South Valley Community Church May 2008

Junior High Ministry

8095 Kelton Dr., Gilroy, CA 95020
March 2008 www.svccyouth.com

Your Passion Becomes Their Passion

“Like father, like son” and “Like mother, like daughter” may not apply
very often to you and your teenagers. But you’re having more of an
influence on your kids than you may realize. We’ve always known that
parents’ faith is important for kids’ spiritual development. Now some
landmark research shows just how crucial your beliefs are.

The National Study of Youth and Religion recently found that three out
of four religious teenagers consider their own beliefs to be similar to
those of their parents. What’s more, 77% of teenagers who belonged to
a congregation said they expected to be part of a similar congregation
at age 25.

Teenagers aren’t likely to come right out and admit that their parents are serving as role models. Sometimes
you probably feel like your kids don’t even want to associate with you. But another major NSYR finding is
that most teenagers desire to have stronger relationships with their parents. They just aren’t sure how to
make it happen. So that’s where you come in!

It’s up to parents to take the lead with faith discussions in your home. When you’re passionate about your
beliefs, that passion will be contagious. Academic studies and real-life examples prove that parents who
strive to live out a devoted Christian faith raise kids who tend to do the same. Read on for tips and ideas
about developing and passing along this passion.

Helpful Hints
NSYR researcher Christian Smith, author of
Soul Searching, offers this advice for parents
of teenagers: Here are some more results from the NSYR:

1. Don’t be afraid of your kids or afraid of • Half of the teenagers

teaching them. Don’t worry about not
seeming “cool” when you relate substantial
truths. Teenagers desire to be challenged in
their faith walk.
2. Work on your overall relationship with
your teenagers. Organized youth groups are
important, but kids benefit the most from
significant bonds with mature, loving adults.
Kids long to have respected grown-ups spend
time with them “through the stuff of their
ordinary lives,” Smith says.
3. Play an active role in youth ministry. For
better or worse, you’re the most important
“pastors” your kids will ever have. Instead of
handing off all the responsibility of spiritual
development to your church or a youth group,
look for ways to get involved with these faith-
formation efforts.
surveyed said faith is “very
important” or “extremely
important” in their lives.
• Only 8% of teenagers said
they’re “spiritual but not
religious.”
• Teenagers who say their
parents love, understand, or
pay attention to them are
more likely to be religiously
devoted than are their peers who say their parents
don’t love, understand, or pay attention to them.
• Of the teenagers who attend worship services, 70%
rate their congregation as a “very good” or “fairly
good” place to discuss serious issues or problems.
(National Study of Youth and Religion; Soul Searching)
Great
Questions
to Ask Your Kids
Although adolescence is a
crucial time for faith
Pray that:
formation, the process is
never complete. Use these 1. God will strengthen your own faith and keep you focused on your
questions to talk with your relationship with him.
kids about their under-
construction beliefs: 2. God will help you be a good spiritual example for your family and a
trusted mentor for your kids.
1. How important is your faith
to you? Would you say it’s 3. Your teenagers will desire to grow closer to God and to you.
your No. 1 priority? Why or
why not? 4. Your teenagers will remain passionate about their faith throughout their
lives.
2. What aspects of believing in
God are the easiest and the
hardest for you, and why? Verse of the month
3. Do you know someone
“Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and
who’s passionate about God? If
delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful
so, what do you admire most
everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”
about him or her?
(Psalm 112:1-2)
4. Are you being a spiritual
As our heavenly Father, God is worthy of our honor, respect, and love.
example, or mentor, for
This mirrors the ideal relationship between earthly parents and their
anyone right now? Explain.
children. Parents aren’t perfect (just ask your teenagers!), but moms and
dads who strive to live godly lives leave a lasting legacy for their kids—
5. If you could change one
and for many generations to come. Obedience, whether it’s to God or to
thing about our relationship,
parents, results in joy and growth. Because God promises eternal
what would it be, and why?
“success” to those who trust in him, a spiritual heritage is the best gift you
could ever give your kids.

What’s Up With Kids

Great News, Mom and Dad!

It’s not car keys, cash, an endless supply of entertainment, or invites to killer
parties that make today’s teenagers the happiest. It’s not even hobbies or
popularity. According to the latest research, it’s spending time with family!

Yes, it’s true. Research conducted by the Associated Press and MTV (yes, MTV!)
found that chillin’ with the fam ranked first on the happy-meter. Spending time
with friends finished second, followed by spending time with significant others.
Did you catch that? The top-three sources of happiness for kids today are based
on relationships! Honorable mentions include “sports” in 10th place and
“achieving success” in 20th.

The happiness survey, more than 100 questions long, pried into almost every area of kids’ lives. It measured
everything from money to spiritual experience to pets. Want the best news yet? Of the 1,280 young people
polled (ages 13-24), 73% said Mom and Dad make them happy. Told you it was good news!
(SimplyYouthMinistry.com)
 This page is designed to inform and educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any music, movie, or product.
Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your kids listen to, see, and wear.

MUSICSPOTLIGHT

Background: Before Jack Johnson was writing and
performing his relaxed, acoustic-based songs, the
Hawaii native was a champion surfer. But a serious
accident convinced him to focus on music instead.
Johnson, 33, initially wrote songs to go with a surfing
documentary while in film school. But then he got
noticed for his mix of blues, folk, hip-hop, and
modern rock. The passionate environmentalist has
sold more than 15 million albums.
Background: Singer-songwriter Mat Kearney left his
Oregon hometown to play soccer at Chico State
University, dubbed America’s #1 party school.
Kearney, who admitted selling marijuana in high
school, fit in well at college at first. But then he hit
rock bottom and discovered the “bleakness” of that
lifestyle. He began pouring himself into his music.
Kearney, 29, has toured with John Mayer and Sheryl
Crow, and he headlined a VH1 tour last spring.

Albums: Sleep Through the Static (2008), Sing-a-
longs and Lullabies for the Film Curious George
(2006), In Between Dreams (2005)
What Parents Should Know: Johnson’s songs deal
with topics ranging from personal relationships to the
war in Iraq and the environment. His lyrics are
considered poetic but can be very metaphorical and
confusing.
What Jack Johnson Says: “It's easy to look at the
world and get upset about the state of affairs.
Instead, what you have to do is just accept things the
way they are and try to always make them better and
work toward a better place.”
Discussion Questions: How do you feel when you
watch the news or hear about what’s happening in
the world? Do you think things will get better or
worse, and why? How can you (or our family) make
the world a better, more hopeful place?
Albums: Nothing Left to Lose (2006), Bullet (2004)
What Parents Should Know: Don’t think that
Kearney has compromised his Christian faith because
his songs are played on mainstream shows such as
“Grey’s Anatomy,” “The Hills,” and “One Tree Hill.”
Kearney’s lyrics will challenge teenagers spiritually.
What Mat Kearney Says: “God found me when I
was at my lowest point. That was the first time in my
life when I really felt like I understood who Jesus was.
It was more than just knowing about him; I felt like
he met me in that time and place.”
Discussion Questions: Do you think people are
more receptive to the Gospel when they’re
struggling? Why or why not? Why do you suppose
some people see their need for Jesus only when
they hit “rock bottom”? How would you describe
your relationship with God? Have you ever
encountered God? Explain.

Movie: Speed Racer (released May 9)

Genre: Action/adventure
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, Matthew Fox, Susan Sarandon
Rating: This film is not yet rated.
Synopsis: The Wachowski Brothers (“The Matrix”) direct this adaptation of the classic
“old-school” cartoon. A rich mogul, tired of Speed Racer always winning, offers a million
dollars to anyone who takes out Speed Racer in the next big race. Speed Racer takes
charge of his car, Mach 5, as he battles his biggest competitor, Racer X.
Discussion Questions: How important to you is winning? Are you willing to cut corners to come out on top?
Why or why not? How would you rate your sportsmanship, and why?
 1 2 1 2 1 2 3
Community
Work Day
7:30am-
12:30pm

4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Sunday Goof Night Deeper
Morning 7:00pm 4-4:45pm
10:30am

True Love
Waits
Ceremony

11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Mother’s Small Deeper
Day Groups 4-4:45pm
7:00pm
No Jr. High

18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Sunday Small Deeper
Morning Groups 4-4:45pm
10:30am 7:00pm

25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Sunday Night of Deeper
Morning Worship 4-4:45pm
10:30am 7:00pm

Upcoming Dates to Remember:

• 8th Grade Grad Trip – June 19-21, Cost: approx. $140
• Promotion Sunday – June 29
• Garlic Festival – July 25-27 (earn money for camp)
• Hume Lake Meadow Ranch – August 3-9. Cost: $445 (scholarships available)

Contact Info:
Steve Gold Sam Whittaker Deanna Parker
Junior High Pastor Junior High Intern Student Ministries Admin. Assistant
408.848.2363 ext. 106 408.8482363 ext. 108 408.848.2363 ext. 105
steveg@svccgilroy.com sam@svccgilroy.com deanna@svccgilroy.com