YouthDEVOZINE
The Upper Room has lots of different amazing resources for Youth. One great one, which is written by youth for youth, is called Devozine. There are wonderful articles and practices that engage and make connections with real life.
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SPENDING TIME ONLINEWith COVID-19 canceling many activities, time online has likely increased for everyone. Use this activity plan by Jolene Roehlkepartain to have a caring conversation about internet useFamily members tend to go off in their own worlds when they spend time on the Internet. Play this game to get family members talking about their Internet use and what they think about the Internet.
CREATING A HOMEWORK ROUTINEYoung people who are more engaged in school and complete their homework well are more likely to enjoy going to school—and also tend to do better academically. Work together using this activity by Jolene Roehlkepartain to make this happen.
Materials:
1. Say this prayer aloud to begin: God, be with us as we do homework and learn as much as we can at school. Amen. 2. Ask someone to read aloud Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Ask another family member to read aloud Philippians 2:4-15. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Ask another family member to read aloud Proverbs 6:6-8. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” 3. As a family, talk about these questions:
5. Give each family member a pen or pencil and a copy of the Homework Checklist worksheet. Talk through the checklist and create a homework area that works best for each one of your kids. 6. Make a plan to get together after the first day of your teenagers doing homework. Talk about these questions: What’s helping you complete your homework? Why? What’s distracting you? How can we eliminate the distractions? What else can we do to help you create a space and time to do your homework well? 7. Depending on each of your teenager’s self-initiative, some young people may need a lot of reminders from parents to do their homework every day (and to do it well without rushing). Others are more independent. Follow what each one of your teenagers need in order for them to do their homework well. 8. Create a family time to celebrate how hard your teenagers are working on their homework. |