This post has nothing to do with a mistake made in the heat of passion last night. INSTEAD it has to do with great things happening last night in YG.
Here are some of the cool things that I saw:
- Mr. B's game totally bombed! You guys were so totally paying attention about Hilary (did I spell it right?) last week that you knew all of the answers to Mr. BBBBB's trivia challenge. Good listening!
- Worship leading is becoming a part of what teens like doing at WyBC! When I proposed the next step, there was no fussing. When you sang last night it actually sounded good, from the heart, and I just focused on some really great leadership choices. Andrew led me mentally into the next song with some thoughtful transition statements. Good leading!
- You all had Bibles with you and opened them! This is the first time (that I remember) that everyone in attendance had their Bibles with them. And there were some new Bibles being distributed at Christmas time -- what teen in their right mind would ask for a Bible for Christmas? :D I know some!! And study Bibles to boot -- not just trendy metal cased or slim hide-it-under-a-bushel Bibles either! :D Good learning!
- 7:30 came in a hurry! Again, I missed you guys; I missed your good discussion of the text and interaction with Mr. Baker's wild suggestions about the story! You guys were engaged and interested in challenging each other to know more. I wasn't really ready to go home. Good lesson!
As you reflect back on the youth group year, what are the things that you are noticing about each other? How has someone in the group encouraged you? Have you seen someone stepping up and doing a great job? Sound off in the comment section. This is supposed to be a time of encouragement -- not flattery. Make these comments start with "I have observed you modeling Christlikeness in this way...." or "I have really seen you grow in this area..." or "Your ability/talent/gift of ________ has really ministered to me this year" or something like that.
Building a body of believers outfitted for every good work,
Pastor Mike
8 comments:
Cool! I get to be the first one to comment on this new section after being out of the action for a whilE! :-) Well, first of all I was really happy to have Pm back...we really missed you Pastor Mike! And I just want to say that I think Emily is doing a great job with the guitar playing and willingly stepping up to be part of the worship time. And the other "encouragement" is I think it is great how Melissa is beginnig to take part by bringing her Bible and just playing in the games where as she used to sit on the sides! It is exciting to see everyone changing! Good job everyone! (Just cause I didnt mention you personally doesnt mean you aren't included :-P) I am proud to be able to say I am part of this youth group!
YAY! I like encouraging people much more than challenging people (probably because it takes less brain cells...).
First of all, Bethany, I have really been encouraged by you this past year. Your perpetual cheery attitude toward life and your willingness to do whatever it takes to get young people into God's word has made a huge impact on me.
Pastor Mike, I want to say that you have been an unwanted but greatly appreciated prodder in my spiritual life over these past few months. You may not realize it but your stirring questions have kept me up most of the night on more than one occation, and I want to thank you for that =].
Mr. and Mrs. BBBBBB, Thank you so much for challenging me in your lessons. It means a lot that older folks would spend as much time as I know you do in preparing the next generation for battle. Thank you.
Mrs. Mitzel, Your enthusiasm for any and all scripture has been inspiring. If I ever have half the zeal for the Word that you do, I will consider myself very fortunate.
And last, but not least, my fellow teens. I cannot say 'Thank You' enough for how much it has blessed me to be included in your group this year. It's a welcoming feeling I'm unaccustomed to. And I have learned a ton from each of you, and I'm so glad for the opportunity I've had to get to know all of you.
~Emily~
Emily you know what I love about you.....you are sucha great encourager! That is one area I need to work on! And I agree and second everything Emily said! So thank you all you leaders for all you do!
I think Andrew meant to post here:
>>gee PM you are the bestest leader ever in the whole entire world and you too Mrs B, and Bethany....ok and Mr BBBBBBB. you guys are the best leaders ever. now that we got that out of the way. can next weeks lesson be a lil shorter?...ohhh....wait...we arnt supposed to do that.
seriously. this passed year i have been challenged to make a change in my life. even though i know the stories i have had a hard time entrusting things to something i cant see. i just didnt have enough faith. i felt like God wasnt working on my time table and i had to help Him out. i ve seen how God directs our paths and shows Him self to us. we just have to open our eyes. this passed year i have been taught so much. and i thank everyone, not only the leaders, who have made the biggest impact on me of all years(go figure), but also everyone else who goes to youth group, you guys have challenged me in ways you dont know. always trying to take another step, i fail all the time, but its getting back up. leading worship has been one of hardest things for me to do, but also one of the most enjoyable. thank you Pastor Mike. Thank you Bethany. Thank you Mrs. Baker. Thank you Mr. Baker. Thank you Mom. And thank you to every one else who attends youth group. I love all you guys. You guys have made this the best year of youth group for me.
Thank you
------Andrew
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Gee guys what a love fest we have going on here. SERIOUSLY the coolest part of this is seeing people grow spiritually and I mean not just teens. I know that when I study the Bible Lessons I get a whole lot more out of the study than I can ever pass on to you guys in a hour on Wed nite. Just as a point of fact this Thurs. a.m. I went and listened to the scripture from the previous nites lesson again because I still have some questions that I am meditating on.
Strange uh?
As a point of interrest I can vaguely remmember as Teenager in the last century thinking why are these adults cramming all this stuff int my head I am thankful for their care and concern I just wish that I had been a bit more in tune and willing to apply in my life Biblical truthes but God is patient thankfully.
Well I need to go to work or actually I need to go do my ministry.
Mr. BBBBBBBBB
It is my turn to add to the "love fest". I must admit that I agree with PM's observations of Wed. night.. It was great to have PM back with us (even if you guys did do a fantastic job of stepping in and stepping up. Andrew, I have really seen you grow in the area of music transitions - not only did you remember to bring in what you had prepared ahead but better yet you peronalized it further on the spot and super appropriately I must add. Emily, your ability/ talent/ and gift of guitar accompaniment has really ministered to me these past few weeks. Thank you and please keep it up. Melissa, I have thoroughly enjoyed the growth you have shown in "involvement and participation". You go girl! Jacquelyn, I have observed you modeling Christlikeness in your willingness to serve - you have done a great job of picking out the music and in your evangelistic efforts to invite and encourage others to come - I know of your faithfulness in doing your part even if your efforts did not always seem fruitful. Laura, your smile and enthusiam have encouraged me and I have observed that you have the gift of -well I am thinking hospitality because you are like our own personal "Welcome Wagon Lady" - you make people feel welcome and a part of the group. Hey I have to add that I really miss Jillian, Kyle, David, and Jonathan a bunch - please come back early and offen. Also Josh, Cassie and Shawnee - WHERE ARE YOU? We miss you! Keep stretching guys and gals!
Mrs. B
My 2 cents:
I have thouroughly enjoyed observing the gifts and talents of our group coming out this year....You want examples??? Ok here are the ones that "pop" into my mind: Jacquelyn: your ability to write a thought provoking yet humorous skit 'at the drop of a hat' and really enjoy it! Also the songs that you pick for worship show thought and help to emphasize the messages. Laura: you bring the skits\dramas to life with your energetic style of acting (and you make it look like fun) I agree with Mrs B. in regard to your enthusiasm....it's contagious:), Andrew: your uncanny ability to impersonate Napolean....oh scratch that....seriously the way you are stepping up and leading us thoughtfully through the song transitions and into the lessons is really great and you seem more at ease now than when you first started:), Melissa: how fun to watch you become more and more invloved, I think specifically of the Christmas eve service and how you stepped in and did the skit with Laura and Jac....that was fantastic! And also how you "volunteer" (or at least you don't mind being voluntered) to help with the games\object lessons is a testiment to your willing
invlovement. Emily:I truly enjoy being able to spend time with you outside of yg, we have had some interesting discussions and you have really made me think (ouch) and research:-) , your ability to play guitar is great but your willingness to play and lead us in worship is grrrrrreat!!!!
I am excited about the rest of the year and look forward to more growing with you all.
Bethany
Yay my turn to comment! i agree with emily its way easier to encourage somebody, than to challenge i just was not gifted in that way i guess.. But i'm probably going to repeat some of what everybody has already commented so i hope thats ok... But to begin THank you to all of our Leaders you are amazing and have challenged me in alot of ways especially with our study of the Genesis thus far..And really digging alot deeper into the stories i though i knew oh so well! Pastor mike it was great to have you back in youth group.. as much as you have enjoyed giving up leading the singing time etc.. your not allowed to jes leave youth group!! Thank you for all you have taught me, and for stretching me and making me think! lol Mr. and Mrs. Baker thanks for your willingnes to teach all of us stubborn teens, Bethany you are just awesome and i love seeing the fire you have for Christ and teaching us etc.. I feel like the connection between all of us as a youth group has grown tremendously and we have grown so much as a whole! alng with individual
growth! Mrs. Mitzel-in the fall it seemed like you couldnt always make it to yg.. but the joy of having your presence and knowledge with us is great..Thank you for all that you have taught me through your lessons etc.. and that does apply to all you leaders!!To my amazing friends (teens etc) I love you all more than ever! Jacquelyn-thank you for being you, your stepping up in helping with singing was a huge encouragement to me! Andrew- the same goes for you! I love watching you do the transitions and how much you have totally gone out of your comfort zone.. we often dont think bout it when pm does em because hes jes a natural :-) but smetimes it doesnt come so easy to others.. and ive loved watching you work through all that andrew.. and i cant wait to start on Sunday nights with the gang!!! Emily- your the coolest ever! i have more than enjoyed your presence in youth group over the past few months.. getting to know you has been nothing but an honor.. from day one your bible quizzing skills have always impressed me and you got talent girl.. because not to many can memorize as much scripture as u do and retain it all.. lol i also have been beyond encouraged and wanna thank you for playing guitar and your willingness in it all.. dnt get me wrong i enjoy the piano, but the guitar to me is such an amazing instrument and to fold that in to our worship time has been great! Melissa- i to have been blown away by your attendence, bringing your bible, paricipating etc in yg i love you girl.. its awesome to see you becoming more comfortable around us all.. and seeing the melissa i always knew come out.. kyle- i've missed you man.. but your definetly da bomb.. but keep missing yg and you'll be at the bottom of my list.. lol JK i could never do that.. david and jonothan- its been so great having some new teens added to the group.. i enjoy it when you guys come so keep it up and you better not let me down.. :-) wow this is longer that i thought.. sorry.. i was having fun! and too u jillian miss ya girl.. but it has been great getting to know you as well as emily! and ur bible quizzing skills blow me away to!Mrs P-Thanks for playing piano each and every week so we can sing! I love you all Keep it Up and keep at me!!
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