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. 

Living Outward: See My Perseverance

High School Youth Group 

For the week of May 17th, 2015

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

Theme Verse
^"So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word."
2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

Sometimes hard things happen in life. Through it all, we are called to trust in God and hold firm to our faith. When we push into our hard times, we will see that through every season of life, God is transforming us. What we might not expect is that God can use hard time in our own lives to bring our non-Christian friends and family to faith as well. Come discover how God uses all season of life to bring others to him.

Day 1 
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. According to these verses, what did God call us to? 
4. What do you think it means to "share in the glory of our LORD?"
5. How is God calling you shift the way you live?
6. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus.

Day 2
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. Where do you need to "stand firm" in your life? 
4. Where do you need encouragement in your life? 
5. How is God is calling you to reveal him in your life?
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.)
Scripture: Philemon

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together
3. What stands out to you from this letter? 
4. How is God's love demonstrated throughout this letter?
5. How is God is calling you to reveal him in your life?
6. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus. 

Living Outward: See My Worship

High School Youth Group 

For the week of May 17th, 2015

This Week's Topic
"Living Outward: Sharing Your Faith"

Theme Verse

"It is God's will that you should be sanctified" - 1 Thessalonians 4:3

This Sunday, we come together for a time of worship as we take intentional time to hear from God and respond as we wrestle with the question, what does it mean to worship God with all that you are?

Take advantage of our weekly family conversations. In fact, studies show that if your family talks about faith in the home, it is more likely that your teen will keep their faith once they graduate from high school. You can uses these short reflections and questions to talk about faith on a walk, in the car on the way to practice or school, or at the dinner table. I pray that your student and family will discover how God can shape your spiritual journeys together. 

Day 1 
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-3

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What does this passage teach you about living for God? 
4. How can your actions affect how others see God? 
5. How is God calling you shift the way you live?
6. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus.

Day 2
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What do these verses teach you about loving others? 
4. How can loving others and living in a loving community impact others who do not yet know Jesus as LORD? 
5. How is God is calling you to reveal him in your life?
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.)
Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together
3. What does Paul mean by "through the sanctifying work of the Spirit"? 
4. Why do you think Paul is encouraging Christians to "stand firm"? 
5. What does this passage have to do with living out your faith among unbelievers?
6. How is God is calling you to reveal him in your life?
7. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus. 

Mother's Day (Group in Recess)

High School Youth Group 

For the week of May 10th, 2015

This Week's Topic
Happy Mother's Day (Group in Recess)

Theme Verse
^"May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!" Proverbs 23:25

We hope that you have a great Mother's Day celebrating the woman in your life. We pray that your families takes advantage of this time off and share some quality time together. To help you remember why God gave us moms and women, we have provided some simple conversations around scripture verses on mothers.

Take advantage of our weekly family conversations. In fact, studies show that if your family talks about faith in the home, it is more likely that your teen will keep their faith once they graduate from high school. You can uses these short reflections and questions to talk about faith on a walk, in the car on the way to practice or school, or at the dinner table. I pray that your student and family will discover how God can shape your spiritual journeys together. 

Day 1 
Scripture: Proverbs 6:20, "My son (or daughter), keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching."

1. What was your high and low today?
2. Read the scripture passage together.
3. What does this passage teach you about your mom? 
4. Why do you think God thought it was important to listen to the wisdom of your parents, even if you are currently a parent? 
5. What is God calling you to change about the way you listen to others?
6. Pray for each other. 

Day 2
Scripture: Proverbs 4:3, "For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother."

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. We are all, sons or daughters. What is something you learned from your parents? 
4. What is something you appreciate about your mom?
5. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus. 

Day 3 
Scripture: Proverbs 23:25, ^"May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!"

1. What was your high and low today? 
2. Read the scripture passage together. 
3. How can you honor your mom this year? 
4. Take some time and write a nice note to your mom and one other women in your life thanking her for what they has meant to you.
5. Pray for each other and a person who does not know Jesus.