My Epic Journey

We kick off a new series this Sunday (January 4th) in EPIC called, Attached.  Here is the breakdown:

Every one of us is attached to something—some person, thing or experience. The trouble with our attachments is that sometimes they let us down. For the next three weeks your students will be exploring the attachments that become part of their identity, and uncovering the truth about their identity in Christ.

Week One (January 4th)

Students will be challenged to look at their lives and consider the things that require the greatest amount of their time, money and attention. In their small groups, they will take a quiz that will help them begin to identify attachments that may be shaping their identity. It is not a time for critique or judgment, but a time to peel back the curtain and look honestly at places of attachment. This week you may want to ask your student about attachments that they see in their lives.

Week Two (January 11th)

Students will be challenged to find their identity not in the things of the world—things that always change and have the potential to let them down and break their heart—but to find their identity in knowing that they are the beloved children of an awesome God. You may want to ask them what they heard the speaker say, and ask them what it means to be attached to a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Week Three (January 18th)

Now students have identified the things they are attached to, and have recognized potential dangers associated with creating an identity based on things that do not last. They have considered the truth that they have already been given an identity as the beloved child of God.

Students will now be challenged to lean fully into Christ by fostering a growing relationship with their Creator. That feels risky to a student—and even to an adult. It’s not the reality, because trusting in God is never a real risk, but it sure feels that way sometimes. You may want to talk to your student about ways that you try to lean fully into Christ and things that make it really difficult for you.

EXPERIENCE:

It may not seem like your student needs you, or it may fell like they no longer want to spend time with you. But the truth is, they still need to know you care. No matter what has happened in your family, no matter what hurt has passed between you and your student, they need to feel loved and supported by you—their parent. This month spend some quality time with your student. You may want to choose from the list of ideas below, or create your own experience. Make sure that the time you spend involves your focused attention. Ask questions about things that interest him or her. Be ready to listen and learn, but allow yourself to relax and simply enjoy time together.

• Go shopping for clothes or room decorations (make this leisurely and don’t rush).

• Go to a coffee shop and listen to a local band play.

• Ask them about a good movie that they have seen recently, or ask about one they want to see and go see it together. Listen to them talk about their favorite parts.

• Go to a basketball game together.

So all of the excitement of HSLT is finally here. 

We started out with a family movie night on Friday at 8:30 pm at Grace Point.  We watched The Climb.

We then gathered all together around 10:30 for a time of prayer for both the parents and the HSLT team.  Our prayers were this:

1.  That God would give parents rest during the week.

2.  That God will fill the parent’s heart with a fire and love for Him.

3.  That God would keep the HSLT team safe.

4.  but more importantly, that God would find the HSLT team faithful to do the tasks and learn the things he has for us this week.

After a little hiccup with the bus company and a 45 minute wait for them, we packed up the bus and headed out for Myrtle Beach.  With Grace Summit Church in Akron, we had a total of 53 people on board.