Parent Link April 2012

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APRIL ’12

PARENT HELPSAs Easter approaches, help your family focus on God’s gift of grace found in His Son, Jesus. Helpful tips can be found on Page 2.

BEAUTIFUL EXCHANGEGet details on the Easter Presentation for the community. All the important details for the 3 day performance can be found on Page 5 & 6.

APRIL CALENDARWant to know what’s happening in the Student Ministry @ Northside? Page 6 will give you all the details for events this month for JR & SR High Students. PA

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TIMEOUTFor Parents:Helpful information and advice to encourage you to better understand your teeneager.

REMIND STUDENTS OF GOD’S GRACE Easter is a perfect time to focus on the gift of God’s grace. One often-heard definition of GRACE is “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” The good news of the gospel is that though we’ve all fallen short of God’s expectations, we’re made righteous, or pure, by Jesus’ death and resurrection (Romans 3:23-24). Because Jesus took our place on the cross, we have forgiveness and new life. That’s what makes grace so amazing.

Young people often feel overwhelmed by and unloved because of their shortcomings. Even mature Christians struggle with understanding and accepting God’s grace because we’re surrounded by anti-grace messages from the time we’re young. “Do this to earn that. Play fair and you’ll get your reward. You got what you had coming to you.” And so on.

Steep your kids in the radical idea of grace. Talk about how God’s abundant love for us is never based on what we do. Instead, it’s always an undeserved, free gift, based on what Jesus did on the cross. We’ll always fall short. We’ll never be good enough. But God sent Jesus to die for us once and for all so we can live in God’s amazing love and

grace. We don’t ever have to try to earn our salvation. God’s grace doesn’t make any sense when we’re playing by the normal, everyday rules of “you get what you deserve.” None of us deserve God’s grace, but all of us can be recipients of it. Thank God!

Got grace? According to surveys of thousands of Christian teenagers (conducted at Group Workcamps),

young people need assurance that God has wiped away all their sins:

• Half of respondents agreed with this statement: “I’ve done things no one really knows about that impact my ability to feel loved by God.”

• One-quarter of respondents agreed with this statement: “Because of the things I’ve done or said in my life, it’s hard for me to believe that I can do something great for God.”

—Group

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With all of the great student programs within churches today, many parents allow churches to “take the wheel” when it comes to their kids’ spiritual development while they take a more passive role. We can easily become convinced that it’s the church’s job to help our kids grow spiritually, not ours. Yet, guess what? God specifically places the responsibility for nurturing a child’s spiritual development on parents – not the church!

In the Bible, in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, we read, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” While our churches serve to partner with us in this great task of spiritually nurturing out kids, God has given us – parents – both the responsibility and the tremendous opportunity to pass our faith to our kids. Still, I understand that many parents find it hard to talk to their kids about God and spiritual issues. So, here are some practical suggestions about how to get started. 1) Be yourself. You don’t need a seminary degree to talk to your kids about God. You don’t have to speak in King James language to send a message that you want to talk about spiritual issues. In fact, if you do, your kids will think you’re really weird! So, be yourself! Share your understanding of who God is and why God matters to you – in a way that reflects the real you. 2) Don’t limit your conversations on spiritual matters to Sunday morning! This is not to say that Sunday morning is off-limits for spiritual discussions, but don’t get caught in the trap of compartmentalizing faith issues to certain days or certain times. Let your kids know that spiritual issues are important in your life all of the time! This is exactly what the quote from Deuteronomy is talking about:

talking about God when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up! Spirituality is to be part of an ongoing discussion in our homes, with our families! 3) Let your kids catch you in the act of

doing something spiritual. Do you have a regular devotional time – where you read the Bible and pray – that you spend with God? Do your kids know it? How about letting your kids “see” you being involved in your own spiritual disciplines. Don’t forget that your actions will teach your kids a lot about your faith – probably even more than your words! 4) Look for natural opportunities to raise spiritual issues. This takes some intentional work by parents to be on the lookout for opportunities “along the road” of life, where issues almost beg to be discussed in light of our Christian commitment and faith. Many opportunities will arise as your kids watch you live life. How do you, for example, demonstrate your faith when some jerk cuts you off on the highway? Perhaps, depending on your reaction, this may be a time to discuss the issues of revenge or forgiveness! 5) Take the posture of a “fellow-learner” as opposed to that of a “teacher and student”. Being a “fellow-learner” takes the pressure off as far as trying to send the message that you “know it all”. When discussing spiritual issues, you will most likely hear a question from your adolescent that you can’t answer. It’s fine to

say, “I don’t know. Let’s work on finding the answer together.” 6) Utilize media to launch discussions about God and the Christian life. While much of today’s media is negative in its influence and portrayals of values, it can

provide a launching pad for discussion of how Christian values compare to whatever is seen, heard or read. 7) Have a plan for family devotional and prayer times. First, find a devotional guide. Then devise a plan (daily, weekly, at certain mealtimes for example) and then stick to it. Build the habit so your kids learn, “this is what we do as a family.” 8) Have fun with your teens!

Unfortunately, too many kids are taught

through role modeling from their parents and other adults at church, that Christianity means being grumpy and bored. Perhaps one of the most spiritual things you can do for your kids’ spiritual growth is to model for them that the Christian life is filled with love, peace and joy! So plan intentionally fun times for your family. Let them know that the Christian life can be fun! 9) Get involved in ministry together as a family. The call to Christ is the call to serve. You can communicate a lot about your faith in Christ by your willingness to serve; by getting involved in ministry. For years, successful youth ministries have known that getting kids involved in ministry and service results in spiritual growth and in bonding together the youth group community. The same benefits will occur within families when they serve together! 10) Disciple and equip your kids. Why not do a weekly Bible study together with your son or daughter? How about reading a book together on a spiritual topic and then having a weekly discussion about what you’ve read?

How To Pass Your Faith To Your Students - Jim Burns Ph.D

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Rascal Flatts Background: This three-man pop-country band has had incredible success since starting in the late ’90s. Many of their albums have gone multiplatinum. They’re very popular with young people; in a 2007 poll, they were the sixth-most-popular act among preteens. The band, which has raised millions of dollars for various charities, received a Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Country Music.

What Rascal Flatts Says: When Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital named its pediatric surgery center for Rascal Flatts—after it raised $3 million for the project—they responded, “It was an emotional day. It’s emotional any time you walk in there because it’s such a magical place and a place of hope…. That’s probably our biggest accomplishment to date.”

Sidewalk ProphetsBackground: This Christian rock band started at Anderson University, wanting to “integrate worship with real life.” Their first major-label debut spawned two hit singles, and their second album, Live Like That, released in March. They won the 2010 Dove Award for Best New Artist.

What Sidewalk Prophets Says: “Hopefully, our music paints a picture that is a reflection of the faith, hope, and love that we’ve experienced through the grace of God. We want to be real, we want to be candid, and we want God to move through us.”

The Three StoogesGenre: Comedy Rating: PG (for slapstick action violence and some rude and suggestive humor, including language)Synopsis: In this fictionalized account, the Stooges are left on an orphanage doorstep and grow up into slapstick wise-guys. Somehow, they manage to get caught up in a murder plot. Eye-pokes abound. Crituque: Though it’s rated PG, this film was written and directed by the Farrelly Brothers, so be aware. The previews show a nun getting out of a pool in a very revealing swimsuit, for example.

Wrath of the TitansGenre: Action, Adventure Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of fantasy violence and action)Synopsis: Because of man’s diminished worship, the gods’ powers are weakening. That allows the Titans to break free from their prison and wreak havoc on earth. Perseus must leave his quiet life and fight again. Our Take: This movie will be popular with kids who love Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” book series. The first film wasn’t very good but made enough to spawn a sequel. You can discuss false gods and how they differ from the one true God.

Star WarsThis is just the type of game we’ve been waiting for since the Kinect was first announced. You can swing a lightsaber, ride on speeder bikes, and use the Force on enemies by making the movements in real life. Kinect and Star Wars fans hope this game is as awesome as it sounds. Rated T for mild language, mild suggestive themes, and violence.

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WILMINGTON MOVIE PREMIERE - Thursday, April 19th - Doors Open At 5:45 pm

Bryan Jennings Matt Beacham Noah Snyder

RSVP Online @ www.enorthside.org ~ Special Guest Scheduled To Appear

RSVP Single and Group

Tickets Online

Corissa Snyder

NORTHSIDE’S EASTER PRESENTATIONFriday, April 6th @ 7:00 pm / Saturday, April 7th @ 7:00 pm / Sunday, April 8th @ 6:00 pm

Family, Neighbors, Co-workers, Classmates welcomedArrive early for premium seating.

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MEMBERSHIP 101 LUNCHEONSunday, April 1st @ 12:30 pm in the

Cafe. Interested in knowing more about Northside Church? It’s ministries, vision, beliefs? Join us for lunch and meet Staff and key leaders - hear about Northside’s future and what God is doing on our Campus.

NO SERVICE SPRING BREAK WEEKWednesday, April 4th all Student

Services will be cancelled due to Spring Break and upcoming Easter Dress Rehearsal’s. Please be aware the Life Center will be opened to AWANA clubbers only.

BEAUTIFUL EXCHANGE Friday, April 6th - Sunday, April 8th.

Join us for a very special presentation of the Easter message with both live drama and movie. Showings are Friday night @ 7:00 pm; Saturday night @ 7:00 pm; and SUnday night @ 6:00 pm.

EASTER SERVICESunday, April 8th @ 8:00

am; 9:30 am; & 11:00 am. Please note there will be NO Sunday School/Growth Groups for NSM Students or Adults

5 WAYS TO BE AWESOMEA Study Through The Book Of James

kicks off Wednesday, April 11 The book of James is timely and practical for Christians. Learn great insight on how to have awesome faith.

CLEFT COFFEE FUNDRAISER ENDSWednesday, April 18th following the

Student Service. Students earning money for their Summer Trips should bring all orders & money to the Cleft Coffee Table in the Life Center.

PROMISED LAND MOVIE PREMIEREThursday, April 19th - Doors open @

5:30 pm - Movie begins @ 6:45 pm. Meet Pro-Surfers Matt Beacham, Noah Snyder, and Bryan Jennings. Free event - register online at www.enorthside.org

PREP FOR CAFE Saturday, April 28th from 9:30 am -

11:00 am. Students interested in working Cafe Northside should register online and be prepared to attend Prep. Sign-Ups are first come, first serve. Register online at www.enorthside.org

CAFE NORTHSIDE Sunday, April 29th from 10:45 am -

12:45 pm. Join us for a lunch buffet Sunday after the services. Reserve your spot online at www.enorthside.org

IN THE LOOP. . . . Stay up to date on what is taking place in the Student Ministry for Jr & Sr High Students

Shane BectonNorthside Student Pastor

Sunday Schedule:• 8, 9:30, & 11 am - Worship Services• 9:30 & 11 am - Student Growth Groups• 4:30 pm - Student Choir / Praise Band• 6:00 pm - Evening Worship Service

Wednesday Student Night• 5:30 pm - Doors Open• 6:30 pm - Service Begins• 8:30 pm - Doors Close

NORTHSIDE STUDENTS2501 North College Rd Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 791-6053 www.enorthside.org