10/30/22 Youth Group Debrief!

Happy halloween parents!

Last night in youth group we had some pizza, played some board games, learned a hymn, and wrapped up our series in James by talking about fighting for peace!

We began the evening by eating some Peppinos and hanging out for a bit before gathering for some worship. Eli led us through “Be thou my vision” and we found out rather quickly that it was unfamiliar to 90% of the students, so we learned a new hymn! :) After worship we paused for prayer, thanked God for His provision, and dove back into James.

We ended our series on living radically for Jesus in Chapter 4 and spent some time reflecting on what it means to be peacemakers. All of us have been in fights before (whether verbal or physical) and we know how hard it is to stop fighting once we start. We start fights for all sorts of reasons, but James boils it down to our “desires at war within us.” If we desire what we don't have, we tend to fight. If we focus solely on our needs or wants, we fight. If we are hurt, or scared, or feel out of control…we fight. James makes it clear that Christ followers should not live this way though.

We jumped back to the end of chapter 3, and took a look at the context for James’ strong language on fighting. He ends the previous chapter by calling for us to be peacemakers. When we find ourselves in fights, Jesus calls us to make peace. We spent some time in debrief groups talking about how that might look in practice, and challenged students to avoid fights with friends or siblings, and if they can't avoid them entirely, fight for peace instead of fighting to “win.”

Next week we are shifting gears a bit to a new study called “with you” that focuses on how to be a good friend to those who are grieving, lonely, in need, or need hope. That should take us right to the end of the year, and I’m excited to dive in!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful week