Family Ministry

theRock and theRoad Parent Meeting!

For parents of students who attend theRock and theRoad at the Cedar Falls Campus there will be a Parent Meeting on Tuesday, January 17 from 7-8pm at PLC Cedar Falls Campus rm 210.

Meeting Agenda...

• On Jan. 25—Feb. 8 theRock and theRoad will be teaching on the topics of sex, dating and relationships and you need to hear first hand what will be taught and why.
• Take questions from you on the ministry and upcoming teaching.
• Encourage, equip, and partner with you as parents.

Questions? Contact students@prairielakeschurch.org

BigStuf! Hurry and Register!

BigStuf 2012 is for current 8th graders through current 12th graders from July 8-14! Spots are filling up fast so Sign Up Today! For more information as well as online registration click here. Don't leave without checking out this BigStuf Promo Video!

 

Having trouble veiwing the video? Click here.

Parental Wisdom...

The other day I was talking with a mom of a high schooler and I just have to relay to you the wisdom she passed on to me. This mom has four kids, three of whom are out of the house and gone. That leaves her with the baby who is no longer a baby but a senior in high school getting ready to graduate and move on to college. As I spoke with her she was telling me how it took parenting the other three kids to finally get to a place where she semi knew how to relate with her teenage daughter in a loving not smothering, connecting not dictating, and guiding not micro-managing sort of way. She told of the joy that she received to be able to connect with her daughter by coming into her room late at night and getting to just listen to where her daughter is at physically, emotionally, socially, and most importantly and most encouragingly where she's at spiritually.

There's two things we need to take with us from this Parental Wisdom.

1. It's okay to learn as you go!

No parent is ever there! You will be a different sort of parent as your kids are 2 and 6 verses 12 and 16 verses 22 and 26. You will always be learning as you go and you will always be rubbing against new things, SO, learn as you go.

2. Listen, just plain LISTEN.

All of us have a tough time just plain listening, now pair that with listening to your kids! That can be tough! BUT, in talking with this mom she specifically mentioned how she had to continually check herself during bed time to make sure that she wasn't talking, interrupting, offering advice, providing suggestions, or any other form of verbal communication unless her daughter asked. So much of your parenting communication is spent talking at, telling to, asking of, or even commanding your kids. Why not try targeted intentional time with your kids where you just plain listen? Car time, bed time and meal time are great times to try out listening. This mom said that her relationship with her daughter immediately went to the next level when she just plain listened. Her daughter started to share more and even sought out advice, guidance and wisdom from her mom.

So, take these two things with you and try them out 1. Learn As You Go and 2. Just Plain Listen. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences trying these things out, so why don't you leave a comment through the blog.

Upside Down Kingdom...

Starting Wednesday November 30th theRock and theRoad are starting  a new teaching series all about God's Kingdom here's what we're talking about and ways for parents to connect with your students about the topic:

Upside Down Overview...

In the Upside Down series, we are going to look at something Jesus talked a lot about—the kingdom of God. Many of the people who heard His message firsthand thought that He was talking about a kingdom where Jesus would be in political power, and that their lives would be easier than their present circumstances under Roman rule. But Jesus was talking about something bigger than that—a kingdom where His desire for broken things to be restored is met. Jesus was talking about ushering in an upside down kingdom

Session One: Inverted Reality (November 30th)

Last will be first. Give to receive. Lose to gain. People who mourn are blessed. All statements Jesus made, yet they seem so opposite from how our world functions and even how we are wired, don’t they? But the kingdom of God is upside down compared to the kingdoms we seek to establish. The life Christ calls us to counters every natural and selfish inclination we have, but His way, His kingdom, is far better than anything we could have in mind. And when we surrender to God’s kingdom, we begin to live this upside down life that somehow brings more fulfillment, more peace, more satisfaction than the reality we live in every day.   

Session Two Parent Cue: How is God’s kingdom the opposite of how the world operates?

Session Two: An Upside Down World (December 7th)

It’s easy to think that God’s kingdom is just about Him and us. It’s easy to forget that we are part of something bigger, something more vast that just our relationship with Him. We are part of His kingdom both some day, and now. We are a part of His mission to restore things that are broken, whether that’s in our own lives or in the lives of those around us, or those half way around the world. And when we live with a future kingdom in mind we can start to make it a more present reality.

Session Three Parent Cue: What are some things that are “broken” around us? How can we be a part of God’s restoration with those things?

Last Wednesday at theRock & theRoad

Parents,

                On Monday, October 31st there was a bus accident involving an eleven year old boy from Janesville.  This boy, Justin Bradfield, was a 6^th Grader involved in theRock on Wednesday nights at Prairie Lakes Church.  Justin was in a small group and he was friends with several of our students and leaders.  This Wednesday at theRock we took time to share the loss of Justin with all our students.  We were able to talk about Justin, show a short video of him, and then pray for the family.  We had counselors and chaplains available for students to talk with as needed.  As we shared the life of Justin we were able to challenge our students to think about their own eternal security.  This situation may have an impact on your son or daughter, and we encourage you to discuss Justin’s accident with your children in order to help them manage any thoughts or feelings they may have.  If you discover that you or your children need assistance in dealing with Justin’s accident, we have chaplains and counselors available.  Please don’t hesitate to call or e-mail for help.  Thank you for partnering with us in the ministry and for allowing your sons and daughters to be a part of The Better Story that God is unfolding at Prairie Lakes Church.  We couldn’t do this without your support. 

Daylight Savings Time

Just a reminder that Daylight Savings Time is this weekend.Don't forget to turn your clocks back on Saturday night! 

Who Am I? Teaching Series...

Who Am I? is theRock and theRoad's teaching series ending on Wednesday November 16th.

The Who Am I? Teaching Series is designed to engage three Truths about our Identity in Christ.

1. I Am Accepted in Christ...
2. I Am Secure in Christ...
3. I Am Significant in Christ...

The teaching week on our Acceptance in Christ is supported by the Biblical story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 as well as these other Biblical Truths...

• I am God's Child - John 1:12
• I am Christ's friend - John 15:15
• I am a member of Christ's body - 1 Cor. 12:27
• I am a saint - Ephesians 1:1
• I have been adopted by God - Ephesians 1:5
• I am bought with a price; I belong to God - 1 Cor. 6:19-20

The teaching week on our Security in Christ is supported by the Biblical story of Peter in Matthew 14:22-33 as well as these other Biblical Truths...

• I am free from condemnation - Romans 8:1-2
• I am established, anointed, and sealed by God - 2 Cor. 1:21-22
• I am hidden with Christ in God - Colossians 3:3
• I am a citizen of heaven - Philippians 1:6
• I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me - 1 John 5:18

The teaching week on our Significance in Christ is supported by the Biblical story of David found in 1 Samuel 16:1-13 as well as these other Biblical Truths...

• I am God's temple - 1 Cor. 3:16
• I am God's workmanship - Ephesians 2:10
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalm 139:14
• You knew me before I was even born - Psalm 139:15-16

Overall we desire our students to wrestle with the thoughts of who the world says that they are and who are they in Christ. Their answer at the end of this teaching series will hopefully be with resounding assurance that they are Accepted, Secure, and Significant in Christ.

BigStuf Registration is OPEN!!!

Attention all 8th-12th grade students, BigStuf is coming and we are going! Mark your calendars cause we'll be making the trek to Panama City this Summer, July 8th-14th 2012. For more information and for registration check out prairielakeschurch.org. Register before January 1st and receive a $25 early bird discount, SO, hurry and register today!

 

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Students A Better Story Pledge!

 

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Party @ theRock and theRoad!

Coming to the Cedar Falls Campus, Wednesday October 19th theRock and theRoad are PARTAYING!!! Come prepared to have a blast!

Bring some friends and enjoy the indoor inflatables, OCTOBALL, games, food, and did someone say Dance Party?!?!

The PARTY is from 6-7:15pm for theRock (Middle School) and 7:30-9pm for theRoad (High School).

Any questions, feel free to email students@prairielakeschurch.org.