This year, for the summer session in our Footprints! youth group, the youth counselors are assigned to lead a session. We're splitting the guys and the girls into separate groups. The guys are led by a male counselor and the girls are led by a female counselor. The intention of these sessions are to address topics along the lines of "Being Godly Men and Women" (I think... *smirk*). The male/female sessions don't have to be on the exact same topic. In fact, we're splitting the guys and girls specifically to address different issues that may occur between or because of the two genders. After the message/discussion comes a practical and fun activity unique to each group.
My assigned session was initially planned for August 10th, but because of another church event, my part will be pushed back into September sometime. I'm handling the girls and my husband, Noel, will handle the guys. Our topic will be along the line of personal (physical) boundaries.
What in the world does "personal boundaries" mean? How am I going to give a message about this topic? What verses will I use? How can I make an impact using props to get the message across? It's so easy to tell stories and give advice... but how much of that advice and story will make an impact enough to change lives _before_ problems occur?
Looking back even now, it's easy to think things like "that situation happened to her, but won't happen to me" or "my situation is different from his, so what happened to him will never happen to me!" So how can I give a message that will break through the "it'll never happen to me" attitude?
Praying for the past month-and-a-half, slowly God, Noel, and I are working out the kinks in our individual messages. Noel's message will be along the lines of guys protecting the girls. It's going to be a different twist on the topic... but I can't tell you what it is until after the message. *so excited* Wish I could sit in on the guy's talk!
For the girls' portion, I want to address the tendency to give our bodies as gifts to the guy we like. A touch here, a touch there... what that does to our spirit, what a single touch can lead to... I want the girls to know that their bodies are precious, temple of God's Spirit, and should be saved for their future husband. Not just that, I want my youth girls to gain a clear, practical, understanding of WHAT consequences each choice they make has... and that everything the girls do or say _is_ a choice. The decision to speak up, to stay silent, to allow a touch, to stay in a situation... all of that is a choice. To feel hopeless or to not make a choice is a choice... there's no such thing as "I don't have a choice." Each decision, action.... there needs to be responsibility and acknowledgement of potential consequences. I will not make the choices for my youth girls, they will each make their own... their life is is _their_ choice, their mistakes to make... *scary* I want the best for my youth kids, but I can't _make_ them do anything... I can only pray that my message will open their eyes, even if only a little bit, to protect them in their future, to give joy... and because of the salvation available through Jesus Christ, to give my girls hope.
I know what props I'm gonna use (can't tell you yet because some of my youth kids are reading this and I want the night to be a surprise). I know that I want to talk about my physical boundaries (or lack of it) growing up and their consequences. I want to talk about choices I made that placed me in situations where I got physically assaulted. Then, I want to discuss how, even with the stain of being molested, God took that hurt and tarnish out of my spirit.
For the night's activity, me and the other female counselors will teach our youth girls basics of self-defense. *wide grin* I'm so excited... and today, after praying... I found the Bible verse that gave me an additional idea in how I want to give my message. Hurray!!! I'll probably use a portion of Romans 8:1-11... not quite sure what portion(s)... maybe something in this part of the Bible? Either way, this verse provided an improved idea in how to use my props and gifts to my youth girls. =D *happy*
Father God, thank you so much for your love! I give this future message, my intentions, my words and attitude into your care. May this message that Noel and I give really make a lasting impact on our youth. Father God, please open eyes and ears to hear your words, your intentions for us, your love for us. Give Noel and I the wisdom in what we say and do... please continue to piece together the message, the props we use, the pacing... everything I/we give into your more than capable hands.
And Lord, please also help with tonight's Footprints! message. Unexpectedly, I'm going to be leading... but I don't have everything planned! Lord, please step in and handle tonight... may we, as a group, be able to hear you clearly as we learn more about discerning your voice.
In Jesus' name I pray, amen!
Here's what I'm using for tonight's message guideline... my friend gave this to me:
I leave you with these verses:
Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death no life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anythings else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
