Here at Catalyst Youth we believe that YOU, the parent or guardian is the key person discipling your young person. Follow along below with our content plan this Term, to continue those conversations at home.
Our theme for Term 1 is ‘KNOW THE WORD’. We have noticed over the last few years that the general interest in, and ability of our young people to read the Bible for themselves and understand how to take something from it to apply to their lives, has decreased. Our heart for Term 1 (and 2023!) is to help make Bible reading understandable, accessible and something our young people want to do, and engage in on their own. This term we will be regularly spending time journalling from Bible verses together and talking about accessing God’s Word to equip ourselves, and to seek guidance when facing hard things, such as temptations or anxiety.
HOW TO JOIN IN AS A PARENT/GUARDIAN
Use the guide below to have discussion with your young person on a topic we are hearing about that week. I would encourage you to have your own answers to the questions and share these with your young person as well.
Model and discuss the importance of engaging in Christian community and Christian disciplines – attending a Sunday service, a connect group, listening to worship music, praying regularly etc.
READ YOUR BIBLE – we’d love to encourage YOU to set the tone in your household for how to connect with God regularly through the Bible. Modelling behaviour is a key way to teach someone else how to do something and why it’s important. We have a few hours once a week with your great young person, you have ALL THE OTHER HOURS – you set the tone for how seriously they take their faith.
CONTENT EACH WEEK THIS TERM
27th Jan – This Friday is our LAUNCH for 2023 – Why Read the Bible
Key verse: Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Bottom line: The Bible is considered ALIVE – a crucial part of God and how He teaches us how to be like Him. Reading the Bible helps us learn what to do and how to do it.
Questions to ask: Have you ever been reading the Bible and had a verse really jump out at you? Why do you think that happened?
3rd Feb – How to Hear from God
Key verse: 1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
Bottom line: Because the Bible is the Living Word – God can speak to us through it – so we hear from God by reading or hearing His Word regularly – it helps us get to know how God talks and what He sounds like.
Questions to ask: Who are some people who’s voice you recognise easily? Why do you think you remember them? Do you think this is relevant to your relationship with God?
10th Feb – How God Can Help with Anxiety
Key verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Bottom line: God created all emotions, He is big enough to handle our worries and we need to be active in giving them over to Him not letting them stew.
Questions to ask: Have you ever found yourself thinking of all the bad possibilities over and over? Has there been a time you’ve talked to someone about them and talking it out has helped you see they aren’t as much of a worry? Do you think talking to God would help you see His perspective on your worries?
SATURDAY 18th Feb – OFFSITE SOCIAL - This Saturday we will meet offsite for a social instead of a Friday program. Details @catalystyouthipswich on social media. You can still continue to the learning at home though:
Key verse: Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Bottom line: The Bible tells us to prioritise meeting in godly community as a way to stay motivated and focused on our faith in God.
Questions to ask: What is an example of a time that a godly community helped you feel closer to God? Do you think things like that make it worth engaging in community?
24th Feb – How to Overcome Temptations
Key verse: Matthew 4:8-11 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”. Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Bottom line: Jesus himself was feeling very hungry, tired and worn out in a human body, but He was able to remember God’s truth – he paved the way so we would know what to do.
Question to ask: Knowing that Jesus understands all temptations and understands how it feels to be desperate – does this help you feel less alone when you feel tempted? What’s one thing you can do when you feel tempted that will help you think of God’s truth?
3rd Mar – SQUAD GAMES – this is a games night, you can continue to the learning at home.
Key verse: Matthew 13:3-9 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.”
Bottom line: To an extent – the soil we ‘are’ when we first hear about Jesus can’t be helped by us. If we are in a Christian environment/engaging in church/youth however – then we have a level of control over how good quality our soil is to receive from and learn from God. It’s important to work on putting in ‘nutrients’ from God’s Word.
Questions to ask: What sort of soil do you think you have at the moment? What’s something you can to do make it healthier soil?
10th Mar – CONNECT SOCIAL (this Friday will be in connect groups doing a fun activity, but you can continue the learning at home)
Key verse: Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Bottom line: The Bible helps light the step ahead of us so that we can walk in line with God’s plan for our lives.
Questions to ask: Do you feel like your next step is lit up? What’s a step (something to do/act out in your daily life) you can trust based on a verse you know from the Bible?
17th Mar – DEEPER WORSHIP NIGHT – How God can Speak Through Me
Key verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Bottom line: By sharing God’s truth that you learn from the Bible, or sharing about God’s heart (that you get to know through reading the Bible and getting closer to God) you can be used by God to encourage others in their life and their faith.
Questions to ask: Do you feel like you’ve ever had a specific verse come to mind when praying for someone else? Have you shared it with them? How did they respond? What’s one way you can encourage someone else in their faith?
24th Mar – How the Bible has Helped Me (Testimony Night)
Key verse: 2 Timothy 13-14 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
Bottom line: The Bible has so many lessons and stories that help us understand God’s heart and plan for the world and for us. Leaning into it will help you to see your path, be encouraged, and encourage others throughout your life.
Question to ask: What’s a time the Bible has helped you?
31st Mar – BREAK UP – details to come.
Key verse: Proverbs 6:23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.
Bottom line: We only reach life and salvation through Jesus. We can’t earn it or find it any other way. The Word of God is the way to learn, understand and move in this way of life when we accept the Gospel.
Questions to ask: Do you feel like you are walking in the way to life? What’s one thing you can do to be on the right track?
