Better Than Pizza

Parents, this week we taught students about "phileo" love, a love that is defined by being 'friendly towards.'
We challenged students to love the people they like! How can they say "I love you" in word or deed to the people they are already friends with.
In one sense, it's like asking yourself if you truly take the time to appreciate and thank the friends and family in your life.
And in a challenging way, are you being friendly towards (phileo love) to your immediate family? It's hard to show love to them because we take them for granted. And frankly we are up close enough to see the faults in our children, siblings and spouses.

How can YOU show phileo love to your family this week?

Take a listen to our Parent Podcast also!

A Dad Started a Daily Pledge with His Son

This dad, Jenabu Williams, recorded this FANTASTIC short video of his ride to school with his kiddo.
It inspired me to teach middle school kids about the importance of beginning the day with a positive outlook. I challenged students to never have a bad day in 2016. Impossible, right? Well, no, if we can just turn away from a victim's mindset about the 'bad' stuff happening during our day.
Jesus gave simple instructions to those who wanted to be his disciples in Matthew 16:24-25:

Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take
up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Three simple but incredibly deep concepts:

1. Deny yourself - root out all selfishness
2. Take up your cross - live a life of sacrifice
3. Follow me - listen to the voice of Jesus, our Shepherd, and follow him where He leads

We ended our morning on January 3rd with an activity that led each group to create a pledge that they could begin their day with. Here are some of the things your students came up with!