3:16 Always Be Ready

Independence Day

Pledge of Allegiance

America is not our home! Scripture makes it clear that we are passing through this world.

Heaven is our home!

What are teens facing today?

At the end of our service I will share with you a plan of attack for our teens.

Show video.

Teen Statistics

More than 45 million deaths in our country since 1973 due to abortion

Most students admit they wish they would have waited. I never met someone who says they wish they didn’t wait until they were married. I’ve met many who have said they wish they did wait until they were married.

“Never again can you be a virgin.”

A fifth (21 percent) of today’s 8th graders, over a third (36 percent) of 10th grade, and about half (48 percent) of all 12th graders have taken any illicit drug during their lifetime.

“Cohabitation. Between 50% and 60% of all American marriages begin with the partners cohabitating. Yet living together before marriage increases the chances of divorce in a first marriage. 67% of cohabitating couples eventually divorce vs. the first marriage norm of 45%. The number of cohabitating couples has soared from about 439,000 in 1960 to more than 5 million in ’08. About 10% of couples who married between ’65 and ’74 lived together before marriage vs. more than 50% today.

60 percent of America’s rapists, 72 percent of adolescent murderers and 70 percent of long-term prison inmates grew up without a dad.

The more students were involved in intergenerational worship before graduation, the better they held to their faith in college, according to Powell. Worship with adults of all ages offers opportunities for young people to experience the support and encouragement of many in the church, not just other youth or a youth leader

About 1/2 of teenagers have been exposed to pornography. Take appropriate steps!

“The Chronicle of Higher Education says more and more 17-and 18-year-olds are coming to colleges as freshmen depressed, on psychotropics, feeling lost and valueless. When you raise an entire generation in a relativistic, purposeless world where there is no living God, people drift around aimlessly.” (“Author Rebecca Hagelin”

“The suicide rate climbed 18 percent from 2003 to 2004 for Americans under age 20, from 1,737 deaths to 1,985. Most suicides occurred in older teens, according to the data – the most current to date from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Teens face unimaginable things today. What are we as parents and we as the church doing about it?

Always be ready!

1 Peter 3:13–17 NIV

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Back to school rally

Aug. 20th - Special Sermon for teens by teens.

Aug. 24th - Bible Buddies Back 2 School Bash

Aug. 25th - Special Movie Night - I’m Not Ashamed

Aug. 26th - Youth Rally with special speaker and band

Aug. 27th - Church Picnic