In spite of the Phillies big game (and win), we had a great small groups last night!  One of my goals is to post a follow up every Thursday morning.  If you’re a parent of a teen, I’ll be including a summary of what the groups studied and some follow up questions you can use to interact with your kids on what we’re studying.

The middle school students covered the ‘Get below the surface’ lesson from SYM’s Active Bible Studies.  We focused on Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, a passage that talks about the importance of being together, how we help each other succeed.  We used it in connection with the value behind small groups, how as we get to know each other deeper we are able to trust each other more, lean on each other more, and help each other pursue God more effectively.  If you’re a parent of a middle schooler, here’s some follow up activities and questions you can use this week:

• Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 with your child
• Why is it important to know other Christians?
• How can your unique personality, interests, and abilities be used by God to help others?
• What is one way you could encourage or support another member of the small group or your family this week?

The high school small groups started a four week series entitled ‘Who am I?’ It’s a dvd series by Chuck Bomar that is absolutely amazing.  Each lesson features a ten minute or so video, followed by Bible study and discussion, all on the topic of finding our identity in Christ.  Ultimately, we are looking at different ways people are defined and some of the ways we try to define ourselves.  The focus of last night was moving beyond deception – are we lying with our identity and how we present ourselves?  If so, why?  And how do we want to be identified?  Very important questions!  Here are some follow up ideas for the dinner table:

• What did you think of the video?  What happened in it?  (It was a powerful illustration – really got some of the kids worked up)
• What is identity?  Why is it important?
• What sort of things do people at your school do to mask the truth about what hey really are?  What do you think about that?
• What do you want to be known for?  Why?  (This is a GREAT one for you to be answering as well!)