Weekly Update April 29

This Wednesday at Hyfi we are so excited for our new theme, Amp It Up, where we get to teach kids the Simple Truth, “I Am Here to Share Jesus.” This month, kids will learn that they can tell their families, friends, neighbors, and the world about Jesus. The good news of the love of Jesus is too good to keep to ourselves!

This first week we will look at John 1:29-42. In this Bible story, a man named Andrew met Jesus and wanted to follow Him. One of the first things Andrew did was to find his brother, Simon Peter, and invite him to follow Jesus too. Our family relationships are special, and these people are some of the first with whom we can share the good news of Jesus.

This week, take out a photo album or scroll through photos on your phone. Talk about different family members—both near and far. Share what you know about those family members and take time to pray that they would love and follow Jesus!

This Wednesday at Refuge Students we will be taking a look at 1 John 4:7-21. For the last ten weeks, the youth have been studying 1st John together and learning how believers can reject false teachers and stand assured of their salvation.  In 1 John 4:7-21, John argues that since God is love He demonstrated His love for us tangibly in the gospel. The natural result of believing and resting in the gospel is that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to love others and are therefore assured of our salvation.

Good discussion questions for your youth this week include:

• How is the supernatural love of God different from the superficial idea of love that we so often hold?
• What is the difference between knowing about God and knowing God personally as Father? Why is love a good test of whether someone knows God?
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This Sunday at Sunday School and at Refuge Hangout we will be taking a look at Philippians 2. In Philippians 2, the apostle Paul expounds upon Christ’s humility and its implications for how we live and interact with others. Though we may struggle with the paradox of His infinite power and meekness, Christ’s humility serves as the truest example for us to follow as we adopt His attitude so that the world may confess Jesus as Lord.

This week discuss these questions as a family:

• What is humility and how does Christ's humility encourage us to follow in His steps? 
• How can we joyfully demonstrate Jesus' humble mindset?

The sufferings of Jesus were rooted in humility as He sought not what was best for Himself, but rather what was for the good of sinful people. His obedience to deny Himself and seek the Father's will demonstrates the same mindset we should have toward one another. The love Christ has shown us through His humble death exhorts us to show this same love to others, trusting that God will use our humble efforts to shine like stars in a dark world. As followers of Christ, we seek to emulate His self-sacrifice, trusting that God is glorified through it and that we, who are in Christ, will one day be exalted with Him.

From now on please drop off children who are in the 3rd grade, and older, at the college room on Sunday Night for Refuge Hangout (the large room in the middle floor of the fellowship hall building). Due to the growing number of students on Sunday Nights, it has become necessary to divide into two age groups. 2nd grade and under will continue to be dropped off in the youth room. If you are in a small group that meets on campus your children will be brought to you when we let out at 7:30pm. If your small group does not meet on campus you may pick your child up in the fellowship hall at 7:30pm.