Hey there verge crew! so its a new year, full of possibilities and opportunities. Our biggest New Year Change so far is that we are now meeting at OAKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH on wednesdays. Starting at 5:50 for pancakes/waffles, prayer, and fellowship…followed by normal verge at 6:43…also check our “events” to see what we’re up to
Here at Verge we dont do New Years resolutions, we focus more on new year commitments! We are committed to following Christ, seeking His face, and serving His people. And to get the new year kicked off right, i have added a handful of new year commitments that you can join us in…
Improve Your Prayer Life
Simple enough, right? Just get better at praying. It’s not that easy. A lot of Christians make this resolution and soon fail, because they take too big a step at first. If you’re not used to praying often, jumping into an active prayer life can be a daunting task. Maybe start off praying each morning when you get up, or even while you brush your teeth. Start off giving five minutes to God. Then maybe try adding another five minutes. Soon you’ll find that you’ll start going to God more often and for more things. Don’t worry about what to talk to Him about, just talk. You’ll be amazed by the results.
Read Your Bible in a Year
Getting into the habit of reading the Word is also a common New Year’s resolution for many Christians. There are plenty of Bible reading plans out there that guide you through reading your Bible in a year. It just takes discipline to open up the book every night. You may not even want to read the entire Bible, but rather use a year to focus on a specific topic or area of your life that you want God to help you improve. Find a reading plan that works for you.
Help Other People
God calls on us throughout the Bible to do good works. Whether you adhere to the idea that you need good works to get to heaven, like Catholics do, or not, like most Protestants, helping others is still a part of a Christian walk. Most churches have outreach activities or you can even find local volunteer opportunities through your school. There are so many people who just need a bit of assistance, and helping others is a great way to set a Christian example.
Get Involved in Church
Most churches have youth groups or Bible studies geared toward you. If not, why not be the one to get a group together? Start your own Bible study or put together an activity that some of the other Christians at church can enjoy. A lot of youth groups meet one day a week, and those meetings are a great way to meet new people who believe and can help you grow in your walk.
Become a Better Steward
One of the most challenging issues for Christian teens is the idea of stewardship, which is the process of tithing. Most Christian teens don’t make a lot of money, so it becomes harder to give. Typical teen activities like shopping and eating out make it difficult to have money left over. However, God calls on all Christians to be good stewards.
Use a Devotional
Reading your Bible is an essential part of anyone’s Christian walk, because it keeps your head in God’s Word. Still, using a devotional helps you take the concepts in the Bible and apply them to your everyday life. There are numerous devotionals available for Christian Teens, so you should be able to find one that fits your personality, interests, or your place in your spiritual growth.
Plant Some Seeds of Faith
How many times have you evangelized to friends or family. Make it your goal this year to talk to a certain number of people about your faith. While it would be great if someone converted or “got saved” through your discussions, don’t get too caught up on that number. You’d be amazed how many people will end up believers from a discussion you have about what God has done in your life. It just may not happen while you know them. Also, use platforms like your Facebook or MySpace profiles to demonstrate your beliefs. Plant many seeds of faith and let them grow.
Get to Know Mom and Dad Better
One of the most difficult relationships in a Christian teens’ life is with his or her parents. You’re at a time in your life when you are entering adulthood and want to start making your own decisions, but you will always be your parents’ child. Your different viewpoints make for some interesting conflict. Yet, God dictates that we honor our parents, so take some time to get to know Mom and Dad a little better. Do things with them. Share bits of your life with them. Even a small amount of quality time with your parents will go a long way in helping your relationship.
Bring Someone to Church
A simple idea, but it takes a lot of courage to ask a friend to come to church. Faith is something most Christian teens have difficulty discussing with non-Christian friends, because it is often something very personal. Yet, many Christians would never have come to Christ without that one friend who asked them to come to church or talk about their beliefs. For every person who might shoot you down, there are two or three other people who will be curious about why your faith is so important to you. Taking them to your youth group services or activities can help show them why.
