Do you ever just sit there and think, “Man, we get to serve with the best team in the entire universe”? Because I do.

Here’s a few things coming up in our ministry . . .

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: PARENT & SMALL GROUP LEADER BREAKFAST
Next month, we’re creating an opportunity for all of our small group leaders to connect with the parents of their students so we can better love, lead, and influence teenagers together. Don’t miss it! Get all the details on our website.

ADD YOUR OWN DATES: VOLUNTEER MEETING(S)
Now that the school year is off to a great start, it’s time to learn and grow together at our very first volunteer meeting of the year! We hope to see you there as we learn about [add your own topic(s)] together.

BOSS: A 4-WEEK SERIES ON AUTHORITY
WEEK 3 BIG IDEA: WE DEFEAT THE GOD OF WORRY WHEN WE SEEK GOD FIRST

SERIES OVERVIEW:
Raise your hand if you’ve ever wanted to scream, “You’re not the boss of me!” (You can also raise your hand if you have, in fact, actually screamed it.) Especially when we’re teenagers, we tend to push back on the people, places, and things that control and hold authority over us. But here’s the catch: whether we admit it or not, we’ve all given someone (or something) control of our lives. In this 4-week series, you’ll challenge students to consider who, or what, they’ve allowed to be their boss. Because whether it’s the god of me, the god of stuff, the god of worry, or the god of obsession, we all know what it’s like to have an authority problem.

DOWNLOAD THIS WEEK’S SMALL GROUP GUIDE

Okay, be honest: do you know the names of every student you’re leading or interacting with each week? If you meet a new teenager, parent, or family this week, remembering their name is really important. It may sound silly, but it’s such a big deal! To remember a name more easily, here’s a quick tip: as soon as they introduce themselves, say their name back to them, out loud, repeatedly. The more you say it out loud, the more difficult it will be to forget it. But, like . . . don’t be weird about it, okay?

At least once this month, choose a volunteer to celebrate. Add their picture and a few sentences about what makes them awesome!

We’d love your opinion. If you were a teenager coming to our ministry for the first time, what would you think about it? Reply to this email and let us know! [Look for  ways to share the answers to this question on social media or at your next meeting.]