Rolling Hills Baptist
2005 Braselton Hwy
Buford, GA 30519

April 2006

The Bible clearly states that parents are to instruct, teach, and encourage their son or daughter in their relationship with God.

The biggest responsibility a parent has in life is the process of discipling their children. The Bible clearly states that parents are to instruct, teach, and encourage their son or daughter in their relationship with Christ. Deuteronomy 6:7-9 tells us that we are to teach God's Word everywhere we go...when we sit, walk, lie down, get up, tie them around our hands, and write them everywhere you go. Because this is such a huge responsibility, any parent can get overwhelmed with the task. So, what can be done and how can we effectively disciple our teens? Here are four things to get you started. First, how you live and model your life is so important in the spiritual development of your teen. Do you find time to read God's Word? Do you practice what you preach? When you do this, you are literally teaching the Word of God everywhere you go. Second, once you live it, then the words you say will further instruct and encourage your teen's relationship with Christ. Whether it is talking about God in the car, at the dinner table, or at a weekly family Bible study, your daily instruction will be there to help your teens make right decisions. Third, surround your teen with a group of people to help you equip him/her for spiritual maturity. The church is a community that works together to teach, instruct, and encourage each other. Don't push the responsibility of discipling your teen on other people, but use these people to come along side you for help and support. Fourth, get on your knees and pray! Ask God to use you, your mistakes and all, to grow your teen to spiritual maturity.

Want to start a weekly family Bible study? Well, here are some tips to begin this very important process:

1. Have a plan. Discipling and training your teen is not easy. Having a plan will help you share the vision with your family and to continue with perseverance.

2. Be consistent. If you are going to meet with your family once a week for Bible study or prayer, pick a specific time and place, and don't change it. Make this time a priority!

3. Let others lead. Parent's, don't plan all of your weekly family Bible studies. Allow each family member to lead and be a part of the planning process. This allows more creativity in how we worship God and will give you greater insight in the gifts and abilities God has given each member of your family.

4. Make your time fun and interesting! Your family "training" times must have an element of fun and creativity. Your teen will only rise to your level of excitement and leadership.

Do you find any of these results surprising?

Teens were asked, "Who is your biggest hero?" (top 5 responses)

34% - A Parent
22% - A Pastor/Spiritual Leader
20% - Other
8% - Musician
7% - Teacher/Coach

family.org

Does your family meet together regularly for a time of prayer?

33% - Yes
67% - No

briomag.com

Ever wonder what your teen thinks about you being his/her primary discipler? Try asking them the best way to teach them about being a true follower of Jesus Christ. Here are some questions to start this process:

1. If you could choose to be discipled by any one person, who would you choose and why?

2. On a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how important do you think it is to learn about God from someone other than yourself? Why do you think that?

3. Who do you think is primarily responsible for teaching you about Christ ... yourself, your parents, your Student Minister, or your friends? Why? Do you think they are doing a good job? Why or why not?

4. Do you find it hard to learn from and listen to your parents about what they have to say about God? Why or why not?

Pray that:

1. God will give your family the desire to spend time each week studying the Scripture, praying for each other, and keeping each other accountable.

2. God will help you live a life that will disciple your teen by the example you set, not just by what you say.

3. God will give your teen the burning desire to know Him more and to make Him known to others.

4. God will surround your family with a community of friends and family that will pray for and encourage your family as each of you learn and grow in your relationship with Christ.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV)

This is an incredible verse for parents because it contains the promise that if you train your child to follow God, they will not turn from Him. When you train for something, it takes time, effort, and energy. There is no difference when you are training your teen to follow God's ways. The phrase "in the way he should go" is more than just teaching them about God. It also requires parents to help their teen find their God-given passion and help them figure out how to use it for His glory. Remember that the responsibility is on the the parent AND the teen. Teens are going to make mistakes, but a parent must pray fervently that their teen will learn from those mistakes. Remember...God ALWAYS keeps His promises.

Did you know...

* Only four percent of teens can be considered evangelical Christians, down from 10 percent in 1995. An overwhelming majority of teens say they are "Christian," but their responses to a few simple questions concerning biblical doctrine clearly demonstrate that, despite what our children say, they are not. (worldnetdaily.com)

* The more involved the family is in religious activities done together, the more likely the teenager is to engage in religious activity, to expect to continue those religious pursuits upon leaving home, and to perceive religion to be significant and additive to life. (barna.org)

This page is designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse any product, music, or movie.
Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and sees!

Smokie Norful burst fully onto the music scene with his gold-selling album, "I Need You Now." His music has several times hit the top of Billboard Gospel as well as spending an impressive two years on the magazine's Gospel Top 40 Chart. This singer/songwriter and seminary graduate was raised the son of a minister. He began singing in church at age 4. His music has several sounds including urban, inspirational, good-time funk, R&B, praise and worship, pop balladry, and down-home blues. He gives God credit for his success saying, "You can chase after success ... unless God ordains it, it really doesn't matter." smokienorful.com

It is almost prom time again! Here are some tips from fashion.about.com:

For girls it's all about:
*interesting necklines
*pretty fabrics
*sparkling touches

For guys try:
*smooth cufflinks
*funky lapel trim
*bow tie or regular necktie
*monochromatic look

Albums:

"In My Own Words" - 2/2006

Background:
Shaffer C. Smith, a.k.a. Ne-yo, was born into a musical family where he was raised by his mother. She relocated the family to Las Vegas, Nevada in hopes of a better opportunity. From an early age, Ne-yo had a “vivid imagination and creative energy” which helped him become a song writer. Some of his written songs have had the honor of being one of the biggest radio records in history with 189.5 million listeners in one week as well as being on Billboard’s #1 R&B spot for several weeks. He has written for such artists as Mary J. Blige, B2K and Faith Evans. His debut album is said to, “deliver infusing pop melodies to rich, soulful production.”

What Parents Should Know: Ne-yo's album has a clean version of the original. It contains uncountable direct, indirect and slang references to sex and infidelity. It also contains foul language.

Parent/Teen Q&A: Ne-yo says, "My slogan is if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready. Knowing that there's some 11-year-old at home right now in his mirror dancing and practicing, coming for my spot," he says. "I'll never, ever let it go to my head." Q: Do you agree with Ne-yo's slogan? How hard are you willing to work to be the "best" at something?

Know which movies are releasing this month...will your teen want to see these?


TITLE	RATING	RED FLAGS	GENRE	STARRING

The Benchwarmers	PG-13	For crude and suggestive humor and for language	Comedy	David Spade, Jon Heder, Rob Schneider, Jon Lovitz, Tim Meadows

Alpha Dog	R	For pervasive drug use and language, strong violence, sexuality and nudity	Drama	Nick Cassavetes, Justin Timberlake, Sharon Stone, Emile Hirsch, Anton Yelchin

Waist Deep	R	For strong violence and pervasive language	Action/adventure, drama	Tyrese, The Game, Meagan Good, Eric Lane, Larenz Tate

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
						1
2 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	3 6:30 p.m. Band Practice	4	5 6:30 Reality Check FLOOD - Distortions of God	6	7	8
9 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	10 6:30 p.m. Band Practice	11	12 6:30 Reality Check Q30 - How do I know he really rose from the dead?	13	14	15
16 Easter NO Small Group Bible Study	17 6:30 p.m. Band Practice	18	19 6:30 Reality Check Goulash - Witnessing	20	21	22
23 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	24 6:30 p.m. Band Practice	25	26 6:30 Reality Check Seek Week -	27	28	29
30 5:30 Small Group Bible Study

This months insert contains information an article about LIVE with Reedgis and Keelie and understanding student lead ministry.

Recognizing that every individual is precious to God and is created for a unique purpose, THE ROCK Student Ministry exists to REACH non-believing students, to CONNECT them with other Christians, to help students GROW in their faith, and to provide opportunities for them to SERVE others, so that their lives will HONOR God.

Feel free to contact any of us at anytime with questions, concerns or comments.
Terry Taphouse
h: 770-277-0377 c: 678-357-6064 e: terrytaphouse@rollinghillsbaptist.net

Live

On Wednesday, March 22, we had our first production of Live with Reedgis and Keelie. This night brought an event that students will be able to invite friends to that may not come to a normal service.

During the program, Reegis (Tyler Reed) and Keelie (Loren Heslep) brought musical guests to the stage and talked to them about music they played and why they played it. Their guests included, Dooks and Bunn (Ryan Rodkey and Austin Chambers), Brittney Snears (Lauren Colburn – Agent, Julia Harden - Brittney), Young Cheesey (Greg Taphouse), Wink 281 (Morgan Heslep, Dustin Jackson, Harrison Reed, Brad Melvin) and The Rock’s own worship band The Mark (Ryan Rodkey, Kevin Nowak, Morgan Heslep, Austin Chambers, Harrison Reed). Throughout each interview the audience learned a little about each guest. The Mark talked about a peace found in Christ and each shared their testimony about how they found shelter in Jesus Christ. After they left the stage Keelie was very curious about finding that peace. Reedgis took the time to share with her the plan of salvation and Keelie was saved that night.

All the students spent time memorizing lines and putting together a show that will make it easy to invite and bring their friends to have fun and most importantly hear about Jesus. Pray for this new tool as we look for ways to use it to reach students with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What is student lead ministry?

There have been a couple of questions that have come up about what we mean by student lead ministry.

Last December, Lois and I took several of our students that were part of our E-Team (Evangelism Team) on a leadership retreat. This group of students is the first student leadership team of the The Rock Student Ministry. They have been very active and have provided a great model for the students who follow behind them.

Our students are active in leading our ministry. They greet guests as they arrive, they pray before each service, they run our Easy Worship. They provide a one minute message about how God has used them to share the gospel each week. They critique our events and are active in giving the ministry team suggestions on improving our current events. They also use their talents and abilities to add local events and programs that help our ministry go to the next level.

We have seen great things from our students and some of the ideas they have had to help The Rock student ministry. Our goal is to minister to all students who come to our ministry and to our church by fulfilling our purpose statement while supporting Rolling Hills Mission Statement “To Know Christ and Make Him Known”.

The Rock Student Ministry Purpose Statement:

Recognizing that every individual is precious to God and is created for a unique purpose, THE ROCK Student Ministry exists to REACH non-believing students, to CONNECT them with other Christians, to help students GROW in their faith, and to provide opportunities for them to SERVE others, so that their lives will HONOR God.