For more teaching tips go to http://www.teenlifeministries.com/thezone. You can pick up "Amazing Teaching" in the Zone as well.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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New Lesson series on Prayer. Lesson 6... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Tragedy in Our Youth Group (Oct 19, 2007 at 3:31 AM) - This morning between 3:30 and 4:00am the phones of our church members began ringing off the hooks. Not long after that, my phone rang and it was one of our high school coaches telling me that the mother of one of our sophomore boys was killed in a house fire.

Let's Get Practical (Oct 17, 2007 at 4:00 AM) - Today's D2 is one that is so practical that you might think I don't even need to deal with this. Just hang with us, it may be practical and seem elementary but the areas we will cover are areas that are needed in all youth ministries.

Quiet Time- "Stand" (Oct 12, 2007 at 1:01 PM) - During the season premier of "Survivor-China" each of the game contestants were taken to a Buddhist Temple to participate in a cultural ceremony to welcome them to China.  Before the ceremony they were assured that this was not a worship service and it wasn't intended to conflict with anyone's religious beliefs.  However, once inside the temple they were surrounded by statues of Buddha and parts of the ceremony required bowing down in front of this Chinese god as a way to show respect.  One of the contestants was an outspoken

Praise Preceding Deliverance (Oct 10, 2007 at 3:20 AM) - As I read through the Old Testament, sometimes I am stunned by the Israelites' lack of faith in trusting a God who delivered them time and time again.

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Developing Friendships from the "Sudden Impact" section of The Youth Ministry Zone. These are copy and paste devotionals you can email to your teens or handout. For details go to http://www.teenlifeministries.com/thezone There are 49 Sudden Impact available.

When I was in the sixth grade I started a new school. I sat across the isle from a guy who was about twice my size. He was a little over six feet tall and had the biggest arms I had ever seen. He was intimidating just to look at. You would think that at any time he could chew you up and spit you out. As the weeks went by we became close friends. I soon learned that not only did he have a big body but he had an even larger heart. All the way through jr. and sr. high school we were the best of friends. If I was not at his house, he was at mine. One thing I soon learned about this friendship was that it was not just a surface type friendship. It was the kind of friendship that if I needed help at the spur of the moment, he was there. There were times when I wanted us to do something mischievous or get into something that I shouldn't and he would stop me. There were times when I would say something about someone and he would correct me. I soon learned that only a true friend would try to make me a better person.

Proverbs 28:23 says, "Those who correct others will later be liked more than those who give false praise."

1. How do your friends help you in your walk with God?

2. How do you help your friends with their walk with God?

3. How do you determine whether a person is a good friend?

4. How do you choose your friends?


Proverbs 13:20 "Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer."

Proverbs 14:7 "Stay away from fools because they can't teach you anything."

I Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be fooled: Bad friends will ruin good habits."

John 14:18 "I will not leave you alone like orphans; I will come back for you."

John 15:12-14 "This is my command: Love each other as I have loved you. The greatest love a person can show is to die for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you."

Today pray that God will give you the strength and wisdom to choose the right friends. Pray that He will put people in your life that will help you get to heaven and also someone you can help get to heaven.
 

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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New Lesson series on Prayer. Lesson 4... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Praise Preceding Deliverance (Oct 10, 2007 at 3:20 AM) - As I read through the Old Testament, sometimes I am stunned by the Israelites' lack of faith in trusting a God who delivered them time and time again.

Rake and Run for Fun (Oct 5, 2007 at 3:24 AM) - This outreach idea is as old as the trees in your grandma's yard. However, some ideas are worth keeping around for a while. The leaves are beginning to fall and that could mean fun times for youth groups.

Growing up Without Selling Out : The Professionalization of Youth Ministry (Sep 28, 2007 at 2:33 PM) - My brother and his wife spend most of their waking hours thinking about drag racing. Their whole lives revolve around race cars: they build them, race them, rebuild them, and race them again.

Identity (Sep 26, 2007 at 2:15 AM) - Have you ever been mistaken for someone else? Perhaps you've been told that you remind someone of their close friend- that you have an uncanny resemblance.

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Here are 10 ways to choose a retreat center...

1. Settle on a Purpose. Your purpose will decide what type of facility will work best. A youth group wanting a fun weekend together may put a high priority on recreational facilities. Perhaps you want to work in some sightseeing into the weekend, then you might want to select an area that is close to the attractions you would like to visit.

2. Length of Stay. Consider the advantages of a second night at a facility to provide more time for group interaction. Veteran retreat planners have discovered that the second night goes a long way in creating a valuable community experience. Factor in travel time as well. You may be planning a three-day retreat, but if it takes a day to get there then you really have only one day to work with.

3. Reserve Early. The best dates and nicest facilities get booked first. Consider reserving a facility six months to a year before you want to have a retreat. If you are pleased with the facility and service, you might want to make your reservation for the following year before your retreat is over.

4. Decide on a Price Range. It is wise to go with what the majority of your group is willing to spend. Consider offering financial assistance to those needing help. Or you can charge your group a little less than the actual cost and ask several people who can afford it to help make up the difference.

5. Get Organized. Before you call a facility, do your planning. Decide what type of accommodations you want (motel, dorms or cabins), what type of meal service, quality of menu--tuna surprise or Chicken Kiev; how large your group will be, what kind of meeting space you'll need, when you plan to arrive and depart, and if you mind sharing a facility with other groups.

6. Have a "Plan B". Have several options on dates that would work for your group. Locking yourself in to a specific date without options will set you up for disappointment if the center is not available at that particular time. Confirm dates for a facility before you confirm dates with a speaker!

7. Compare. When comparing prices between retreat facilities, make sure you ask what is and is not included in the basic fee, such as coffee breaks, audio/visual equipment and recreational equipment. Talk to other groups and find out where they have received the best service. Make a visit to a potential site. Talking in person with a representative at the facility and seeing the buildings and grounds will answer a lot of questions. When you compare facilities, don't let cost be the primary factor--ask yourself which facility and staff will help your group best achieve its retreat program goals.

8. Get it in Writing. You will want to have a written contract signed by your group representative and by the retreat facility's representative describing the agreement between the group and the conference center [camp]. Usually a nonrefundable deposit (10-15% of the minimum fee) will be required. Be sure that the minimum number of participants and the corresponding minimum fee are reasonably attainable. You may be required to make up the difference if you miss your minimum. Ask if there are additional cancellation charges.

9. Evaluate. Check out the staff's attitude toward service and hospitality as well as their philosophy. Ask others who have been there. Will a host be available to answer your questions and take care of needs during the retreat?

10. Do Your Homework. Know what you and your group want and ask lots of questions. Pre-retreat communication pays off. Keep notes and names of those you talked with for all your phone conversations, and make sure all agreements and arrangements are made in writing. Frequent and detailed pre-retreat communication will improve your chances of getting the level of service that is so important in making your retreat experience a positive one.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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New Lesson series on Prayer. Lesson 1... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Use Your Tongue Wisely (Sep 19, 2007 at 2:18 AM) - It usually takes a pretty long time for you to build a good reputation. People don't say good things about you just because they think it's the right thing to do.

Simple Guidelines for Discipleship (Sep 14, 2007 at 3:04 AM) - We, as youth ministers, are constantly trying to get our teens to disciple others.

Teaching Tip (Sep 12, 2007 at 2:28 AM) - Encourage your students to......

Hitting the Wall (Sep 7, 2007 at 2:51 AM) - Cut, paste, and send this to your teens or use it as an "Attention Getter" in a class or devo.

Serving Those Who Serve (Sep 5, 2007 at 2:26 AM) - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Parenting Tips (Aug 31, 2007 at 2:17 AM) - As youth ministers we are constantly faced with parents who struggle with their teens. Use the following article written by Lori Cooper as a guide to help the parents in your church. You might use it to teach a parenting class or copy it and hand it to the parents.

Ten Youth Ministry "Don't Forgets" (Aug 29, 2007 at 2:36 AM) - Ten of many youth ministry "Don't Forgets."


 

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Here are three ways to use email creatively...

1. Half a message.  Who can't send an entire message? Try sending only half the message. In order for the full message to be received have group members respond with a favorite verse or the name of a friend they are inviting to church. End your half message with a teaser that will make them want to respond.

2. Prayer Tree. Send an email to one teen with your name at the top and your prayer requests. The person who receives it is to add their name under yours with their requests. They in turn send it to another youth group member who does the same. When the last person with email receives the list they add their name then return it to you. Then you can print it out for meetings or send it to the entire group as a mass email.

3. Guess Who. Have your group members turn in a description of themselves to you. Once a week send one out to the group without the person's name. Offer a prize for those who get it right—like getting to sit next to you during church services!

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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New Lesson on Temptation... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Hitting the Wall (Sep 7, 2007 at 2:51 AM) - Cut, paste, and send this to your teens or use it as an "Attention Getter" in a class or devo.

Serving Those Who Serve (Sep 5, 2007 at 2:26 AM) - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Parenting Tips (Aug 31, 2007 at 2:17 AM) - As youth ministers we are constantly faced with parents who struggle with their teens. Use the following article written by Lori Cooper as a guide to help the parents in your church. You might use it to teach a parenting class or copy it and hand it to the parents.

Ten Youth Ministry "Don't Forgets" (Aug 29, 2007 at 2:36 AM) - Ten of many youth ministry "Don't Forgets."


 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry.  Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

10. Praise. "Therefore let us offer continually to God the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips giving praise to His name" (Hebrews 13:15).

Let God's praises ring through your group.

Praise God through singing and sharing. Lift Him up with words of adoration and thanksgiving.

Give Him the glory and honor for every blessing.

If we're breathing, we should be praising (Psalm 150:6).

During one of your class or devotional times this week ask your group to share...

• How the Lord has blessed them.

• Specific ways they have seen the Lord work.

• How they have seen the Lord's glory.

• Things they want to thank the Lord for.

When we give God "the fruit of our lips" it also give us the chance to say out loud what we have felt inside our hearts.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Esther Lesson 8... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Daily Bible Readings (Aug 24, 2007 at 2:09 AM) - September Daily Bible Readings. Get these scripture into the hands of your teens.

Twenty-one Days to an Improved Youth Ministry (Aug 22, 2007 at 1:06 PM) - We all need to stop periodically and exam our ministries. These points are just guides to get us started.

Summer Success (Aug 22, 2007 at 12:46 PM) - Here are some unedited responses to our... "Summer Success" email.

 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry.  Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

9. Propriety. "Be holy for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).

Holiness should be a mark of our ministry.

Every word and action is measured against the standard of holiness.

Holiness should determine what the teens wear, where they go, what movies they watch in the hotel room after the day's events, etc.

Some youth groups resemble the world with only the name of Christ attached to them. Fortunately, ost youth leaders are seeking only to lead teens into a deeper walk with Christ.

A standard of propriety will produce a walk in Christ, not just a claim of Christ (1 John 2:6).

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Esther Lesson 7... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Fighting Sexual Sin (Aug 17, 2007 at 3:21 AM) - As parents and youth ministers we are constantly fighting for our teens to resist sexual temptations.

Conduct Parenting Classes (Aug 15, 2007 at 2:28 PM) - Staying in touch with parents is vitally necessary if you are seriously considering youth ministry for the long haul.

 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry.  Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

8. Passion. "…His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in, and indeed I cannot" (Jeremiah 20:9).

That's passion.

It's an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, instead it must be released. Passion longs for all that God will give. It hungers for all that God can fill. It overflows with unquenchable emotion. When our ministries contain passion no one will remain untouched by God's desire.

They may refuse it. But it won't be for a lack of feeling it.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Esther Lesson 5... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Teaching Tip (Aug 10, 2007 at 2:46 AM) - Can you imagine how much you can get done in two hours?

Contentment (Aug 8, 2007 at 11:55 AM) - Do you ever wish you could change something about yourself? Most people would say yes!

 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry.  Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

7. Preach. "Preach the word in all seasons" (2 Timothy 4:2).

Sometimes you need to teach and sometimes we need to preach. We need to be able to lay it on the line without a parable, or an object lesson, or a clever story.

There are times when we want the group to discover the lesson for themselves and times when we need to make it painfully clear so no one can walk away without understanding.

Preaching is a traditional term that we often leave for the guy who stands behind the pulpit. Dust it off and put it into practice. You don't have to tell the teens you're preaching - just do it when it's necessary.

Here are a few tips to help your "preaching"...

1. Preach it Hard. When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost he told the people that they crucified the Messiah. He didn't soft-sell it or go gentle on them.

2. Preach it Clear. Peter's words were not in question. The crowd did not have to call a meeting to decode the message.

3. Preach it Pain. The crowd did not respond because Peter asked them to. They responded because they knew something had to be done. They felt a pain. They were "prick in their hearts and asked Peter and the other apostles, 'What should we do?'"

As school is about to begin, now might be the right time to preach a strong lesson about the upcoming year.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Esther Lesson 5... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Life Is Fleeting (Aug 3, 2007 at 1:48 PM) - The tragic scene at Virginia Tech has reminded me that life is fleeting. That's certainly not a new revelation, but one that I need to be reminded of from time to time.

Obedience (Aug 1, 2007 at 11:01 AM) - A young man told me his story of his high school days and how athletics changed his life. He was a junior in high school and one of the stars on the basketball team.
 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry.  Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

6. Power. "For the kingdom is not of talk, but of power" (1 Corinthians 4:20).

Do we talk more about what we are going to do, or about what God is going to do?

Whatever we choose to do will be limited. Whatever God chooses to do will be unlimited.

When God's power is present in the ministry there's no need for big talk because we have an Almighty God. The power that split the Red Sea, turned water into wine, and raised the dead is available to us today, so let's talk soft and carry a big God.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Esther Lesson 4... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Don't Get Involved In Gossip (Jul 27, 2007 at 2:47 AM) - A good way to lose your credibility and possibly your job is to get involved in the gossip circle. I have seen youth minister after youth minister get into trouble with staff members and church leaders because of saying things that were not necessary.

Daily Bible Readings (Jul 25, 2007 at 12:39 PM) - Daily Bible Readings for August 2007
 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry.  Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

5. Perfection. "Therefore, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). When this verse is read I always hear the disclaimer, "Jesus was using a hyperbole in this verse. We can't expect to be perfect." Both of those statements may be true, but that shouldn't stop us from making an attempt at perfection.

If we never put perfection on the list, we will never make it. Strive for excellence above and beyond the average ministry.

Excellence does not necessarily mean...

• The biggest youth group.

• The coolest gadgets.

• The most popular church.

• The most trips taken in a year.

• A church van that actually runs.

We're talking about excellence as God measures...

 I Corinthians 12:13 "...and now I will show you the most excellent way."

1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
 

How do we pursue perfection in our youth ministries?

Through LOVE.

Your Partners in Youth Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Esther Lesson 3... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Pre-marital questions (Jul 20, 2007 at 12:57 PM) - Several youth ministers have asked about pre-marital counseling. Listed are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Combat Zone (Jul 20, 2007 at 1:06 AM) - Several youth ministers have asked about pre-marital counseling. Listed are a few suggestions to help you get started.

Teaching Tip (Jul 18, 2007 at 11:00 AM) - Choose your subjects by what your teens need to hear not by what they want to hear.

 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. This week we begin a new MAXimizer series. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

3. Plan. "For which of you before he builds a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?" (Luke 14:28). You've heard it before... a goal without a plan is nothing more than a wish. God had a plan with Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua and on and on and on. The Father honors a plan that honors Him. A plan proves that we feel the event is worth the effort, while the lack of a plan can show apathy or laziness.

What your plan to...

• Reach teens

• Disciple your group

• Schedule events

• Train volunteers

• Develop curriculum

• Contact the youth each month

• Praise the parents

• Build a core team

• Strengthen relationships

That's just a handful of the things we can be working on and planning for.

Your Partners in Ministry,

Paul & Al

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New Series begins to on Esther... http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Me, Me, Me (Jul 6, 2007 at 11:44 AM) - By the time the worship service and Sunday school were over, I just wanted to get out of there and go home and take a nap. I found myself being less than my usual friendly self with people who were talking to me because I was focused on how tired I was.

Are We Really Spoiled? (Jul 4, 2007 at 8:52 AM) - Our youth minister was talking to us about how we as teens could help change the world.

Daily Bible Readings (Jun 29, 2007 at 1:04 PM) - Get your teens reading daily.

What Is Student Leadership? (Jun 27, 2007 at 11:23 AM) - Jesus gave his disciples an image of leadership that we will use as our standard for student leadership within our student ministry.
 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. This week we begin a new MAXimizer series. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

2. Prayer. "Worry about nothing, pray about everything" (Philippians 4:6). Do we really pray about everything? Do we spend as much time in prayer over a two-hour service project as we do a three-day retreat? As we pray we are asking God to do what He wouldn't have done had we not asked. Don't we want that in every area of our ministry? Let's rub some holes in our jeans from our knees hitting the floor.

Your Partners in Ministry,

Paul & Al

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The Naked Christian http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Missions: How it Started and Where it is Today (Jun 20, 2007 at 1:31 PM) - As the years go by, more and more youth ministries get involve in missions. For example, my youth group is going to Mexico in July. As all of these youth groups go on mission trips, we are being exposed to many different things.

Preparing for Rain (Jun 20, 2007 at 11:25 AM) - How can I expect my faith to strengthen if I do not allow God the opportunity to work in a mighty way?

 

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P's of a Successful Youth Ministry. This week we begin a new MAXimizer series. Each week for 10 weeks we'll cover another "P".

1. Purpose. "Whatever you do in word or deed do all to the glory of God" (Colossians 3:17). Regardless of who you are trying to reach or the format type you adopt, everything should point directly back to God. There should be a biblical purpose behind each activity whether it's labeled social or spiritual.

• How much of your programming is to fill time and how much to fill hearts with God?

• Can you write down the specific purpose of each activity or event and show how it relates to teaching the teens about a characteristic of God? Or teach a certain biblical principle?

Those questions can be tough. It's so easy to fill a calendar, but to fill it with purpose is harder. As youth workers we can't guarantee that a teen will "get it." However, it's import that "it" is there to get.

Your Partners in Ministry,

Paul & Al

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The Disliked http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

A Father's Day Devotional (Jun 15, 2007 at 11:26 AM) - This will be a great opening for your Father's Day Sunday school class Also, have your students answer the questions at the end.

Learn How to Accept Criticism (Jun 13, 2007 at 12:15 PM) - In youth ministry, as in most other professions, we are subject to criticism; some may be justified and some not.
 

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This week we continue the P.E.E.R.  A.R.M.Y.  series. Hopefully, these brief lessons will help you turn your teens into an evangelistic force. We often talk about peer pressure, but now we're talking about using peers for a positive purpose.

P = Personal Faith

E = Equipping

E = Evangelism

R = Relationships

A = Advance

R = Report

M = Mission

The "Y" stands for...

YOUnique

I'm a week late with the newsletter because I just got back from visiting some mission works in Russia and Turkey. The work in Russia uses a different approach than in the United States. The work in Turkey is different than Russia.

The missionaries understand the culture and the people. They understand Paul's concept of... "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Cor. 9:22.

Too often we try to adopt a specific evangelistic format and make it fit. Instead think about each person as an individual. See the "Younique" aspects.

Each person is different. They have different...

1. Backgrounds.

2. Dreams.

3. Needs.

You can only "become all things to all men" when people are viewed individually.

Jesus did heal the lame of blindness. He met the specific need.

Encourage your group to see each person as YOUnique.

Your Partners in Ministry,

Paul & Al

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Book of Ruth, lesson 4. http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu

Someone Needs This Prayer (Jun 8, 2007 at 5:23 AM) - There are several prayers offered on behalf of the saints throughout the New Testament. I am learning to adopt these prayers as my own in praying for myself as well as for others.

Teaching Tip (Jun 6, 2007 at 7:01 AM) - Teaching is about what students do with what you taught.

Scared to Death (Jun 1, 2007 at 5:05 AM) - When I was in middle and junior high school I was scared to death of drugs. I was scared when I heard older kids talking about them or even when I saw someone using them on television or in a movie.

Family (May 30, 2007 at 5:03 AM) - When you think about your family, what things immediately come to mind? Maybe you think of family meals, or your sibling that drives you crazy, or maybe you think about a great vacation you've been on recently.
 

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