Plugged-in Parent Newsletter (October 2015) by Immanuel Baptist Church

OCTOBER 2015

PLUGGED IN A MONTHLY PUBLICATIONTO HELP PARENTS BETTER PLUG INTOTHE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OFTHEIR STUDENT

October Issue THIS MONTH

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FIELDS OF FAITH—FCA (10/6)

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STUDENT SS/SMALL GROUP LEADERS FELLOWSHIP (10/13)

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HIGH SCHOOL GUYS RETREAT (10/16-18)

MEN’S MINISTRY VICTORY CAR SHOW (10/10)

COMING SOON

SPIRITUAL WARFARE… YEP, IT’S REAL! TOO OFTEN DO WE LIMIT SPIRITUAL WARFARE TO AN ENDTIMES THING. MANY STUDENTS THROUGHOUT OUR STUDENT MINISTRY ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING SPIRITUAL WARFARE. THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES WE KNOW ABOUT. THE EVIL ONE HAS LAID DOWN THE GAUNTLET AND IT IS NOT JUST FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT OUR FAMILIES. SO WHAT CAN YOU DO AS PARENTS…

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IBC UNIVERSITY-MIDDLE SCHOOL (11/6-8)

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OCC PACKING PARTY (11/22) SS CLASS FELLOWSHIPS (TBD)

HE A RT CONNE X BATTLING HOPELESSNESS

THE INTERVIEW CHRIS ACEBEDO

PRAY THIS OVER YOUR STUDENT, SPOUSE, AND HOME EACH DAY… “PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL, FOR WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST THE POWERS OVER THIS CURRENT DARKNESS…STAND HAVING FASTENED THE BELT OF TRUTH AND HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, AS FOR SHOES, PUT ON THE READINESS OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE UP YOUR SHIELD OF FAITH, THE HELMET OF SALVATION, AND THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD, A publication of IBC Student Ministr y.  PRAYING AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT” EPHESIANS © 6:11-18 www.ibclrstudents.org 2015

EQUIP

SIX ESSENTIALS FOR MAKING DISCIPLINE WORK IN YOUR HOME

ENGAGE

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL

THE INTERVIEW | CHRIS ACEBEDO What do you enjoy most about IBC Student Ministry? One thing I enjoy about IBCSM is that you’re always with your friends and teachers are there if we need someone to talk to about our problems at school or personal.

What role do your parents play in your life spiritually? Spiritually, my parents motivate me and encourage me to go to church. They help me with any biblical problems I ask. They are great.

What do you hope God does in and through you this upcoming school year? One thing I hope to see God at work to do is to motivate other people to come to IBCSM. There is always room to grow!

AGE: 13

HIGH SCHOOL: NORTH LITTLE ROCK

GRADE: 7TH

JOINED IMMANUEL: 2009

From Our Heart

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.” (4:14) And I’d like to take this space allotted to say to many of you, that you are kind for sharing in my trouble.

As many of you know, Caroline delivered premature twins in early August. Sadly, however, only one survived. Our daughter Lemley Grace went to be with the Lord after four days on this earth. Meanwhile, our son Luke Henry continues to do well in the NICU at UAMS.

Writing about this is difficult. It is difficult from a grieving aspect, but it is also difficult because it seems like new thoughts or new angles of perspective come to light weekly. Many thoughts are circulating in my mind and it just seems hard to express all my thoughts or explain all that I might want to say.

Despite not quite having all my thoughts together, here is what I am certain of: the gospel. With tears of joy and mind blowing awe, I love the gospel more today that I have ever before. While living in a sinfully broken world, the gospel offers promises of restoration like nothing else. In the midst of tragedy, death even, the gospel speaks the loudest offering assured hope. Because of the gospel sorrow will turn to joy. And though there is plenty of sorrow now, the gospel declares that my sorrow will turn to joy. I believe the gospel with all my heart.

Because of the gospel, your encouragement to me has really been encouragement. Your sympathy given and encouraging words are not empty words; they are filled with gospel truth that exposes our inclined doubts. We needed your encouragement and Caroline and I are beyond thankful. Indeed, as Paul also told the Philippians, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me.” (4:10) We rejoice knowing that we have been loved and encouraged by our church. You have shared in our trouble. We truly can’t express how impactful you have been towards us. I suppose that suffering can either lead you in one of two ways: either towards God or away from God. No doubt your encouragement assisted us in moving towards God, the place where we have found the truest of joys and hope. A publication of IBC Student Ministr y.  www.ibclrstudents.org © 2015

HEART CONNEX This is an excerpt on Battling Hoplessness in Heart Connex a FREE, weekly devotional for parents of teens by Dr. Richard Ross (Lifeway). 1. HE ART SURPR ISE (TODAY A TEENAGER GOES FIR ST): WHEN IT IS YOUR TUR N, SAY: I IMAGINE SOME TEENAGER S CRE ATE HIGH STRESS AND REF USE TO AT TEND FAMILY DEVOTIONALS AS WE ARE HAVING. YOUR POSITIVE SPIR IT AND WILLINGNESS TO JOIN THE FAMILY FOR THESE TIMES MAK E ME FEEL… 2. RE AD SCR IPTURE: IN VITE A FAMILY MEMBER TO PR AY. ASK FAMILY MEMBER S TO RE AD COLOSSIANS 1:13-14. DISCUSS THE TRUTH AND UNTRUTHS IN LIGHT OF THESE VER SES  TRUTH  - GOD GIVES US HOPE AND SAVES US FROM HOPELESSNESS.    UNTRUTHS  - THE MEDIA ALWAYS PROVIDE A POSITIVE AND ENCOUR AGING IMPACT ON EVERYONE.  - GOD DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO HELP US WITH DEPRESSION OR HOPELESSNESS.  - BELIEVER S CAN ABSOR B ALL MESSAGES FROM THE MEDIA WITHOUT CONCER N. 3. E XPLORE SCR IPTURE: READ ALOUD COLOSSIANS 1:13-14. THESE VER SES HELP US UNDER STAND SATAN BETTER. E XPLAIN THAT JEWS USED “DARK NESS” TO REFER TO SATAN, AND THE BIBLE GENER ALLY REFER S TO SATAN AS DWELLING IN DARK NESS. SAY: AS THE PR INCE OF DARK NESS, SATAN SENDS OUT MESSAGES (OF TEN THROUGH THE MEDIA) TO CREATE DEPRESSION AND HOPELESSNESS. THOSE MESSAGES ARE DESIGNED TO OVERWHELM MEN AND WOMEN, BUT JESUS FREES THOSE ENSLAVED TO THE DISCOUR AGEMENT OF THE DARK NESS. POINT OUT THAT GOD E XPECTS BELIEVER S TO EMBR ACE HIS TRUTH AND RESIST HOPELESS MEDIA MESSAGES, EMPHASIZING THAT HE IS POWER F UL ENOUGH TO RESCUE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY MESSAGES OF HOPELESSNESS. 4. THINK IT THROUGH: A TEENAGER WILL LEAD THIS STEP 5. NAIL IT DOWN: SAY: YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO MAK E TODAY. YOU CAN CHOOSE TO CONNECT TO MEDIA THAT LEAVES YOU FEELING HOPELESS OR YOU CAN CONNECT TO MEDIA THAT BLESSES THE NAME OF GOD AND HONOR S HIM. REMIND TEENAGER S TAH TYOU CAN’T STAY WITH THEM ALL THE TIME, BUT YOU WANT TO ENCOUR AGE THEM TO MAK E WISE CHOICES THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THEIR FAITH. SAY: I ALSO CHALLENGE YOU TO BE SALT AND LIGHT IN THIS CULTURE—WORK ING AGAINST MESSAGES (IN THE MEDIA OR ELSEWHERE) THAT SPREAD DISCOUR AGEMENT AND HOPELESSNESS. 6. PR AY: A TEENAGER WILL LEAD THIS PR AYER. 7. BLESSING: SAY: MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU OBEY HIM AND RELY ON HIM TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE DARK NESS. PARENT TIP: HAS YOUR FAMILY ’S SCHEDULE BECOME SO CR AZY THAT TOO LIT TLE TIME IS AVAILABLE FOR FOCUSED ATTENTION ON CHILDREN, QUIET CON VER SATIONS, AND EVEN SPIR ITUAL LEADER SHIP? IF YOUR ANSWER IS YES, TAK E A RUTHLESS IN VENTORY OF WHAT IS PULLING FAMILY MEMBER S IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. ONCE YOU DISCOVER WHAT IS CAUSING THE CR AZINESS, ASK GOD TO HELP YOU IDENTIF Y CHANGES THAT CAN BE MADE.

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2015 / October

Adult Volunteer Fun Night 6:30-8:00PM Big Rock Fun Park

MS / HS worship/ meal

Victory Car Show & Fish Fry

MS / HS worship/ meal

HS GUYS RETREAT

MS / HS worship/ meal

Fun Fest No Wed. Worship

HS GUYS RETREAT 18

IBC Girls Ministry/ Acteens

HS GUYS RETREAT

COMING SOON

November 1 November 6-8 November 22 November 25-28 November 26 January 15-17

Daylight Savings Time ends IBC University for all 6-8th grade students Operation Christmas Child packing party Building closed from 12pm Wed - all day Saturday Thanksgiving Day DNOW 2016

WHAT WE ARE TEACHING ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

OCTOBER 2015 EQUIP

SIX ESSENTIALS FOR MAKING DISCIPLINE WORK IN YOUR HOME When it comes to discipline, kids probably don’t know that at times, parents are making it up as they go along. Each child has a different personality, and along with it a unique twist on the discipline issue. But, here’s what I tell parents: “Get on the same page.” Consistency is key to raising responsible kids. When parents work together toward the same goal, it’s much easier to raise responsible kids. Here are six essentials for making discipline work in your home:

1. Rules without relationship equals rebellion. All families have rules but they also need relationship. If most of the communication parents have with their kids is focused on rules, it won’t take long for these conversations—and the relationship—to grow cold, allowing rebellion to take root. Parents should make sure there is plenty of relational time to hang out with their kids; to laugh and enjoy each other’s company. True, issues need to be addressed, but timing for when to lay down the rules and when to engage in relationship are key to finding success in discipline.

2. Choose Your Battles Wisely.

Not every problem is worth fighting over. If parents find themselves growing more and more agitated when kids act up, chances are that they’re trying to fight too many battles. When parents choose to battle an issue, they’d better be right and they’d better win. Parents who don’t choose their battles wisely can end up lacking the energy and resources to stay in engaged down the road.

3. Nagging doesn’t work. Frankly, nagging is a poor and lazy way to parent. It shuts down intimacy and it sets kids up for future relationship failure. A home filled with negativity and criticism simply breeds rebellion and negativity.

4. Yelling crushes and shuts down your child’s spirit.

Apologies from parents provide great role modeling to kids about what healthy relationships look like.

Clearly express your expectations.

When boundaries and consequences are clearly set and understood, much of the emotion is taken out of the process when parents need to apply discipline. And when kids follow their parents’ expectations, they feel good about themselves and feel a greater sense of security.your kids enjoy this even more than you do. One family in our church began praying for a different unreached people group each night with their kids. The Dad told me a few days ago that they are now planning a trip to visit one of the groups they prayed for in China. Amazing what the Lord will do when we pray and give it our best shot!

The more parents yell, the less kids listen. Yelling is ineffective. It conveys anger, wounds kids, and creates distance in relationship. All close relationships experience anger, and not all anger is bad. However, how you deal with anger makes all the difference!

5. Don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes. Parents aren’t perfect, so when you blow it, be quick to admit it. Contrary to what many parents think, this won’t cause kids to disrespect you; it actually will bring you closer in the long run.

BY DR. JIM BURNS, PRESIDENT OF HOMEWORD MINISTRIES AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HOMEWORD CENTER FOR YOUTH AND FAMILY AT AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSIT Y.

EMPOWER

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL So, what are you going to do about it? When I started hanging out with Christians, I started hearing things like, “Oh, we're under spiritual warfare.” I didn't even know that war had been declared. It was a little confusing to me.

OCTOBER 2015 And over time, I've come to believe the doctrine of spiritual warfare is one of the most confusing, one of the most misunderstood and one of the most malpracticed doctrines ever.

where some great confusion comes in for believers. Below are five qualities or characteristics that in the Bible are clearly and solidly associated with the work of Satan and his forces:

I want to set forth very straightforward answers to these three questions: What exactly is spiritual warfare? What does spiritual warfare look like? And how do we win in the midst of it?

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There is opposition to someone hearing about or coming closer to Jesus Christ. I had a friend visit me one time, and he was on a spiritual quest; he had been for several years. Most recently he

so on. No matter how much I tried to share straight-forwardly what Jesus Christ has done in my life, no matter how winsome I tried to make that, he would nod and smile and go, “Yeah, yeah, that's just like when the silver cord is cut and the bowl is broken” (Ecclesiastes 12:6).

What exactly is spiritual warfare?

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4, “The God of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (v. 4). They can't see the Gospel or the glory of Christ who is God. So when you're trying to share your faith and you think, “I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall”—you are.

In Ephesians 6:12, Paul writes: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” It's not primarily against this person who's opposing us, who just hurt us, who is blocking our way at work—it is instead against what Paul calls the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. The bad news is that if you are a follower of God, you have an enemy who is invisible. Not only is this enemy invisible, this enemy is evil. If you have an enemy who is not only invisible but evil, you are not going to be able to placate this enemy. You can't make concessions to this enemy, you can't negotiate, you cannot bargain, you cannot argue this enemy with logic. He's irretrievably and irrevocably evil. He's invisible, he's evil and he's on the attack.

What does spiritual warfare look like? If the attack is invisible, how would you and I know that it is an attack? This is

‣You feel accused and

condemned. Satan wants to make you think you are the worst Christian ever. One of his names in the Bible is Accuser. Some of you have listened to his accusations for so long that you actually think that they're your own, and you think that they're true. Satan lies to you and says, “If you told anybody about that, they would hate you.” He wants to silence you, he wants to isolate you. The last thing he wants is for you to come out into the light and taste the grace of confession, repentance, forgiveness and healing.

‣You start to doubt God's

came to our home after spending months at a spiritual commune in Oregon under the leadership of a guru from India. He was interested in spiritual things, and I am too, so we stayed up every night while he was here talking about the nature of humanity, what God is like and A publication of IBC Student Ministr y.  www.ibclrstudents.org © 2015

goodness. When Satan came to Eve in the Garden of Eden in his original attack against humanity, how did he do it? He came to Eve and said: “You know why you can't have that fruit? It's because God knows that you'd become like Him, and He's just cutting you a raw deal.” See what a lie that is against the character of God?    You begin to doubt the goodness of God when you start saying, “I don't know why I'm the only one who has

OCTOBER 2015 these physical struggles; I don't know why I'm the only one who has this financial challenge; I don't know why I have to be the only one who has a spouse who is this demanding and difficult; I don't know why I should have kids who don't turn out the way I had hoped.” Satan will hand you self-pity like candy.

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It involves lies and deceit. Jesus said of Satan in John 8, “There's no truth in him” (v. 44). When he lies, he's just speaking his native language because he's the father of lies. Satan says to you, “Oh, that sin is going to be fantastic.” And you know what? It's not as fantastic as he says it is. He says that God's not there, you haven't overcome that sin yet, so you might as well just stop trying. When you start to follow his lies and choose some of those things that, even in your better moments, you know are foolish and selfish, you end up making a junkyard of your old age. You sit there amidst the twisted wreckage of ruined relationships and horrible choices, and Satan will mock you.

up right on that issue—but you also end up harder, colder and isolated.

How can you win over spiritual warfare? Some Christians assume that because they're in warfare, they have to lose. But if you do what God's word tells you to do, you will win:

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Be protected. Don't use your own approach to self-protection, but instead, as Paul says, put on the full armor of God. God has a way of protecting every part of you if you put it on. What exactly is it that we're supposed to put on? Truth; righteousness; readiness to share

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Be fearless. You and I should not be too focused on or afraid of the demonic. I love the way Paul lines this section here. He's been teaching Christians in Ephesus that they need to be praying all the time, and then he finishes up and says, “Hey, would you mind praying for me?” Here's what he asks for: “Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.” Paul is writing this letter from jail. People want him dead because he is the ringleader of this destructive and illegal religious sect. Satan wants to exploit those fears and get Paul to shut up, get Paul to quiet down, get Paul to stop leading, get Paul to disobey God's apostolic commission and calling on his life. So he says, would you please pray that what God has called me to do, I would do it fearlessly?

@BobGoff: Darkness won’t need to destroy us if it can get away with distracting us for long enough.

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You feel a strong impetus to divide from other Christians. The Bible says, “Don't let the sun go down while you are angry, and don't give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:27). When you and I are hurt by another believer, nurse that wound, don't fully forgive and talk about it, we give the devil a foothold in our life. Or maybe for you the way Satan gets in is in one doctrinal issue. “If I have to tell somebody off over it, I will. If I have to leave this church over it, I will. Because what really matters here is this issue—and I'm right on this issue!” You may end

the Gospel; faith; salvation; the word of God; prayer. Do we really trust God's armor? Or are we going to respond in our own way that we think is better?

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Be prayerful. Don't deny or ignore this reality of spiritual warfare, but instead, as Paul says, be alert. Always keep on praying. If you think it's spiritual warfare, you should pray. If you think it might be spiritual warfare, you should pray. If you are highly confident it is not spiritual warfare, you should still pray. You and I need to develop a life where intercession for others becomes a natural part of our lives.

When yourInstagra vision fills up with the greatness of God, m you become fearless. You go about whatever it is God has given you to do. Don't flatter Satan's pride by showing interest in his limited and temporary power, but look at the greatness of Jesus Christ. The Bible says the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20), that God has prepared an everlasting fire for him and his demons (Matthew 25:41). That rabid dog will no longer continue to menace the children of God —it is going to be put down. So whatever it is that God has given you to do in life, go about it knowing that you can be protected, you can be prayerful and you can be fearless. BY KEVIN MILLER,AUTHOR AND ANGLICAN PRIEST OF CHURCH OF RESURRECTION IN ILLINOIS

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