POP Youth and Family Ministry

  o    Tonight’s Takeaway & Key verse §   More than a list of “don’ts” the Commandments order our lives in relationship to God & neighbor.     -Is it possible for something this old to still be relevant today? Aren’t we all pretty good at obeying this stuff? ...Aren’t we?   -If God knows we can’t possibly keep all these commandments, why do we have them?   -And if God knows we always mess up, & God is all about grace, then what’s the point of learning these old, possibly out-of-date commandments?   -So what does happen when we accidentally (or not so accidentally) break a commandment?   -What are some rules or guidelines in your life that you actually do value & try to live by? What makes them significant to you? What commandments connect most easily to your life right now?   -Where do you see love in the commandments? If the two Jesus talks about (love God, love your neighbor) are the most important, do we still need the other eight?     Further readings to check out:

  -           Topic intro o    Ruth & Esther, two of the very few named women in the Bible. The stories of these two amazing individuals show us how God’s covenant is big enough for everyone, even those we would consider outsiders or enemies AND that God is at work even if we as humans don’t name or acknowledge God. God’s work is not dependent upon human behavior. o    Take aways: God’s covenant is big enough to include everyone, even outsiders & enemies. God remains in relationship with God’s people, even if God isn’t mentioned by name.   Discussion starters: Begin by reading the introduction page to each book. (Maybe choose one to read in its entirety later on your own!) -           Who are some of the influential women in your life? In our world today?   -           Whose voices and ideas get the most attention in your life? In society?   -           Why do you think God uses people who seem powerless?   -           Can you think of a time you/your family

FORMAT for In-Person  Large Groups will be in the CLC. Again for 6th graders, at least one parent/caring adult must attend with them.  We will be masked and spaced apart. Small groups (7th & 8th grade) will meet spaced out in the building. Masks are required indoors.  We live stream large group sessions so those that need have the ability to follow along if unable/prefer not to meet in person. We totally understand everyone has different comfort levels & abilities.  live.princeofpeacechurch.org Winter Schedule: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm November  24 - Thanksgiving Eve December  1 - 6gr large group at church, 7/8gr with small groups 8 - 7/8gr large group at church, 6 gr faith practice at home 15 - Advent/Christmas celebration night 22 - Off 24 - Christmas Eve services 5:00 & 8:00pm  29 - Off January 5 - Off 12 - 6gr large group at church, 7/8gr with small groups 19 - 7/8gr large group at church, 6 gr faith practice at home 26 - 6gr large group at church, 7/8gr with small groups

  7 th /8 th gr. Axis Guide Sheet: Judges – I don’t know what Judges are at all.                            11/17/21 Hi Guides & families!   Here is this week's content.  Activity ideas are on the back. Remember Highs & Lows & prayers!   v   LargeGroup (6:30) -           Topic intro o    Judges – Despite all that God had done for His people including giving them commandments to live by, they continually strayed & did wrong (sound like anyone you know?). So God began raising up leaders to help them sort out problems & make wise decisions. Some judges were good at pointing people back to right ways of living & some were, well, not so good. o    Think about this: If you could ask only one person for advice in life, who would it be & why?     Discussion starters: -           What stuck out to you? What raised questions for you?   -           Despite knowing between right & wrong, why do you think we keep doing wrong at times?  

  7th/8th gr. Axis Guide Sheet: Commands + Laws                                                           11/10/21   Hi Parents/Caring adults & Guides! Here is tonight’s content. We covered a lot of ground last week (breezing through Abraham & Sarah, jumping to Moses & the exodus) so continuing those conversations could certainly take more time this week.   - Topic intro The Law(s)- As Christians, we are familiar with the 10 Commandments. But did you know the Israelite people had hundreds of laws they were to follow? What happened to all of them? What are we supposed to do about them? Takeaway – The law provided order, protection, & identity to God’s people after their deliverance from slavery. Today, Jesus boils it down to 2; love God & love your neighbor! This is good news for us & our neighbors!   Discussion starters: - How do rules help us? Can they hurt us? - What are the different rules involved in your life? (i.e. at home, school, acti

 6th grade Axis Guide Sheet: The Lord’s Prayer continued  Takeaway – The words of the Lord’s Prayer empower us to approach God & the world more boldly. Communication is essential to our relationships with one another & God.  Key verse – Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:1-4 (revisit or read one you haven't gotten to yet)  Discussion starters: - Is praying challenging for you? Why/why not?  -Who is someone you don't talk to a lot? What’s your relationship like? How does it feel when you do get in touch again?  -What would you bring on a trip that you didn’t know much about the place you were going? (While we don’t always know what life has in store for us, The Lord’s Prayer encompasses all aspects we go through.) See the "Unpacking the Lord's Prayer" below.  -Why do you pray? (Do you pray?) -So be honest, does saying the Lord’s Prayer ever just feel like empty words to you?  -Do you remember first learning it? How did it feel? What did you think about it? What

 7th/8th gr. Axis Guide Sheet: Exodus –  Liberation                                                                   11/3/21 Large Group  - Topic intro o Exodus-“This is the central story of the Old Testament, the grounding for how the chosen people of God come to understand who they are & who their God is.” What parts of Exodus do you know? o How do you answer the questions “Who are you?” & “Whose are you? (Who, if anyone, do you belong to?”) Key Verses:  Exodus 3:7 -  Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings” Exodus 3:14 - God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Discussion starters: - What stuck out to you? What raised questions for you? - Why do you think God chose the Israelites, who were slaves, to be God’s people? - Share about a time you experienced rescue