2010 YEARLY PROGRAMMING Face to Face With Jesus Preparing our bodies and mind for the second

coming of Christ This yearly program is divided into 12 blocks. With the exception of the rst block (introduction), the blocks can be used in any order. Feel free to mix and match as much as you want. Only three program ideas are offered in each block to allow for any local church or holiday programming that may be happening. The idea is to promote the health principles of our church, while looking forward to the second coming of Christ. A special block is dedicated to abuse awareness, as sadly enough, this has become a growing issue in our church today. The topics spell out NEW START PAYS, and is further dened as follows: Nutrition Exercise Water Sunshine Prayer Abuse Awareness Youth Evangelism Second Coming

Temperance Air

Rest

Trust in God One of the biggest source of ideas and resources nowadays is the internet. It is important to remember, however, than when using the internet, you should only use reliable sources. The following are a few reliable and good websites where you may nd ideas and materials: www.gnycyouth.com (you can always call the office as well for any questions) www.gcyouthministries.org www.adventistyouthministries.org www.adventistyouth.org www.gilead.net

Remember that there are also very good resources in books that are available through the Adventist Book Center. 52 Sabbath Activities for Teen Groups, by Don Pate (ISBN 0-0280-0941-4) 7 Principles for Youth Ministry Excellence, by Jim Feldbush & William Hurtado with Ron Whitehead (ISBN 1-57756-019-1) The ABZs of Adventist Youth Ministry, by Stuart Tyner (ISBN 1-57756-066-3) Youth Ministry Handbook, by Youth Department of General Conference

BLOCK 1 Introduction: A NEW START PAYS 1. NEW a. Text Message: 2 Timothy 4:6-7 b. Discuss why the athlete was not able to participate in the race. Why do we need to prepare for things? Why are nutrition, exercise and water important? c. Discuss what is our spiritual nutrition? What are our spiritual exercise and water? What do we need to do in order to be successful in life? 2. START a. Divide the group into 4 different groups and give out a different word (sunshine, temperance, air, rest) to each group. Tell them to elaborate on why their word is the most important to life. Give them supplies to make posters, etc. so that they can get their point across. Give them about 10 minutes each to discuss and plan their approach. Then give each team a certain amount of time to present their word. b. End with Trust in God, by using the following story: The Spider There was a man who was being chased by evil men who wanted to kill him. This man, running on the road, turned off onto a trail leading him straight into the woods and waited. In his desperation, he started to pray. Almighty God, please send two of your heavenly angels and make it so that they hide the entrance to this trail. That way, those men wont be able to nd and kill me! At this moment he heard the men approaching the trail he was at, and he saw a small spider walk onto the trail. The spider started to make a web at the entrance of the trail. The man, now even more desperate, he started to pray once again. Lord, I asked for angels, not a spider. Please, use your powerful hand and place a barrier at the entrance of this trail, so they wont nd me! He opened his eyes, expecting to see a wall or something like it, but all he saw was the spider weaving its web. He heard them men now at the entrance of the trail, and he knew now was his end. As they started to enter the trail he heard them say: Come on, lets follow this trail! No, cant you see theres a spider web here? Nothing came through here. Lets keep looking for other trails Faith is believing in what you cant see, persevere in light of the impossible. Sometimes we ask for walls in order to feel safe, but God asks us to have faith in Him and let His glory manifest itself by creating a simple delicately woven spider web, to give us the same protection as a great wall.

3. PAYS a. Start by showing a video regarding abuse awareness (there are many different ones at www.youtube.com. However, please watch them in full before showing them at your meeting, as some are very graphic, and only you know what your group can handle). b. Divide the audience into smaller groups and have a discussion about the video showed c. Introduce Youth Evangelism and the message of the second coming, reiterating how important it is to reach out the community in order to show/teach them about the message. You can mention any upcoming youth week of prayer/ evangelism. d. Have each group then leave the walls of the church and walk through the neighborhood in order to offer prayer for people. This will be a good way for the youth to start reaching out to the neighborhood and provide spiritual services for them. It would be a good idea to have either a card or a pamphlet with the churchs information so that the group may give it to anyone they may pray with.

BLOCK 2 Nutrition 1. This touches on our nutrition is and what is should be. a. Start by showing a clip of the movie Super Size Me. You can even use YouTube, as you may already nd a short edited version there. Allow a small group discussion on the images shown. b. Have a cooking class on a healthy alternative, vegetarian cooking class. This needs to be hands on, so that they young people may be able to actually learn to cook something healthier. 2. Use readings from E.G.White regarding nutrition to make a game. (You can look for quotes in the Ellen G. White Library at www.gilead.net) a. Divide the audience into 4-6 groups (depending on the audience size) b. Have different quotes printed on paper, but split in half. Distribute 2 quotes to each group and have them try to match the beginning and the end. A representative for each group will need to present and defend their match. c. Each time a quote is presented is a good opportunity for discussion. 3. Daniel and His Friends. a. Make a drama regarding the account of Daniel and his friends and their nutritional choices and how that reected their faith. b. Make sure to tie it all together with our own faith.

BLOCK 3: Exercise 1. The Biggest Loser a. Emphasize the importance of being healthy, not necessarily thin. b. Advertise the exercise incentive of the walk-a-thon to be held later this month/ year. 2. Finding the Medium through exercise a. Discuss the extremes of weight gain/loss. What is too thin or too large? You may use pictures, videos, etc. b. Close the program by concluding with our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. c. Text Message: I Corinthians 6:19-20 3. Have an outdoor program a. This can be done with hike, walk, race, etc. b. Make sure to end any program with a spiritual message

BLOCK 4: Water & Air 1. Physical need for water & air a. Have everyone hold their breath. See who can hold it the longest. What did it feel like right before they gave up? Then discuss what it would feel like living without water. b. Show what pollution is doing to our air and water. You can show a video, pictures or even invite someone to come speak to your group. 2. The Woman at the Well (2 ideas) a. Text Message: John 4 b. Idea 1: Talk about the clean water that can be found in Jesus and the dirty water we may be carrying around (or even reaching for). Discuss on how we can go from this dirty water to the clean water that He offers us. c. Idea 2: Divide the audience into two groups and ask them to re-enact the account of the woman at the well, but make it modernized. How would this event happen if it was to happen today? Allow time for planning, then time for the presenting. A discussion on the water that Jesus offers us should follow and close the program.

3. Breath of Life; What are you inhaling? a. Pose the question what are you inhaling? Remember that we need to be breathing in the word of God. Are you allowing pollutants (TV, music, games, idols, etc.) to contaminate your air? b. Touch upon the breath of life, and how it can be taken away. This is a good way to introduce our fundamental belief of death and resurrection. You can nd it at www.adventist.org/beliefs.

BLOCK 5: Sunshine 1. The Source a. This program focuses on the source of light, Jesus Christ. Compare is to an outlet, where wed have to plug in to carry out His light; or maybe a light we would use to reect His love. 2. Plug it In, Plug it In a. This is a continuation of the previous program b. Focus on the different ways we can plug into Jesus in order to pass on His light/power/etc. 3. Shine Your Light a. Now that youve found the source and know how to plug into it, spread the light! This should be an outreach program.

BLOCK 6: Temperance 1. Time Management a. Start with a skit regarding the 10 virgins and how they did or did not prepare for the wedding. Make it so that the 5 procrastinate to buy extra oil because of other things they may be involved with (even if theyre not necessarily bad things). After the presentation, discuss what kept them from being adequately prepared. b. Discuss time management. What do you do with your time? Do you have too much on your plate? Remember the importance of knowing when to say no. c. Use the time management sheets attached and have the members ll them out to evaluate their own time management issues. 2. Are You Addicted? a. What are some things that people can be addicted to? Address how you would remedy these problems.

b. This would be a good program to invite someone in the medical eld to come and talk about substance abuse. c. Think about hosting a How to Quit Smoking in 7 Days course for the community. 3. Whats in a Budget a. Discuss nances and how to prioritize your expenses. b. Discuss what is and why we tithe. Remember to discuss the blessings that come along with tithing. c. Text Message: Mark 12:17 d. Use the video Gods Pie which you can nd at www.youtube.com. e. Look for someone (young person) who has a good experience to share regarding tithing.

BLOCK 7: Rest 1. Is Eight Enough? a. How much sleep is too much sleep? How much is too little? b. Present the appropriate items needed for good sleep. 2. Sabbath; a Day of Rest? a. Have a debate regarding how much rest we really get on the Sabbath. Make sure you present 2 extremes the person who just wants to sleep and the person who is involved in everything. Which is the right one; the medium, etc.? 3. Are You Spiritually Rested? a. Talk about church members will be involved for one part of their life, and how they choose to stop working for the Lord at some point, stating that they need to rest. Is this benecial?

BLOCK 8: Trust in God 1. Dare to Test Him a. Text Message: Judges 6:36-40 b. Discuss Gideons test to God. c. How can we test God? Why would we want or even need to do so?

2. I Will Not Let You Go a. Text Message: Genesis 32:24-28 b. Modernize the story of Jacob and show how you should not just give up. Show how God will give the blessing if we ask, and perhaps persists. It may not be the exact thing that we may want, but it will be the right thing for us. Emphasize to trust in His plan for you, not your own plans. 3. My Story a. This should be a program using the testimonies of different people and how God has acted upon their lives.

BLOCK 9: Prayer 1. Why Pray? Prayer of Jabez Part I a. Text Message: Mark 1:35 b. Oh! Bless me indeed Use Genesis 12:1-3, which is the story of Abraham trusting in Gods blessing. Pose the question are you ready for the blessing? c. Oh! That you would enlarge my territory Use Galatians 3:8. Pose the question do you allow God to enlarge your territory?, that is take over your life? 2. Does Prayer Change Anything? Prayer of Jabez Part II a. Text Message: Psalms 143:8-10 b. Oh! That your hand would be with me Use Romans 8 and touch upon how God will always be with you if you only ask Him to. c. Keep me from evil Use Judges 16 3. Prayer Problems a. Text Message: Psalm 61:1-4 b. Present the 4 things that should be done when we pray, so we can pray effectively. These are (1) Humble yourself before Him, (2) praise Him, (3) thank God, and then (4) ask for forgiveness. BLOCK 10: Abuse Awareness 1. What is Abuse a. Perhaps this could be done in a more relaxed environment, so that it promotes a good discussion.

b. Identify the types and forms of abuse (i.e. physical, verbal, cyber, emotional, mental, self). This can be done as a discussion or power point presentation; just make it interactive. c. Encourage young people to speak up for themselves and/or for others. Reiterate the importance of being truthful, and making sure that facts are conrmed (as wrong accusations can be very detrimental to someones life). What are the consequences of false accusations? 2. The Whistle Blower a. Write out different case scenarios of abuse (multiple types) in different pieces of paper. Distribute these amongst the group present (not everyone needs one) and have each person offer their reaction to the stated scenario. Each answer could potentially lead to a small discussion. b. Identify support mediums that could be available to any victims. This could include any support groups, but also the local church members, local conference members and so forth. 3. The Bully a. Make a drama representing a family, where the older sibling is verbally abuse to the parents, physically abusive to his younger siblings, and also so his peers. It is only one person who is being abusive in different ways to different people in his life. Perhaps hes also watching cyber videos of kids bullying other kids. b. Bring is a guest speaker to touch on the reason this person is abusive. It is important to point out how any of us can by this person, and how we make sure that we are not living this way.

BLOCK 11: Youth Evangelism 1. Looking back in time a. Use this program to reach out to the young people who are no longer attending church. This can be in the form of a concert, which is easier to accept. It would be interesting to have photos or video in between each musical number with groups from back in the days showing those young people involved in the church. b. This is a great day for an after party of sorts. Have a get together in a nonchurch setting (i.e. bowling alley, pizzeria). 2. Outreach a. This can be anything really, because we can spread the message by meeting needs. Whether it is supplying soup/sandwiches to the homeless, or simply music or listening ears too the elderly at a nursing home, make it an outreach event. If possible, give out literature (i.e. Steps to Christ) or invitations for any

church events, etc. You can also set something up at a local recreational center, which is a good place to nd young people. In this case, it is extremely important to have something to invite them back to your local church (a special event geared for youth) 3. Plan your week of evangelism/prayer during this block. Use as many resources available, and make sure to advertise as much as possible. The outreach project is a perfect advertising opportunity. a. Check out the video Comfort by onetimeblind at www.youtube.com. BLOCK 12: Second Coming 1. Revelations a. Invite someone to come speak to your group who can explain prophecy in Daniel and Revelations. This person should be knowledgeable enough to be able to summarize and use visual materials. If you do not know anyone, you can contact the conference office for any recommendations. 2. 2012 or now? a. This is in light of the recently release movie 2012. You may choose to show a clip or just show pictures of the movie. The point is to bring to light that, most importantly, we do not know the day or time of the Lords return. b. Text Message: I Tessalonians 5:2 c. Talk about the Great Disappointment. Was it of any help? What great things came from this event? You can use the clip The Great Disappointment by journey lms at www.youtube.com. 3. True or False? a. Make a list of real and false (make these really diverse and perhaps even absurd), and read it out loud for the audience. Allow them time to vote true or false on each item listed. This is a great ice breaker! b. Now talk about the real thing! What are we to expect when Jesus returns? 4. Whats heaven gonna be like? a. Have everyone close their eyes as you describe the scene of you all entering heaven. Be very descriptive; use lively imagery, mention scents and sounds. As you arrive in heaven, have the audience blurt out what they see. b. Show a nature video (you can nd short clips on www.youtube.com, or even go with a longer video such as Planet Earth by the Discovery Channel), showcasing the beauty of this planet. Then talk about how much more beautiful heaven and the new earth will be.