Today in youth service, I attempted to get the general heart beat of the students. Basically I asked the question that most youth leaders hardly ever ask. What do you want to learn about? I mean let's face it, over the last 7 months I have been putting together messages based on the key things we (as adults) would desire our students to know before they graduate. Now don't get me wrong, we are still sticking with this plan, I just merely wanted an idea of what the kids had to say. I don't know if they were all honest with me, or if they were just giving me the "Sunday School Answers" that they thought I wanted to hear but they seemed genuinely interested in some deeper topics. It was kinda cool. These students are great, I'm sure you know that and now we have a better understanding of what areas there is a real need for growth. All in all it was a good Sunday
Key Scripture
Acts 2:42-47
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Coming up in February on Wednesdays
In February we have a new series called, "A New Kind of Love Song". This series is based primarily out of the Book of Song of Solomon. We will be looking into the world of relationships between a man and a women in the way God intended it.
Topic we will cover include:
- Attraction
- Courtship/Dating
- Marriage
- Love and Affection
This is a topic and the youth long to and need to hear about and it would be a disservice not to teach on the topic that quite frankly interests the the most. This series will start the 1st and go through the 29th. I understand that some parents might have reservations about this series, I'd invite you to come check it out for yourselves, heck you might even learn something. We would love to have you.
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
Foundation Night Recap 1/25/12
Wow!!! We had an awesome night last night. Had so much fun with all of you students and leaders.
So last night we had another skit, this one was called, "The Virtual Varmint". In the skit you had two guys, one who is concerned because he hasn't seen his friend around and the the other, who's had his life consumed by a certain technology. The technology is a virtual pet that is so needy that its owner is incapable of doing anything else but take care of this crazy gadget. The two friends then decide they need to rid themselves of this technology but the pet fights back. An awesome struggle ensues and the friends end up freeing themselves of this useless thing and getting back to their lives.
We used the skit to lead into our message on taking care of our bodies. We talked about how a fast food diet, although it may taste good, might not be the best for us in the long run. We then compared it to a health food diet and the fact that it is healthier for us but the desire just isn't there. We compared the diets to our spiritual life; fast food equally the world, might be fun but spiritually leads to nothing and healthy food equally God who makes us alive inside but we don't always have a desire to walk with Him. We used the analogy of Gatorade's slogan, "Is it in you?" But instead of talking about the drink, we were talking about the Holy Spirit.
All in all, it was a super night. Worship was awesome, Thomas and Caleb did a ton of work to maximize the sound quality and plus the stage now looks cool too. Some sweet stuff going on in youth ministry and I'm just thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of it.
Key Scriptures
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Romans 8:9
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
So last night we had another skit, this one was called, "The Virtual Varmint". In the skit you had two guys, one who is concerned because he hasn't seen his friend around and the the other, who's had his life consumed by a certain technology. The technology is a virtual pet that is so needy that its owner is incapable of doing anything else but take care of this crazy gadget. The two friends then decide they need to rid themselves of this technology but the pet fights back. An awesome struggle ensues and the friends end up freeing themselves of this useless thing and getting back to their lives.
We used the skit to lead into our message on taking care of our bodies. We talked about how a fast food diet, although it may taste good, might not be the best for us in the long run. We then compared it to a health food diet and the fact that it is healthier for us but the desire just isn't there. We compared the diets to our spiritual life; fast food equally the world, might be fun but spiritually leads to nothing and healthy food equally God who makes us alive inside but we don't always have a desire to walk with Him. We used the analogy of Gatorade's slogan, "Is it in you?" But instead of talking about the drink, we were talking about the Holy Spirit.
All in all, it was a super night. Worship was awesome, Thomas and Caleb did a ton of work to maximize the sound quality and plus the stage now looks cool too. Some sweet stuff going on in youth ministry and I'm just thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of it.
Key Scriptures
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Romans 8:9
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Foundation Night Recap 1/18
Boy do I love Wednesday's
Last night was a blast. The students got to see Caleb's and my acting ability, or lack there of, in action again. We started the message time out with a skit called "The Unhappy Meal". It involved 2 characters, a fast food employee who for some reason is crazy happy and a customer who is down in the dumps. Through a dialogue we come to understand that the unhappy customer is unhappy because he is a Christian. He views Christianity merely as a set of rules of what not to do and it has really got him down. He has failed to see the point that there is much joy in living your life for the Lord. It was a great night.
We also started "Tribes" sign-ups last night. Tribes are new to our youth ministry. They are designed to be an accountability group for the students. If you would like more information on "Tribes" please contact me.
Key Scriptures
Philippians 4:4-9
Ezra 6:16-22
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
Last night was a blast. The students got to see Caleb's and my acting ability, or lack there of, in action again. We started the message time out with a skit called "The Unhappy Meal". It involved 2 characters, a fast food employee who for some reason is crazy happy and a customer who is down in the dumps. Through a dialogue we come to understand that the unhappy customer is unhappy because he is a Christian. He views Christianity merely as a set of rules of what not to do and it has really got him down. He has failed to see the point that there is much joy in living your life for the Lord. It was a great night.
We also started "Tribes" sign-ups last night. Tribes are new to our youth ministry. They are designed to be an accountability group for the students. If you would like more information on "Tribes" please contact me.
Key Scriptures
Philippians 4:4-9
Ezra 6:16-22
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
Winter Camp
Hey ya'll
We got back from winter camp and boy did God move. We had a heck of a time getting there, we might not have made it all if it weren't for Bill's awesome driving abilities. Anyway after a long drive we made it just in time for dinner. It was a great dinner too, I just want to know why camps always serve beans at one of the meals. I mean the cabin is going to smell bad enough with 12 guys in it, must we add another element to the melting pot. Anyways, back on topic. We discovered that the theme of the weekend was "Wise up rise up". Myself and the rest of the leaders were very excited to see what God had planned for our students.
The chapel times were special. Our students were having an amazing time joining in praise and fellowship in the name of the Lord. The band (David Gaulton) was great, they added amazing energy to worship time that was quite contagious, I caught the bug for sure. Our speaker (Darin McWatters) brought his A game, delivering God directed messages based out of the Book of Proverbs on the topic of wisdom. So good, I learned, the kids learned, all in all it was a success.
The best part of the winter camp experience was the bonds that were formed. We are a much tighter group because of this trip. I know God hand-picked people for this trip and it shows. Yay God, thank you so much for your goodness and unfailing love, I can't wait for next years winter camp................
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
We got back from winter camp and boy did God move. We had a heck of a time getting there, we might not have made it all if it weren't for Bill's awesome driving abilities. Anyway after a long drive we made it just in time for dinner. It was a great dinner too, I just want to know why camps always serve beans at one of the meals. I mean the cabin is going to smell bad enough with 12 guys in it, must we add another element to the melting pot. Anyways, back on topic. We discovered that the theme of the weekend was "Wise up rise up". Myself and the rest of the leaders were very excited to see what God had planned for our students.
The chapel times were special. Our students were having an amazing time joining in praise and fellowship in the name of the Lord. The band (David Gaulton) was great, they added amazing energy to worship time that was quite contagious, I caught the bug for sure. Our speaker (Darin McWatters) brought his A game, delivering God directed messages based out of the Book of Proverbs on the topic of wisdom. So good, I learned, the kids learned, all in all it was a success.
The best part of the winter camp experience was the bonds that were formed. We are a much tighter group because of this trip. I know God hand-picked people for this trip and it shows. Yay God, thank you so much for your goodness and unfailing love, I can't wait for next years winter camp................
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday 1/1/2012
Wow, it has been a long time since I've had something to post on here. This Holiday season break is killing me, we are so ready to kick youth ministry into full gear.
This Sunday message was on the Kingdom of Heaven and what a treasure it is. We talked a bit about how rich all of us are, in comparison to the rest of the world. I then asked the question, "Do you think our riches get in the way of our walk with God?" I then read two different passages from the book of Luke, two different people that had two very different responses to Jesus' teachings. One walked away defeated and one sold what he had and gave to the poor. One man got the message and one missed it completely.
Sometimes I wonder if God is up in heavens looking down on us struggling to choose between Him and these other earthly things. I feel like He must be just screaming out "You Idiot!!! How can Madden Football 2012 be more important than ME?" He is right, after all He is God. He created everything and we are so small. We would have to be crazy to put other things in front of Him, yet we do it all the time, myself included. God hates this, in Revelation He states that He wants to spit us out because we are lukewarm. God would rather us be hot or cold, be so far gone or on fire, but not a little bit of both.
I really challenged the students, it being New Years and all, that what ever they might be thinking of for a New Years Resolution, this is better. A resolution to love God in the way that He deserves, to worship Him in the way He has instructed, and to seat Him in His rightful place at the forefront of our lives. After all, this life means nothing without Him anyway, so then why would we strive for anything else?
Key Scripture
Luke 18:18-30
Luke 19:1-9
Revelation 3:14-18
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
This Sunday message was on the Kingdom of Heaven and what a treasure it is. We talked a bit about how rich all of us are, in comparison to the rest of the world. I then asked the question, "Do you think our riches get in the way of our walk with God?" I then read two different passages from the book of Luke, two different people that had two very different responses to Jesus' teachings. One walked away defeated and one sold what he had and gave to the poor. One man got the message and one missed it completely.
Sometimes I wonder if God is up in heavens looking down on us struggling to choose between Him and these other earthly things. I feel like He must be just screaming out "You Idiot!!! How can Madden Football 2012 be more important than ME?" He is right, after all He is God. He created everything and we are so small. We would have to be crazy to put other things in front of Him, yet we do it all the time, myself included. God hates this, in Revelation He states that He wants to spit us out because we are lukewarm. God would rather us be hot or cold, be so far gone or on fire, but not a little bit of both.
I really challenged the students, it being New Years and all, that what ever they might be thinking of for a New Years Resolution, this is better. A resolution to love God in the way that He deserves, to worship Him in the way He has instructed, and to seat Him in His rightful place at the forefront of our lives. After all, this life means nothing without Him anyway, so then why would we strive for anything else?
Key Scripture
Luke 18:18-30
Luke 19:1-9
Revelation 3:14-18
In His Grips,
Kevin Hasenfus
805-922-8479 ext. 107
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