Tonight was our second night of our Wednesday night activities. Last week I had 4 youth. Tonight I had those 4 plus 6 more! I love seeing the group more than double in 1 week! The younger group grew tonight too.
Even more than seeing my numbers grow is seeing my group grow in their understanding. My goal this year is to focus on people from the Bible and how their stories are not always much different than ours. So, tonight we went beyond what we learned about Noah but went into what it must have been like for him. He dealt with ridicule, saddness, and was forced to rely on his faith. At the end of the night, I could tell they were getting it. But, I suddenly got the idea for them to all list words about what Noah lived through and how he must have felt. Words like heartbroken, laughed at, depressed, losing people he loved, etc. Were all mentioned. Then I had them raise 1 hand if they had dealt with those things and 2 hands if they had dealt with those things because of their faith. Then I saw that they really got it. They talked about how they have to do what God asks them no matter what other people say. They know that it's important to follow Him just as Noah did back then. I think not only do they now look at Noah as more than just guy who built the ark, but as a man who sacrificed a lot to follow God. And, it's not just some old story, it's someone they can relate to.
I can't wait until next week when I get to talk about the rainbow and God's promise!
So, where was God today? I feel blessed when I watch teens"get it" and I know in those moments that it's because God gave me the thoughts and words.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Even more than seeing my numbers grow is seeing my group grow in their understanding. My goal this year is to focus on people from the Bible and how their stories are not always much different than ours. So, tonight we went beyond what we learned about Noah but went into what it must have been like for him. He dealt with ridicule, saddness, and was forced to rely on his faith. At the end of the night, I could tell they were getting it. But, I suddenly got the idea for them to all list words about what Noah lived through and how he must have felt. Words like heartbroken, laughed at, depressed, losing people he loved, etc. Were all mentioned. Then I had them raise 1 hand if they had dealt with those things and 2 hands if they had dealt with those things because of their faith. Then I saw that they really got it. They talked about how they have to do what God asks them no matter what other people say. They know that it's important to follow Him just as Noah did back then. I think not only do they now look at Noah as more than just guy who built the ark, but as a man who sacrificed a lot to follow God. And, it's not just some old story, it's someone they can relate to.
I can't wait until next week when I get to talk about the rainbow and God's promise!
So, where was God today? I feel blessed when I watch teens"get it" and I know in those moments that it's because God gave me the thoughts and words.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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