ESL Teacher Reference Desk

Secret Survivors

Everyone has secrets. Some you might whisper into a friend s ear, while others may stay locked inside you for years... maybe even forever. It's those secrets that you tuck away that eventually control you. You may think you're okay, but really, your secrets can be tearing you apart from the inside out. Secret Survivors tells the compelling, true stories of people who have lived through painful secrets - things that they kept to themselves until they could no longer bear the pain alone. As you read their stories, you'll be drawn into their journeys towards healing, and you'll understand why it's so important to share your secret with someone else in order to start your own healing process. Read the stories of people, who as teens and young adults, dealt with issues like: Date rape Physical abuse Cutting Pornography addiction Eating disorders Incest Drug and alcohol addiction Abortion You may find a story that sounds similar to your own secret pain, or you may learn more about secrets that a friend or family member is dealing with. Whether your own story is represented in these pages or not, you'll feel a connection to the people in these stories, because we all have some kind of pain tucked away. But you don't have to feel alone in your pain anymore. After you read the stories of these survivors, you'll find the strength you need to share your own secret and start healing your heart and soul. Jen Howver has worked with students for more than 10 years and has helped plan, promote, and run student conferences nationwide. She volunteers with the youth ministry in her local church and is proud to be a secret survivor. When she's not writing or hanging out with students, Jen can be found singing and dancing with her husband, Jay, and their daughters, Noelle and Chloe. Megan Hutchinson is a veteran youth worker who serves as a student minister at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. She's a secret survivor who also coauthored Life Hurts God Heals, an 8-step recovery program for students with unresolved pain and addiction. In her spare time, Megan and her husband, Adam, can be found at the beach, making sandcastles or surfing with their two boys, Jack and Parker.

One Minute Bible for Students

You’ve committed yourself to more Bible reading plans than you care to admit and you’re 187 chapters behind in your latest attempt. If this sounds familiar, then the One Minute Bible for Students is what you need to get back and stay on track. Do the math. There are 1400 minutes in a day. It will take you One Minute to read a passage of Scripture. “Hey, that’s doable!” Additionally, veteran youth pastor Doug Fields has contributed some great insights to help you apply these short, one minute Scripture readings to your every day life.Special one minute features include: devotionals commentary theological words defined in simple terms personality profiles unique, weird, and humorous facts . . . all designed to help you discover and fall in love with God’s love letter to you.The great thing about the One Minute Bible for Students is that you will never again get stuck in Leviticus for forty years. The One Minute Bible for Students moves you through the entire Bible—from Creation to the return of Jesus—in just ONE YEAR!The One Minute Bible for Students won’t replace your Bible. It will inspire you to take side trips into your Bible to see what came before and what comes after the passage you just read. These bite-size servings of Scripture are sure to increase your appetite for God’s Word.Let the feast begin!Doug Fields Doug Fields is pastor to students at Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, CA. He is author of more than forty books, including Purpose Driven Youth Ministry.John R. Kohlenberger, III John R. Kohlenberger, III is the author or co-editor of more than four dozen biblical reference books and study Bibles, including the award-winning NIV Exhaustive Concordance and The NIV Bible Commentary.

Relationships by Design College Super-Series

Ah, college. When dating actually becomes serious, instead of just seeming like life and death. And even if your students aren’t meeting their future spouse just yet, chances are they’re looking at dating with an eye as to what they want their marriage to look like. So now is a great time to dig into God’s love letter and explore how He designed relationships to work—both while dating and in marriage. Those interested in college ministry should not go without this collection of lessons.Lessons by Chuck Bomar include:God’s Design for Marriage Origin of Marriage Plan for Marriage Intimacy in Marriage Purposes of Marriage God-Given Roles in Marriage Condition of Marriage Today Male and Female - Equally Designed Male and Female - Distinctly Designed Ephesians 5:15-21 commentary – setting the context Ephesians 5:22-33 commentary – an in-depth look Further look at distinct roles Understanding application in our context/culture Dating Relationships Introduction Questions to ask in light of God’s design Questions to ask in light of God-given roles Questions for personally preparing for marriage

The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness

Most Christian college students separate their academic life from church attendance, Bible study, and prayer. Too often discipleship of the mind is overlooked if not ignored altogether. However, authors Donald Opitz and Derek Melleby issue a clarion call to students to integrate their faith and learning in The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness. Written for a narrative generation, this guide extracts illustrations from the Book of Daniel, The Lord of the Rings, the experiences of real students, and more. This book is an excellent gift for college-bound seniors in high school. It’s an essential text for first-year college students, too. The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness will also benefit professors, pastors, and parents. Donald Opitz (PhD, Boston University) is associate professor of sociology and higher education at Geneva College. He is the author of numerous articles and has worked as a pastor and a campus minister. Derek Melleby (MA, Geneva College) is the director of the College Transition Initiative for the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding through a unique partnership with the Coalition for Christian Outreach.

The Most Important Year in a Woman's/Man's Life

Your marriage could be one of history’s great love stories! As newlyweds, it’s time to ensure that your marriage can meet the challenges it will face right around the corner. Cultivating good habits during these first twelve foundational months of your marriage and knowing what to focus on will set the stage for years to come.Robert and Bobbie and Mark and Susan know that there’s a big difference between preparation and actual experience. This is your guide to actually dealing with all the things that come after “I do.” In this unique flip-over format, the chapter topics are the same but one half is written by men for the husband, and the other half is written from a women’s perspective for the wife. As a couple, you’ll each progress through your part of the book and meet somewhere in the middle.Become an expert on what really makes your spouse happy, and enjoy the benefits of a great partnership. Take an honest look at the family you grew up in: its unwritten codes, how it has shaped you, and the ways it affects your relationship with your mate. Learn how to speak each other’s “language” and appreciate the qualities each of you brings to your marriage.You’ll also get an eye-opening look at communication skills, secrets for a great sex life, budget basics, dealing with in-laws, navigating tough times, and much more. Above all, you’ll cultivate a spiritual unity that draws the two of you closer to each other as you draw closer to God.Start reading, and make this first year together what it was meant to be: the most important year in your life.

Simplify Your Life

If it seems like students are doing more today than they ever have before, it's because well they are. Everyone is busy and your students are no exception. In this series, Simply Your Life, Doug Fields takes a look at how the abundance of things to do slowly saps away any time we may have to spend developing the most important relationship - our relationship with Jesus and the people most important to us.Subtitled Making Space for Greatness, this series will help you challenge your students in how they prioritize their time. And it will help them develop healthy priorities that will have a positive impact on their spiritual, school and home life (you'll probably learn a lot too since youth workers are crazy-busy and Doug taught this series to the adults at Saddleback Church).Packed with Doug's humor, real-life stories and illustrations, this three weeks series breaks down as such...Week 1: Why Do I Say "Yes?" (Doug) Week 2: The Heart of the Matter (Saddleback teaching pastor Lance Witt) Week 3: Taking Action on Busyness (Doug)

Don't Buy the Lie

“I’m going to call a psychic.”“I want to cast a spell on my boyfriend.”“Let’s have a séance tonight.”Thousands of people make comments like this every day often thinking they’re just jokes and not knowing it’s all a big trap. TV and movies portray the supernatural as innocent, fun, even cool. Psychics seem like they really can tell the future.Don’t buy the lie. It’s not all fun and games.This book shows you how to think for yourself, and not fall for these lies. You’ll learn how to discern what’s real and what’s not; what the Bible says about the supernatural and what it doesn’t say. Discover the “thinking traps” that people fall into when a slight twist of the truth gets them heading toward disaster. With this book, you’ll be armed and ready to take on the lies that come your way.Mark Matlock has ministered to youth pastors and students for more than a decade. He teaches at PlanetWisdom conferences for teenagers, is the creator of PlanetWisdom.com, hosts the nationally syndicated radio program WisdomWorks, and is a columnist for Ignite Your Faith magazine. His most recent books are Living a Life That Matters and Smart Faith. Mark resides in Irving, Texas, with his wife, Jade, and their two children, Dax and Skye.

Every Teeanger's Little Black Book on How to Get Along with Your Parents

With 100,000 books already sold in the little black book series, author and youth minister Blaine Bartel now introduces five more titles to this growing book trend. Teens and adults alike love the short, simple lists and bullet points filled with humor and hard-hitting truths. These quick and powerful books are perfect for teens on-the-go and have sound scriptural advice that will help them succeed in life.Contents Include Freedom 2 Things Freedom Is Not 2 Mistakes Teenagers Make in a Desire for Freedom 7 Things a Parent Loves in a Teenager 3 Freedoms You Are Entitled to Every Day 3 Sacrifices That Will Guarantee Freedom Communication 3 Things You Must Tell Your Parents 2 Things Never to Tell Your Parents 7 Questions to Ask Your Parents in the Next 7 Days 4 Keys to Communicating Well 3 Secrets of a Good Listener Entertainment 3 Reasons Your Musical Choices are Important 4 Danger Zones in Modern Entertainment 3 Ways to Develop Good Discernment 5 Ways to Have a Great Time without Compromising 5 Scriptures to Guide You Daily Entertainment Choices Rules 2 Reasons for Rules 3 Keys to a Commandment 4 Secrets of Renegotiating 6 Things to Know Before You Break the Law 3 Dangers of Hanging Out With Friends Who Have No Rules Chores 3 Reasons to Help Your Parents 3 Ways Helping Your Parents Helps You 7 Rewards of a Diligent Worker 4 Secrets to Make Work Go Fast 5 Qualities of a Job Well Done Strategies 3 Marks of a Proud Parent 5 Scriptures to Pray Over Your Family 5 Habits of Happy Teenagers 3 Ways to Deal With Tough Parents 4 Ways to Tell Parents "Thank You"

Every Teenager's Little Black Book on Cash

With 100,000 books already sold in the little black book series, author and youth minister Blaine Bartel now introduces five more titles to this growing book trend. Teens and adults alike love the short, simple lists and bullet points filled with humor and hard-hitting truths. These quick and powerful books are perfect for teens on-the-go and have sound scriptural advice that will help them succeed in life. Contents Include Love Is Not for Sale 5 Ways Money Can Destroy People 3 Reasons People are More Important Than Cash 4 Priority Checkups You Can Do 6 Attributes of Real Love 3 Daily Habits to Grow in Your Relationship With God Money Monopoly 3 Reasons You Should Tithe 5 Money Verses to Commit to Memory 4 Warnings Jesus Gave About Money 7 Rewards of the Giver 3 Bible Personalities Who Were Rich The Rewards of Work 5 Things God Says About Work 4 Kinds of People Who Constantly Get Fired 3 Reasons Your Relationship With Your Parents Will Affect Your Career 7 Rewards of a Diligent Worker 5 Qualities of a Valuable Employee Become a Money Channel 3 Reasons God Wants You to be a Channel 3 Keys That Will Open the Windows of Heaven 7 Promises Guaranteed to Every Giver 5 Things to Believe God for as a Teenager 5 Ways You Can Give Without Using Money Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? 5 Obstacles You Must Overcome to Grow Financially 4 Practical Things You Can Do to Learn How to Make Money 7 Common Denominators of Those Who Grow Rich 3 Places for Successful Investing 10 Key Questions for Spending Wisely Budget, Plan, and Prosper 4 Do's and 3 Don'ts of Budgeting 7 Steps to Getting the Most Out of Your Time 6 Keys to Getting the MOst Out of Your Time 7 Books That Can Change Your Life 3 Steps for Money Multiplication

Every Teen Girl's Little Pink Book

Our little girls are our little princesses. Now readers can pass on a hip and meaningful little book that every daughter will want to read. Packed with special devotionals and cool graphics, teen girls will become the ladies God has destined them to be.From the bestselling creators of the little black book series comes a unique and fun new series for teen girls. The little pink books series utilizes hip graphics, sassy quotes, and funny stories to teach teen girls about spiritual principals in a practical way. Chart-topping lists, prayers, and girly art make this book and/or gift a must have for all your teen readers. Watch as they collect each book and share them with their friends. Make sure to stock them all for this new trend in teen resources.Contents Include Delight Aspire Unashamed Generous Honor Thankful Encourage Relationships A Letter from Dad A Daughter's Prayer

Every Teen Girl's Little Pink Book on Gab

Do you have a hard time not trashing people in slambooks or at parties? little pink book on gab takes a humorous, yet serious look on what or who teen girls are talking about. Although most girls have the “gift of gab,” this book puts a check on what they are gabbing about.From the bestselling creators of the little black book series comes a unique and fun new series for teen girls. The little pink books series utilizes hip graphics, sassy quotes, and funny stories to teach teen girls about spiritual principles in a practical way. Chart-topping lists, prayers, and girly art make this book and/or gift a must have for all your teen readers. Watch as they collect each book and share them with their friends. Make sure to stock them all for this new trend in teen resources.Contents Include Girls About to Become The Gift of Gab Details, Details Gab Test Gabsters Chatty Cathy 2 Ears - 1 Mouth Gab About Everyone! Good Gab Believe In Your Gab Get What You Gab Kind Gab Listen Before You Gab Gab with God Gab Goop Courageous Gab

Every Teen Girl's Little Pink Book on What to Wear

Gucci, Abercrombie, American Eagle, Aeropostal…what’s your style? Cathy Bartel helps teen girls navigate through brands, image, and personal style. This book combines themes of Godly character and modesty while yapping about today’s fashion choices.From the bestselling creators of the little black book series comes a unique and fun new series for teen girls. The little pink books series utilizes hip graphics, sassy quotes, and funny stories to teach teen girls about spiritual principals in a practical way. Chart-topping lists, prayers, and girly art make this book and/or gift a must have for all your teen readers. Watch as they collect each book and share them with their friends. Make sure to stock them all for this new trend in teen resources.Contents Include Go to the Father We Wear Our Hair Dress Sharp, Smell Pretty, & Change Someone's Life Dare Wear The Looking Glass Bear Wear What Guys Really Want Pair Wear Not Sew Perfect Glare Wear Let's Talk Shop Fair Wear Clean Your Closets Care Wear

Every Teenager's Little Black Book on Sex and Dating

With 100,000 books already sold in the little black book series, author and youth minister Blaine Bartel now introduces five more titles to this growing book trend. Teens and adults alike love the short, simple lists and bullet points filled with humor and hard-hitting truths. These quick and powerful books are perfect for teens on-the-go and have sound scriptural advice that will help them succeed in life. Contents Include Defining Dating 3 Things Dating is Not 3 Ways Christian Dating is Different 3 Uncommon Things Every Girl Wants in a Guy 3 Uncommon Things Every Guy Wants in a Girl 4 Signs That You May Not Be Ready to Date Friendship Before Romance 5 Ways to Attract New Friends 3 Friendship Killers You Must Avoid 5 Things Real Friends Never Do to Each Other 3 Reasons Friendship is More Important Than Romance 6 Friends That Are Not True Friends At All Being the Right Person 5 Key Characteristics of the Right Person 3 Ways to Guard Your Thought Life 3 Strategies to Conquer Peer Pressure 6 Questions You Must Answer Right 4 Danger Zones in Modern Entertainment Finding the Right Person 4 Reasons Not to Try Too Hard 5 Ways to Keep Christ First 4 Danger Signs to Watch for in the Wrong Person 7 Crucial Qualities You Must Find 3 Things They Don't Tell You About Every Person Love vs. Lust: Winning the Battle 5 Signs a Relationship is Centered on the Love of God 4 Signs a Relationship is Lust-Centered 4 Ways to Avoid Sexual Temptation 7 Scriptures to Arm Your Heart With Purity 3 Important Steps to Take If You've Sinned Sexually Happily Ever After 5 Reasons to Maintain Sexual Purity Before Marriage 4 Things to Look for in a Great Husband 4 Things to Look for in a Great Wife 7 Areas of Preparation You Must Complete Before You Are Married 6 Habits You Must Establish Now If You Hope to Enjoy a Happy Marriage

Every Young Man's Battle

In this world you’re surrounded by sexual images that open the door to temptation. They’re everywhere—on TV, billboards, magazines, music, the Internet—and so easy to access that it sometimes feels impossible to escape their clutches. Yet God expects His children to be sexually pure.So how can you survive the relentless battle against temptation? Here’s powerful ammunition.Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker, the authors of the hard-hitting best-seller Every Man’s Battle, now focus on the temptations young single Christian men like you face every day—and they offer workable, biblical strategies for achieving sexual purity.The authors examine the standard of Ephesians 5:3—“there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality”—in a positive and sensitive light. And they explain how an authentic, vibrant relationship with Jesus Christ is the key to victory over temptation.Every Young Man’s Battle will show you how to train your eyes and mind, how to clean up your thought life, and how to develop a realistic battle plan for remaining pure in today’s sexually soaked culture. As a result, you’ll experience hope—real hope—for living a strong, pure life God’s way.Stephen Arterburn is coauthor of the best-selling Every Man series from WaterBrook Press. He is founder and chairman of New Life Clinics, host of the daily New Life Live! national radio program, creator of the Women of Faith Conferences, a nationally known speaker and licensed minister, and the author of more than fifty books. He lives in Laguna Beach, California.Fred Stoeker is coauthor or the best-selling Every Man series. He is founder and chairman of Living True Ministries and a conference speaker who has counseled hundreds of men and married couples. Fred and his wife, Brenda, live in the Des Moines, Iowa, area with their four children.

Every Young Woman's Battle

The world you live in promotes sex as the answer to just about everything. The pressure to go along with the crowd is greater than ever before, and it’s easy to compromise in little ways that are a lot more harmful than they seem. You and your friends may become caught up in destructive relationships or sexual activities without even knowing how you got there. You just want to be normal—to fit in, to be liked, to look attractive to the opposite sex. But are you paying too high a price?This counterpart to the award-winning Every Young Man’s Battle can help you: Learn how the sexual battle begins in your heart and mind Understand your hunger for attention from guys Recognize and avoid the potential pitfalls awaiting young women on the journey toward adulthood and possible marriage Find out how the media, novels, fashion, Internet chat rooms, and body and beauty obsessions influence your sexual choices—and what you can do about it Guard your mind, heart, and body against sexual and emotional compromise Develop a deeper, more satisfying level of intimacy with GodWhether you have so far protected yourself emotionally and sexually, feel that you’ve been robbed of your purity, or have given in to temptation in some way, this book can help you achieve or reclaim sexual integrity. It can also guide you through the temptation and pressures of young adulthood while demonstrating how you can live your life to the fullest—without regrets.Shannon Etheridge is the best-selling author or Every Woman’s Battle, as well as a wife, mother, speaker, and lay counselor. She teaches regularly at Teen Mania Ministries and in a variety of other church and college settings, inspiring to pursue a lifestyle of sexual integrity and intimacy with Christ. Shannon and her husband, Greg, live in east Texas with their two children, Erin and Matthew.Stephen Arterburn is founder and chairman of New Life Clinics, host of the daily New Life Live! national radio program, creator of the Women of Faith Conferences, a nationally known speaker, and the best-selling author of more than 50 books, including the award-winning Every Young Man’s Battle with coauthor Fred Stoeker.

Faces

Alter is a new video resource designed with creativity and versatility in mind. Fresh imagery, essential themes and identifiable metaphors make Alter a great source for adding depth to your creative programming. Each Alter theme features two different types of videos:the FOREGROUND Video This is the “feature” video for each Alter theme. With engaging footage and powerful imagery, the foreground video can provide a worshipful ambiance, unique pre-program atmosphere, or a thoughtful meditative piece. It also allows for your creativity, just by adding appropriately themed text, scripture, or music to the video.the BACKGROUND Video This is an “altered” version of the foreground video and can be used as a song background. It is simplified enough to be complementary, with the purpose of having text placed over it, yet powerful enough to enhance your worship experience.VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS Video Format: MPEG (720x480) Works With: Worship Presentation Software with video capabilities such as Mediashout, EasyWorship, Keynote, SongShow Plus or SundayPlus.

Fastlane

Alter is a new video resource designed with creativity and versatility in mind. Fresh imagery, essential themes and identifiable metaphors make Alter a great source for adding depth to your creative programming. Each Alter theme features two different types of videos:the FOREGROUND Video This is the “feature” video for each Alter theme. With engaging footage and powerful imagery, the foreground video can provide a worshipful ambiance, unique pre-program atmosphere, or a thoughtful meditative piece. It also allows for your creativity, just by adding appropriately themed text, scripture, or music to the video.the BACKGROUND Video This is an “altered” version of the foreground video and can be used as a song background. It is simplified enough to be complementary, with the purpose of having text placed over it, yet powerful enough to enhance your worship experience.VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS Video Format: MPEG (720x480) Works With: Worship Presentation Software with video capabilities such as Mediashout, EasyWorship, Keynote, SongShow Plus or SundayPlus.

Freshman

College or Bust! You are going away to school and have some decisions to make. What will you study? Who will you hang out with? Where will you live? Important questions, but here's an even greater one: What kind of person will you become?Popular author and speaker Mark Matlock helps you explore the answer to that question. He prepares you for college life by getting you to think about your faith in new ways.In the next four years, ask yourself: Are you going to let God be the focal point of your life? Will you follow Him, even when it's not the popular thing to do? Table of ContentsSection 1 - Packing Your Bags: Wisdom Gear for the Journey 1. What is Wisdom? And Why Isn't It Sexy? 2. Point of Reference: Where Am I on My Wisdom Journey? 3. Discerning the Deep: Understanding Cause and Effect 4. Choosing the Right Path: Why Justice is Essential to Wisdom 5. What's It Worth? Understand the Value of Values 6. Squinting in Fog: The Mystery of God's Wisdom 7. Speed Bumps: Obstacles That Make or Break WisdomSections 2 - One the Road: Living Wisely at Key Crossroads 8. Bursting the Bubble: When MY Spiritual World is Challenged, How Will I Respond? 9. Speed Dial: How to Pick MY Friends When Space is Limited 10. Time is Money: Is Time Really the Most Important Resource? 11. Hookup or Hang-Up? Wisdom and Opposite-Sex Encounters 12. Finding Yoga: The Value of a MentorEpilogue - Life in All Its Fullness Is the Destination

Games Bundle

Save big with the Games bundle!Games bundle includes:Power Play Power Play includes 20 professionally designed, original games – ready to use, as is. Or, if you want to add your own creativity, it’s really simple because each game also comes with an editable version so questions and answers can be customized specifically to your group. You also get great looking score sheets (PDFs) for each game to make you look even better.Game On Game On is a collection of 24 jr. high-geared games that will get students up and interacting. Use them as icebreakers during your service, as a camp game, or to help illustrate a point right in the middle of your message!

Glue Boys DVD

Although the 150 million children living on the Third World's streets may be hidden from the public eye, the global economy is always watching with keen interest. In Kitale, Kenya, like countless other towns, many street children have found comfort from their hunger pains by becoming accidental consumers. In sunlit corners, they choke up the little money they have to buy the same glue that the rest of the world uses to hold its shoes together. Only these children are barefoot. With bottles constantly perched at their mouths, they breathe in the toxic fumes until they pass out or fall asleep forever. This is their timely story.This DVD is designed to create awareness as to what is happening with many impoverished children around the world. Our hope is that this video will not only paint a picture of a major issue to our students, but also ignite a passion within them to help in some way. A large portion of the proceeds from this resource will be sent back to Kenya to help battle this issue as well as provide support to the children of Kenya.Teenagers from Saddleback Church go there several times a year. The filmmaker was in college when he created this film. It's simply amazing!**DVD will be delivered in a paper sleeve.**

Guy Talk Girl Talk

After a few decades in youth ministry, we’ve realized something—guys and girls are different. And significantly so, at that. So rather than the usual “one message fits all” approach, we’ve created an extensive 10-week small group curriculum with two paths, each specifically tailored for one gender or the other.This small group curriculum series will help your students get solid biblical insight on topics ranging from friendships and gossip to peer pressure and sex. Designed to get your students talking about significant and real issues that they face everyday, you’ll see your students begin to open up, share their thoughts and feelings, and witness the formation of deep and lasting friendships.And since the entire series is written twice, one geared for guys and one for girls, you can be certain you’ll get examples, discussion starters, and goal setting tips that you can use right away.Guy Topics Include: Being a Man Self Image Relationships True Strength Girls Lust Wounds Responsibility Leading God-given Tools Girl Topics Include: Appearance Friendships Girl Politics Gossip Image Kindness Purity Sex Value Worth Help your students tackle the issues they face as guys and girls in a fallen world.

The Purpose Driven Life

This is a 5 week downloadable message transcript series. Included in this file are 5 Microsoft word documents containing the full word-for-word message transcripts and student outlines.Nobody wants to go through life as a loser with no direction or purpose. We were created with a purpose and a God-given longing to fulfill that purpose. Use this series to help your students discover their purpose in life and how to fulfill it.Week 1: The World’s Greatest Relationship Do I want to be influenced by people who love me conditionally or by a person who loves me no matter what? Do I want to be comforted by people who try to sympathize with me or by the person who has experienced everything I have? Do I want a happiness based on temporary situations or lasting joy? Do I want to be understood by people who do their best to know me or by the person who created me? If your students want to learn about a relationship of lasting joy and unconditional love with their creator who has been through everything they have, they need this message.Week 2: Making The Right Connections Everybody wants to belong to a group where they are accepted, where they fit in. We will often go to great lengths and pretend to be someone we’re not just to get this acceptance. Belonging is good and fills a need in us, but since the group we’re in will shape our behavior and attitudes, we need to choose our groups wisely. This lesson will help your students see the role belonging plays in their lives as well as how to recognize when a group is headed in the wrong direction.Week 3: Where Do I Go To Grow? “Truth” is not a very popular word these days; in fact, there are hordes of people who claim there is no such thing as an absolute truth. Some of these people are even preaching that your way is good for you and my way is good for me. This moral relativism leads to problems when people try to find their own brand of truth in drugs, sex, and other destructive behavior. This lesson helps your students see the need to search out the truth and the benefits it will bring. (And don’t worry; it doesn’t actually use the term “moral relativism.”)Week 4: The Search For Significance Why does God want us to discover our significance? Well, because He knows what’s best for us, and He wants us to have it. He chooses to work through people, He created you with a unique mission and the personality and gifts to accomplish it, and He will eventually judge our actions. Why should your students want to discover their significance? Because they don’t want to look back on their lives and realized they just wasted their time.Week 5: The World’s Greatest Party Fortunately for those of us youth ministries who can’t play the guitar or carry a tune, worship does not just mean singing. Real worship, worship with your whole life, is a passionate dedication to something. Unfortunately, that worship is often given to something or someone who doesn’t deserve it. When your students learn how to worship God in spirit a