Frontline 10/28

What we did this week:
This past Sunday, we talked through Genesis 15.  We made our major focus on the nature of the covenant that God made with Abraham.  Once again, we see God entering into a covenant relationship with humans.  Much like the covenant God made with Noah, the Abrahamic covenant is God promising to do certain things and taking full responsibility for it.
We also continued a conversation that had started at the corn maze on Saturday night.  Students were asking  about what Christian doctrine says about suicide.  We covered a few different responses to the questions.  While we did not arrive at a concrete answer, we affirmed our belief that the Biblical narrative reveals a God who is both just, and merciful and graceful.  God will ultimately decide.

What we're covering next week:
Sorry for the late post here. For this coming Sunday, I want you each to spend some time looking for Bible verses that use the word "election" (or elect, elected, etc.) Read through some of them. I'm not asking you to read every verse in the bible about election, but spend some time thinking about it. 

If you don't know what election is, spend 15 minutes on google and look around to see what you find. Please don't believe everything you read, though :)

Remember, our meetings are only as good as your preparation for them! (hint: that is me trying to make you feel like you should prepare).

Announcements:
Please remember to check if you are available on Friday, Dec. 7 for a fun night with Frontline.  This would likely start in the evening with bowling/roller rink/other and pizza, and end at the church with games and movies. 

Remember to find someone to cover for you if you cannot work at the corn maze for your shift.

We will continue to sit together at the front of church each week. You're more than welcome to join!

Frontline 10/21

What we did this week:
Last night, we talked about Genesis 6-9 which is the story of Noah's flood.  We focused primarily on God's faithfulness through the story.  Even through the smallest details like God shutting Noah and his family into the ark, we see that God is ultimately in control.  Not only does he provide faithful guidance to Noah about how and when to build the ark, but he also shows mercy to all of Noah's family.
We spent the end of the study time talking about the covenant that God makes with Noah.  It is an unconditional covenant, which means that God promises to do certain things regardless of human response.  However, it also does have commands in it (do not eat meat with lifeblood still in it and do not murder).

What we're doing next week:
Next week, we're going to dive into some particularly tough themes: Election and God's covenant with Abram.  The key text will be Genesis 15, but I encourage you to read from Genesis 11-14 as well.  I know that may seem like a lot, but it's only 5 chapters total--one a day with a day off!  It will help you understand the larger movement of the text.  If you're not familiar with what election is or what it means, try to find some information on that for next week.   This will be a chance for a great discussion with questions and feedback.

Prayer Requests:
We didn't take specific prayer requests this past week, but remember to lift each other up throughout the week.  We are a group of  Christian teens meeting together to grow in our faith in God and our capacity to love him and others.  We need all the prayer we can get for such an important task!  Also, be mindful of your friends at school and the larger area.  Prayer is of huge importance, so never underestimate it!

Announcements:
-Don't forget to come to the corn maze at 6:30 or so on Wednesday night to start planning for the haunting
-Also, we need everyone to be there on the 26th and 27th to help haunt it, as well as the 31st for turnk or treat!
-This week, we talked about the possibility of gender-separate book or DVD studies for next year
-Please start checking your availability for a fun night on Friday, Dec. 7.
-If you have any questions, you can always e-mail me at danunekis@gmail.com

Frontline 10/14

What we covered this week:
This week, we finished our discussion on Genesis 1-3.  The major things we chose to focus on were a) The power of God's word in creation b) God's pure existence in trinity c) The implications of man and woman (both) being created in God's image.

We also spent time in a method of prayer that we haven't explored much yet--spending time lifting up prayers for our friends gathered around us, then thanking God for the many blessings we have, and finishing with a song (a benediction of sorts).

What we're covering next week:
Next week, we are going to look in depth at the story of Noah.  Please read through Genesis 6-9 before coming to Frontline.  Remember, my teaching style is largely based on your willingness and ability to engage with the information, and making space for questions.  The more you do beforehand, the more you will get out of our time together!

And now, for a blog-readers-only special offer! The first three people to e-mail me one song (each) is what we will sing next week.  I'm not posting this on facebook, so whoever reads this first, shoot me a song suggestion!

Prayer Requests:
Please remember the prayer requests we lifted up tonight.  Remember, God is concerned not only with our petitions for his action, but also with our voicing his thankfulness and praise!
Pray for God's mercy and grace in the lives of friends, for those who have health concerns, for family members who are suffering, and for God's continued provision and blessing.

Announcements:
- First off, let me encourage you not to give up on the corn maze.  Weather has been HORRIBLE and nobody is to blame for that.  However, we still need to do everything we can to make this a success.  Currently, we have not yet broken even, so we really need to push hard these last few weeks.

-If you are a non-facebooking member of frontline, please either talk to a fellow frontline student about the recent message or e-mail me at danunekis@gmail.com for a special announcement.

-Let's continue to sit together during church on Sundays!  It's a great experience for us to see our peers around us during worship, and I think it's really encouraging for the rest of the church to see you all taking church seriously and being involved.

Frontline 10/7

What we covered this week:
Last night, we began our discussion over Genesis 1-3.  We started by asking some of the questions that came up as we read throughout the week in preparation for our meeting together.  Students asked questions about where other people came from (such as the wives of Cain & Abel, the cities that Cain feared after killing Abel, etc.)  They also began to probe deeper for answers as to why other ancient near east cultures also share similar stories to those recorded in the Christian Scriptures.

Our main focus on Genesis 1 was on the power of God's words.  God spoke everything into being.  The phrase "And God said" was instrumental in an ancient Hebrew interpretation of Genesis 1.  Often times in our current world, we get tunnel visioned when reading the first few chapters of Genesis.  Well meaning Christians decide the most important thing we can do is try to fight about the timing in which God created things, rather than the way in which God created them.  God's words are infinitely powerful, and the reverberations of God's original speaking things into being is still seen all around us in creation.

What we'll cover next week:
Next week, we will continue to look through Genesis 1-3.  I am planning to increase the time we have for digging into Scripture to allow for more people to voice their questions.  Get ready for a great conversation on Genesis 1-3, and come with whatever questions/comments/concerns you have about the text!  Also, next week during our time of worship and praise, I will introduce a few new songs that have been suggested by frontline students.

Announcements:
-Bring a Bible with you to frontline each week! Don't have one? Talk to a sponsor or me and we'll get you one.

-If you are participating in the Bible reading plan (BiRP) at church, please remember to read Genesis 1-3 another time before next week.  If you are NOT doing BiRP, please try to read through it 3 different times.  

-Please remember to call as many people as you can to get the word out about the corn maze!  Success is not guaranteed--it takes your hard work!

-A reminder that while we absolutely want your friends who are not working to come to the maze, we need all non-frontline members to pay to go through the maze, and all non-working frontline members to pay for their concessions.  No tabs, please!

-The frontline sponsors and I will be getting together in the next 2 weeks to talk about some details concerning planning a mission trip.  Please let your voice be heard in that process! Come to any of the sponsors or me if you have questions or comments.

-Meet up in the back of the church before the service if you want to sit together as frontline.  We will continue to venture into no man's land at the very front of the sanctuary :)  Remember, that means we have to be on our best behavior and remain attentive!

-Remember, we need your help on October 26&27 to haunt the corn maze, as well as the trunk or treat on October 31!

Prayer Requests:
-Safety and business for the corn maze
- Olivia's grandpa has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  Let's remember to surround her with prayer and encouragement during this time.  Also, drop her parents a note of encouragement letting them know the youth of Forest Grove are walking through this difficult time with them.  Never underestimate the power of reaching out to someone in a time of suffering.
-For frontline in general! Pray in thanksgiving for what God has done in this group, and pray in expectation for what he will do in the future.

Introduction

Greetings to all!  This blog is for the Forest Grove high school youth group (Frontline).  I communicate with the frontline students primarily through facebook, but in the interest of getting our information out to more people, I decided to start this blog. 

Please pass this address to all who may want to keep up with Frontline activities, announcements, etc.  For frontline students in the facebook group, you will not necessarily need to check this blog frequently.  It will be helpful to browse through a post if you miss frontline for a week, but other than that, I will still use facebook for primary contact. 

My hope is that either I or a frontline sponsor will update this page weekly with a brief update on what we covered in frontline the previous Sunday, what we're going to cover the next week, and any other pertinent announcements.  E.G. come to the corn maze!!!

Lastly, please check out the sister blog for BASIC--www.fgrcbasic.blogspot.com