Newsletter Oct09

OCTOBER 09

MISSOURI VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

GUYS AND GIRLS BIBLE STUDY

RUSH SCHEDULE CHALLENGE

5:50

DINNER

6:00

WORHSIP BEGINS

6:30

For over a year now, a group of High School Guys have been meeting at the parsonage

SMALL GROUPS START

7:30

(Band of Brothers), eating food, hanging out, studying the Bi-

RUSH ENDS

8:05

ble, and having an

119 (ON SUNDAYS AM)

9:15

awesome time. Every time I announce this Bible

Contact Information:

study at RUSH the

Missouri Valley Christian Church

girls ask me when I

119 N. 4th St. Missouri Valley, IA 51555 712-642-4179 [email protected]

will be starting one for them. Well, now I have an answer for

Effectradio.com I have a great idea! I know you spent a couple of hours on facebook yesterday. You should try something. While your on Facebook, go to www.effectradio.com and listen to some music. This is the radio station that exposed me to Christian Rock. I never really new that Christian music could be that good. So check out the website listen to some music.

doors to Girls. This is how it will work. At 7 PM on Thursdays, 9th12th grade girls and boys will meet at the parsonage. After and hour of snacks, fun, and hanging out, we will split up into guys and girls’ groups and study the Bible seperetly. The study will end at 9 PM. I will be lead-

them. Thursday

ing the guys Bible

October 15th,

Study, and Chelsea

Band of Brothers

and Theresa Erixon

will be disbanding

will be leading the

and opening its

girls study. It is a

great chance for students to grow deeper in their relationship with God and to connect with other students. Over the last year I have had the privilege of watching the guys who attend grow and develop in their relationship with Jesus. This Bible study is a great chance to encourage growth. So guys continue to come, and girls, make sure you don’t miss out on this awesome time.

Turning Point @ Nebraska Christian College Hey High School Students! Nov. 6-7 Nebraska Christian College is going to be hosting Turning Point 2009. You have to come to this. It is $ 35 plus $ 10-15 for food and you get to stay on campus at Nebraska Christian College! It is a great event. In fact, several years ago, it was at Turning Point that God helped change my life and drew me closer to Him. Come to Turning Point and hear His call. Permission forms and information letters are available at the church.

PARENTS PAGE

Page 2

1. Start Each Year Focused. The older teens become the more likely their goal is to "just graduate." When the education system is not used to further social and intellectual development, it becomes nothing more than teen-sitting service. Of course, the degree to which your teen thrives in school is related to the desire to do so. The week before school begins sit down together and determine the goals for the year. Take a statement as simple as, "By the end of the year I want to ___________________." Have your teen fill in the blank as many times as needed with specific goals. Such as, "By the end of the year I want to have a "B" average in geometry." Do not be unrealistic with your goals. Make them obtainable, reach them, and set higher ones next time. 2. Maintain A Schedule. Students are used to following a schedule at school, so do the same at home. Your family may decide that study time is the moment you get home, or it may wait until after supper. Even school has field trips that change the schedule. Occasionally surprise your child with a field trip of your own 3. Create A Study Atmosphere. As you do in your family meetings, cut out any distraction that will encroach on your teen's study habits. Turn off or turn down the phone, television, radio and anything else that could distract. Ask your teens if there is anything you could provide that would help them study (besides a bribe!). Would a desk area in their room help? Would your availability to help with test questions help? 4. Maintain A Mission Mindset. Jesus sent His followers out with a mission to go into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20). Send your teen out with the same mission. We need to help teens see that school is a fantastic place to introduce others to Christ. After a few weeks of school sit down with your teen and make a list of the classmates he/she knows have not accepted Christ as Savior. Pray together over those names each week and encourage your child to look for opportunities to fulfill the mission. 5. Study Partners. Are your teens serious enough about their schoolwork to study and not socialize with a partner? If so, then having someone to aid the learning process can be invaluable. It teaches teens to work together for a solution, which is exactly what will be required upon entering the work force. If you are unsure about your teen's ability to use a study partner for it's true intentions, then give it a trial run. Let your teen study with a friend for a couple of tests to see if any improvement results. Have the study area where you can be aware of what is going on. 6. Proper Rest. Ben Franklin said, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." I am not sure about the wealthy part, but I can attest to the healthy and wise aspects. Pure and simply, we cannot function at our physical and mental best without rest. This may sound old fashioned but set weeknight by Paul Evans & Al bedtimes for the entire family. As your teen matures he/she will feel that age permits staying up later and later. If you set a standard for the family, everyone will be Millergren under the same fair guideline 7. Note How They Take Notes. Most teachers test from their notes rather than text books. If that is true of your child's teacher than ask to review the class notes to determine if your child is a good note taker or not. Taking good notes is more than being able to copy what is on the overhead or chalkboard. It includes the ability to understand what was written. Teach your teen to write down the notes and anything else that will help to remember the purpose for the notes being given. Teach them to listen for clues such as the teacher saying, “You will see this again.” 8. Tackle The Tough Subjects First. Finishing a study period in failure is discouraging. Have your teen save the easy stuff for last so they can end with a positive feeling. Tough subjects can be so tough that teens don't want to get started. If that is true for your home, then let your teen start with one easy subject, move to the hard one, then close the study session with another easy assignment. 9. Personal Responsibilities. Teens can thrive and survive in school by being held accountable for their own actions towards their grades. Their attitude should be a bad grade is not "the teacher's fault," but "my fault." When we as parents provide an example of personal responsibility our teens are likely to follow Added Bonus: Put up a weekly chart so your teen can see how their study time is affecting their grades. They will find that the more quality time they put into their studies the better their grades will be and the better they will feel about themselves.

Helping

your teen thrive in School!