CYYAW14 (Revised 1/7/2014) by Christian Education

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

CYYAW14

Connectional Youth & Young Adult Week

Faith in a Digital Age

January 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; February 2, 2014

CYYAW14  Faith In A Digital Age

CYYAW14  Faith In A Digital Age I remember my early days in Sunday School with flip cards. One side had the scripture and Bible story while the other side had the picture to color or activity to complete. Under the patient tutelage of Mrs. Angeline Gillis Jones, Mrs. Annie Pearl Stepherson, and Mrs. Hattie Ruth Walker, my faith was formed in the context of great storytelling. When David beat Goliath, I learned that with God on my side I can slay any giant. Following the story of Joseph and his brothers, I learned that we should trust God in all situations. And even with the story of Noah and the Ark, my teachers helped me to understand God’s compassion even when He is angry with us. As I look back, I am still amazed that these volunteers could command large classes of mostly rambunctious boys and shape our morals and values. This for me was the paper age. Now, as we fast forward, I am engaged in Sunday School as a teacher now attempting to help shape the faith of the young people in my classes. I compete with their iPhones and other media. I look in their eyes and see the same bewilderment about God that I once had. I hear their questions tiptoeing on asking, “Is there really a God and what does this have to do with me?” I pray that my involvement in their lives will result in the same FAITH FORMATION that my teachers and youth leaders did for me. I will admit, that even as technology savvy as I am, it is quite challenging; however, despite the PowerPoint presentations, the tablet lessons, or even the music we try to incorporate...it all comes down to the story telling. My delivery for them can only be as strong as my personal relationship to the story. As Christians, we know this as witnessing. If we are to truly be His disciples, we have a mandate to bring more disciples. As such, it is incumbent upon us to maximize the tools of this present age...the digital age.

CYYAW14  Faith In A Digital Age During the 37th Session of the General Conference, C.M.E. Church in Mobile 2010, Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. challenged us with “the concept of an ‘essential church’ as a more adequate way to describe and articulate a church necessary for generation waiting to be engaged in this century.” He further stated that “such a church is functionally relevant in that it is integral and germane to the life and relationship network of both individuals and families.” The impetus for this theme came from the growing reality of Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. the disconnect between more and more people to the Christian church, especially among the young people of this generation. In too many instances, the Christian church has positioned herself to be nonessential to the lives of many of those whom it is called to reach. Consequently, the Episcopal Address gave us an extended an invitation, a summon, for our church to return to the basic mission and ministry of the church for the world in which it finds itself with a fourfold focus: a) “REACH” (Evangelism) – the lost and dechurched for Christ, b) “TEACH” (Discipleship) – nurturing our membership in the basic message and practices of the Christian faith, c) “TRAIN” (Development of Leadership) – providing medium through which new and more creative leadership is being developed to lead the church into more effective ministry for this age, and d) “SEND” (Mission/Service Projects) – to recreate a mission minded church that sees the “world as” her “parish”, and send passionate persons out to render radical service in our communities. Therefore, the formula for an “Essential Church” is (RTTS). With that formula in mind, we have developed the 2014 Connectional Youth & Young Adult Week in a framework of REACHING, TEACHING, TRAINING, and SENDING. As you review the document, you will note the break-outs for each section with action items around our “Faith in a Digital Age” theme. Charles L. Coney, C.M.E. Christian Educator

CYYAW14  Faith In A Digital Age Greetings!

from the Department of Christian Education General Secretary

For the eleventh time, it thrills me to provide the resource for the Connectional Youth and Young Adult Week celebration and commemoration. This year, 2014, our theme is “Faith in a Digital Age.” Because of the nature of our theme I am writing a shorter letter than usual. We want to demonstrate how the digital age impacts our lives in so Carmichael D. Crutchfield many ways. But before I say much about this year’s theme, I must take us down memory lane. I begin with the work of the former General Secretary, the now Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham. Prior to his leaving office in 2002, and subsequent election to the episcopacy, he did two significant things worth mentioning. First, he started a movement toward churches obtaining websites as he worked in partnership with For Ministry. Secondly, he started to work in the area of information technology through the organization of what now we call Communication Information Technology and where Ms. Theresa Duhart is the Connectional Officer in leadership. Over the years during my tenure as General Secretary, we have continued with this technology emphasis. We have produced resources contained within CD’s and downloadable Connectional Youth and Young Adult Week resources. We started our own webpage equipped with an eStore where orders could be placed over the Internet. We produced Sunday School outlines available online. But most notable is that in 2008, we registered attendees for the first time for a CME event exclusively online. We continued this in 2012. All of these efforts have demonstrated how FAITH is being FORMED in the 21st century. However, the most demonstrable event has been our online Christian Education certification program. Through it we have shown that teaching and learning, thus, FAITH FORMATION can take place with distance learning. With this background in mind, we invite you to experience this year’s Connectional Youth and Young Adult resource in a new way. Your Servant, Carmichael D. Crutchfield

FAITH IN A DIGITAL AGE

CYYAW14

REACHING 7

Faith In A Digital Age When I was first elected General Secretary of the Department of Christian Education for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, capturing words from John Westerhoff I introduced the theme “Making Disciples Through Events That Form and Transform.” DISCIPLESHIP is the thrust of the Department’s efforts. Read now what Craig Koester, New Testament Professor of Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN has to say about our theme scripture. The concluding verses of Matthew's gospel (28:16-20) give a vivid glimpse into what it means to be disciples of Jesus. The scenes that have preceded it have been filled with drama and struggle. The power of the resurrection seems clear in the account of the resurrection, as the earth shakes and an angel descends to roll back the stone. The guards are overcome, the women are terrified, and the tomb is empty. The angel’s voice is one of command, for he tells the women to direct the disciples to Galilee where they will see Jesus for themselves. Then, before the women can follow through, the risen Jesus appears and repeats the command that the disciples should go to Galilee. The plot thickens as rumors spread that none of this resurrection news was true, and that the disciples were the ones who had stolen the body. Against this backdrop, our passage begins. The disciples who go to the mountain have not seen any of the Easter drama. They have not seen an earthquake or the angel descending. They have not seen the risen Jesus or heard his voice. Their reputations are soon to be tarnished by rumors that they have perpetrated a hoax to get others to believe that Jesus is alive. All they have is the directive from the women, “Go to Galilee.” So they go, trudging northward from Jerusalem to Galilee, not knowing whether the women's word is true. To set out on this journey into an unseen future with only a word--this characterizes discipleship. Jesus does encounter the disciples as he promised, but the response is mixed. When the 8

Matthew 28:16-20 travelers meet the living Jesus, some worship. Others doubt. Both responses are possible from the same group. Among these disciples there is both worship and uncertainty, both devotion and hesitancy. One might expect something clearer and unequivocal. They are in the presence of the living Christ, after all. But this mixture of faith and doubt also characterizes discipleship. We understand this from our own experience. We too are called to â&#x20AC;&#x153;goâ&#x20AC;? to where Jesus will meet us. We too are called to worship. We are directed to the place where we will meet the living Christ, yet one wonders why anyone would listen. Perhaps it is the hope that the message might be true and that by coming to the community where Jesus promises to meet people, he might meet us as well. So we come to see if Christ will keep his promise. We trust that he comes as he said he would, and for many in our community this is reason for thanks and worship. Making confession, offering prayers, voicing our faith, singing our praise--all of this is worship in the presence of the living Christ. And along with the worship, many continue to wonder whether any of this is true. Yet like the first disciples, we bring our doubts to the place where Jesus promises to meet us. And this too is DISCIPLESHIP. How does Jesus respond to this mixed group of worshipers and doubters? He gives them all the same commission: "Go and make disciples." The command to "go" is what brought these disciples here to Jesus and the command to "go" is what will take these disciples out to others. One might have expected Jesus to do something else, like calling for the uncertain to get things figured out, and for the hesitant to answer their unanswered questions. But instead, Jesus simply speaks to them all in the same way, "Go and make disciples." They are again being called into an unseen future, since there is no guarantee that anyone will listen. Nonetheless, the word is "go."

Faith In A Digital Age One wonders whether this is a good idea, to have this group of disciples who do not all have their act together going out to make other disciples. Jesus might have been more selective in whom he called and sent. But apparently Jesus sees things differently. These disciples whom he tells to "go" are in no position to make themselves the object of faith. That is part of the good news. The invitation to follow Jesus. When I was in college, a professor made some comments in one of my religion classes that prompted me to ask what he meant by the word "authority." Perhaps it was one of those attempts by a college sophomore to press a point in a manner that sounded profound. Perhaps it reflected a genuine desire to grasp something that I had not fully understood. But the professor responded with a single word that brought a level of clarity I have never forgotten. He said, "Authority is followability." Followability. He probably coined the word on the spot, but it did what it needed to do. True authority is what gives people the confidence to follow. And this is what Jesus says about himself. No one can make anyone follow Jesus. What the disciples have is the word from the living Christ that continues beckoning them to follow. What the disciples have is the word from the living Christ that beckons others to follow. His promise is that "I am with you always, to the close of the age." How does one know in advance if this is true? The answer is that no one can know in advance. But the word keeps beckoning the worshipful and the doubtful into a path of discipleship. And it is along the way that Jesus will prove his word, his presence, to be true. So we come to this week following Jesus. But wait a moment! What does this “GO MAKE DISCIPLES” have to do with “FAITH IN A DIGITAL AGE”? Making disciples involves teaching about the faith. Our emphasis and the significance of our theme and the reason we are celebrating CYYAW14 is that we have the distinct privilege to deliver the time-tested message of following Jesus through digital mediums. We are emphasizing how we deliver the message that has and never will change. Carmichael D. Crutchfield, Ph.D. C.M.E. Department of Christian Education General Secretary 10

Matthew 28:16-20

How many of you remember these? How many of you know how to use them? How many of you OWN one of these?

One Device Replaces Them All

Faith In A Digital Age

How many of you remember these? How many of you know how to use them? How many of you OWN one of these?

One Device Replaces Them All

Matthew 28:16-20

Our efforts depend not only on KNOWING the Christian message of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love, but USING todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tools appropriately.

FAITH IN A DIGITAL AGE

CYYAW14

TEACHING 15

Faith Formation..as we know it As Methodists we are formed in the Wesleyan understanding of salvation that understands that salvation comes from God and that all persons have access to God’s grace directly through Jesus Christ. We are all justified and are offered salvation. I once read an illustration that continues to inform justification for me. A radio that plays music 24 hours always has music available. We only experience the music when we turn the radio on to listen. Salvation is like that in that it is always available, but we only experience it when we accept or turn on to it. One aspect of salvation that we seem not to talk very much about is salvation’s call to holiness. We are called to personal and social holiness. It is a way of saying that we are called to a personal social holiness which provides a theological foundation of formation of heart and life. Studying the works and sermons of John Wesley helps us to understand that salvation is the result of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and in us through the work of the Holy Spirit. Loving God and loving neighbor is our call to Christian discipleship. The combination of personal holiness through works of piety and social holiness through works of mercy provide the basic framework for faith formation in the faith community. FAITH FORMATION entails our worship and devotion to God (piety) and our compassion and justice to our neighbors (mercy). All of this is grounded in God’s transforming grace. We grow in holiness by the refining work of the Holy Spirit.

Formation + Nurture + Leadership = MISSION

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age We are living in a digital age and a time of rapid change. I have come to believe that technology is changing our society in profound ways that have a direct impact on our spiritual lives. Most of the changes are positive, but some are potentially negative. For example, I recently observed a young couple on what appeared to be a date; however, I don’t think I actually ever saw them talk to each other. They were speedily texting back and forth on their cell phones. I hope they were not texting each other—but, given today’s dynamics, they might have been. While they were physically together, one might say that they were not present in the moment. As a foundational point in living with a Christian worldview in this digital age, I believe we have a challenge to be present. This to me is a central part of the Good News. “They shall call his name Immanuel which translated means God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23) I can’t even really comprehend it, but God came to be with us. God was present. Further, we are promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us to teach and guide us (John 14:26). Are we truly experiencing His presence with us and in turn being present in our daily lives as we interact with others? The challenge is that we are all instantly accessible to each other. Cell phones, email, texting, and instant messaging link us together more, but they can also interfere with being present. These great technology tools bring challenges to keeping boundaries in life. How do you feel when you are engrossed in a deep conversation and it comes to a screeching halt because someone answers their phone or stops to send a 17

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age text message? Ironically, the same techno-gadgets that allow me to stay better connected with my family when I travel often make it more difficult to be fully present when I am home. I have learned the hard way to keep my phone out of the room during family time, or I will become more concerned about who keeps ringing my phone than what my family members are trying to tell me. To further illustrate, think about the last time you visited a family member you had not seen in awhile or someone you went to see with serious illness. What really mattered, the conversation that may have taken place or the simple act of your presence? In little ways, we have the opportunity daily to listen a little more, talk a little less, and be the light of Christ in someone’s life by giving them our full and undivided attention. I believe our world is starved for this kind of presence in this digital age. What does it mean to follow? When Jesus called upon the fishermen to leave their homes and “follow me,” how is that distinct from “following” an individual online? When one clicks to “follow” Lady Gaga or Toyota on Twitter, one is not necessarily agreeing to become a passive adherent to the messages. Rather, one agrees to enter into dialogue and engagement. Followers and the followed can debate and discuss. Perhaps this, too, can offer a way to consider Jesus, a man who engaged in back-and-forth conversations routinely with those who followed him and those who did not. All in all, while the digital age is transforming the meanings of “friend” and “follower,” Christians have an opportunity to use their scriptures and their histories to animate those words with new life. One magic of the faith has long been to transform words, a magic so powerful that on one occasion, “the Word was made flesh.”

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age

Faith In A Digital Age

Matthew 28:16-20 Common English Bible (CEB) Commissioning of the Disciples Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

Online Bible mobile apps come with infinite versions (visual and audio). Search capabilities and built-in concordance features are readily available. Additionally, the user can find daily bible verse as well as suggestions on reading the bible in a year.

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age Our CYYAW14 Theme is based on the text, Faith Formation 4.0 by Julie Anne Lytle. Her book introduces an Ecology of Faith in a Digital Age and looks at how Christian efforts to be storykeepers, story-sharers, and story-makers have evolved and integrated new media over four eras of human communications: 1.0 Jesus tells stories - oral traditions 2.0 Paul writes letters to build and guide the church; iconographers write images to inspire God’s people written era

3.0 Reformers call for change and seek to put Bibles in every home and Televangelists use radio and television to spread the Good News – the print and electronic mass media age 4.0 Digital evangelists integrate digital media and social networking – the digital age Successful efforts to invite and welcome new members (evangelization) as well as share Christian wisdom and practices (faith formation) depends not only on knowing the Christian message of God’s enduring love, but also how to use today’s tools appropriately. This book weaves theological, educational, and social media wisdom to guide faithful people and church leaders in their 21st century contexts. Each chapter includes Scriptural references, illustrative stories, and questions for further information. Order this resource from the C.M.E. Department of Christian Education eStore for a discounted rate of only $15

www.thecmechurchced.org

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age Throughout four eras of human communications, Christians have embraced contemporary communications technologies to “proclaim the Good News” and “make Christians.” Jesus offered these imperatives in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19-20). They inspire disciples of every generation to collect and maintain the wisdom of the Christian tradition, share the stories of God’s incomprehensible love and presence in our lives, and respond in such a way that faith is put into practice. For the past two thousand years, stories of Jesus’ action in human history have been told and retold using the native tongue of people around the globe (1.0). The written Word (2.0) – the Bible – is available in 475 dialects and its stories have been translated into other forms including simple paintings decorating second and third century CE tomb wall; icons offering windows to heaven, symbolic truths, and spiritual ideals; and magnificently adorned “Stone Bibles” proclaiming the Word through stained glass, frescos, mosaics, and statues. Gutenberg’s 1455 innovations mechanizing the printing process with a movable type press inaugurated the mass media age (3.0) enabling the mass 22

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age distribution of the same message across a wider geographic area than previously conceived possible. This coincided with radical reformers’ desire to put their message and the Word (Scripture) in every home, missionaries’ eagerness to educate the general population so that they could read and interpret the Scriptures for themselves, and a large, geographicallydispersed population’s interest in gaining access to this information and heralded the emergence of popular culture. Human communications became “untethered” through electronic innovations starting with the telegraph expanding to include broadcast radio and television. Pioneers like Aimee Semple McPherson and Paul Rader built radio stations to broadcast church services, Morning Prayer, inspirational talk shows, and entertainment-oriented programs leading 63 religious organizations to apply for and gain radio licenses by 1925. When NBC debuted as a coast-to-coast network in 1927, listeners could engage intelligent, balanced representations of the nation’s three major religious groups through radio programs like NBC’s National Radio Pulpit, Catholic Hour, and Message of Israel. As television was introduced in the United States, mainline churches were reaching toward the peak of their membership and the emerging commercial television networks continued to offer mainline faith groups free, sustaining airtime. Frustrated by this arrangement, more conservative religious groups who felt “squeezed out” of radio and television by their more liberal counterparts began to pay to be on the air and introduced the first televangelists. By the 1950s, families regularly gathered to watch Fulton Sheen, Billy Graham, Oral Roberts and Aimee Semple McPherson proclaim the Gospel and share their faith traditions. Even today, we are captivated by the likes of Joel Olsteen, Bishop T. D. Jakes, and Joyce Meyer. Formation 4.0 is inherently interactive giving individuals not only the ability to receive communication but also correspond. By converting voice, video, and data into digital signals, people and resources can be connected (almost) any23

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age where and at (almost) any time. The United Methodists were first on what is now the Internet testing the water in 1983 by distributing an electronic newsletter before using the networks to share daily news stories, commentaries, and news briefs from their 1984 General Convention. Today, mobile technologies and social networking make it possible for church leaders and faith community members to instantaneously interact with one another, engage faith stories, and reflect on ways to mobilize to serve Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission. Our imagination is the only limit as new technologies continue to introduce additional ways to proclaim the Gospel and organize justiceseeking activities.

In his dynamic book, The Millennium Matrix: Reclaiming the Past, Reforming the Future of the Church, theologian, futurist, and communications expert M. Rex Miller presents the innovative millennium matrix, that explains the way we store and distribute information changes our worldviews. Based on the authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s extensive research, The Millennium Matrix explores the major paradigm and worldview shifts over the past two thousand years and maps them into an easily accessible chart summarizing the entire history of culture 24

Faith Formation...in a Digital Age and church. From the oral culture of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time to the print world of Gutenbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bible to the broadcast era of television to the emerging digital culture, readers will see the impact of communication on worship and spirituality. Even more, the book then provides practical suggestions on how Christians can successfully navigate the rapid cultural changes that are occurring and that will continue to occur over the decades to come.

Evangelist Billy Graham

Joyce Meyers Bishop T. D. Jakes

Joel Olsteen

Faith In A Digital Age

The schedule listed on the following pages is merely a suggestion that those responsible for planning and implementing Connectional Youth and Young Adult Week might consider. Possible activities for the week include, but are not limited to those listed. Worship services and liturgies are included in this guide. Additional activities, games, and tips for youth workers are also included. We strongly encourage Pastors and Christian Educators to purchase the Departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Resource; 21st Century Discipleship which can be used as a resource to begin the study and practice of making disciples at the local church level. This resource can be introduced during Youth and Young Adult Week and continued for the remainder of the year. Of course it will

take some planning and creativity to implement and plan ministry and events for youth discipleship. Local congregations and/or districts may want to consider a Discipleship Forum during the celebration of Youth and Young Adult Week. Area youth leaders and presenters can be invited and workshops held which focus on discipleship. Again, the 21st Century Discipleship Resource Series is an excellent resource to begin this phase of educational ministry at the local church level. Round table discussions can also be held with presiding elders, pastors and or other youth and young adult workers in the congregation and community. Youth and young adults should be encouraged to express their under-

Planning the Week standing of discipleship through oral and verbal expressions. This could be an opportunity to teach youth and young adults about the history of the class leader system and help them find ways of forming covenant discipleship groups that guide them in practicing the means of grace. As in years past, we continue to encourage the writing of essays around the weekly theme. We recommend that instructions and guidelines for writing of essays be developed by local Boards of Christian Education. Participants should be given adequate time for writing the essays. Essays may be shared during the Celebration of Youth and Young Adult Week or subsequent events planned by the Board of Christian Education.

mend the use of these Bible Studies or similar Bible studies which focuses on the related Scripture and the theme of Discipleship. A Night of Prayer on Saturday evening, February 1st or other activity where youth and young adults can come together to pray and share ideas around how they can participate in making DISCIPLES is recommended as a prelude to the culmination of Youth and Young Adult Week on Sunday, February 2, 2014. We continue to emphasize the need for local congregations to involve youth and young adults in annual mission projects. The 2014 Resource Kit is an excellent guide for leading in mission opportunities and is still available through the Department.

Youth and Young Adult Bible Studies have been designed for the celebration of the week. The Bible Study is available in Power Point Format online. If your local church does not have access to a projector, the Bible Study may be printed out in the slide or notes view for leaders to use in preparing for Bible Study. We recom-

Faith In A Digital Age Local Church Youth & Young Adult Directors: We pray that as you lead youth and young adults in your local congregations that you will take the time to review the contents of this resource guide and make a commitment to engaging youth and young adults in 21st Century Discipleship not just during the celebration of Youth and Young Adult week but continuously throughout the conference year and the years to come. We also encourage you as leaders to be life-long learners in seeking continual learning and development that will enhance your disciple-making ministry and enable and empower you to continually be involved in the spiritual formation and nurture of young people who have been entrusted to your care. The beauty in being a part of a Connectional Church and the Methodist tradition is that we don’t have to reinvent the wheel and we don’t have to do it all by ourselves. Christian educators across the C.M.E. Connection and within the Methodist body of Christ are doing new and innovative things that affect the lives of young people. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel or waste time thinking about ways to involve our young people. There are countless resources available and numerous opportunities to involve youth and young adult in ministry and mission that fulfills Jesus commission to make disciples. 28

Over the past years, the Department has worked diligently to revise the work of former General Secretary Ronald M. Cunningham’s Discipleship 2000. During a recent Annual Convocation, 21st Century Discipleship was introduced as a means of assisting local congregations in educational and discipleship ministries. A Handbook for the Local Congregation along with a leader and study guide containing more than 14 lessons has been developed and produced for use in local churches. This resource is available from the Department and Youth and Young Adult week can be a great time for Pastors and Christian educators to provide an orientation of discipleship studies for youth and young adults in the local church. This Youth and Young Adult Week Resource Guide which is produced annually by the Department of Christian Education is a means to motivate and inspire Christian educators, specifically

To the Directors those who work with youth and young adults to prepare and equip this generation of young people for discipleship ministries in the Church. In no way does it dictate how the celebration of Youth and Young Adult Week must take place. The Department of Christian Education simply provides suggestions and ideas to assist local congregations in the celebration of Youth and Young Adult Week in addition to ministry and mission ideas and resources which can be used on an on-going basis. Involve Youth and Young adults in the planning of Youth Young Adult Week

and work to get youth and young adults involved in events that relate to their ministry and mission Be an advocate for Christian Education at every level of the Church Take a spiritual gifts inventory to determine your gifts and how they can be best used in the church Attend seminars, workshops and other events that will help you in developing your gifts and talents in working with youth and young adults Practice Christian Discernment

If your local church is a small membership church — connect with other churches in the District in planning a combined celebration

Encourage youth and young adults and be patient with them as they discern God’s call in their lives

Dialogue with your Pastor and the Director of Christian Education about possible events and ministry opportunities for the youth and young adults in your congregation

Be good listeners

Ask the Pastor to consider starting weekly Youth and Young Adult Bible studies with a focus on Discipleship if they are not already in place Review the recommended resources in this guide and talk with the Pastor and the Director of Christian Education about which resources can be used in your congregation

Be open and understanding Nurture the potential leadership skills in your youth and young adults Lead with your own heart Use the resources recommended by the General Secretary and the Department of Christian Education (you will not be led astray)

Share information about Connectional Events 29

Faith In A Digital Age Goal for the Week

Wednesday, January 29th

To REACH out into the Community to all youth and young adults who do not attend church on a regular basis. Celebrate relationships on the following Sunday with those persons reached and the Congregation.

Bible Study: Faith in a Digital World – make use of resources included in guide.

Sunday, January 26th Kickoff Worship Celebration: Faith in a Digital World—Make use of multi-media and technology during worship service. Encourage members to use devices for reading of Scripture. If possible email Order of Worship in advance to members who have access to email. Post celebration on FaceBook and Twitter. Be creative in lifting up ways of communicating “Faith in a Digital World.”

Monday, January 27th Encourage youth and young adults to share faith all week through text messages, email, Facebook, Twitter, etc.

Tuesday, January 28th Establish prayer partners: Prayer partners to communicate via digital means throughout the week. Share prayer concerns in groups on Wednesday.

Thursday, January 30th Host a donation/recycle electronics drop off. Check www.epa.gov to find ways of donating or recycling electronics.

Friday, January 31st Mission/Service Project – find ways of helping others in community to access needed assistance or helpful information on the Internet (i.e., healthcare, prevention, nutrition, etc.)

Saturday, February 1st Consider hosting a Digital Faith Workshop. Invite members of congregation and the community. Youth and young adults teach ways in which technology can be used to share the faith. This could be a day when youth and young adults help members who are not technologically savvy with digital devices. (i.e., downloading apps such as the Bible, Maps, and accessing calendars).

Sunday, February 2nd Worship Service: Holy Communion Service NOTE: Events and Activities may be done in clusters with other C.M.E. Churches in the local and or surrounding areas

CYYAW14 Celebration Thoughts to Ponder in Celebrating Youth & Young Adult Week Gone are the days that people need to “know,” “memorize,” and “assent” to the faith truths that they cannot sometimes understand, relate to and make sense of in their daily lives. Faith is not merely something we have to know. It is not merely informative, but should be formative, and will eventually become transformative. Before the Gospel became a message, it had been an experience first. What the early Christians had and communicated with others was not solely their knowledge and understanding of Jesus, but their personal experience of Jesus. It is an obvious fact that some traditional and old methods in following the Great Commission and spreading the Word are no longer effective and relevant in the present generation, which is considered the digital generation. This challenges all Christians to devise new ways on how to share the Word of God and an understanding of how we make disciples in a Digital World will have more impact and relevance in this generation.

CYYAW14

TRAINING 33

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church— Department of Christian Education Making disciples through "events that form and transform"

Sunday School Lesson: January 26, 2014

ADULT Sunday School Lesson Guide CYYAW14

Jesus Teaches Compassion For the Poor Luke 16:10, 19-31



We are providing these notes from the Committee on Uniform Series that prepares associated Sunday School lesson outlines long in advance of their usage. Included in this Guide are thoughts that are reflected in the Lesson Development Guide for writers of Sunday school lessons and the recommended commentary of the Department of Christian Education, The New International Lesson Annual published by Abingdon Press Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield General Secretary

Selfishness motivates the attitudes and behaviors of many people. How does selfishness blind Christians to the needs of others? Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man to teach the followers to put their selfish desires aside so they can help the poor.

Goal for the Learners  To study the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  To examine their feelings about compassion toward the poor.  To work to involve their congregation in developing a project that has a positive effect on their attitudes and actions toward the poor.

Lesson Challenges for the Week Review Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Recall that Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come returned to warn Ebenezer Scrooge to change his ways, just as the rich man in Luke 16 wanted someone to warn the brothers so that they might avoid “this place of torment” (Luke 16:28). How do these stories inspire you to reach out to the poor? Investigate the economic policies of your elected officials, or at least their political parties. Who, if anyone, seems to treat those in need with Christ like compassion? What can you do to support this official or party? Read the book of Amos. What do these prophecies teach about the will of God in relations to the poor? How can you enact any of these teachings?

Send an email to: sundayschool@thecmechurchced.org to receive this guide electronically each week.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church— Department of Christian Education Making disciples through "events that form and transform"

Sunday School Lesson: January 26, 2014

YOUNG ADULT Sunday School Lesson Guide CYYAW14

Jesus Teaches Compassion For the Poor Luke 16:10, 19-31

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Goal for the Learners  To study the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  To examine their feelings about compassion toward the poor.  To work to involve their Young Adult Fellowships in developing a project that has a positive effect on their attitudes and actions toward the poor.

Lesson Challenges for the Week Review Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. Recall that Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come returned to warn Ebenezer Scrooge to change his ways, just as the rich man in Luke 16 wanted someone to warn the brothers so that they might avoid “this place of torment” (Luke 16:28). How do these stories inspire you to reach out to the poor? Investigate the economic policies of your local elected officials, or at least their political parties. Read the book of Amos. What do these prophecies teach about the will of God in relations to the poor? How can you enact any of these teachings in your local area?

Send an email to: sundayschool@thecmechurchced.org to receive this guide electronically each week.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church— Department of Christian Education Making disciples through "events that form and transform"

Sunday School Lesson: January 26, 2014

YOUTH Sunday School Lesson Guide CYYAW14

Jesus Teaches Compassion For the Poor Luke 16:10, 19-31

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Goal for the Learners  To study the story of the rich man and Lazarus.  To examine their feelings about success.  To work to involve their CYF in using their talents to serve in the local community.

Lesson Challenges for the Week Look in your community and identify some people who serve the poor. Visit an establishment that serves the poor. Talk with those who serve and those who are being served. Return to class prepared to discuss what you learned. Using a CEV or CEB bible read the book of Amos. What does it say about the poor?

Send an email to: sundayschool@thecmechurchced.org to receive this guide electronically each week.

TEN STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL CYYAW14 SUNDAY SCHOOL LOVE THEM. Students have different personalities. Some of them are easier to deal with then others, but the love you have for each one will shine through. They will respond to the love. BE EXCITED. Have you ever listened to a speech or lecture where the speaker seemed bored or unimpressed by the subject matter? Excitement about the Bible and the lessons you are teaching will be contagious to your students!

DON’T BE A KNOW IT ALL. Students ask some hard-hitting questions. Sometimes you might say, “I don’t know, lets look it up!” Other times tell them that you don’t know the answer to their question, but that you’ll get back to them the next week. DEAL WITH DIFFICULT SUBJECT MATTER WISELY. There are topics that parents and not teachers should deal with.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. An unprepared teacher makes for a choppy, uninteresting lesson. You want your lesson to flow right from your heart.

SHOW BY EXAMPLE. Be a teacher outside of the classroom. Be a good example. Sometimes actions can be even more effective then what you say to them in class.

PRAY FOR YOUR STUDENTS. You will feel closer to them, and you’ll remember to ask them about the things that are important to them each week. It will mean a lot.

USE YOUR BIBLE. Don’t just stand at the front of class and talk. Keep showing the students that the words you are saying are based in God’s word.

BE HONEST. Be honest about the fact that you aren’t perfect. Students tend to hold their teachers on a pedestal. However flattering that may be, you will be more effective if you let them know that you have faults too!

TEACH IN A VARIETY OF WAYS Throw in a surprise lesson based game. Come to class dressed up as a Bible character. Hold class outside. Your students will love it!

Faith In A Digital Age

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Faith In A Digital Age

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Faith In A Digital Age

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Faith In A Digital Age

Bible Study Make your class person-centered! Not teacher-centered!

Pray daily and by name for members and prospects!

Be aware of needs, concerns, and problems. Minister in the name of Christ to those needs. Get to know them.

Miracles of change are the result of daily prayer for your class. God works when we pray.

Personalize each lesson! Take a truth of God and relate it to everyday life experiences. Sometimes we tend to teach for cognitive learning – that the pupils will know. But knowing is not enough. It should be the focus of every Bible lesson you teach to help the pupils understand and apply those truths to their lives at home and on the job. Make prospects and absentees a major concern! Take time for reports from those who made visits and spend time in prayer for absentees and prospects. Make teaching the Bible primary! Major upon what the Lord has to say to individual members. Leave out the idle talk. Involve your class in caring and sharing projects! Lead members to become aware that the teachings of Christ must be translated into concrete action. Caring and sharing projects pull a class closer together as they cooperate as a team in putting the teachings of Christ into action.

Have regular class meetings and fellowships! Class members become genuine friends in Christ through class meetings and fellowships. Fun gatherings are important. But classes should also gather together with no other agenda than just to share needs and pray. Become the person you desire your pupils to become in Christ! Become the living embodiment of what you teach. The great Christian educator Howard Hendricks once said, "Ultimately, what you are is far more important than what you say or what you do." God can't work through you in your class until He works in you. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and use you! God's work can only be done by God's people in God's power. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." Jesus meant what He said. “Without Me, ye can do nothing!” Yield to the control of the Holy Spirit. He and only He can bring forth lasting fruit from your labors. 53

Faith In A Digital Age Bible Study “Teaching Children to be Followers of Jesus Christ in a Digital Age” Children’s Bible Study ages 5-11 Goal for the Learners 1. At the end of this session children will learn to be followers of Jesus in a Digital Age Materials you can use if available: Computer Projector Screen Cell Phones Other materials that can be used if the children bring them: iPad, iPhone, Notepad or any other device used in this Digital Age Lesson Outline Opening Prayer Exchange cell phone numbers Synopsis: Matthew 28:16-20 describes the “Great Commission” Jesus gave to all of his disciples or followers with the reminder that he will always be with them even to the end of the age. A. The Bible Text: Matthew 28:16-20 B. Storytelling for ages 5-8; then answer the

recall questions Researching the computer for ages 9-11; look up and read the Bible Text scripture on the computer and answer the recall Questions by texting the answers to the teacher. C. Words to Learn DISCIPLE--follower of Jesus WORSHIP--show reverence for God; honor DOUBT--do not believe AUTHORITY--power BAPTIZING--initiating COMMANDED--to tell, to give orders COMMISSION--to give authority to perform certain duties Activities: Use group activities Music (singing) All will sing the song Games (follow the leader): For ages 5-8 let the children take turns being the leader and the other children will follow the leader with the directives coming from the teacher.

Faith In A Digital Age Bible Study “Teaching Children to be Followers of Jesus Christ in a Digital Age” For ages 9-11: Using text messages that the teacher will give, research the computer and Text the names of Jesus eleven disciples that met him in Galilee in the mountain. C. Recall (for all ages)--(remembering what you have learned) Lesson Challenges for the Week: For the week tell other children that Jesus want followers, then strive to recruit or get at least two other children to become followers of Christ.

Matthew 28:16-20 Storytelling Children as Followers of Jesus in a Digital Age One day Jesus told his disciples (followers) to meet him in the mountain in the town called Galilee. Jesus’ followers obeyed him and when they got there they were happy to see Jesus and they worshipped him, even though some of them were not sure it was Jesus. You see Jesus

had died and rose again on Easter Day, but now many days had passed since they had seen Jesus and some of them just were not sure. However Jesus told them that God, his Father, had given him power or made him ruler over the heaven and earth and now he needed his disciples to recruit or to get others to become his followers. Jesus followers would initiate the new followers and teach them to obey everything Jesus had taught them so they too could become committed followers of Jesus. Finally Jesus reminded his disciples that they would not need to worry about anything because he would always be with them even to the end of time. But now Jesus still needs others to become his followers. Will you become one of Jesus followers? He wants you to become his followers and he wants you to recruit or get others to become his followers. In this Digital Age, you can use your cell phone to text others to tell them how they can become followers of Jesus or you can use the computer, iPad, iPhone, Notepad or any other Digital device used in this Digital Age to tell others to become followers of Jesus.

Faith In A Digital Age “Teaching Children to be For the Song used during the “Music Segment:” The teacher could use a cell phone “video recorder” or a “video camera” to record the Children singing the following song in the tune of “Mary had a Little Lamb,” then let the children watch themselves. Next let the children talk about what they would do as followers of Jesus Christ. “I Will Be a Follower of Christ”  by Rev. Juanita Payne I will be a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ I will be a follower of Christ, I’ll tell other people about Jesus. I will be a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ I will be a follower of Christ; I’ll say a prayer for others. I will be a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ I will be a follower of Christ; I’ll help other people in need.

I will be a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ, a follower of Christ I will be a follower of Christ, I’ll ________. (Finish the song with your own fill in---What would you do as a follower of Christ? Recall: 1. Where did Jesus tell the disciples (followers) to meet him? Did they obey Jesus? Do you obey your parents or guardians? Were they happy to see Jesus? Why? Why did some of Jesus followers doubt Who gave Jesus power? What was the reminder Jesus told his disciples? What does Jesus want you to do? What do you do when you follow Jesus? Discuss: How can you get others to follow Christ?

Bible Study Followers of Jesus Christ in a Digital Ageâ&#x20AC;?

Faith In A Digital Age Worship TRADITIONAL WORSHIP SERVICE Worship Leader (Name of a Youth or Young Adult) 2014 Youth & Young Adult Week: “Faith in a Digital World” Processional With Hymn ........................................................................................................................ Call to Worship (Based on Matthew 4:18-20) .................................................... Leader & Congregation Leader:

After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter and some other disciples decided to go fishing. To Peter, Christ was dead so he thought it best to return to his old occupation.

Youth:

But was it best? They fished all night and caught nothing. Early in the morning someone called out, “Friends, have you caught any fish?” Upon hearing the reply, he told them, “Cast your nets on the other side.”

Young Adults: Towards the shore? In a direction where the sun would cast a warning shadow on any fish around? The disciples did it anyway. Leader:

What a catch they had! They had to tow the net to shore because the boat couldn’t hold all those fish, and then the disciples knew it was Jesus who commanded them.

All:

Lord, you made Peter a fisher of people and you can do the same with us. May we follow your leading, even when a catch doesn’t seem probable, because our trust is not in our own understanding, but in yours.

A Modern Affirmation of Faith Minister:

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is the one true Church, apostolic and universal, whose holy faith let us now declare:

Minister & People: We believe in God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power and love, whose mercy is over all his works, and whose will is ever directed to His children’s good. We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man, the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the promise of our deliverance from sin and death.

Sunday, January 26, 2014 We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ, and find strength and help in time of need. We believe that this faith should manifest itself in the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. Amen. *From the United Methodist Book of Worship for Church and Home

Responsive Reading or Litany (see Litany for Celebration of Youth and Young Adult Week) ............... Gloria Patri .......................................................................................................................................... Anthem Or Song..................................................................................Youth and/or Young Adult Choir Scripture Reading..................................................................... Matthew 4:18-20 or Matthew 28:19-20 Offering (here or after the Sermon) ..................................................................................................... The Ministry of Music --Selection ........................................................................................................ Pastoral Prayer/Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prayer.............................................................................................................. The Ministry of Music --Selection ........................................................................................................ Announcements/Recognition of Visitors .............................................................................................. Hymn of Preparation .......................................................................................................................... Sermon ................................................................................................................................................ Invitation to Christian Discipleship...................................................................................................... Altar Call & Prayer............................................................................................................................... Doxology.............................................................................................................................................. Benediction (Congregation Seated) ......................................................................................................

Faith In A Digital Age Worship COMMISSIONING PRAYER Based on Matthew 28:17-20 and 10:7-8 (In Unison) Jesus we worship you, And sometimes we doubt. Yet we know all authority is yours. So you call us to go: to all nations, to make disciples, to continue your mission. You call us to announce your Kingdom: to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cast out demons. You call us to baptize in your name: You are Father, You are Son, You are Holy Spirit. We will follow, we will obey and teach all you have commanded, For you are with us always, day after day, year after year, to the very end of the age. Amen. © Sam Hargreaves / engageworship.org Note: Although this order of service follows the traditional order of CME Worship we encourage worship planners to modify the worship so that it reflects your congregation’s style of worship. Again worship must be approved by the Pastor. If this order of worship is used for the first Sunday of Youth and Young Adult Week, be sure that the congregation has been informed as to what will be taking place. We recommend this Sunday be set aside as the kick off for celebration of Youth and Young Adult Week. The kick off can be done during the morning service or during an afternoon or evening service that has been planned specifically to lift up the theme, “Faith in a Digital World.” Remember to involve youth and young adults in the planning process.

Sunday, January 26, 2014 If an afternoon or evening service is planned to kick off the celebration, consider inviting a guest preacher or layperson to talk about Digital Faith. Another option is to have youth and young adults survey the surrounding community prior to the kickoff celebration and present opportunities and possible service/mission projects for the upcoming year, at a special time during the service. Youth may want to create an acronym for the THEME: D I G I T A L F A I T H, and share with the congregation. A drama or skit emphasizing Faith in a Digital World in would also be an excellent way of kicking off the celebration of Youth and Young Adult Way.

BE CREATIVE AND UNIQUE in Planning the Worship Service! *As found in The Book of Worship for Church and Home: with orders of worship, services for the administration of sacraments, and aids to worship according to the usages of the Methodist Church; The Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, TN; ÂŠ 1965. page 180. Additional Resources: We suggest the use of the following resources in planning for alternate and contemporary styles of worship. African Worship Series, published Worship Feasts, published by Abingdon Press by Discipleship Resources (can be purchased from Cokesbury On-line) (can be purchased from Cokesbury On-line)

Reminder: Remember the theme for 2014 is Faith in a Digital World. When possible, make use of social media, technology and multi-media that help worshippers to learn ways of faith formation through digital means. Encourage youth and young adults to research the ways in which meaningful worship can take place through the use of multi-media and technology. Remember to cite sources and give credit for all work and music used in the context of worship.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church— Department of Christian Education Making disciples through "events that form and transform"

Sunday School Lesson: February 2, 2014

ADULT Sunday School Lesson Guide CYYAW14

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Hear and Do the Word James 1:19-27 Lesson Challenges for the Week People often talk about what Goal for the Learners will help others, but they do  To review the relationCheck around the church, the media, and the not take action. What will community to locate a project for which you ship expressed in the motivate them to take accould volunteer. This might be a one-time Scripture between event, or the project may require your time on tion? James says that hearing and doing the an ongoing basis. Determine what you can those who are both hearers word. contribute and commit yourself to action. and doers of the word prac To express feelings Help a child or teen take action by doing an age tice justice. about hearing and doing -appropriate project that will benefit others. God’s Word Explain the importance not only of knowing of God’s Word but also acting upon it.  To develop practical Review James’s definition of “religion” in 1:26strategies for taking 27. How does this definition relate to your own actions that adhere to definition? How does it relate to the wellthe Word. known definition in Micah 6:8?

Send an email to: sundayschool@thecmechurchced.org to receive this guide electronically each week.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church— Department of Christian Education Making disciples through "events that form and transform"

Sunday School Lesson: February 2, 2014

YOUNG ADULT Sunday School Lesson Guide CYYAW14

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Send an email to: sundayschool@thecmechurchced.org to receive this guide electronically each week.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church— Department of Christian Education Making disciples through "events that form and transform"

Sunday School Lesson: February 2, 2014

YOUTH Sunday School Lesson Guide CYYAW14

Hear and Do the Word James 1:19-27

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Lesson Challenges for the Week People often talk about what Goal for the Learners will help others, but they do  To review the relationCheck around the church, the media, and the not take action. What will community to locate a project for which you ship expressed in the motivate them to take accould volunteer. This might be a one-time Scripture between event, or the project may require your time on tion? James says that hearing and doing the an ongoing basis. Come back to your group to those who are both hearers word. discuss the relationship between actions and and doers of the word practhe Word.  To express feelings tice justice. about acting in ways Visit a nursing home and discuss the relationthat reflect God’s Word. ship between actions and the Word.  To develop practical strategies for taking actions that adhere to the Word.

Read Micah 6:8. Give examples of justice, kindness, and humility with God.

Send an email to: sundayschool@thecmechurchced.org to receive this guide electronically each week.

“8 Keys To Being A Better, More Effective Sunday School Teacher” By Rodney L. Pry, P.S.S.S.A. Executive Director Great Sunday school teachers are not born and they don’t magically become great overnight. Outstanding Sunday school teachers become great only as a result of a lot of hard work, dedication, study and prayer. What are the most important elements involved in turning an average Sunday school teacher into a great Sunday school teacher? Here are eight of the most important “keys” involved: KEY #1 – Continually strive to deepen your own personal faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. KEY #2 – Strive to learn more about the Bible and its application to your life and the lives of your students. KEY #3 – Pray more! There’s power in prayer! KEY #4 – Show greater concern and live for your students and their individual and collective spiritual, physical and emotional needs. KEY #5 – Devote more time, thought and energy in preparing each week’s Sunday school lesson.

KEY #8 – Never stop learning or trying to be a better, more effective teacher. Why is Sunday school important? Because of its primary purpose, Christian education – helping people of all ages learn about God’s Word – the Bible – as a guide for their lives. Why is the Bible important? Because of the central character of the book – Jesus Christ! And, why is Jesus important? Because, as He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And, why is being a Sunday school teacher important? Because, it is one of the best and most effective ways to carry out Jesus’ directive to “Go…and make disciples!” (Matthew 28:19) Why are you a Sunday school teacher? Hopefully it is because of your great love for Jesus Christ and your love for the students that you have been asked to teach. Teaching Sunday school is one of the most important jobs that anyone could ever have! Remembering that Jesus Christ gave his all for you, shouldn’t you strive to do your very best for Him?

KEY #6 – Keep the Bible at the center of every lesson that you present. KEY #7 – Make sure every lesson that you prepare and present is interesting and relevant to the needs of your students. 65

Youth & Young Adult Week Litany Y & YA:

As we celebrate Youth and Young Adult Week across the CME Church we hear Jesus calling us to “Go and Make Disciples.”

Congregation: We too hear and understand Jesus’ Great Commission to follow Him and make Disciples. Y & YA:

We read and hear the commission through various means in our culture.

Congregation: We know the Scripture as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. We hear the Scriptures read during worship and ponder and study them during Sunday School and Bible Study. Y&YA:

There are many ways in which the Scriptures can be shared in this digital age.

Congregation: We confess that we are not so willing to conform to the various modes of technology and electronic data when it comes to sharing our faith. Y&YA:

The word of God is communicated through mass media on a daily basis. From email to Facebook, to Twitter, Insta-Gram; the Bible can be accessed on the Internet, Smart-Phones, I-Pads, Tablets and pocket readers.

Congregation: It is just hard for us to accept and transition to these different ways of transmitting the faith Y&YA:

We are reminded of God’s words in Isaiah 43:19 “I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it?” (CEV)

Congregation: Yes we recall the words God spoke through the Prophet Isaiah, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?” (NKJV)

Youth & Young Adult Week Litany Y&YA:

We are responding to Jesus commission to “Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to do everything I have commanded.” But we are doing so in a digital world which means that our faith can be shared and transmitted through various forms of technology and media.

Congregation: We believe this and pledge to support you in your witness and commitment to be followers of Jesus Christ. We recognize that there is value in sharing faith lessons inter-generationally. Y &YA:

We value the stories of our faith tradition and love to hear the stories of our elders. But we too would like to share our stories and introduce new ways of learning.

Congregation: We remember Jesus prayer recorded in John 17 that “we all might be one with each other,” just as He is One with You. Therefore we seek unity in working together in a digital work to carry out Christ’ commission and learn authentic and creative ways of sharing the faith. ALL:

Thank you Jesus for the many ways in which you allow your Word to go forth and the gifts and graces you give every generation, young and old to share the Good News and carry out your work in bringing about the Kingdom of God. We thank you for our faith formation even in a digital world. Gather us and unite us as your called out people to be your witnesses in an ever changing culture from generation to generation. Written by Willa M. Ross, D.Min. Pastor, Collins Chapel CME Church, Memphis, TN

Faith In A Digital Age PRAYER OF CONFESSION We confess God that often we have failed to obey your commission to make disciples of all nations. We are guilty of single-mindedness and shortsightedness in our efforts to reach those who you have called us to minister to. WE have not done your will. We have not welcomed the stranger, we often failed to minister to the least of these and instead placed our focus on material possessions and self-interests. We confess that we have been reluctant to be obedient to your call to “Go and Make Disciples”. We have been slow to receive our calling as God’s people, created by God and sent into the world to witness to your grace and mercy in our lives. Forgive us O God for our lack of enthusiasm and sinfulness in failing to obey your Word. Remind us that we were created for your service and fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit to Go and Teach all Nations! Renew us O God and create a right spirit within us. Grant us courage to follow You and live out your way of peace and grace. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen!

WORDS OF ASSURANCE God has promised that whenever we repent, confess our sins and seek reconciliation with God, forgiveness is ours. We know God’s promises to be true. Sisters and brothers, know that in Christ Jesus, we are forgiven. Amen! Prepared by Willa M. Ross, D.Min. Pastor, Collins Chapel CME Church, Memphis, TN

Prayers for CYYAW14 PRAYER FOR YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS IN THE CME CHURCH God of Grace and God of Glory, We come during this observance of Youth and Young Adult Week in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church seeking your grace and love. We pray your blessings upon each and every youth and young adult, male and female, in every local church of our Zion. We pray that during this celebration they will be filled with the mystery of your consuming love and mercy. May they hear and understand your commission to “Go and Make Disciples,” and may they discern ways of growing in the faith even in a Digital World. Lead and guide them in making safe and good choices sharing their faith through social media and using technology in ways that build on the foundation established by God from the Beginning and attested to through the life, death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Pour out your spirit on them that they might prophesy and witness to the Good News of the Gospel. Grant them grace to engage in authentic ways of being the Church in ever-changing culture. May they know the importance and significance in hearing the stories of past generations and listening to and observing the journeys of their elders. Help them to discover their gifts which You have given them to be used for your Glory and then teach them ways of expressing and communicating the varied ways in which they can be used in the context to which you have called them to serve. May they serve with humility and be full of passion to serve in your Kingdom. Guard their hearts and minds and fill them with an unending thirst to know You more intimately. May their lives give witness to your sacrificial love that others might seek to be like them and come to know you as the One who saves us from our sins! Open their ears to hear the Word spoken through the Prophet, Isaiah, “Whom Shall I Send? May they hear your calling in the night and respond, “Here I am Lord, I Will Go Lord.” We thank you for your Son, Jesus who bids us to “Follow Him,” and we thank you for the gifts and graces give to Christian educators and pastors throughout the CME Church who have committed themselves to your teachings. May they continue to serve with enthusiasm, joy and purpose in nurturing and forming the faith of the youth and young adults you have entrusted to their care. In the name of One who bids us to “Go>,” Jesus the Christ. Amen! Prepared by Willa M. Ross, D.Min. Pastor, Collins Chapel CME Church, Memphis, TN

Faith In A Digital Age â&#x20AC;&#x153;HERE I AM LORDâ&#x20AC;? By James Kilbane I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard My people cry. All who dwell in dark and sin, My hand will save. I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright. Who will bear My light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have born my peoples pain. I have wept for love of them, They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, Give them hearts for love alone. I will speak My word to them, Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame. 70

I will set a feast for them, My hand will save Finest bread I will provide, Till their hearts be satisfied. I will give My life to them, Whom shall I send? Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night. I will go Lord, if You lead me. I will hold Your people in my heart.

Read more: James Kilbane - Here I Am Lord Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Music Lyrics â&#x20AC;&#x153;GO, YE THEREFOREâ&#x20AC;? As recorded by Shirley Ceaser Go ye therefore and teach all nations, go, go, go Go ye therefore and teach all nations, go, go, go Baptizing them in the Name of the Father The Son and Holy Ghost, go, go, go If you love Me, really love Me, feed My, My sheep If you love Me, really love Me, feed My sheep Lord, I'll be with You forever and ever Until the end of the world, go, go, go After Jesus had tabernacled here for 40 days Go, go, go It was nearing the time that He must go back to Go ye therefore and teach all nations, go, go, go the Father Baptizing them in the name of the Father And the Bible gives us to know that one day The Son and Holy Ghost Out on a lowly hill with eleven disciples standing Go, go; Go, go; Go, go, go around Him No doubt one of the disciples said, "Lord must you go?" Jesus said, "If I go not the Comforter will not come, but in the meantime I'm not gonna leave you comfortless But I want you to go ye therefore and teach all nations And I want you to baptize them in the name of the Father In the name of the Son, in the name of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things

Songwriters: Patillo Leon N Published byWORD MUSIC, LLC Read more: Shirley Caesar - Go Lyrics | MetroLyrics 71

Faith In A Digital Age â&#x20AC;&#x153;AWESOMEâ&#x20AC;? As recorded by Rev. Charles Jenkins My God is awesome, He can move a mountain Keep me in the valley, Hide me from the rain. Our God is awesome, Heals me when I'm broken Strength where I've been weakened, Forever He will reign. My God is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome My God is awesome and awesome, awesome, awesome My God is awesome, Savior of the whole world Giver of salvation, by His stripes I am healed My God is awesome, today I am forgiven His grace is why I'm living, praise His holy name He's mighty, He's mighty, He's mighty, He's mighty; Awesome, Awesome He's Holy, He's Holy, He's Holy, He's Holy; Awesome, Awesome He's Great, He's Great, He's Great, He's Great; Awesome, Awesome He's mighty, He's mighty, He's mighty, He's mighty;

Awesome, Awesome Awesome Deliverer, Deliverer, Deliverer, Deliverer; Awesome, Awesome Provider, Provider, Provider, Provider, Awesome, Awesome Protector, Protector, Protector, Protector, Awesome; Awesome My God is awesome, He can move a mountain Keep me in the valley, Hide me from the rain My God is awesome, Heals me when I'm broken Strength where I've been weakened, Praise His holy Name.

Music Lyrics “SHIFTING THE ATMOSPHERE” As recorded by Jason Nelson Our worship and our praise is shifting, Shifting the atmosphere ‘Til the heavens are open This praise is shifting Shifting, shifting the atmosphere

“EVERY PRAISE” As recorded by Bishop Hezekiah Walker Every praise is to our God. Every word of worship with one accord Every praise every praise is to our God. Sing hallelujah to our God Glory hallelujah is due our God Every praise every praise is to our God.

For breakthrough in healing Our worship is shifting, shifting...shifting the atmosphere It’s moving... and it’s breaking... This worship is shifting the atmosphere Shifting the atmosphere Every yoke is destroyed Every chain is broken This worship is shifting the atmosphere Shifting the atmosphere.

God my Savior; God my Healer God my Deliverer; Yes He is, yes He is Yes He is, yes He is (repeat) Every praise is to our God. Every word of worship with one accord Every praise every praise (repeat) Is to our God.

Faith In A Digital Age "A Teenager's Prayer" Each day brings new beginnings Decisions I must make I am the only one to choose The road that I will take I can choose to take the road of life That leads to great success Or travel down the darkened road That leads to great distress Please open up my eyes, dear Lord That I might clearly see Help me stand for what is right Bring out the best in me Help, Lord, to just say "no" When temptation comes my way That I might keep my body clean And fit for life each day When my teenage years are over I know that I will see That life is lived its very best With you walking next to me. Author: J. Morse

Prayer Dear God, I’m not an adult yet, and I’m not a child any more I am a teenager, Those simple, carefree days of childhood are gone. I miss them. I miss how I used to define my bestest best friend in the whole wide world As the person who loaned me money for the ice cream man I miss how we girls used to link arms on the playground and sing: “Boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider; Girls go to college to get more knowledge” I miss being little and cute And feeling like a princess in ruffly, lacy dresses Now I feel ugly and unloved, Feeling pretty only when I wear tons of make-up and fashionable clothes Now we girls fight over boys and boyfriends Instead of uniting against them Now my bestest best friends in the whole wide world Are the people who have stood by me through thick and thin Who have been there for me when I needed them Friendship is more complicated now, and harder too, though more rewarding. But, Lord, the thing I miss most Is my trusting innocence 75

Faith In A Digital Age How I was too young to know that You have more important things to worry about Than my lost pet kitten, my sore pinkie finger, and The keys I accidentally locked in the car I just prayed about those things and My pet came home, my pinkie healed And we found the spare car keys But now I have been disappointed by life so many times That I am afraid to ask, afraid to trust Lord, make me more like a child in my heart Heal the hurts that have made me so cynical And give me back my childlike faith Lord, being a teenager is hard. I want to fit in, and I want to stand out I want to be cool, but I want to be a light for You I hate my parents, I love my parents Life’s not worth living, life is full of joy I’m up, I’m down, I’m here, I’m there I’m one big bundle of contradictions I want to be younger, I want to be older I want to be anything but what I am Lord, You know all about my struggles And you’re there with me through these emotional times You’re my strength in all this turmoil Lord, I’ve grown up some, but I’m not done yet I’m not an adult yet, and that’s the hardest part of being a teen 76

Prayer I want so badly to be independent To do things my own way I don’t like to obey my parents I’ve got a mind of my own I want to make my own choices and do my own thing But I know I don’t have the experience that brings wisdom That I make the wrong decisions sometimes That my parents are trying to protect me, not thwart me. So please help me to accept that I’m not done growing And help me to accept authority Lord, as I grow up, I want to grow closer to You I want to grow into someone You can be proud of So shape me into the person you want me to be ‘Cause when I’m an adult I want my life to glorify You But I want to glorify You right now, as a teenager, too. ---Marion Emery

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Faith In A Digital Age “Create a Digital Outreach Training Day in Your Congregation” Why digital? As never before, there is an incredible potential of digital media to share the good news of Jesus, in an intentional but appropriate way. In the last eight years, the Internet has changed dramatically: the vast growth in digital access via mobile phones, including in the Majority World the advent of social networking, through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and many other niche networks growth of the video short on YouTube and elsewhere, to communicate visually, and often by storytelling. These three developments intertwine into what we might call a ‘three-fold cord’ of strength, echoing Ecclesiastes 4:12. Each gains synergy by functioning together with the other two. It is now simple and practical for any online Jesus-follower to engage in opt-in permission conversations across existing relationships with friends and indirectly to friends-of-friends, using perhaps all three platforms – social, mobile and video short. No longer is digital evangelism a specialism, needing writing or technical skills. Read more at Internet Evangelism Day http://www.internetevangelismday.com/blog/archives/10519#ixzz2kNVIUOsj

Links to On Line Learning The Unreached People’s Quiz http://www.internetevangelismday.com/dayframeforlinks.php?id=http://www.joshuaproject.net/ definitions.php&referer=/evangelism-opportunities.php&des=Unreached Check out these articles on-line: Mobile phones and other devices: The potential for evangelism Read more at Internet Evangelism Day: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/mobile-outreach.php#ixzz2kNUelOMv 80

Suggested YOUTH Activities Free Downloads http://www.internetevangelismday.com/free-christian-ebook-downloads.php Check out these sites Digital Faithwave - http://www.cru.org/campus/digital-faithwave.htm Everystudent.com Falling Plates A great video for youth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; check it out: http://www.everystudent.com/videos/plates.html Fuller Youth Institute http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/ YouthMinistry.com http://devozine.upperroom.org/ http://pewinternet.org/Presentations/2011/Apr/From-Texting-to-Twitter.aspx http://www.pewinternet.org/

Faith In A Digital Age Mentoring/Collaboration

Adopt a Family

Collaborate with your Youth group to establish a mentoring program and work within the churches local ministries. Establish a texting ministry within the youth group to document the service and upcoming events.

Choose a family to adopt for the year and find ways to anonymously bless them. Ways to bless them could be sending gifts on holidays, purchasing needed items and having them sent to the home, and sending a grocery or gas card throughout the year are just some ways you can bless them. Donate an emergency telephone. Assist with purchasing items needed to meet their technological needs such as tablets, ipods etc.,. Send inspirational notes via email, text, etc.,.

Join your Meals on Wheels or feeding program to provide meals to members in your church or community. Assist with coordinating the schedule via the electronic church calendar or

Begin/Enhance Your Prayer Ministry Work with your Evangelism Ministry and collect prayer requests via email in, in person, via text, or other social media avenues and pray for them each day or certain days of the week. Create a pray team and establish prayer partners. Commit to praying for them each day or on certain days of the week. Add a prayer request section to your website or enhance your website and incorporate intercessory prayer via the internet for all prayer partners and or warriors.

Choose a family to adopt for the quarter find ways to bless them anonymously or openly. Ways to bless them could be offering to babysit, purchasing needed items for the home, sending grocery cards, sending various types of gift cards, sending gifts on the holidays bringing dinners, having them over for fun times, or providing in home repairs or assistance. Send inspirational notes via email, text, etc.

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS Choose A Prayer Team Choose a Seasoned or older member of the congregation to adopt and assist them with weekly chores, spending time with them, providing them with assistance or linkage to social service needs, securitylink for identify theft, bringing dinners, having them over for fun times, etc., Ensure that they have an emergency cellular phone available. Send them inspirational notes via email, text, etc.,. Bless those who regularly serve others Bring breakfast to your Sunday School Teacher. Offer to wash the worship leaderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car. Present a prayer warrior with a hand-decorated journal. Bring the church secretary hand-picked flowers. Make cookies for a teacher, local fire station, or veterans group. Have a day for unsung servants/servant leaders. Incorporate a monthly unsung servant/servant leader award that is displayed via the technology ministry during morning worship.

Faith In A Digital Age PROJECT ADOPT Adopt a School Create a Teen Summit perspective with an area alternative school. Incorporate a speaker series that will expose the students to topics and experiences that they normally would not be exposed to. Do not limit yourself to local presenters due to budgets or time. Consider using â&#x20AC;&#x153;Skypeâ&#x20AC;? or Gotomeetings.com, Facetime, if need be to ensure the students obtain the resources. Adopt a Halfway House/Shelter Create a program that will assist them in obtaining resources eg. church pantry or clothing closet. This is so they have items for their first home after a new start in life. Offer them a safe place to worship as well and support. Help them to obtain resources like an unlisted cellular phone domestic violence survivors, low cost security systems, and other items needed to help assist in giving some form of security. Adopt a Park/Community Locate a park within your community that has a number of homeless individuals. Create a feeding program and collaborate with other churches/organizations in the area to provide 1-2 meals a day to provide meals every day of the week. Creating an electronic schedule and create a video log of the services provided. Each church/organization would also have an activity that they would incorporate the individuals in the park at least once a month. Provide discarded cellular phones to individuals to have for security purposes.

Please Note: Seek as many opportunities to partner with your churches ministries with the above activities.

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS

Faith In A Digital Age

Mission/Service projects can be fun! Children will come to love helping others in practical ways and also understand the reason for serving others. Prior to starting your mission or service project, lead a discussion with your children about why we serve others and how we can use the good things that we do to help others learn about God. Get the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention and build enthusiasm by telling them about the people they will be serving and how they will be helping them. Lead the children in praying for the people who will receive their gifts and in thanking God for the opportunity to show His love to others. Explain the mission/service project to the children and how they can participate. Make a list of any information the children and their parents need to know about the project you have selected (what the donations are for, date the donations are due, instructions to follow, etc.).

We have provided two service projects that can be done within your church family and two that reach out and affect your community. We are also suggesting two possible global/ worldwide mission projects that the children could be involved with during CYYAW14 and ongoing -- The Kids Mission Project through the Hands and Feet Project and the Freerice Project. Both projects are easy to do and will allow your children to make an impact in the world. All of our projects will help empower children with responsibility, engage their compassion, and offer them the chance to affect the lives of others. CHILDREN CAN MAKE A DIFFRENCE!

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS

REFRIDGERATOR MAGNETS Materials: Large sheet of paper 3-inch (7.5-cm) poster-board squares

Marker & Fine-tip markers 1-inch (2.5-cm) adhesive magnetic strips

Preparation: Arrange for magnets to be distributed to senior adults in your church. Procedure: Invite the children to tell ideas for pictures they could draw to cheer up others (Ex. Sun, happy, face, flowers, hearts). List the children’s ideas on a large sheet of paper. Next, have the children suggest messages that are encouraging (“God loves you and always keeps His promises!” “God says that He will never leave you.” “We care about you.”). List these ideas on large sheet of paper along with picture ideas. Explain to the children that they will be making encouraging magnets to give to the senior adults in your church. Hand out the poster –board squares and markers. Have the children draw pictures and write brief messages on the poster-board square. Next, have the students attach magnetic strips to the backs of the poster-board squares. Explain to the children that designing and preparing the magnets for the senior members of your church is a way of encouraging others and sharing God’s love.

Faith In A Digital Age

FRIENDSHIP SOUP Materials needed for each jar: Clean 32 ounce jar with lid (need 1 jar for each senior or shut-in member) Dry Beans placed in bowls for children to measure (you will need enough of the following beans for each jar – ¼ cup each of yellow split peas, lentils, black beans, kidney beans, great northern beans, pinto beans, and baby lima beans and ½ cup each of black-eyed peas, navy beans, and green split peas) 1 jar each of these seasonings: diced, minced onions; salt; dried thyme; dried rosemary; garlic powder; celery seed; dried basil; crushed red pepper flakes; bay leaves 1 small plastic bag (snack size) Measuring spoons and measuring cups (need several depending on number of children and number of jars being prepared) Photocopy of “Friendship Soup Directions” for each jar of soup to be prepared Hole punch 1 foot of colorful ribbon (one for each jar being prepared) Preparation: Contact your pastor or other church leader for suggestions of seniors and/or shut-ins. Make arrangements to deliver the friendship soup to the seniors and/or shut-ins. Procedure: Have the children work together to measure and pour the dry beans into the jars. After each layer of beans is added, have the children gently shake the jars to level the beans. 88

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS

Next, let the children measure and pour the following seasonings into the small plastic bag: ¼ cup dried, minced onion, ½ Tblsp salt, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp celery seed, ½ tsp dried basil, ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 2 bay leaves. Seal the bag while releasing extra air, then have the children tuck the bag into the top of the jar and tightly close the jar. Have the children punch a hole in the corner of the “Friendship Soup Directions” tag, thread the ribbon through it, and then tie the ribbon around the neck of the jar. Reflect on who will receive the soup mix that will provide a warm nourishing meal during this winter season. If possible have the children help deliver the Friendship Soup mix jars. The children will be reminded of God’s love and care by serving others. Close the session with prayer for the preparers and for those who will receive the Friendship Soup.

Faith In A Digital Age

SOCKS OF LOVE Materials: Bags of men’s and/or women’s tube socks Band aids Soap Wet Ones wipes Lotion Mouthwash Chap stick/Lip balm

Hand sanitizer Toothbrushes Ribbon

Note cards Deodorant Toothpaste Healthy Snack Bar

Preparation: Ask for donations of socks and travel sized items listed. Contact a local homeless shelter to make arrangements to deliver ‘Socks of Love’ to the shelter. Ask the shelter how many socks they could use and if they have any specific recommendations for what to include in the socks. Adjust the list accordingly. Procedure: Ask for donations of socks and travel sizes of the items you plan to put in the socks. A few weeks in advance prepare a donation flyer to distribute at church listing the items needed. Be sure to include how and where donations will be used and a deadline for receipt of the items. Upon collection of all the items gather the children together as a group to fill the socks and deliver them to the homeless shelter. Each ‘Sock of Love’ will include a new pair of socks (one sock stuffed inside the other and one of each of all the other personal care items. As each item is placed in the sock, talk about the daily needs of someone who is homeless. (Ex. Clean socks are important because homeless people don’t get to put their dirty socks in a laundry 90

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS

basket or wash them each day, mouthwash, toothbrush & toothpaste are important because many homeless people may have dental problems because they can’t afford to go to the dentist, etc.). With each item placed in the sock, the children will get a better understanding of how being homeless impacts even the smallest things in your life. Tie the open end of the sock with the ribbon and attach a note card with an encouraging message. Messages might be “God loves you and we do too!” or “Someone in (city name) loves you and is praying for you”. Take time to reflect on how the children’s act of providing warm socks and other needed items to the homeless is one way of serving and showing God’s love to others. When the assembly of the socks is finished, lead the children in prayer for the homeless recipients of their ‘Socks of Love’.

Faith In A Digital Age

CHEMO CARE PACKAGE Materials for each package: Journal and pen (for writing their feelings and prayers) Calendar (to help keep up with appointments) Hand Sanitizer (patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; immune systems are weaken, they need to avoid germs) Lotion (to help moisturize dry hands) Lemon drops and/or gum (Chemo sometimes leaves a bad taste in the mouth) Wisp Disposable toothbrush (also helps with bad taste in the mouth) Bottled water (to help flush the drugs through their system) 2 sets of plastic eating utensils (fork/knife/spoon) for each package (metal utensils make food taste bad) Lip balm/chap stick (for dry lips) Snickers or other snack bar (special treat) Warm socks, scarf, cap, or fleece blanket (optional â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to help them keep warm) Large gift bag or 2 gallon size Ziploc bag Note cards Preparation: Determine how many Chemo Care Packages you want to prepare. Contact a local oncology Clinic/ center to learn what items are most needed for their chemo patients. Adjust your list based on their suggestions. Make arrangements to deliver the Chemo Care Packages. Ask your congregation for donations of the items to be included in the Chemo Care Package. Set a deadline for receipt of items. Purchase additional needed items. 92

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS

Procedure: During Youth and Young Adult Week, gather the children together to assemble the Chemo Care Packages. As each item is added to the Chemo Care Package, explain why that item is needed or helpful to someone who has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Some children may have family or know church members or others who are currently receiving treatments. Chemotherapy and its side effects are hard for children and adults to understand. This service project/act of kindness can help children get a better understanding of some of what the cancer patient is experiencing. Add a note card to each Chemo Care package to let the patient know that the children of your church are praying for them. Upon completion of the project, take time to reflect with the children about how this act of kindness is serving others and making a difference in the lives of others. Make sure the children understand that by serving others, they are serving God and helping others learn about Him.

KIDS MISSION PROJECT The KIDS MISSION PROJECT is intended to help kids think globally and to empower them to make a difference in the lives of orphans. It is an incredibly easy to use, mission focused video series designed to incorporate into your existing Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ministry Curriculum. The DVD along with 100 KIDS BANKS can be ordered for free upon registration. Shipping and handling is $20.00. .

Faith In A Digital Age

VIDEO CURRICULUM We have produced five, high energy, educational videos. Each, four to five minute episode will highlight a different aspect of life in the Hands and Feet Children’s Village in Jacmel, Haiti. Your children’s ministry will be taken on a “Kid to Kid” adventure through the eyes of their new Haitian friends. Your children will learn about the daily lives of the H&F Kids… what they eat, where they sleep, what school is like, and how they worship Jesus. The videos are fun, encouraging, and inspirational. Our video curriculum is the perfect addition to your existing children’s ministry curriculum. The DVD also includes these resources: an implementation guide, artwork, and a description letter for parents. KIDS MISSION PROJECT SAVINGS BANKS The banks are for your children to take home and encourage their families to save together to help build a loving home for the needy children of Haiti. The banks are fun, informational and a great partner to the video curriculum your children will be watching at church. The funds collected from the KIDS MISSION PROJECT will go towards building new homes for children, and helping with the operational cost of caring for orphans. Additional banks can be ordered if needed. Shipping and Handling is $20.00 per 100 banks ordered. You most certainly can recoup the costs of the additional banks from your children’s gift to the Hands and Feet Project.

HOW IT WORKS The KIDS MISSION PROJECT can be adopted as your missions focus for a week, several weeks, several months or for an ongoing program. We plan to produce 5 new videos each year introducing new children from our Haiti family and telling their stories. We will also report on the progress of the new children’s homes and your kids will get to see how they made a huge difference in the lives of the kids in Haiti. We ask that you send the money your kids raise via check made out to Hands and Feet Project, with Kids mission project in the memo. (mailed to Hands and Feet Project, PO box 682105, Franklin, TN 37068) Questions? Contact us at… kidsmission@hafproject.org or 877.870.6175 For more information on this mission project visit their website at www.handsandfeetproject.org/kid-mission-project.

Suggested MISSION PROJECTS

FREERICE: FEEDING THE HUNGRY, ONE QUESTION AT A TIME Freerice is the world’s only trivia game that feeds the hungry in association with the World Food Programme (WFP). Freerice.com is a non-profit website that is owned by and supports the United Nations World Food Programme. The United Nations WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, reaching more than 97 million people in 80 countries with food assistance last year. World Food Program USA (WFP USA) works together with WFP to solve hunger globally through fundraising advocacy and education in the United States. Your Children’s Ministry can help end world hunger by supporting freerice.com. The children don’t have to donate money, just their time. On this trivia website, for each question answered correctly, 10 grains of rice are donated to WFP to help end hunger. In countries where rice is a staple part of the diet, WFP provides an average of about 400 grams of rice per person, per day. That is intended for two meals that include other ingredients. There are about 48 grains of rice in a gram. This mission project will allow children to contribute toward helping end the world’s hunger problem while also learning through trivia questions presented on various subjects. In January 2014, we will create a CME Church Children’s Ministry group on this website so we can track the amount of rice donated through our children’s ministry efforts. Each children’s ministry will be able to join our group and be tracked in our totals at that time. For more information visit the website at Freerice.com

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Faith In A Digital Age â&#x20AC;&#x153;God Is the Key to Your Teen's Healthy Self-Esteemâ&#x20AC;? by Cecil O. Kemp Teenagers see imperfections in themselves that other people either don't see or choose to overlook. They perceive flaws in their physical appearance, the way they walk or talk, and so forth. Often they dwell on these, magnifying them into monsters! Life experiences also can cause them to question their worth and even blame themselves. Examples are setbacks in school, sports, or personal relationships. Others may struggle with being part of a broken home. Negative perceptions and experiences frequently lead teens to a sense of inferiority and other negative feelings. They may try to deny those or improvise, modify, or hide them. Denial and deceptive behaviors are destructive and inhibit teens from unconditionally loving and accepting themselves as God does and seeing, as He does, the spiritual value of their weaknesses. Teenagers are living messages we send to the future. One of life's most rewarding endeavors is being a mentor to them. Our priorities should be pointing them to their "higher im98

age" and cultivating within them a better selfview. We need to create a loving and secure environment and provide godly personal examples and counsel. Consider these five means for achieving those priorities. Lead teens to Christ Coming into right relationship with God through faith in Jesus is the spiritual experience that lays the foundation of self-esteem for Christians. It is pivotal to real improvement in

Additional Resources your teenager's confidence and satisfaction. The moment we accept Christ as Savior, we are a new creation-spiritually speaking (2 Cor. 5:17). The real us, our inner spirit, literally changes! We are transplanted into the King's family. As sons and daughters of royalty, our emotional, spiritual, and mental makeup completely changes. The way we see ourselves should change, along with the One in whom we place our confidence. We should see ourselves as the highly favored, preferred people of God.

He should become our source and sufficiency. Our satisfaction should come from pleasing Him. Humanistic philosophies teach that life is what we make of it. Scripture teaches a better way-life is what God and we make of it together. When teens' confidence and satisfaction rest in Him, their self-esteem soars, and they achieve God's purpose in their lives. Train teens to walk in the Spirit Allowing the Holy Spirit to work through our weaknesses is the key to achieving true-life excellence. Modern culture insists that the keys are relying on self and personal strengths such as intellect, appearance, and so forth. In Galatians, Paul shared the importance of walking in the Spirit. When we do, the Holy Spirit inspires us to fall head over heels in love with Jesus. He empowers and equips us to live the better life on this side of heaven. To walk in the Spirit, we must do two things. First, we must make a conscious choice to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us and make us like Jesus from the inside out. Second, we must make a conscious choice to allow the Holy Spirit to direct and control our moment-by-moment decision making. 99

Faith In A Digital Age As we do these two things, the Holy Spirit produces in us these nine Godlike character qualities: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and selfcontrol. He uses these character traits (God's wisdom and eternal Word) as His raw material to renew our mind. The Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ. Confidence and faith in God are not natural traits. Neither are Godlike virtues. They are acquired and nurtured qualities that result from allowing the Holy Spirit to make us Christlike inside. Only then can our teens truly see that they are unique and special. Their weaknesses and deficiencies are God's opportunity to work in their lives. As teens walk in the Spirit, their feelings of inferiority dissolve or are minimized. In times of Bible study, prayer, and solitude, they receive God's unconditional approval and this increases their self-esteem. They move away from destructive self-criticism and positively go on with their lives in vital union with Him. Through that connection at the heart, they are secure and possess the inner strength and courage to grow confidently into their adult years. Share how service fulfills and satisfies

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On a recent morning, I marveled as I observed a family of five healthy and happy squirrels playfully running about in our front yard. Winken, Blinken, Nod, Moe, and Curly were having a blast. They were unconcerned with the things that consume most humans' attention and time. They were not busy chasing money and material possessions and did not seem to quarrel over territory or titles. Just as God cares for the squirrel family, their great Caretaker has commissioned us to

Additional Resources let His Spirit work through us to do His most important work-serving others! This should be the priority of our lives and is a key principle we need to teach our teens. In living this way, believers can be just as satisfied and fulfilled as some of history's greatest people. Teach teens to let go When I look back at my teenage years, I can still feel the joys, the triumphs, the heartaches, and the pains! There was the thrill of my first

date, the pain of my first rejection, and the anxiety of the first day at college. Such are the dreams and trials of a young person preparing to conquer the world. Our teen years are a time when we don't have everything figured out and there are still great mysteries to solve. Those are the days when the world is waiting to be discovered! Growing older makes it easy for us to forget a teen's passions, fears, innocence, anxiety, and pains. We allow the stresses of living to beat the wonderment of life out of us. And, sometimes we become so focused on our own disappointments and pain, we may overlook those of our teens. But, what is true for us is true for our teens. For example, in our own strength and wisdom, it is very hard to let go of disappointments, hurts, mistakes, and failures. And, if we continue to mourn or live in the past, we forget to live in the present, and the future is put on hold. Yet, if we, as well as our teens, allow the Holy Spirit to shape and live through us, difficulties are no longer road barriers. Instead, they become teachers of God's wisdom and sources of inspiration. Our teens are able to gain new strengths and grow. By educating them this way,

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Faith In A Digital Age your teens can see the storms in their lives as learning experiences that birth inner landmarks, teaching and changing them for the better. Be supportive of them during their life trials because their dreams can be trampled. Remind them God gives the spirit of love and a sound mind, not a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7). All fear can be conquered when faced head-on, hand-inhand with God. Encourage them not to cower in corners, but to learn from the past with confidence in God's plan for the future. Teach them to leap from the grip of fear and grow, as they challenge, explore, and conquer the waiting world. Encourage their God-given dreams When I was a teenager, my great-aunt Gillie McKinley was very influential in my life. Her words were always uplifting. She allowed the Spirit of Christ inside her to influence me through her words of encouragement. She made me feel 10 feet tall and inspired me to dream big dreams. In little accomplishments, Aunt Gillie saw the possibility of great things. She took the time to pleasantly and continually compliment me for small triumphs and to remind me that faithful-

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ness in little things is the doorway to opportunities for achieving big dreams. Oh, how all adult mentors need to emulate Aunt Gillie! All teens need an Aunt Gillie. Pleasant words like hers are like honey from a honeycomb and life to the soul. Pleasant words of encouragement positively affect a teen's outlook, his feelings, effectiveness, and productivity. Every teenager has dreams. They may be

Additional Resources modest; or they may be all consuming; but dreams are in their hearts. When teens share them with us, we need to encourage them by acknowledging their dreams as important and attainable. Our encouragement can be the nourishment for the miracle hidden in our teen's heart to spring forth. Too many teens focus on limits like others' expectations, education, appearance, handicaps, age, race and gender-a nearly unending list! While boundaries are scriptural, those type of

limits are not and only serve to prevent your teen from pursuing and fulfilling God's best. We should be an important part of making their God-given dreams come true. Encourage them to dream in partnership with Him, and when they share those dreams, say "Why not?" By encouraging teens to listen to the beat of the different drummer and to dream big (and wisely) we become part of God's plan to help our teens become all He created them to be. Praise and kind words cost nothing, but accomplish much! In closing, I offer an observation, a question, and a challenge: We have two lives. There's the one we learn with and the one we live afterwards. What will you do with what you've learned from this article? I challenge you to be a difference maker every day. Encourage your teens to desire a close relationship with God. The closer they get to God the better they will feel about themselves. Recognize and nurture the dreams, efforts, and accomplishments of your teens-whether or not they meet the expectations of society or of you. Cecil O. Kemp, Jr. is a CPA; life, business, and financial coach; and sought-after speaker. Following a successful business career, Cecil, with his wife, Patty, founded The Wisdom Company to equip and empower people to emulate Jesus in every aspect of their lives. 103

Faith In A Digital Age “How Saturated Are We? “ Recently, Pew Internets’ researcher Amanda Lenhart released a helpful little presentation about the Impact of Technology on the Lives of American Teens. In this little slideshow, Lenhart tries to cut through the hype and get straight to the facts about exactly how media saturated Americans are. Here are some of the specifics you might find noteworthy from her study—a great summary about how plugged in teenagers are today:

93% of teenagers 12-17 are online—the largest percentage of any age group. Only 8% of families with teens have no computer, and only 4% of homes with computers don’t have access to Internet.

80% of teens 12-17 own a game console. 75% of all teens have a cell phone. A typical teen sends about 50 texts per day. Most teen cell phone users make 1-5 calls per day. 31% of teens who take their phones to school send text messages every day during class time. 73% of teens are on social Internet sites (like Facebook). Only 8% of teens use Twitter (compared to 37% of 18-24 year-olds—the largest percentage of any age group).

14% of teens now blog, compared to 28% in 2006. A copy of this presentation can be downloaded for free at http://pewinternet.org/ Presentations/2011/Apr/From-Texting-to-Twitter.aspx 104

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Faith In A Digital Age â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building a Generation of Culture Creators, Not Culture Consumersâ&#x20AC;? Our students have grown up in a society that teaches them to be culture consumers, but we don't have to let them stay that way. Our desire is for our youth to influence culture rather than being influenced by it. It's our job to renew their thinkingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to teach them how to be culture creators.

Start by engaging your students in discussions about whether pop culture aligns with their faith. To aid in these discussions, check out ministries such as The Colson Center that provide ongoing analysis of current events through the lens of a Christian worldview.

Shift Worldviews

Show the Way

In Romans 12:2, Paul instructs us not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. I think Paul was on to something here. Getting our students to influence culture won't happen through a one-time, motivational speech. True transformation must come from a renewed mentality.

Just as our teens have had years of practice exercising a consumer mentality, we need to provide continual practice to break that thinking. Create a series of messages around the

Partnering with the Holy Spirit's work in their lives, we must teach our students that our outward behavior is a result of our internal formation. It's our job to help students build a solid spiritual foundation and demonstrate how it looks to live and defend a Christian worldview. We need to teach students that being culture

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creators often means daring to ask the hard questions, choosing not to compromise ethics, and refusing to follow the crowd when popular thinking defies biblical commands.

Additional Resources themes of giving and serving. Challenge and encourage students to look at life through a different lens, one that reflects the attitude of Christ as described in the second chapter of Philippians. As you teach students about considering the interests of others, don't forget to provide immediate opportunities to put service into action. Involve youth in challenges that involve students reaching out to someone sitting alone at school during lunch or binging in canned goods for the food ministry. It also can be powerful to select a specific ministry to support throughout the entire teaching series. Ministries such as Operation Christmas Child, a project that delivers gift-filled

shoeboxes to children in need overseas. Each week during the series, ask students to bring in specific items: toothbrushes, school supplies, soap, toys, etc. To make it fun, have contests among grades and genders. At the end of the series, celebrate with a giant shoebox packing party. Using the items they have brought in, allow students to fill and pray over the shoebox gifts. It's always inspiring to see how such small efforts result in a pile of gifts for children who will receive great joy for Christmas. Through the process of pairing teaching with action, students are given a taste of what it can mean to influence culture, not just be defined by it. Let Them Own It Try introducing a new element during CYF gatherings. Have youth to to share about a project he or she is passionate about. Studies have shown that if one youth has a heart for a particular issue, there are likely a dozen other youth who share the same passion. Rather than adults encouraging them to take action, they are challenged by their peers. When asked whether they want to make money or make a difference, overwhelmingly youth reply, "Make a difference." This generation of

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Faith In A Digital Age youth is craving the opportunity to know their lives matter. We want youth to take action— and not just for things organized by adults for our youth ministry. It's our responsibility to equip our youth with the tools and courage to take a stand on their own. Involve Parents We all know there is much to teenage life outside the walls of our churches. Fortunately, God gave us the gifts of parents and adult leaders who can be advocates in the lives of our teenagers. Youth leaders are called to point parents and adults to tools that help teens evaluate their interactions with culture. Below are some on-line resources: Focus on the Family's Plugged In—an online resource that provides reviews, from a Christian perspective, of popular entertainment, including the latest movies, music, TVs and games. CPYU (Center for Youth/Parent Understanding)—an online resource with seminars, publications and radio broadcast to help parents understand culture so they can help their students impact culture. How to Interview Your Daughters Date—a Dennis Rainey book with invaluable insight on 108

how to protect your daughter and help her set boundaries for healthy relationships. Get Creative The vast majority of students today don't really have a lot of needs, but they do have a lot of wants. During the holidays especially, it's easy for students to slip into a consumerist mentality. Still, hefty advertising budgets can't stand against the Word of God. We have the opportunity to help teens be grateful for all they have and to look for ways to serve others by pointing to the One who can meet their real needs. Start looking in your own community for opportunities. Is there a local school or children's

Additional Resources home that you could adopt? What about a juvenile correctional facility? Do you have foster care families in your area that could use some help? Get creative. Try something new. Think in terms of "What if weâ&#x20AC;Ś" and run with it. The idea may flop, but it also may be the best idea you have ever had; it might also help youth switch mindsets as never before. Risk it, and go for it! A great life lesson is to show students that being a servant doesn't always require money or manual labor. There are people who are lonely, hurting and want nothing money can buy. All they really want is someone to talk to, to remind them they are loved and not forgotten. Whether you challenge students to pack shoe-

boxes for children overseas or encourage them to visit a local nursing home to eat lunch or play games with the residents, the message is the same: Put your faith into action and look for ways to serve. Youth will walk away feeling blessed, and Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40 when He said, "Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for Me" will mean more to them than they ever imagined. Jeff Dyeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Youth Worker.com

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Faith In A Digital Age “eFormation Conference Held at Virginia Theological Seminary” Digital tools are used by individuals and families of all ages every day. At the doctor’s office the tools help schedule appointments and conduct tests. Schools use digital tools for learning and sharing student progress with families. At the grocery store items are scanned for prices and purchases are paid with the swipe of a card in a digital machine. Family photos are shared instantly and weather conditions are always available, thanks to digital tools. All of these applications-and moresupport our daily life. So how might we imagine digital tools in our journey to support Christian faith formation for families and individuals today, as we explore God’s story and creativity in the world? For three days in May, several hundred pastors, ministry staff, volunteers, and caring adults gathered at Virginia Theological Seminary to attend “E-Formation – faith formation for a connected, digital world,” a conference designed to explore opportunities, learn digital technology basics, and imagine possibilities for how to support and nurture families and faith through digital tools. Lief Kerwald, VibrantFaith@Home Team 110

Leader for Vibrant Faith Ministries, shared his knowledge and experience around this question through one of the many workshops at the Eformation conference. Vibrant Faith Ministries offers, and is studying, how to support and partner with families and congregations in faith formation through digital tools. A portion of Kerwald’s workshop, “e-Formation with Families: analytics don’t lie,” provided insight into what our congregations might explore when engaging digital resources and learning experiences for families. Here are ten characteristics of effective digital tools for families: K I S S . . . Keep It Simple & Short: Activity must be easily understood, and should last no more than 10 minutes (developmental flexibility). Give It Legs: Activity can be designed to do a short bit everyday for a week, or month, or season. If They Build It . . . They’ll Use It: Activity has a creative component that is developmentally appropriate and not too complicated. Season/Event Connected: Activity harnesses existing energy and enthusiasm for season or event in the home. Family Moment Connected: Activity is design

Additional Resources to integrate with key family moments such as meal time, bed time, car time, leave-taking, homecoming, etc. Life Stage Connected: Activity responds directly to a felt developmental need. Learn Something New: Activity offers religious information that is compelling, honors learning styles, connects to family living, and connects to deeper issues of life, death, deep meaning. Model in Gathered Setting: Activity(s) are more likely to be done at home when modeled in the gathered setting.

tal tool. The gift is present in God’s story. The tools are the gift to tell God’s story. More on the eFormation Conference and conference resources at www.eformationvts.org/ conference-materials More about Vibrant Faith Ministries and the Vibrant Faith@Home ministry at www.vibrantfaith.org This entry was posted in CYF News, River Crossings and tagged August 2013 River Crossings, children, CYF, CYF News, family, feature stories, resources. Bookmark the permalink.

Depth: Whether heads, hearts, or hands, the activity takes users to a deeper level of growth. Hits Home: Activity is more than just relevant, it touches heart and soul with just the right thing at the right moment. Digital tools are imagined and developed, thanks to the curiosity and innovations of God’s creative people. They may serve us well, when applied thoughtfully and with purpose. Learning and sharing God’s story is achieved through many tools, whether a papyrus scroll, a bound book, a work of art, oral storytelling, or a digi-

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CYYAW14 Resource Contributors Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Department Chairman - C.M.E. Department of Christian Education

Carmichael D. Crutchfield, Ph.D. General Secretary - C.M.E. Department of Christian Education

Julie Lytle, Ph.D. Faith Formation 4.0 Author & M3 (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Message, Method, then Mediaâ&#x20AC;?) Founder

Willa M. Ross, D.Min. Pastor, Collins Chapel C.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tenn.

Charles L. Coney Certified Christian Educator Technology Consultant - C.M.E. Department of Christian Education

Eartha Grimes Special Projects C.M.E. Department of Christian Education

Rev. Juanita Payne Office Assistant and CUS Member C.M.E. Department of Christian Education

Armisha Walker-Harrison Connectional Young Adult Ministry Director C.M.E. Department of Christian Education

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Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Department of Christian Education P. O. Box 16507 Memphis, TN 38186-6507 Telephone: (901) 345-4109 Fax: (901) 261-3289 126