Getting into the deeper things

Last night we finished the movie "The Visitation" by Frank Peretti in youth group. It's very intense! But, I think it opened up a great opportunity to talk about deeper things with the youth group than what they would allow us to do before. Usually we're interrupted so many times by talking and many kids just not taking things too serious. But the movie really caught their attention last night. It led to a great discussion about the spiritual battle that is very real in everyone of our lives. I feel like we reached them on a very different level, and I am just praying that God will use that as a stepping stone to maybe get into some more deeper issues. Especially after finding out that some of these kids have been around oujie boards and their parents are into psychic readings and have brought them in to these situations.

Please pray for our youth group and also that God gives us the wisdom for any future discussions. These matters are very serious. We want to see these kids grow in Christ and have very personal relationships with Him. We're very proud of the changes (even the small ones that can easily get overlooked) that we see in our youth group. I'm thankful for the opportunity we have to be with them every week, because they have really helped my eyes to see some things in a very different light. Especially coming from the youth group I grew up in, where I had such great friends who lived for God, and helped keep each other in check. Every youth group is different, but I hope to one day see more unity in our youth group here in NJ! God knows our desires, and I pray and believe we will see that happen. :)