Our Faith and Deeds

High School Youth Group 

July 26th

This Week's Topic
Our Faith and Deeds

Theme Verse
" Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
James 2:15-17

For Sam's last night at youth group as she teaches on James 2:14-26 and discover how faith is to be put into action.

Day 1 
Scripture: James 2:15-17

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together
3. Why does James think it is important for us to have deeds as well as faith?
4. How might our lives be different if we constantly acted upon our faith?
5. What is God calling you to shift in your life? 
6. Pray for each other.

Day 2
Scripture: James 3:13-18

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. How would you describe the two types of wisdom talked about in the passage?
4. In what ways have you been envious and selfish in your everyday life?
5. What is God calling you to shift in your life? 
6. Pray for each other.

Day 3
Scripture: James 4:13-20

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. Why do we focus on making plans ourselves instead of letting God's plan take over?
4. How have you boasted in your "arrogant schemes"?
5. What is God calling you to shift in your life?
6. Pray for each other. 

Serving Others

High School Youth Group 

July 19th

This Week's Topic
Serving at Isaiah House in Santa Ana

Theme Verse
"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:9-11

This week we serve those in need as a community. Join us at Isaiah House in Santa Ana as we serve the those in need. .

Day 1 
Scripture: James 1:22-25

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together
3. Why would James encourage us to not only listen to the Word, but do what it says? 
4. How might our world look different if we obeyed God's Word? 
5. What is God calling you to shift in your life? 
6. Pray for each other.

Day 2
Scripture: James 2:1-9

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. Why would people be tempted to pay special attention to the rich? 
4. Who do you pay special to? 
5. What is God calling you to shift in your life? 
6. Pray for each other.

Day 3
Scripture: James 2:14-19

(Parent's we are encouraging you to start introducing next week's passage to your teen. This you will help equip and support their faith.)
Next Sunday, we are going to talk about how faith and works are developed and used together.

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. What role do deeds play in our faith? 
4. What does James mean when he said, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."?
5. What is God calling you to shift in your life?
6. Pray for each other. 

The Redeemed Community

High School Youth Group 

July 5th

This Week's Topic
The Redeemed Community

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

This week we kick off our summer series called "Tribes." We will discover how God redeems us and makes us his people. Through this series we will look at why God creates community and what it means to be a part of the community of God as we journey through 1 Peter, James, 1 John & Jude.

Day 1 
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-5

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. Who is the "Living Stone" Peter is referring to? 
4. What is God building us into? Why do you think Peter uses these terms? 
5. What does this teach up about the role of Christian community?
6. Pray for each other.

Day 2
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What does Peter call us? Why do he call us this? 
4. What does it mean to you that your are a part of God's chosen people? 
5. How does this affect how you see yourself?
6. Pray for each other.

Day 3
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

(Parent's we are encouraging you to start introducing next week's passage to your teen. This way they will see you as their faith mentor and not us.)
Next week, we are going to talk about why community is so vital to our faith. How God saves us into community and grows us in community.

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. What stands out to you about this text? 
4. Why do you think Peter uses Jesus' death as an "example" for how we are suppose to act? 
5. What does this show you about living? 
6. Pray for each other. 

Special Talk by Sam Sheffield

High School Youth Group 

July 5th

This Week's Topic
Special Talk by Sam Sheffield

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you..."
1 Peter 1:3-4


Day 1 
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What did Jesus do for us? 
4. How has this impacted your life? 
5. How is what Peter says in 1 Peter 1:3-5 true no mater what happens or changes in your life? 
6. Pray for each other.

Day 2
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:22-25

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What stands out to you from the text? 
4. What does this text teach us about people? What does this text teach us about God?
5. How are the two different? 
6. Pray for each other.

Day 3
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:9-10

(Parent's we are encouraging you to start introducing next week's passage to your teen. This way they will see you as their faith mentor and not us.)
Next week, we are going to talk about why community is so vital to our faith. How God saves us into community and grows us in community.

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. What does Peter call us? Why do he call us this? 
4. What does it mean to you that your are a part of God's chosen people? 
5. How does this affect how you see yourself? 
6. Pray for each other. 

Finals Week

High School Youth Group
June 14th

This Week's Topic
Finals Week 

" May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands."
Psalms 90:17

The best thing that you can do to help your kids through finals this week is to help them relax. Chances are that they feel enough pressure placed on them by themselves, teachers, the fear of not getting into college, etc. 

This week I encourage you to serve your student by bring them their favorite coffee or tea drink home just because. Invite them on a walk with you to talk about anything that might be on their minds. Before they go to bed this week, ask to pray for them and their upcoming finals. When they get home from school over this next week, instead of asking them about finals, start with asking them about their day and how they are doing. Most likely they will spill about finals because is dominating their minds. 

Blessings as you look to love and support your teens this week as they journey through finals. 

As a reminder, June 21st High School Youth Group will be in recess for Father's Day. See your student again on June 26th - 28th for The Experience Weekend. If you want to know more information about this this weekend, please email Steven Johnson at Steven@gslcirvine.org 

 - Steven Johnson

High School Youth Group

High School Youth Group 

For the week of June 7th, 2015

This Week's Topic
"Senior Speak"

Theme Verse
^"6 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16

This Sunday, our seniors told us how they have been shaped by God during their time in high school. We know from their testimonies that they are not ashamed of what God has taught them. God alone is their hope and salvation. This week in our faith faith conversation we look at how God has shaped your families stories.

Day 1 
Scripture: Romans 1:16-17

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What does this passage teach you salvation?
4. How has God's message of salvation been transformational to your life?
5. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus.

Day 2
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What does this passage teach you about the message our life should be proclaiming?
4. How is God calling you to respond to what he showed you? 
5. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus. 

Day 3 (Parent's we are encouraging you to start introducing next week's passage to your teen. This way they will see you as their faith mentor and not us.)
Next week, we are going to have a special "remember and celebrate" youth group where we will share stories from how God has impacted our lives this year. I invite you to share how God has impacted you this year with your family members.

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. What does it mean to celebrate? 
3. What do you want to celebrate from this year? 
4. Spend some time praising God for what he did in your life and your family's life this year.

Living Outward: See My Forgiveness

High School Youth Group 

For the week of May 31th, 2015

This Week's Topic
"Living Outward: See My Forgiveness"

Theme Verse
^"Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord."
Philemon 1:15-16

Forgiveness is hard, yet can be powerful. God longs for us to see each other how God sees us, as his children. When this happens, transform happens not only in us and those we forgive, but also in those who see the power of God's forgiveness. Join us to experience God's forgiveness.

Day 1 
Scripture: Philemon 1:4-7

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What does this passage teach you about ministry? 
4. How is God calling you to partner with him and the church in ministry?
5. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus.

Day 2
Scripture: Philemon 1:8-21

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. Onesimus was Phileman's servant who ran away. What is Paul trying to convince Philemon of? 
4. What does this passage teach you about loving those who have wronged you? 
5. How is God calling you to respond to what he showed you? 
6. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus. 

Day 3 (Parent's we are encouraging you to start introducing next week's passage to your teen. This way they will see you as their faith mentor and not us.)
Next week, we are going to have our seniors share their faith stories. This week take time to share your faith stories with each other through the following questions.

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. What has God taught you about himself over the last year? 
3. What does your faith in God mean to you?
4. What has God shown you through each others stories?
5. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus.