!

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

NO REGRETS LIFE IS OFTEN FILLED WITH REGRETS. WE REGRET SOME DECISIONS WE’VE MADE AND DIDN’T MAKE. WE SOMETIMES REGRET WASTING TIME ON THINGS WHILE NEGLECTING OTHERS. AS THIS SCHOOL YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE AND SUMMER APPROACHES, WOULD YOU CONSIDER CHALLENGING YOURSELF TO LIVE…TO PARENT WITHOUT REGRET. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TIME YOU HAVE WITH YOUR CHILDREN. LEVERAGE EVERY MOMENT. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL AND RELATIONAL IMPACT. BEGIN NOW PARENTING…DISCIPLING WITH NO REGRETS! THIS EDITION HAS SOME HELPFUL TOOLS TO HELP YOU DO JUST THAT!

April Issue

THIS MONTH

‣ IMPACT LITTLE ROCK (4/5)

‣ HOME 22:6 FAMILY SUNDAY (4/6)

‣ CASE FOR CREATOR (4/13)

‣ SEATTLE GO TRIP DEADLINE (4/15)

‣ THE GATHERING (4/16)

‣ EASTER (4/20)

COMING SOON

‣ SENIOR RECOGNITION WEEKEND (5/3-4)

‣ HS CAMPING/FLOAT TRIP (6/22-24)

‣ MISSION ARLINGTON (6/16-21)

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT LORI MCKAY

ENGAGE WIRED FOR PLEASURE, RISK TAKING

EMPOWER DON’T SAY EVERYTHING YOU THINK

EQUIP LEGACY COUNTDOWN APP

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION TO HELP PARENTS BETTER PLUG IN TO THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR STUDENT

PLUGGED IN APRIL 2014

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A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

STUDENT MINISTRY STAFF

Matt Hubbard

Lead Student Pastor

Melissa Sponer

Girls Ministry Associate

Ross Spigner

Middle School Pastor

Amanda Beach

Ministry Assistant

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

TWO OF THE MOST FUN GAMES I’VE EVER PLAYED !

QUELF NERTS

TWO OF THE MOST FUN GAMES I’VE PLAYED

RISK

CANDY LAND

TWO OF THE MOST FUN GAMES I’VE EVER PLAYED !

QUELF BALDERDASH

TWO OF THE MOST FUN GAMES I’VE EVER PLAYED !

SETTLERS OF CATAN PING PONG

From Our Heart !The month of April is called “Student Takeover” month for our High School students. The idea behind the month is that students temporarily takeover leadership capacities in the church. A few of the many leadership roles range from preaching on a Wednesday night, leading Sunday school classes and taking up the offering in a worship service. “Student Takeover” is a valuable opportunity for students to learn leadership and to learn by doing it. With this month in particular, it made me think about my own calling to leadership. !Every so often, it is easy for me to start to think of leadership in the possessive. For example, the statement, “I lead in the middle school ministry at IBC,” is very drastically different that the statement “I lead in my middle school ministry at IBC.” !As a leader, other statements like… “These are my students.” “This is my summer trip.” “This is my Sunday school class.” “This is my sermon.” “This is my opportunity...” can, if I am not careful, quickly and subtly move into a prideful endeavor rather than a service endeavor. The difference can be seen in the Biblical example of Saul. For Saul, it did not take long for him to start using the “me” and “mine” terminology. After his first display of leadership success, Saul gave credit to the LORD for the victory saying, “…for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel!” (1 Sam. 11:13) However in the midst of Saul’s very next battle with the Philistines, in a moment of poor leadership, he utters a rash vow to his men to urge them to continue fighting. He possessively says, “Cursed be the man who eats food until it is evening and I am avenged on my enemies.” (1 Sam. 14:24) The shift led to a tired army and a victory that was only average and not impressive. Which then led to a lack of gratitude to the LORD and more blame shifting between Saul and his army. !Our hearts as Student Ministry staff is to lead well. As we led, I pray that we do so in way that humbly recognizes God’s ultimate ownership and our stewardship. Each student, each family, each weekly program, each catalytic event is not our own. Each is the LORD’s. Such a perspective humbles us and exalts the LORD.

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A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT !LORI MCKAY !MY FAMILY: JOE (HUSBAND…20 YEARS) WILSON (AGE...14) JOSEPH (AGE...12) MOLLY (GOLDEN RETRIEVER)

WHERE I SERVE: I TEACH THE 6-7TH GRADE GIRLS DURING THE 9:00 HOUR. I HAVE SERVED FOR: 6 MONTHS THIS TIME, 5 YEARS PREVIOUSLY. MY DREAM VACATION DESTINATION IS: A PRIVATE BEACH CABANA ON MOLOKAI, HAWAII. !SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DONT’ KNOW ABOUT ME: I REPEATED KINDERGARTEN BUT GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL AS VALEDICTORIAN…STARTED SLOW, FINISHED STRONG.

!!!!!Mobile Apps

(Apple and Android)

!You Version (Bible App with Reading Plans)

Legacy Countdown (Make the Most of what’s Left)

Parent Cue (Orange Ministry)

Cozi (Helping Parents Manage the Chaos)

!

www.vimeo.com/

www.facebook.com/

www.twitter.com/

www.instagram.com/

!!!

!!

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

COMING SOONMay 3rd-4th SENIOR RECOGNITION WEEKEND May 4th Mission Arlington 101 training meeting @ 4:30 May 18th Mission Arlington 201 training meeting @ 4:30 May 28th No Wednesday night worship

1Deposit for Seattle Go

Trip due2

Student Worship Senior

pictures due

3Love Worth Fighting For

7:004 5

Impact Little Rock

6HOME 22:6

FAMILY SUNDAY

7 8 9

Student Worship

MS (5:45-7:15) HS (6:15-8:00)

10 11 12

13 14 15 16

The Gathering

5:45 meal 6:15 worship

17 18 Good Friday offices closed

19 Hunt Day

20Lords

Supper 6pm 21 22 23

Student Worship !Mission Arlington

deadline !Senior Dinner

deadline

24

Seniors Robing

Ceremony rough draft

due

25 26

27 28 29 30

Student Worship

MS (5:45-7:15) HS (6:15-8:00)

Student Takeover 2014 / April

ENGAGE

TEEN BRAINS WIRED FOR PLEASURE, RISK-TAKING !In recent years, scientific research has provided us with a much greater understanding into the teen brain. We now know that throughout adolescence, the teen brain is maturing and won’t fully reach adult development until the mid-twenties.

In a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences researchers found that when teenagers receive rewards, their brains’ pleasure centers respond more actively than those in adults who receive the same rewards. The study found that increased brain response in the teen brain is not due to them valuing the rewards more than adults, but rather that the teenage brain hasn’t finished maturing.

Combining findings from this and various other studies, we know that the portions of the brain responsible for pleasure, self-control, judgment, emotional regulation, assessing risks and rewards are all under construction for teenagers. Talk about the perfect

storm! Now you know why teenagers have long had the reputation for doing some very puzzling, irresponsible (and sometimes risky) things. Blame the brain.

Unfortunately, teen brain science is not particularly comforting to parents and can lead some to shelter their kids and hover over them to prevent them from the potentially life-altering consequences of making poor decisions.

What Can Parents Do?

‣ Parents should not expect their teenager to always make adult-like decisions. Sometimes they will and sometimes they won’t. Remember, the teen brain is under construction!

‣ Teens must have opportunity to exercise their brains by making decisions (yes, even poor ones) so that the brain can mature to adulthood.

‣ Parents who protect their kids from (or do not allow) decision-making only impede the teen’s brain from developing normally.

‣ Remember each teenager is unique. Parents should use a realistic assessment of what decisions are both age- and maturity-appropriate for their child to make and then allow him or her to make these decisions.

‣ Parents should also keep an eye on the goal of increasing the number and scope of decisions they allow their teenager to make.

‣ In this season of the “perfect storm” going on in a teenager’s head, parents should provide consistent encouragement, guidance, coaching, and a measure of safety to their teenagers.

BY JIM LIBELT JIM IS SENIOR WRITER, EDITOR AND RESEARCHER FOR THE HOMEWORD CENTER FOR YOUTH AND FAMILY. JIM HAS OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY SPECIALIST, HAVING SERVED OVER THE YEARS AS A PASTOR, AUTHOR, CONSULTANT, MENTOR, TRAINER, COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR, AND SPEAKER.

!A publication of IBC Student Ministry.

www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

EMPOWER

DON’T SAY EVERYTHING YOU THINK !It’s not breaking news that some parents can be downright nasty to their children. Parenting includes the responsibility to verbally reprimand kids. Sometimes, something needs to be said. But how we as parents speak to our kids is important!

No parent is above making occasional snarky remarks to their kids. I’ve done it. You’ve done it. We all fall short. It’s just that some parents develop a pattern for regularly criticizing their kids. Constant criticism from parents can do a lot of long-term damage to a child’s self-image and the confidence they need to become a functioning, responsible adult. A sharp remark or rebuke may feel good. It may even succeed in delivering your point — in the short-term. But frankly, criticism is

a lousy long-term parenting strategy, and it will never deliver the positive results you seek in your kids.

I have a quick wit and a propensity for sarcasm, and with this amazing combination of skills, I create some really strong statements…that my kids never hear. Why? Because over the years of being a parent, I’ve learned an important key to successful communication and healthy relationships between parents and kids:

Don’t say everything you think, and think before you speak.

Of course, this is easier said than done. Still, practicing self-control in what you say is an entirely biblical principle!

“Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.” –Proverbs 21:23 [MSG]

A home filled with constant criticism is a breeding ground for rebellion and negativity. So when your child has pushed your buttons and your emotions are running hot, save the hurtful comment. Give yourself a timeout to cool off. Consider the issue that needs to be addressed. Think about what you need to say before you say it. Then, make an appropriate and constructive comment.

The bottom line is that when you make critical remarks to your kids, you don’t win! You wound your kids and create relational distance between them and you. So do yourself and your family a favor: Don’t say everything you think!

!By Doug FieldsSenior Director of HomeWord center for Youth and Family ,former Student Pastor at Saddleback Church.

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

EQUIP

LEGACY COUNTDOWN APP FIND IT ON THE APPLE APP STORE OR GOOGLE PLAY.

If you haven’t noticed yet, today’s culture is an app culture. Remember the cliche commercials where someone might ask “how to cook Peking Duck” and another responds “There’s an app for that.” This dialogue continues for a limitless time with the same redundant answer…”there’s an app for that.” !

Sadly to some and exciting to others, this has become the norm in our culture. There are over 1 million apps in both the Apple App Store and Google Play/Android Marketplace heralding over 60 billion downloads. But what if there was an app to help parents be more intentional in investing in the lives of their own children? Well…you guessed it, “there’s an app for that too.” !Recently, Reggie Joiner and Orange Ministries has created an app that coincides with his recent

book release called “Losing Your Marbles.” I’m still checking this app out myself, but here is the App Store description. I think it’s worth checking out! I would love to hear how you guys are using it!!“Legacy Countdown was designed specifically for anyone who works with kids or teenagers. !Why not put a visual number to the time you have left . . .before someone graduates?before an event happens?

before something is due?!When you count the weeks you have left with a kid, you stand a better chance of making your weeks count.!Legacy Countdown is simple.!!Option 1: Enter a child’s name and graduation date and a countdown clock for that child will begin.!

Option 2: Enter a child’s name and birthdate and a countdown clock estimating their graduation date will begin.!You can also add multiple children and special events.!Legacy countdown can be usedin a variety of different ways.Just remember:When you see how much time you have left, you tend to do more with the time you have now.!

For more information about why what you do this week matters for a kid, go to losingyourmarbles.com.”By Matt Hubbard

A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

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A publication of IBC Student Ministry. www.ibclrstudents.org © 2014

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