Bible study this week

Our small groups have completed the second week in their series titled "Better Together." We're continuing to see how we as followers of Christ need the local church as a place to grow together and fulfill God's plans and purposes for our lives. This week, we examined several New Testament passages that describe how the church is a body and a family.

Most of us battle one of two tendencies: We either see ourselves as better than we really are, or we see ourselves as less significant than we really are. It's vital that we grasp Paul's message in Romans 12:3: Have an honest evaluation of who you are. Some translations use the word "sober" to describe this evaluation. Don't think too highly or lowly; recognize that you're valuable, essential, important-and so is every other follower of Christ.

Our job is to find our unique roles in the body, the family, the puzzle, or the team, and then help others find their roles, too. We need to discover, develop, and use our spiritual gifts, passions, abilities, and experiences to honor God and serve others. Our junior highers may not have a clear sense yet of how they've been uniquely created, but they can begin exploring that question now. They don't have to wait until high school or adulthood.

I'd encourage you to find an opportunity this week to talk with your teenager about our lesson. Here are some questions that might generate some good conversation:

* How does it make you feel to know that through Jesus, we experience adoption into God's family?
* What do you think your "special function" might be in the youth group or church? How do you see God possibly using you to make a difference in other people's lives and honoring him through your service and involvement?
* What can you do to appreciate and encourage people who serve behind the scenes in our church in roles that other people might consider "less important"?

February

Our new wednesday night Bible Studies are up and running. This week we started a new series called Better Together. In this short 3 week series we will be looking at the church and our place in it!
Next Friday February 11th is our first all youth event. This event will usually be the first friday of every month, but this month it will be on the SECOND friday. (just to confuze everyone :) It will be 7-9pm in the youth room at CBC. Come hang out and bring a friend!!!
Lastly don't forget about our Crab Feed fundraiser, this is your chance to reduce your price of camp!!! So SELL TICKETS!!!! If you need flyers go to the church website http://www.carmichaelbiblechurch.com/events/Crab_Feed_Flyer.pdf