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Back To School

(This post was written by Matt Grimes, Middle School Ministry Pastor)

Just the other night, as I was driving home from Poolside Bible Study with our Middle School Students, I had the opportunity to take one of our upcoming 6th grade boys home.  As we were driving, I asked him if he was excited about going back to school.  Without hesitation, he told me that he couldn’t wait to get back to school to hang out with his friends.  Going back to school is something exciting that he is looking forward to.

As I think back on my time in school, I was the same way.  I always looked forward to going back to school with excitement.  On the surface, my answer was the same – I couldn’t wait to get back to hanging out with friends.  But deep down there was a part of me that also enjoyed the return to routine.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the lazy days of summer as well as the chaos, but after three months of it, I was ready for some consistency.  I enjoyed the fact that each day I would see the same people and knew what was going to happen that day.

Even today, summers are crazy for me, and a part of me still enjoys the start of school again.  It’s the transition from chaos to structure.  For example, at home we haven’t been to the store in over three months for groceries.  We have eaten out almost every meal… and that’s just the weeks we are actually in town, not on a mission trip or youth trip.  Secretly, I look forward to school starting back.  I am looking forward to returning to the routine of eating dinner at home Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights.  I am looking forward to spending Friday’s cleaning around the house and going to the grocery store to get the food for meals the next week.  I am looking forward to having time with my wife each night during the week.  I am looking forward to getting back into the routine.

My question for you is what does your routine look like?  More importantly, how are you ensuring that God fits into that routine?  Are you making God time an important part of your personal routine, and your family’s routine?

Remember, routines can help us grow, so make sure to put the right things into them.

Looking forward to returning to the routine!

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Remix 8/11

We took some time this week remind our students about something really cool about God – that God gives us a fresh start each day.  No matter what yesterday looked like or what happened, today is a brand new day!  God has already let go of yesterday.  If that’s true, then this is a brand new year in school, and no matter what happened last year, we get a fresh start!  With that in mind, we challenged our students to let go of whatever the past looked like, and start to dream about what God would have for them this year.

In their group time, the students met their new life group leaders for the year, as well as the people who are in their group.  Our upcoming 6th graders all met together with all their leaders to determine who would work best in each group.  In group we talked about why our life groups are important and went over a few guidelines that help group be the best that it can be.  We challenged each student to commit to be involved 100% in their group this year.

Listed below are some questions that you can use to spark conversation with your students and connect with what we talked about this week:

  • Who is your life group leader?  Who is in your life group?
  • What are you most excited about this year?
  • What are some things that have happened in the past that you need to let go of? (This question will work better if you first share some things you need to let go of.)
  • What do you think God wants to do in and through you this year?  How can I help you achieve that?

Remember to check out www.faithpromisestudents.com/msm for all things relating to the Middle School Ministry!

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Parent Connection – August 4, 2010

Focus: The Worship Labyrinth tonight is an “awakening of the soul” that will give children, students, and families a chance to worship God together in a unique and powerful setting.  Come ready to sing your heart out and connect with God in a new and fresh way as we tell Him how awesome He is!

Family Discussion:

  1. Why do we use music to worship God?
  2. Does God know or care that we participate in worshipping Him?
  3. Why is it important to worship God as a family in addition to individually?
  4. What are some ways that you can continue to worship as a family throughout the week?
  5. The following line is from one of the songs we sing tonight called “You.”  How have you seen this in your life and the life of your family?

“My dreams have found their purpose, my future in Your hands.

This life would have no meaning if it weren’t for You.”