

Welcome to NHCC Thrive for Teens!

Welcome to the New Hope THRIVE page for teens! In Proverbs 29:2 we read:

"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice!"

At New Hope we are committed to seeing people grow in Christ through God's Word. To do this, we have set discipleship building as a core value. To help facilitate that goal we are introducing a series of blogs with faith formation material outside of the Sunday morning worship experience.

These blogs will fall under the title of THRIVE. We have selected this title to reflect the idea expressed in the Bible which state that Jesus came to give us life to the full (John 10:10). God would see us thrive, not just survive. In order to promote spiritual growth and see believers thrive, not survive, we will be posting material to help students
grow in their understanding of God, the Bible, and hopefully themselves.

Check back regularly. We will post monthly as well as weekly information! Blessings!