Rolling Hills Baptist
2005 Braselton Hwy
Buford, GA 30519

February 2006

"There has been a constant debate about cliques and the positive and negative affects they have on a teen's life."

One of the biggest sources of frustration and joy in a teen's life has to do with the inclusion into a particular social group. Identifying with a set group of friends or "clique" can help during the emotionally tumultuous years of adolescence—providing a safe haven of friends to socialize with, confide in, and feel supported by as they cope with the day-to-day issues of being a teen. To varying degrees, cliques can play a powerful role in shaping and reinforcing what they wear and say, how they relate to other classmates, how they relate to teachers and other authority figures, how they interact with their family, how they relate to God, and how they feel about themselves overall (4therapy.com). The one question which arises then is what if a teen is a part of a group that affects him/her in a negative way? Here are some practical suggestions to help your teen muddle through the murky water of social groups. Be proactive in knowing your teen's friends. Have your son or daughter's friends come over to your house where you can interact with each of them in an informal setting. Also find time to get to know their parents by talking on the phone or having them over. This is invaluable for wisdom and insight into who is influencing your teen when you are not around. As you spend time with your teen's friends, you can also determine if their values match up to what you believe as a family. If not, have a conversation with your teen about your concerns. Remember not to attack their friends. Ask your teen questions that will help them realize and understand your concerns. Encourage them to walk across "clique boundaries" to include all different types of people. Teaching the importance of inclusion instead of exclusion will allow other people to see Christ in your teen and your family.

Student Leadership Retreat December 29 & 30 - By Tyler Reed

This retreat was held at Richard B. Russell State Park. We had an amazing time getting closer to God and each other. We had lots of time to fellowship while playing Frisbee golf, singing songs, and staying up late talking about everything imaginable. We also looked hard at the leadership examples of Joshua and Nehemiah to see how they accomplished God's plans, how they conquered criticism and discouragement, and what qualities made them a Godly leader. Finally, we all were given opportunities to see what God had in store for each one of us. We connected with God through a profound faith walk, an earnest, pensive conversation in which the team discussed what God meant to us individually, and other topics that allowed us to get to know each other on a personal level. This weekend helped to instill in me a powerful passion and fire for God's will that I have never experienced before.

How do teens feel about cliques and peer pressure?

Do all of your friends belong to the same group or clique?

14% - Yes, my friends and I belong to the same group.
52% - No, I'm friends with people across groups.
35% - Mostly the same group, but I am nice to everybody.

(tolerance.org)

Do you usually find it hard to say "No" to potentially dangerous situations when most everyone around you is saying "Yes?"

37% - Yes
41% - No
22% - Sometimes

(4therapy.com)

There is no getting around the fact that your teen deals with the pressure of cliques and social groups on a daily basis. Here are some questions to discover where your teen fits in.

1. Do you think cliques are a big problem in your school or church? Why?

2. To what group do you belong? Did you choose this group or did this group choose you? Why do you think that?

3. Are you happy with the group you are hanging out with now? Why or why not? If not, which clique would you like to join?

4. What do you think are the positives and negatives of social groups/cliques?

5. If you could have your way, would you get rid of cliques or keep them? Why?

Pray that:

1. Your teen will find their identity in Christ alone and not have to search for identity and worth in people or status.

2. God will allow your teen to find godly friends who will be a positive influence in his/her decisions and attitudes.

3. God will give you wisdom and discernment as you actively get to know your teen's friends and their parents.

4. God will give your teen the desire and passion to crossover clique boundaries and fight for unity in our churches and schools.

Getting to know us.....Introducing Randy and Kim Cadenhead
Kim and Randy Cadenhead teach the 6th grade girls and boys class. They have been attending RHBC for 4 years. Kim is originally from Birmingham, Alabama and is the youngest of 7 children. She is currently a 6th grade teacher at Dacula Middle School. Randy is originally from Tucker, Ga. He is one of 4 children. Randy currently works at Christian Brothers Automotive. They have two children, Kirk, who is 16 and attends Mill Creek High School and Stephanie, who is 14 and attends Dacula Middle School. Randy and Kim enjoy spending time with their children and working with the youth at RHBC.

Did you know...

* Studies of adolescent friendships show that while peer influence may reveal itself in clothing, hairstyles, language, and substance abuse, parental influence is most important in the long run in teens' choices of career and religious values. (pbs.org)

* As expected, students who do well in school and enjoy academics are least likely to smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs and have unsafe sex, while those students classified as "burnouts" and "non-conformists" are most likely to indulge in risky behaviors. (sciencedaily.com)

* Teen boys spend more than half of their waking hours with other teenagers and less than five percent of their time with either parent. (pbs.org)

* On average, a girl's risk of pregnancy decreases by one percent for every one percent more low-risk than high-risk friends she has. (youthdevelopment.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!

Marvin Sapp, an artist emerging as one of gospel music’s most versatile, dynamic voices, is also a well respected pastor. He says, "I am not a singer who happens to preach. I am a preacher, called of God, who happens to sing." There is "unmistakable evidence of his fiery, compassionate and Spirit-filled preaching" all throughout his album. Both his self-titled debut and his second album, "Grace and Mercy" received critical acclaim. He has received nominations for the Dove Award, the Stellar Award, the Grammy Award and the Soul Train Award. (marvinsapp.com)

Here are some spring looks you can expect your teen to want:

* Preppy, collegiate styles, with upturned collars, argyle sweaters and tiny embroidered logos from the 1980s.

* Though coveted brands may come and go, jeans are forever fashionable. Low-rise jeans will become a thing of the past as waistlines return to a more natural place.

(mytelus.com)

Albums:
"Unpredictable" - 12/2005

"Peep This" - 1/1994

Background:
Jamie Foxx is a man of many talents when it comes to music, TV and movies. He was adopted at 7 months of age by his grandparents. Having a "very rigid upbringing" that put him in Boy Scouts and church choir helped him become so well rounded. He even received press in Dallas newspapers for his high school quarterback skills. He studied classical piano at Julliard, but was discovered as a comedian in 1989. Television roles led to his own WB network TV series. Foxx has won a Golden Globe, SAG Award, BAFTA Award and an Oscar. His recent album holds the number one spot on Billboard. (imdb.com)

What Parents Should Know: "Unpredictable" has a parental advisory. This album deals mostly with sex and has countless crude references to it. It has multiple foul language references and deals with alcohol usage.

Parent/Teen Q&A: "I’ve been working on music for the last 15 years. I don’t do nothing sideways. If I’m gonna get it, I’m gonna get it 100 percent." (contactmusic.com) Q:How do you define "100%?" Is it what sells, what your peers approve of or something else?

Here are some movies your teen may want to see this month, with horror and comedy at the top of the list.


TITLE	RATING	RED FLAGS	GENRE	STARRING

Pink Panther	PG	For occasional crude and suggestive humor and language	Comedy	Steve Martin, Beyonce Knowles

When a Stranger Calls	PG-13	For intense terror, violence, and some language	Horror/Suspense	Camilla Belle, Brian Geraghty

My First Wedding	PG-13	For sexual content and language	Comedy	Rachael Leigh Cook, Kenny Doughty

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
			1 6:30 Reality Check FLOOD - SEX ED No Screwin' Around - Pam Stenzel	2	3	4 True Love Waits Banquet Dacula High SChool 6:00 pm
5 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	6 6:30 Band Practice	7	8 6:30 Reality Check Q30 - Who am I, where did I come from, what is my purpose?	9	10	11
12 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	13 6:30 Band Practice	14	15 6:30 Reality Check Goulash - The Bible???	16	17	18
19 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	20 6:30 Band Practice	21	22 6:30 Reality Check Seek Week - Is Jesus the only way to heaven, are all other religions wrong?	23	24	25
26 5:30 Small Group Bible Study	27 6:30 Band Practice	28

The insert this month details our Wednesday night program Reality Check and some changes we are making starting in February.

We all have very busy families and family devotions are hard to squeeze in. Check out this link to help busy familes. I have already signed up.

Heart Connex devotionals are designed for very busy families. The head of the household can print the studies and make preparations in only about five minutes. In most cases families can complete the studies in twenty minutes.
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page/0,1703,A%3D161567%26M%3D50088,00.html

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

Reality Check

Looking for an exciting way to spend Wednesday evenings? Each week we get together to experience a night of high-energy music, games, drama, multi-media, worship, and straight-forward messages aimed at 6th-12th graders. The format changes greatly from week to week to allow every student an opportunity to invite a friend to hear the Gospel in an environment that they can relate to.

Flood will be the First Wednesday of every month.

This Wednesday will have a larger amount of video than other weeks for those that are visually driven. Topics such as:

Ø “How far is too Far ?” (sex)

Ø “Numbing out” (addictions)

Ø “Family Funk” (family conflicts)

These topics and more will be addressed. You can always count on the Gospel to be presented.

Q30 - will be the Second Wednesday of each month.

We fill focus on the 30 questions of Capture Their Heart Campaign between Dare 2 Share and Focus on the Family. It may surprise you that according to the latest research two thirds of American teenagers have a generally positive attitude about organized religion. The problem comes when these teenagers, who are generally positive about religion, are quizzed about what they believe and why, especially Christian teenagers. For example:

· 63% don't believe Jesus is the Son of the one true God

· 58% believe all faiths teach equally valued truths

· 51% don't believe Jesus rose from the dead

· 65% don't believe Satan is a real entity

· 68% don't believe the Holy Spirit is a real entity

· 70% don't believe an absolute moral truth exists

So how do we help teenagers know what they believe? How do we equip them to go deeper? The answer is a straightforward, practical and integrated training program that equips teenagers. You can always count on the Gospel to be presented. For more informaiton see http://www.capturetheirhearts.com/

Goulash will be the third Wednesday (And forth when there are five) of each month.

Goulash is dish made of garlic, onions, salt, pepper, ground beef and after that it differs greatly, you typically never find goulash made the same way. There is always something different about it. So it will be with the third Wednesday. You never know what will be going on this week. You can always count on the Gospel to be presented.

Seek Week will be the last Wednesday of each month.

This week will always take it straight to the Cross of Jesus Christ. With all the hurt and disappointment in this world out students need to know that there is victory in Jesus. The will always be Jesus loves you this I know because the Bible tells us so.