"Guy Talk Girl Talk" at CONNECT

I am so excited to announce the we will be starting a new series in our CONNECT senior high small groups next Wednesday night (September 24) called "Guy Talk Girl Talk". Katie Sommerfeld will be leading the senior high girls which will meet at her house. I will be with the senior high guys which will start out meeting at my place. Each student will receive a special notebook to use for notes, journaling, prayer requests, etc.

All senior high students are invited to attend as we kick off our fall small groups. There is no cost (although we may ask students to volunteer to bring treats from time to time). The groups begin at 7 p.m. and run about an hour and a half.

I think this will be a great series with topics of interest to each person. Here is the description of the series from the Simply Youth Ministries web site (which publishes the curriculum):

We’ve created an extensive 10-week small group curriculum with two paths, each specifically tailored for one gender or the other.

This small group curriculum series will help your students get solid biblical insight on topics ranging from friendships and gossip to peer pressure and sex. Designed to get your students talking about significant and real issues that they face everyday, you’ll see your students begin to open up, share their thoughts and feelings, and witness the formation of deep and lasting friendships.

Guy Topics Include:

• Being a Man
• Self Image
• Relationships
• True Strength
• Girls
• Lust
• Wounds
• Responsibility
• Leading
• God-given Tools

Girl Topics Include:

• Appearance
• Friendships
• Girl Politics
• Gossip
• Image
• Kindness
• Purity
• Sex
• Value
• Worth

Help your students tackle the issues they face as guys and girls in a fallen world.

CONNECT after Connect

Students looking to continue to "connect" after this year's Connect - See You at the Pole are in luck: Ignite Student Ministries' small group ministry - also called CONNECT - will be launching for the fall on Wednesday evening, September 24, at 7 p.m. and continuing on Wednesday nights throughout the school year.

We believe that small groups are an integral part of our journey with God. We experience community and grow together as we meet each week to talk about God, His Word, and life. Join us as we 'connect' with God and each other and do life together in our CONNECT small groups.

Watch for more specific details on leaders and locations in the next couple of weeks.

Sr Hi Small Groups Kick Off the Summer Schedule

Well, we just finished up with our first "program/event" of the summer - our first senior high small group! We had a small group (ironic? maybe.) but I know of a few more that will be joining us as the summer progresses. Nevertheless we had a lot of fun, good food, and great discussion.

This week we talked about names and identity, keying of Rob Bell's Nooma video, "Name", as our discussion starter. It was a great jumping off point for some talk about who we are compared with other people and why we shouldn't be comparing ourselves with others in the first place! We also talked about the 'names' or labels that describe us and how we each have a unique path to walk.

The group is excited about continuing with the video/discussion format. Several expressed interest in moving to a morning meeting! (Of course "morning" for high school students means bright an early at 9:30 a.m.!) We'll talk some more about that and let everyone know if we end up moving times. Tuesday mornings is the current preferred time. That would keep us from bumping up against summer sports or work schedules.

All in all, a great start to the summer.

Summer Small Groups Launch

Ignite students will begin summer small groups this week. Our senior high group will meet on Mondays from 2-3:30 p.m. beginning June 2. Junior high groups kick off the summer with a meeting this Thursday, June 5, at noon at Pizza Hut. (Junior high group will meet Thursdays from 2-3:30 p.m. after this week.) Groups will initially begin meeting at the Spahr home. Groups will feature Bible study, discussion, sharing and prayer (and food!).

All students are invited to participate as we "do life together" in small groups. If you've never been a part of a small group before this would be a great time to start! Don't miss out.

CONNECT Goes to Prison

I am so excited about a new series we are starting this Sunday night at our CONNECT small group for Ignite students. We will be tackling the book of Philippians in a series we're calling "Prison Break: Mission and Contentment Under Arrest".

Students can participate in this at a variety of levels. They can just come and join in on the discussion and learn while at group. Or they can do some reading and devotional journaling each week to familiarize themselves with the content in preparation for our discussion. If they really want to take the next step, they can challenge themselves with a great "Rootworks" take-home study on Philippians.

This is a great jumping on point for students who may not have been involved in small group to this point. Students will want to bring their Bibles to group each week, as well.

[Graphic courtesy of Reid Monaghan. UB P]