Indonesia 2009

Weekly Challenge for Teens September 7- September 14

Does your family enjoy movies? Oftentimes, there is a huge lack of family-friendly movies available for young ones. So, for this week’s challenge….

Write a family movie viewing guide! Include a review of each movie you enjoy watching and why, especially the movies that are FAMILY FRIENDLY. Feeling inspired? You could even write a a Bible study to accompany your favorite movies. Then, pass it out to your church, your neighbors, your friends! Better yet—write it with your friends! Have sections such as: Great movies for preschoolers, favorites for kiddos, and great flix for teens! Make it unique and helpful to your community. So what are you waiting for? Lights, camera, WRITE!

Weekly Challenge for Teens August 30- September 6

Have you ever noticed when you are in a group of friends, even strong Christians, that conversations can go, well, less than Christ-like? We aren’t saying your topics have to be constantly spiritual, but discussing the Lord and what He has done for us is very impactful. The book of Malachi says that, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” Did you catch that?

Those that TALKED OFTEN to one another. Those that FEARED the Lord. Those that THOUGHT upon His name. SO…(drum roll, please) here is your challenge. When you are hanging out with your friends this week, talk about God. Sure, it can be akward at first, but the Lord is honored when we seek Him, speak of Him, and are eager to learn more. After a while, you may find that these conversations are the best you’ve ever had with your friends.

Weekly Challenge for Teens August 22-29

The world doesn’t make it easy for us to guard our hearts. Especially during our single years, it can be tempting to follow God with a divided heart—one that longs for both romantic love and a love for Christ. Although we don’t want to be constantly fixated on the future, we stumbled upon an idea from authors Eric and Leslie Ludy that we feel can really help keep your heart pure and whole for your future spouse. And this week’s challenge is…

Write a love letter to your future spouse, and whenever you feel like your heart may wander—write another! It is a beautiful expression of patience during this season of singleness. Keep the letters some place safe and who knows—maybe you’ll be able to share these love letters with your husband or wife one day!

Weekly Challenge for Teens August 14- August 21

Generations of Virtue founder Julie Hiramine encourages you as a teen to fall deeply in love with the Lord during this season of your life. One of the most impactful ways of loving the Lord Jesus is worshipping Him. So here is this week’s challenge: write a worship song! Now, you may be thinking, “What! I can’t write! I’m not even a good singer!” But that doesn’t matter- it is the motive and intention of your heart that God looks at. So go for it- pour out your heart through worship to your First Love.

Did You Ask God?

Do you struggle with sin? Is there a particular sin you can’t seem to give up? Or perhaps it’s not something blatantly sinful, but something you lack and think you should have. Perhaps this absence is frustrating you. Consider this verse:

“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2

Recently I was getting frustrated at not being able to come up with ideas for something that has been hanging over my head for a while. You know the feeling: something very important is due at work or in school and you are completely drawing a blank. Finally in my frustration the Lord said “have you asked Me?”. Sheepishly I admitted, “no.” Of course God knows what to do for my predicament. He created the assignment, and He has all the ideas in the world. Certainly my problem is cake compared to all the things He handles any given day.

The point is this: Don’t hesitate to ask God! Whatever it is—whether it’s an assignment you can’t finish, a problem with a friend or your parents, an addiction, a habit you know is wrong, etc. It doesn’t matter what the issue is. The answer is always the same: Go to God!

~Megan