Yes and No

This past week, our new Student Ministries staffer, J.D. Lowry, talked to us about what it means when we say "Yes" to following Jesus. J.D. talked about the example of the prayer Jesus prays in Matthew 6:5-14. Jesus calls us to pray for God's will to be done, not for our own selfish desires to be fulfilled. Even Christ had to say "Yes" to dying on the cross for us when the time came! In the same way, we are called to say "Yes" to Jesus when He calls us to live for Him.

But when we say "yes" to God, we're also saying "No" to everything else. J.D. gave the example of his wedding day. When he married Susan, his wife, he was saying "Yes" to her, but "no" to every other woman. It is definitely hard to say "no" to all other things when we follow Christ, but in the end, it is completely worth it!

To get your conversations started, think about some of these questions:

When was a time that you had to say "Yes" to following Jesus?

Can you think of a time in your life when you had to say "No" to something because you had already said "Yes" to Jesus?

Why is it hard to say "Yes" to Jesus sometimes?

What is the hardest part of saying "No" to everything else?

How might God use you to confront someone who said "Yes" to Jesus, but says "Yes" to a lot of things that aren't in line with Jesus?

We're really pumped to have J.D. and Susan on staff now! Be sure to stop by and meet them if you haven't already done so!

Below is the text for our HSM Party at the Lake student release form. Feel free to print it and turn it in at the Warehouse, or pick up a copy at the Warehouse.

CONSENT AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY

I, ________________________________, hereby acknowledge that it is my desire (for my child) to participate in the NewPointe Community Church Sr. High outing to Tall Timber Lake, in New Philadelphia, OH, on August 16, 2009, as well as transportation to and from such activities.

I AM (MY CHILD IS) VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THIS ACTIVITY, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SUCH ACTIVITY, WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED AND HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT ANY AND ALL RISKS OF INJURY AS A RESULT OF SUCH PARTICIPATION AND TRANSPORTATION.

As lawful consideration for permitting me (my child) to participate in such activity, including the transportation to and from such activity, I hereby release and discharge NewPointe Community Church, its officers, employees, agents and members of the Leadership Team from all actions, claims or demands I and my heirs, distributes, guardians, legal representatives or assigns now have or may hereafter have for any injury or damages resulting from the negligence or other acts, howsoever caused, by such church, officers, employees, agents and Leadership Team, before or during my participation in such church-sponsored activities on and/or away from the church premises, including transportation to and from such activities.

I HAVE CAREULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND AN ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

This Consent and Release from Liability shall remain effective until revoked in writing and delivered to any officer, employee or agent of NewPointe Community Church.

Executed this _________ day of ____________________, 20 ______, at ___________________

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Signature