Almost Summer Bash

ATTENTION PARENTS:

Tomorrow is our Almost Summer Bash!

We are super pumped about this opportunity for the students to gather together and have a comfortable outlet to invite friends!

So you know, we have been discussing our call as believers to be intentional in our invitations! They know that we have organized this event as an avenue for the students to invite, invite, invite!

The Event will start at 6PM tomorrow and end no later than 10PM and will be held at Lake Sharon Community Church. We will be playing Knockerball soccer and will finish off the night with a Color War:) We will also be feeding them hamburgers/hot dogs for dinner so bring them hungry!

Here are some important items for you and your students: 

What to wear: Outdoor attire, preferably something WHITE that they don’t mind getting some color powder on! Tennis shoes or at least closed toed since they will be outside and running around. 

-Here is a link to see the knockerball soccer: https://youtu.be/f92yfPFl9NY 

-Here is a link to see the idea around the color war (this is just another student ministries video haha): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGHmGBcSeHE 

Again, a old WHITE t-shirt would look phenomenal after the color war so please encourage them to wear white or bring one to throw on right before the color war.

What to bring: The Knockerball company requires we fill out their Wavier to participate. While I sent copies home with the students Wednesday, I have attached a link to it in the event you need another one or for anyone they may invite. Please have this completed and turned in upon arrival tomorrow!

-Waiver (as mentioned above) https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6xfTjFc2zzYZHZNUnhoMERBcms 

-FRIENDS

We have encouraged them to be invitational. Please be encouraging with us and remind them to invite a couple friends to join them!!

In summary-

FRIDAY, 6PM, WHITE SHIRT, OUTSIDE CLOTHES, WAIVER, EMPTY STOMACH, FRIENDS, FRIENDS, FRIENDS!!!!!

I love you all and am thankful to serve you and your students weekly. Please do not hesitate to call, text or email me with any questions! I will be sharing our event image on social media so feel free to share! 

As we journey, 

Ryan Forson, Student Pastor

940-595-7956

I want it my way

"I want it my way!" Yeah well, join the club. We all want things to go our way. As parents, I'm sure you have battled this for years! I am thankful today that I did not always get my way!!

This week at the Well, we are talking about a brave warrior, a man loved by his masters- Naaman. Naaman is the commander of the army of the King of Aram. I mentioned this man on Sunday and I just have been convinced ever since that the Lord has a message for our students. 

Naaman's world is plagued by a pretty personal problem. He has a skin disease, most likely leprosy. Under his armor is a plague that lies deep within, that is spreading and will one day take his life. It's crazy to think that for someone so capable of defeating other armies, he lies defenseless to that which is killing him inside. 

Oh how this is so very true for us. We are pretty capable people. We have many strategies for our wins and successes. Yet each of us as humans are completely incapable of making ourselves good again. The disease of sin within us has only one cure. 

Naaman wanted to be healed. He traveled a long way and brought many gifts. He had his healing all planned out. How Elisha the prophet would perform the healing and what a show it would be. But getting things his way would only lead to his death. Naaman had to humble himself and obey the prophets words to see the healing come. It wouldn't come easy, it wouldn't happen his way- but it would happen. 

This week we want the students to consider their heart before the Lord. That they would humble themselves under the mighty hand of God for the Lord opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. We want the students to break free from things that plague them so that they will be set free to minister to those around them!

As parents this week, help your students to foster a humble place before the Lord. Talk with them about the things that may be plaguing them and seek the healing that only the Lord can provide. It is so important that they know the journey with the Lord is not always easy and that perseverance is a daily aspect of the Christian's life. 

I am thankful for you each. I am praying for you and your family as we get closer and closer to the Christmas season. 

As we journey, 

-R

Perspective

This Saturday is BONFIRE! Don't forget to remind your students and encourage them to invite friends. Also, if you would like to come an spend the evening with us- we could always use an extra hand!:) Text me if you are available! We will be feeding them so bring them hungry. 

This week we are talking through a story in 2 Kings chapter 6. Elisha the prophet is given information from the Lord regarding a soon to be attack on the people of Israel. Yes- the Lord sees, hears and knows everything! As soon as the King of those planning to attack Israel hear of this shared knowledge- he begins to ask who on his staff has committed treason and is on Israel side. He still doesn't understand that God knows everything. Even what is said "in his bedroom." So one of his bright young staff members says (in short) "no sir, its Elisha the prophet who knows even what is said in secret." Again, forgetting that the Lord tells Elisha these "secrets," the King makes another plan to find Elisha and deal with him. 

So we pick up where the student(s) will tonight. Over night this king's army surrounds where Elisha and his servant are staying. Early in the morning Elisha's faithful servant goes out and sees the army surrounding them. He says "Oh my master, what are we to do" (vs. 15).

The king of the surrounding army and the servant of Elisha seem to have a similar perspective problem. Neither of them seem to grasp the knowledge, presence and power of God. But Elisha does. He knows that "those who are with us outnumber those who are are with them." Elisha prayed that God would give his servant eyes to see. Eyes to see the vast angelic army that surrounded their enemies and that He did. God gave him sight. Something only God can do! 

This week we will be talking about our perspective. What we see and what we don't seem to see. We will be looking at the nature and character of God as He sees all things, protects those who are His and shows great mercy!

Join me in praying that our eyes would be opened to see the spiritual. That the students would be comforted by Gods protection and His mercy. And for those whom the students will invite this week to the Bonfire. When our perspective is on point, the urgency of the Gospel becomes very real. We desire that tonight!

As we journey, 

-R

Fulfill Your Ministry

I'm sure many of you watched as Donald Trump became the next President of the United States. Even if you didn't, the news has spread. Regardless of ones personal views or the lack there of, as believers we are called to pray for those in authority. I encourage you to do so with your student(s). 

We have our Bonefire coming up and we are pretty excited! In light of that, I wanted to speak to the students tonight and next week regarding their unique place of ministry. They interact with people you and I may never have influence over. They spend hours on end at school and on the sports field with other students who you and I may never have influence over. 

"I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and because of His appearing and His kingdom: Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:1-5

I love this charge given to Timothy from Paul. More importantly, from God. I love this because it speaks to the totality of the ministry- to both those in the family of faith and those outside. 

The charge is given before God and Christ Jesus. This gives it much authority, urgency and power. I want the student(s) to be confident of the one who has commissioned them and called them as vessels for His Name sake. 

The charge is to proclaim THE message. Not just a message, not just any message. But rather THE Message of Jesus Christ. Whether convenient or not. The Gospel will free the sinner. But before it frees it will rebuke. It will call the sinner to die to self and to the ways they once walked. I want the student(s) to be confident of THE Message. 

The charge is to be serious. To endure. To work. To fulfill their ministry. I want the student(s) to see the seriousness of the ministry, to press on, to labor. I want the student(s) to seek the Lord in regards to the ministry set before them. Not that they would all be in the pastorate but we know that all of us in a general sense are called to ministry. 

In the middle of the charge is the disclaimer that a time will come when people will turn from truth and they will seek what sounds good to their ears and what allows for the feeding of their desires. Not only do I want the student(s) to flee from this themselves, I want them to know the reality that there will be a time that people turn away from listening to truth. 

In light of all of this- we will be asking the students to write down at least one student whom they would like to pray for regarding their salvation. We want this to be someone that the students will begin to engage and invite.

My encouragement to you as parents is to ask who they are praying for, pray with them and encourage them as they step out in faith. Pray for your student(s) as they walk in the ministry and good works set before them in the days and months and years ahead:)

As we journey,

-R

Interpreting the Times

Parents:)

I'm sure some days that title is more exciting that others. Today, know that your role as a parent before God is indispensable, valuable and influential. You are loved. 

This week at the Well we will be looking at Jesus's words in the 12th chapter of Luke. 

He also said to the crowds: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, right away you say, ‘A storm is coming,’ and so it does. And when the south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It’s going to be a scorcher!’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why don’t you know how to interpret this time?  Luke 12:54-56 (HCSB) 

As we have been discussing authenticity in our walk with Jesus, this passage is of great encouragement and correction. Primarily the Pharisees but many also began asking Jesus for signs to prove who He was. They wanted more and more proof to "believe" that Jesus was who He claimed to be- the Son of God, the promised and long-anticipated Messiah. As we know Jesus has been performing many miracles in their midst and yet they still don't believe. 

What sticks out to me is this picture of the people looking to the sky and interpreting what was going on or what would soon take place. Based off the geography of the land and their experience, they could say confidently when a storm was blowing in and what type of weather it would bring. Jesus says "you see... you say... and it does/is..." and then immediately declares them to be "hypocrites!"

How does this apply to us and the students tonight? I think we are a very interpretive people. We are always determining what is coming next, what we will do and what others are doing. We interpret consequences of action and inaction. We have gotten pretty darn good at looking at a situation in our life or close to us and declaring what is to come. We do this with sports, academics, success, politics, etc. 

My fear is that sometimes we get so caught up and we miss what is happening spiritually. We miss things that are right in front of our face. They are obvious and for whatever the reason- we miss it completely- but oh will we be sure not to miss whats happening in the cowboys game. It aches my heart to know that one day many will have to face the reality that although they thought they could interpret well, they missed it. 

My encouragement to the students tonight is to fix their eyes on Jesus. That they would know the times, especially that of the spiritual realm, and interpret them in light of the Word of God. That they would see the need to put God first in their live and that they would have a growing desire to see others come to faith in Jesus Christ, knowing the current time is urgent and very real. 

I hope that you will be encouraged today that God is with you. That we have been given truth in His Word and that the very Spirit of God dwells within us. We will not be able to interpret the time in which Christ will come back but by the authority of Scripture, we sure can interpret the spiritual climate of our day and the ever pressing call to go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything God has commanded us. 

And remember,  HE is with us always, to the end of the age.

Remind your student of these things. Talk with them about Jesus words of eternal life that so many failed to see. Encourage them to see what God has already revealed to us and walk boldly and confidently in those things. 

As we journey, 

-R

Exposed

Exposed: reveal the true and typically objectionable nature of (someone or something).

Hey Parents. 

Being exposed is an unspoken fear of so many today. Don't worry- we aren't calling the students or you to expose all of who you are. We don't really have to since before the Creator we are all exposed. Nothing is left hidden. The hope we have as believers in Christ allows us to affirm that reality without fear or shame knowing that we have been clothed in His righteousness alone. Something to celebrate!

But what we are talking about tonight is the lies that we tell ourselves. Specially, we are looking at three areas I believe directly effect our genuineness and authenticity before others and our confidence in our placement before God. 

Lies that help us sin. Lies that help us hide. Lies that convince us we are stuck.  

"Dishonesty is an integral part of our social world, influencing domains ranging from finance and politics to personal relationships. Anecdotally, digressions from a moral code are often described as a series of small breaches that grow over time....The findings uncover a biological mechanism that supports a 'slippery slope': what begins as small acts of dishonesty can escalate into larger transgressions." -Nature Neuroscience (2016)

Think about this study and its results. "Dishonesty is an integral part of our social world." "Small breaches that grow over time." This is such a good picture of what we are discussing tonight with the students. Unfortunately, dishonesty is not uncommon. It is woven into so many areas of life that it can become normal and easy. I believe that the students will find these three lies that we convince ourselves of overtime to be worth fighting with the truth. 

"At least I am not doing what they are!" 

"No one knows!"

"I can't stop! Im stuck!"

While its not the objective tonight specifically to discuss the plague of sexual sin that is sweeping through elementary, middle and high school and beyond, this will be my direction with you all today. Those three lies are very very common when it comes to hidden sexual sin. It is said that 71% of teens hide online behavior from their parents. Thats assuming they even have internet access. What they have heard at school can not be filtered by you and may not be fully disclosed either. Most sexual sin finds itself interwoven in lies told over and over. Just as the lies discussed in the study of the brain, as soon as small breakdowns in ones moral code begin the snow ball seems to just keep building. These experiences can be found in music, TV, social media, locker rooms, sports teams, neighbors house- nearly everywhere. 

I probably seem to be ranting a little. Stay with me. 

We can not hide from every type of worldly behavior. But we can expose it for what it is. We can not keep them from ever thinking about sex or hearing about sex. But we can expose the truth about sex and lust to them- the good and the bad. We can not be with them everywhere they go but we can expose the truth of God's presence with them everywhere they go. We will not always be their rescue but we can expose the freedom Christ has purchased for them and the way of escape that He has promised!

My heart aches even in my own life considering all the ways I have allowed dishonesty to have a place in my life. Lies I believed that allowed me to taste of sin, believe that no one knew and believe that there was no way of escape. Such lies are only in accordance with the father of lies himself. 

I pray that you would consider ways to foster openness, honesty and intentionality when it comes to these areas with your student(s). If you are already doing that, press on! If not, know this can be an area of deep pain, confusion or shame whether they would be honest about that or not.

 I love you each. I love your student(s). May lies be exchanged for truth tonight. 

As we journey, 

-R

**Myself and a few others use a software called Covenant Eyes. I highly recommend this as it allows for use of the internet but provides accountability and filtering. They have a lot of good resources and I have signed many people up for this service. If you have any questions- I'd be happy to answer. http://www.covenanteyes.com/ **

Walking Worthy

So many W's on this wonderful Wednesday. All joking aside, I am confident the Lord is so near to us, a very present help. No matter how this week is going so far or the worries of tomorrow, rest assured the Lord is near and He knows your needs.

This week at the Well, we are continuing our push to authenticity in our walks with Christ. The Lord has really been reminding me lately of the brevity of life. That I am not promised tomorrow and that it is even sinful to, when taking the Lord out of the equation, plan my tomorrows.

As I have the privilege TODAY to speak to your student(s), I have prayed that the Lord would grant me peace in the message if it were to be my last. Because of this, I believe tonight's time together will prompt the students to thought. 

Two things I believe the Lord desires for us tonight:

1. That they would know where they stand with Christ. "I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." -1 John 5:13. We will dive into Christ finished work as we look tonight in Zechariah chapter 3.

2. That they would walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel that saved them. "so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God." -Colossians 1:10. We will focus on this passage as we look to the authentic lives of holiness Christ has purchased for us, a power that could only come from God Himself.

I am confident the Lord's work will be done in this place tonight and we are asking Him to restore to the students the joy of their salvation, calling them to the plans and purposes He has for them even now. We are also believing God for salvation in this place. That blind eyes would be opened, beholding Jesus in all His beauty!

This week I ask you to consider your own walk with Christ. That our homes would be the training ground for what it looks like to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, not by our own strength but by the strength of Him who brought Jesus out from the grave! His power will work mightily in us. May we surrender and walk closely with Him this week so that all may know.

I love you each.

As we journey,

-R

Authentic

Happy Wednesday!!

It has been just over a month since we started our parent blog/email. I know for me it has been encouraging and challenging as I write each week. I hope that the Lord continues to speak to you and guide your family in ways that are beyond imagination.

As we watch the debates and all the facebook drama that ensues nearly every day, the Lord has really been laying on my heart the Church in America today. This week the students will be looking at what it means to be authentic, genuine believers in the midst of so many wavering opinions, beliefs, agendas, etc. Specially, we will be looking at the fleeting pleasures of worldliness that can chip at our authenticity before a broken world and the urgency of the Gospel for those around us.

"The fruit you craved has left you. All your splendid and glamorous things are gone; they will never find them again." Rev. 18:14

"He satisfies you with goodness;" Psalm 103:5a

These two scriptures find themselves at the core of our discussion tonight. Many times the people of Israel would step into the culture and desires of their neighboring godless nations. Their genuineness, their authenticity would naturally be called into question. Unfortunately, the perceived genuineness and authenticity of the god they claimed would be called into question. We can get so caught up in seeking to be satisfied with the things we can see or touch that we forget our satisfaction in Christ and lose our will to seek Him above all else. 

My hope tonight is that the students see the fleeting nature of wealth, power, popularity, comforts, pleasures, etc. That they would see God in His rightful place knowing that one day a judgement will come, one that will not be revoked or reconsidered. Psalm 103 reminds our souls, as believers, to stand in the genuineness and authenticity of our faith and our salvation. To remember that we have been forgiven, healed, redeemed and crowned. Satisfied in our Savior from now into eternity.

While many kingdoms seem to exist today, there is only ONE KINGDOM that rules over all. Our Lord's throne is established. May we be a people who seek to live authentic lives and as a result, be urgent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ knowing that one day, what fails to be proven genuine, will not stand.

Take time this week to pray with your student(s) regarding their walk with Christ, their relationships with fellow believers and their relationships with those who are lost.

May the God of ALL comfort, comfort you in all your ways this week.

As we journey,

-R

Even When It Hurts: Week 4 Conversation Points

Happy Wednesday!!

This week has been crazy for me so far. I'm sure some of you feel the same way. I started my week off fighting a pack of vultures who had their way with the Waterpark while I was away. Just another day on the job I guess. 

This week we are wrapping up our series on loving, cherishing and following God even in the midst of pain. I am excited for what the Lord has in store for us at the Well tonight. Please join me in praying for the students and the message. 

In Hebrews chapter 5 we see a summary of Jesus's earthly life: 

"During His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the One who was able to save Him from death, and was headed because of His reverence. Though He was God's Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him," vs. 7-9, HCSB

The words contained in these few verses speak volumes. To imagine for a moment that the Word, existing before creation, the Beginning and the End, the True Light, Life- God Himself, took on human flesh and made His residence among us. This Jesus, although He existed in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be used for His own advantage, Instead He emptied Himself, humbling Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross.

Tonight we will be looking at Jesus's time in the Garden just before being taken away. We will see the deep anguish of our Savior. The preceding pain that lies deep in the core of our humanness as our will is aligned with that of the Father. The pain of surrendering control, desires, passions to the One who IS. The Great I AM. 

My prayer is that the students will will be reminded of their salvation, that others would follow Jesus for the first time and that the call to surrender their own will in obedience to the Fathers would resonate deeply. 

May you consider conversations with your student(s) this week. I love you and am thankful for you. 

-Discuss the will of God. Desiring what God desires. 

-Ask your student(s) what they desire most and talk about these things in light of following Jesus. 

-Pray with your student(s). Ask God to guide them, give them clarity, etc. that they may be strengthened as they walk into their unique areas of influence. 

As we journey, 

-R

The Love of a Father

Parents, 

Well as you can see Pastor Donny, Dad, and I have taken a break and escaped to the calm mountains of Colorado. We are thankful for friends and family who have allowed us such an opportunity!

This week at the Well, Mark Apel will be leading the students in their study. Mark told me the other day that he would be teaching on the Prodigal Son. I am excited for what the Lord has in store for them tonight. 

As I read over the story, the following verse stuck out to me: 

"I'll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son..." Luke 15:18, 19

Having this week to spend with my own Dad, this verse resonates with me. The reality is at some point most every child feels the weight of failure. The battle to feel worthy of being loved. They come to a place where they feel like they have disappointed to such an extent that they should be separated from the family. Some may even be rejected literally. Its crazy to think that they could feel as though they have disappointed you so much and yet at the same time you never really know the weight of that burden they carry. This same feeling spreads to their own relationship with God the Father. 

Oh what an impact the love, approval, embrace of a Father can have on a son. So much that I believe we truly are unable to love others without first knowing and experiencing the love of our Heavenly Father. We would be silly to not see the impact earthly fathers have on their children and even their children's view of God's love. 

Chances are there will be many moments of rebellion, both major and minor. We pray not but we are sinful and broken so the chances surly increase. I pray that you each today pause to reflect on the way The Father first loved you. That you would remember the love, approval and embrace found in our Heavenly Father and in turn would be given great strength to do the same as your parenting journey continues. 

I am not sure Marks direction tonight but I pray desperately that the students would leave overwhelmed by the loving embrace of their Savior. That they would be reminded of their place as Sons and Daughters of the Most High. That their identity would be built on the faithful and merciful love of Christ as they journey through thick and thin. 

I am thankful for my time away today with my Dad. Cherish every moment you have with you student(s). Love because you were first loved. I pray that you and your family have a wonderful, joy filled week and I look forward to being back with you all Sunday. 

As we journey,

-R

Even When It Hurts: Week 3 Conversation Points

Happy Wednesday:) 

This week at the Well we are looking at the book of Habakkuk. As we continue our series, I believe this week will provide the students with some good disciplines to cling to. I ask that you continue to pray for us as we journey through these places of scripture. 

In light of some of the things happening in America today, I found this quote regarding the book of Habakkuk:

"If, like Habakkuk, you ever become discouraged about the condition of the church, the state of the world, or your own spiritual life, take time to pray and seek God's mercy."

"Charles Spurgeon said "Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom."

I know for me personally there are many things that have been discouraging to say the least- in very single one of those categories. Whether we have political unrest, civil unrest or sheer chaos close to home as a young woman's life is brutally taken from her- we live in times that can be very discouraging. We will be looking tonight at the disciplines of prayer, patience and perseverance as seen in the Book of Habakkuk. 

My encouragement to you is that you spend some time looking over the three chapters in Habakkuk. See that Habakkuk also looked on chaos and wandered why God was slow to act. That he also wandered why. My hope is that the students tonight will be encouraged to intentionally pray about the things that burden their heart, wait patiently for His response and persevere with great faith even when all seems lost.

May your time as a family be met abundantly by the mercy of God. 

Here are a few conversation points from tonights lesson: 

• Unanswered prayers
• Learning to pray even when it seems painful 
• The importance of patience in the midst of hurt. 
• Breaking perceptions that take God, His sovereignty, His love out of the equation. 
• Pressing on even when things don't seem to be going your way. Talking about moments they have experienced where they wanted to give up. 

I love you each. 

As we journey, 

-R

Even When It Hurts: Week 2 Conversation Points

PARENTS,

I love you. I thank God for you. I see the work that God has so intentionally set before you each and it gives me great joy. I hope you are reminded of God's love for you and the good works He has placed before you. 

Last week we looked briefly at the life of Job. We focused on Job's initial response to his intense sufferings and also looked at the sovereignty of God. This week, I believe, we are entering into some uncharted territory. 

Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 

Consider this: Satan needs only to convince a follower of Jesus that he or she has failed so much that God's love is overshadowed by their shame. 

As soon as Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 3, they immediately realized they were naked and they were ashamed. They immediately tried to hid. They tried to cover themselves. 

In that moment, Adam and Eve must have known the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. They were created by Him. They walked with Him. Any and all fears, any desires were now a lost memory as they feared being seen by God. 

I believe that far to many believers, including myself, have or currently live in a hurt that is far more painful than anything we could experience physically. This hurt comes from a realization that we have sinned before our Faithful Creator. This hurt comes from hidden places of sin that creep up constantly. This hurt comes from a fear that the Creator we once looked to would see who we really are inside. This hurt comes from lies told by the Evil One that have been subtly believed and affirmed year after year. 

We will be looking at Davids affair with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11), Nathan's faithful rebuke (2 Sam 12) and David's painful response (Psalm 51).

I desperately ask that you pray for your student(s), the Well Student Ministry, the leaders (myself included), our church and even yourself as we meet tomorrow. I am asking the Spirit of God to heal the deep hurts that many carry and to leave us each restored to the very joy of our salvation in such a way that we leave with a vision to lead others to the same. Oh that we would be so disciplined that we would get back up and love, cherish and follow God even when it hurts inside. 

---

1. Remind your student(s) of the Love of God. Remind them of the Gospel. 
2. Hug your student(s)
3. Tell your student(s) you love them
4. Consider conversations to engage your student(s) in their place of hurt. 
   • What is their deepest fear?
   • What do they worry about the most?
   • What do they desire most?
   • What places of failure do they assign themselves too?
5. Discuss David's repentance and the forgiveness given by God
6. Discuss how important it is to have a committed "Nathan" in their life. 

As we journey, 

-R

Even When It Hurts: Week 1 Conversation Points

Parents, 

this week at the Well your student(s) studied the discipline of loving, cherishing and following God even when it hurts as we looked to the life of Job. I hope that as the week continues that you will find moments of conversation with your student(s) surrounding these things that we have studied. 

One commentator said it like this: 

"...the fundamental reason for Job's suffering was to silence the blasphemous accusations of Satan and prove that a man would honor God even though he had lost everything. It was a battle "in the heavenlies" (Eph. 6:12), but Job did not know it. Job's life was a battlefield where the forces of God and Satan were engaged in a spiritual struggle to decide the question, "Is Jehovah God worthy of man's worship?"

The beginning moments in the book of Job are intense. And that word doesn't even do it justice. Job was a faithful man before God and although he was not perfect, he had aligned himself with the will of God. He walked with God. Job also had great wealth, a large family and was a name in his community. Its hard for us to imagine the pain of what would soon take place. 

As the spiritual battle began to take place, Job began to lose the very things that we hold extremely dear. His wealth was gone in a blink of an eye. His children were gone before he could utter out another "I love you." His world was turned upside down. If that wasn't enough, Satan set out to attack Job himself with much confidence that if nothing else this would break him. 

Its amazing to look at the discipline that we see in the life of Job. How Job remained faithful in these painful moments. One of Job's immediate responses as we see it: 

"The LORD gives, and the LORD takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh."

This week we hope that the students see the importance of loving, cherishing and following God even when it hurts or they lose everything. While this may be extreme, the best place your child will ever be is the place of upmost love and devotion to Christ. It may not always seem to be the safest alternative nor will it always be the easiest, but we can rest assured that there is no better place to be than in a posture of worship before our God. 

"Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You. I said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good besides You.” -Psalm 16:1-2

"God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life. So I will praise You as long as I live; Your name, I will lift up my hands. You satisfy me as with rich food; my mouth will praise You with joyful lips." -Psalm 63:1-5

As you journey this week consider the following conversation points:

• What causes you to doubt the goodness of God in your life? 
• What is something you are thankful to God for?
• Why is God worthy of our worship? 
• How can we remain faithful to God even when things seem to be falling apart? 

The above questions are there to help engage your students regarding this weeks lesson. Remember, your journey with Christ and the experiences you can share will sometimes mean more to them than any question you could present. Share with them how the Lord has met you in the place of pain and even allow the Lord to search out your heart for areas of unresolved hurt. 

I love you each and I am thankful for you and your family. 

As we journey,

-R

Discipleship Begins With You.

The joys of parenting. I can only begin to imagine. The hundreds of dirty diapers, the lost pacifiers, data usage, new clothes, homework, sports, friends, and a few chaotic vacations all mixed together. Like I said, I can only imagine. I am confident that words can not fully capture what it's like parenting in your home.

Although today I write to you openly and with much intensity. As you have entrusted me with faithfully serving your students weekly, I find it necessary to open up conversation with you as we seek the spiritual growth of your students together.

As a Disciple Making Church family, we recognize the scriptural call to discipleship in the home. In Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 7 we see this instruction:

"Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We know this charge and have accepted it in many ways. We discuss the love of God, we pray before our meals, we pray before we sleep and we make sure they start practicing devotionals. To me, what is so profound about this text is its simplicity. Here we have God calling the family unit to simply keep Him in the conversation as we sit, walk, lie down and get up. Paul continued to instruct the church regarding our conversations with each other:

"Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." - Colossians 3:16, 17

Our complex routines, schedules and programs are making it more difficult to do as we are called. We must begin to see the spiritual as God does: always. Everywhere you go and everything you do falls under the umbrella of discipleship.

Before we all agree and move on to the next post- please take a moment to consider the instructions given to us prior to our talking, conversing and discipling:

“This is the command—the statutes and ordinances—the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you, so that you may follow ⌊them in the land you are about to enter and possess.
Do this so that you may fear the LORD your God all the days of your life by keeping all His statutes and commands I am giving you, your son, and your grandson, and so that you may have a long life. Listen, Israel, and be careful to follow them, so that you may prosper and multiply greatly, because Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised you a land flowing with milk and honey.  “Listen, Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. -Deuteronomy 6:1-6

We must acknowledge the call on our lives as parents, as leaders, and as shepherds.

We are called to be discipled.

We are called to follow.

We are called to listen.

We are called to love.

We are called to speak.

Discipleship begins with you. 

This semester we will begin sending out a weekly email giving you conversation starters regarding the things we are teaching at the Well. This will begin as we kick off a September series called "Even When It Hurts" where we will be calling the students to the discipline of loving, cherishing and following God even when it hurts.

Our team is praying for you as you fulfill your God given roles as parents and we also pray that you personally will experience the Lord in a fresh and an exciting way this semester.

As we journey,

Ryan Forson, Student Pastor

Our Unique Partnership

Parents, 

Each week, starting with our new series in September, you will be receiving an email. The contents of that email will also be placed here on our Parents Blog. The main objective behind this email/blog is to share with you what the Lord is revealing to us through His Word during our study times so that conversations can be initiated with your students throughout the rest of the week.

We truly believe that your students spiritual growth is most impacted by your own walk with Christ and the crucial conversations that you will have as a family. With that being said, we want to partner well. We want to pray together and we want to seek God's best for each student and family that steps foot on our property and beyond.

As you can understand, my current position with Lake Sharon is voluntary. Please be patient with me and most of all pray for me, that I would boldly declare the truths found in scripture and that I would find myself ever sensitive to the the Spirit of God. Please know that we will be trying to better the overall communication coming from the Student Ministry with the hope that what has happened in the student ministry will flow into the the homes of those students represented and into their schools and the workplaces you yourself represent. 

I hope our new Parent Blog will be a source of encouragement to you as you walk the discipleship journey with your students. Don't fret if you find yourself saying this can't work or we don't do this. Fix your eyes on Jesus, look to His Word and find the strength and the encouragement to follow Him wherever He may lead. I love you and I am with you. Colossians 3:1-4.

As we journey,

-Ryan Forson, Student Pastor @ the Well