Parent Link - February 2012

PARENTLINK

MARCH ’12

PARENT HELPS

LEADERSHIP ROCKS

MARCH CALENDAR

This month learn ways to have better communication and discussion with your teenager. Helpful tips can be found on Page 2.

Get details on the upcoming Leadership Rocks Weekend. Learn how to think, dream, & lead like Jesus All the important details for the weekend on Page 5.

Want to know what’s happening in the Student Ministry @ Northside? Page 6 will give you all the details for events this month for JR & SR High Students.

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TIMEOUT March 2012

For Parents: Helpful information and advice to encourage you to better understand your teeneager.

Have authentic, meaningful conversations with your teenager

SPARK DISCUSSIONS - AND LISTEN ENGAGING IN CONVERSATIONS WITH TEENAGERS CAN SEEM TRICKY OR DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE AT TIMES. BUT IT’S EASIER WHEN YOU LEARN TO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. Moving past simple “yes or no” questions and listening without judging helps create an open atmosphere in which discussions between parents and teenagers can flow naturally.

have?” and “When you’re really worried, what helps you feel at peace again, and why?”

Pursuing your teenagers this way may seem awkward at first, but the more you do it, the more you’ll be able to unlock authentic places in teen’s lives…and the more fun you’ll have learning what makes them tick.

So what are some proactive, penetrating, and “unlocking” ways to pursue teenagers and get them to open up? Look at the example Jesus modeled for us in the Bible. On many occasions He pursued people over and over. And He still pursues us today.

Why are these questions so important in the conversations you are trying to facilitate? Consider these thoughts:

Christ approach uses questions that are: • Surprising—The person doesn’t see the question coming.

• Specific—It’s a question about one specific thing, not multiple issues.

• Personal—It asks for a personal response, not a general or rhetorical one.

Examples include “What’s something about yourself that you secretly admire, and why?” “Why are you drawn to the friends you

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• They help you listen well, which is the most important principle of good communication.

• They show genuine concern for the other person.

• They make others recognize their importance.

• They turn listeners into learners and help learners see the bigger picture.

Here are some steps that have helped my TOUCH: Share an activity. wife and I boost question-asking skills: The sense of touch is simply a reminder that doing an activity with a young person • Ask a lot of questions, especially at is a terrific discussion starter. Talk about dinnertime. Examples include“What the activity (your knowledge of it, how long was the best thing about your day?” you’ve been doing it, etc.) and then go and “How is [name] doing?” Our deeper. The time spent engaging in a dinner table has become the mutually enjoyable activity makes centerpiece of our family discussions. discussion easier.

• Ask special questions on birthdays and holidays. “What was the best thing HEAR: Share encouragement. about this past year?” “What was the Use your sense of hearing to encourage most difficult thing about it?” “What are your teenager by highlighting something he three things you hope to accomplish or or she said or did. Statements such as “I experience next year?” These heard that you…” or “I thought you made a questions go beyond the typical “yes great point when you said…” communicate or no” answer. value and worth. Once you share your encouragement, build on the conversation.

You can also keep the “five senses” in mind when you’re thinking about starting discussions with your teenager. Creatively applying the five senses helps turn an awkward moment into a positive, lasting memory. Use these ideas as a springboard for significant dialogue.

SMELL: Share a direct question.

This is a bit of a stretch, but “sniff out” the real issues. In doing that, you’re better able to ask direct questions that deal with the heart of the issue. Teens, when approached with right motives, appreciate honesty.

TASTE: Share a meal.

Food relaxes people. It’s much easier to discuss important things when you’re talking over lunch, sipping a Coke, or walking while eating ice cream. Use the sense of taste as an excuse to meet, and take advantage of the focused attention you get and can give over a meal.

SEE: Share a dream.

A young person’s vision for the future reflects his or her self-worth. Ask your teenager about goals. Start with one-year goals and move to five- , ten, and twenty year goals. Challenge kids to consider what they want said about them at their funerals. Share your excitement with your teenager’s goals and use them to delve into related topics.

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CURRENT STATS • Only one-third of teenagers believe their parents are engaged in their lives enough to pursue them well. In a study, one young person said, “I want my parents to ask me about my day and care about what I answer.”

—Families & Work Institute

• 40% of Christian teenagers say that although they’re around their parents a lot, they rarely have long, enjoyable conversations.

—Group magazine

• 79% of parents say that by having dinner as a family, they learn more about their teenagers’ lives.

—CASA Columbia

Dierks Bentley

Hunger Games- Rating: PG-13

Background: This country-bluegrass singer has numerous platinum-selling albums. Now 36, he’s one of the youngest singers to be inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. The tours he’s been part of provide clues about his songs: High Times & Hangovers Tour, Country & Cold Cans Tour, the Jägermeister Tour, etc.

What Bentley Says: Regarding “Tip It on Back,” Bentley says, “It’s just really, really hard for people right now. A lot of people are out of work and sometimes you need a break and you say, ‘You know what, I’m going to drink a little more than I should.’ … I think the idea behind the song is every now and then you’ve got to blow off some steam. And I think that’s what a Friday night is made for.”

Genre: Action Adventure, Sci-Fi Synopsis: A former military man is inexplicably transported to Mars and gets caught in a conflict among the planet’s inhabitants Critique: Because this is a Disney film, expect lots of adventure, humor, and big special effects.

Mass Effect 3 Critique: The first two games in this role-playing series were at the top of nearly every Game of the Year list when they came out. So this third game has big expectations behind it. A commander of a starship and his motley crew of aliens must save the entire universe from a deadly and seemingly unstoppable ancient race. (Xbox 360)

Theory Hazit Background: Raised by relatives, Razit was exposed to hip-hop at an early age and became instantly enamored. He’s honed his skills over the years and is becoming popular in the world of Christian hip-hop. Razit isn’t afraid to talk about the mistakes he’s made or the challenges that come with being a stepfather. His latest album is a terrific alternative to secular hip-hop.

What Theory Hazit Says: “There’s not much talk about love. People are just out to get theirs. Life has its ups and downs, and there’s nothing perfect around it.

Focusing on God and relying on God… that helps you to endure the struggles and obstacles that come your way.”

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Twisted Metal Critique: This sequel to a classic game is all about vehicular combat and mayhem. Unique and crazy cars and drivers fight each other in arenas using various weapons—including the cars themselves. Four players can play local on a split screen, and up to 16 people can play online. The game is rated M for violence, blood and gore, and language.

(PS3)

WILMINGTON MOVIE PREMIERE - Thursday, April 19th - Doors Open At 5:45 pm Israel is a country that is loved, hated, and often misunderstood by much of the world. Who really belongs there? Why is Jerusalem so important? Why do some believe in a Messiah who will put things right? Amidst this seemingly endless battle over land and religion, surfing has emerged as an escape from the controversy. Promised Land is a unique look at this ancient place through the lives of two friends from different RSVP Single faiths, brought together by their love of and Group the oceans that separate them.

Tickets Online Northside is excited to host Walking On Water Ministries on the first East Coast stop of the world movie premiere of Promised Land: Israel Through The Eyes of Surfers. This will be an exciting free event for the entire community. For more information and to reserve your movie ticket - visit www.enorthside.org LOREM IPSUM

Special Guest Scheduled To Appear

Noah Snyder Bryan Jennings

Matt Beacham

Tom Curren

COST:

FOOD:

ACTIVITIES:

CONTACT

This is a Free event for the community. An offering will be collected during the event

Yeah - we’re gonna eat!

Hot dogs, nachos, chips, and drinks will be for sale.

Following the movie -

Want to know more? Contact Northside Student Pastor Shane Becton (910) 791-6053

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meet local vendors and local surf shops owners from the Wilmington area

IN THE LOOP. . . .

Stay up to date on what is taking place in the Student Ministry for Jr & Sr High Students SLU 101 DEPOSIT DEADLINE $100 per person deposit due by Friday, March 2nd. SLU 101 will be held July 8-13 in Orlando, FL. Cost per person is $723.00. Students can register online at www.enorthside.org/events

CAFE NORTHSIDE

CHICK-FIL-A NIGHT

12:45 pm. Students interested in working

Sunday, March 25th from 7:00 am Thursday, March 8th from 5:00 pm 8:00 pm @ Market Street location. Join NSM Students as we support Reece Tierney and Family as they prepare to

LEADERSHIP ROCKS S.C. - $118.00 per person Students will learn to: Think, Dream, and Lead like

DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT

Students.

Grace Baptist Church. High School and

www.enorthside.org

March 16-17, 2012 - Spartanburg,

serve overseas in Cameroon, Africa.

Friday, March 9th ~ 7:00 pm @

Cafe should sign up for a shift online at

Jesus. This event is for JR & SR High

WHICH CHAIR ARE YOU IN? Saturday, March 24th 4:00 pm ~

Middle School Co-ed Teams @ $10 per team. See Pastor Shane for a Team

UNCW ~ Free Event with special guest:

Registration Form.

Adrian Despres. Students can register

Growth Groups - Sunday Mornings @ 9:30 am & 11:00 am. Keep and eye out for new classes beginning May 2012.

online at www.enorthside.org

STUDENT SERVICE Sunday, March 11th at 6:00 pm in

PREP FOR CAFE Saturday, March 24th from 9:30 am -

the Sanctuary. Our Student Choir will be singing, our student praise team will be

11:00 am. Students working Cafe

leading, and student baptism’ wrap up the

Northside should prepare to prep for the

evening - it’s going to be a great night of

Breakfast/Buffet service. Sign up online at

worship led by NSM Students.

www.enorthside.org

Sunday Schedule: • • • •

8, 9:30, & 11 am - Worship Services 9:30 & 11 am - Student Growth Groups 4:30 pm - Student Choir / Praise Band 6:00 pm - Evening Worship Service

Wednesday Student Night

Shane Becton Northside Student Pastor

• 5:30 pm - Doors Open • 6:30 pm - Service Begins • 8:30 pm - Doors Close

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Student Night - Wednesday Nights from 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Doors open @ 5:30 - Service begins @ 6:40 - Doors close @ 8:30 pm

NORTHSIDE STUDENTS 2501 North College Rd Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 791-6053 www.enorthside.org