Hi Parents!
Romans 1:20 (CEV) says "God's eternal power and character cannot be seen.  But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made."  When has the beauty of creation taken your breath away?  Our God didn't have to make the world such a beautiful place.  God chose to create amazing things for us to enjoy and to display his glory in all of creation.  Often, we don't stop long enough to behold what God has done and to experience the respect, fear, and wonder it inspires.  Each moment that we stop to say, "Wow God!" is a mini-worship service.  It doesn't have to be long.  But giving thanks and glory to God is always worth it. Never lose your sense of awe!
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Ask your child...
When has the vastness and beauty of creation taken your breath away?
​How has it deepened your awe and respect for our Creator?
​What appears unpredictable in your life right now?  Trust that God is at work even when you can't see it.  You can count on God's faithfulness!

Challenge your child...
For several days, sit and watch the sunset.  Compare the differences in color, brilliance, and visibility.  Give thanks that the sun rises and sets each day, even if its beauty is hidden from view.

Prayer...
​God, let us enter each day with joyful anticipation of the ways you will exhibit your love and presence with us through your creation.  Amen.

Hi Parents!
​How would our world be different if there were truly justice and equality for every person?  We can't snap our fingers and make that happen, although some have tried.  Does that mean we are helpless?  No way!  Have you heard the story of the man walking along the beach where thousands of starfish were stranded.  He starts picking them up one by one and throwing them into the water.  His friend says, "Why are you doing that?"
​"I'm saving their lives."
"But there are thousands!  What difference can you make?"
Throwing another into the water, he says, "I can make a difference for that one."

​What difference can I make?  We are not all born with the same  privileges, but we each have a circle of influence: family, friends, school and work colleagues.  As we try to make this world more just, we may inspire those around us.  When we throw a stone into the water, the ripples get wider and wider.  If we begin to treat others as Jesus did, who knows how far our influence might reach.  James 2:15-16 (NIV) says "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.  If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"

Ask your teen...
​Where do you see mistreatment of those around you?
​Where do you see inequality?

​Challenge your teen...
​What actions can you take to stand up for those who are treated unequally?
Read the week's news from around the world and write or say a prayer for all the injustices you discover.  
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Prayer...
God of all, I am sorry for the ways I have mistreated other people.  Forgive me.  I know you are love and you live in me.  Thank you for showing me your truth and for making me a new creation in Christ.  Help me to love others as you have loved me.  Amen.

Hi Parents,
​Day in and day out, thousands of people go shopping - grocery shopping, clothes shopping, vehicle shopping, etc.  Some are stingy and some extravagant.  We could argue that those who are extravagant are giving work to manufacturers, to drivers bringing in supplies, to store workers, to raw-material suppliers.  We could also argue that when we're being extravagant, we're spending money that could be used to serve people who are sick without access to healthcare, disabled, persecuted, homeless - the list goes on. We can also think about extravagance as being generous to others, just as the father was generous to the prodigal son when he returned home.  He gave him a new robe, a ring, sandals for his feet, and a banquet to celebrate his return.

​In a country with such abundance, many people place their primary focus on money and materialistic gain.  But realizing there is no end to wanting more, is it possible to implement some principles of minimalism in our lives?  Scripture tells us that money will not truly satisfy us (Hebrews 13:5).  When we are faced with trials, our possessions will not save us.  God is the one who helps us weather the storm and we can be confident that knowing and loving God is the best investment of time and energy we can make and will bring us far more contentment in life.
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Ask your teen...
​Is there an extravagance you could forgo this week?
Who has shown you astonishing generosity and how did you react?
​How has this person's extravagant love inspired you?
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Challenge your teen...
Jesus' final message to his disciples in John 13-17 contains some of his most memorable commands and promises.  Here are a few:
​John 13:34-35; 14:6-7; 14:25-27; 14:15-17; 15:4-5; 15:9-11; 16:13-14; 17:20-22
​Take some time to read these passages.  Find a few verses that speak to you and write them down and put them where you will see them in the coming week.  Say them aloud. Memorize them.  Allow them to sink into your heart.  Let the gift of grace freely given empower you to extend God's extravagant love to all people.

Prayer...
​God, open our eyes to see both the suffering and the joy of people around us.  Help us to serve others and to celebrate the hope found in following you.  Amen.

Hi Parents!
​I am directionally challenged and not afraid to admit it!  Many years ago, I attended college courses in Columbus in order to complete my bachelors degree, and typically drove there and back the same way.  One night I decided to try a different route - BIG MISTAKE!  I ended up on a dark highway heading nowhere with no idea where I was or how to get home.  I was lost, scared and in tears, and feeling pretty hopeless.

​Being truly hopeless is frightening.  Sometimes we wander, knowing we have a destination to reach, but not knowing how long it will take or what our next turn should be.  God allows us to explore and to get lost so that we gain experience and understanding.  Genesis 28:15a says "Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go."  He's always with us and is making a path for us, even when we feel completely and totally lost.  When that happens, remind yourself that God is watching over you.  His ceaseless love will carry you through the darkest nights, no matter how far you stray.  God will welcome you, talk to you and stay with you always.  

Ask your child...
When have you felt lost, abandoned, and without hope?

Challenge your child...
​During hard times, having Bible verses to cling to helps.  Memorize them, put them on a bookmark or draw them on paper to hang in places where you will see them constantly.
Psalm 103:11-12: God loves us like crazy and throws our sin far away.
Luke 18:27: God can do anything.
Romans 8:28: God works for good in our lives.
Romans 8:38-39: Nothing can separate us from God's love.
​Revelation 21:4: Pain and death will end.
​Gather others as go-to verses.
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Prayer...
​God, please help me.  I need to know that you're working things out.  Amen.

Hi Parents,
​If you are human, then you know what it's like to struggle.  You might struggle with insecurity, anxiety, depression or physical pain.  Living with the intense pain that comes from those realities can be difficult, even for people of faith.  I've often thought if my faith were stronger, I could make the pain go away.  But trying harder only made me feel worse when I failed.  I could convince myself that I was too bad for God to accept, let alone genuinely love me.

​Maybe you've been there.  Maybe you are there right now.  We are broken people.  But here's what I've learned and continue to learn:  God knows our brokenness, and God can handle it.  God is bigger than our brokenness, and God's love continues to be powerful enough to make us whole.  Psalm 34:18 says "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."  In the Psalms, David writes honestly about his feelings.  Reading the Psalms as our own thoughts and prayers can help us through tough times.

Ask your teen...
​Can you name one pain you carry inside that you hide from others? 
​Challenge your teen...
Consider laying down your pain at the feet of the One who sees and knows everything about us and loves us without conditions or expectations. Write about how you feel about this pain.  One of the ways God loves us is through the lives and compassion of others.  Would you be willing to write the name of one or two people you could talk with in the coming week about your pain?  If you are not comfortable talking with someone yet, consider journaling .  Begin to allow God's light and love into the places where your pain is hidden.  
​Prayer...
God, thank you for comforting us when we're hurting and for filling us with your Spirit so that we might comfort others.