Tag: Teens Encounter Christ

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Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Teens Encountering Christ

(These are stock photo teens, but I’m sure they’d love TEC, too!)

Something exciting is happening in Platte this weekend.

Twenty high school students will be gathering at a church on Friday morning.

I’m sure most of them are excited. Some are probably pretty nervous. They’ve heard their friends talk about the fun, intense experience they had at TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) and they aren’t quite sure what to expect as they go through the weekend. (There are lots of surprises that are kept top secret by kids who have attended before.)

A team of adults and students will be working (mostly behind the scenes) to make it a great weekend for the candidates. I’m going to be an adult table leader this time.

I can’t wait to see how God works in the lives of everyone who is there this weekend.

We can grow spiritually as we go through our daily routines, but there’s something special about getting away for a special time where you focus even more on God.

If you get a chance to do something like that, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity (even if it’s a little bit scary).

Oh, and please pray for those twenty students when you think of them this weekend. Thanks!

I’ll close with the theme verse for TEC#18:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV)

Have you ever gone on a spiritual retreat? How can focusing on God help you take advantage of opportunities like that?

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Focus Friday: Let’s Focus on Community

Last week I wrote about an intense experience I was diving into for the weekend (click here if you missed it).

The TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) weekend was just as special as I had imagined. We ended up having ten teens go through the weekend as candidates, and the rest of us did all we could to make sure they had a wonderful time of spiritual growth.

I have to admit that I had my own struggles during the weekend.

Thursday night went fine as we finished getting everything ready.

On Friday morning I did the devotions for our team of nine, pointing out how important it is to catch our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5) and make sure we’re replacing any negatives with things that are excellent and true (Philippians 4:8).

And then…I proceeded to go through the entire day entertaining all sorts of pessimistic thoughts!

“They don’t really need me on this team.” “I’m too quiet.” “I wish I could be more like _______.” “What are they thinking about me?” “They don’t really know me, and they probably don’t like me.” “I came into this late. I shouldn’t have signed up.”

I fought back tears as the day ended, and my thoughts jumped to even more negative conclusions. “This is just too hard!” “I’m too quiet and awkward. I shouldn’t ever do things like this.” “Life is easier if I just do it alone.”

Those thoughts, my friend, are lies from the devil himself.

Thankfully, I did a bit of reflection before I went to bed that night, and in the morning I asked God to help me turn those thoughts around. (I know I could have done that on Friday, but better late than never!)

Saturday and Sunday were much more positive. Instead of looking at “me, me, me” and ruminating on how I was doing and what everyone was thinking about me, I started to think about others.

I concentrated on the amazing things God was doing in the lives of every person involved at TEC that weekend. The care people showed for others. The sacrifice each person made to be there. The love that was evident everywhere you looked.

I still felt awkward at times, but I tried to laugh off my awkwardness.

I am a pretty quiet person, but I felt more peaceful about it (as opposed to the constant churning I felt inside on Friday).

I like doing things by myself, but I finished the weekend completely convinced of the importance of community. We grow spiritually when we work together, pray together, serve together, laugh together, and cry together.

I think I’ll sign up to help again in November.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV)

Do you prefer doing things on your own, or do you value community? How can focusing on God help you to grow as you spend time with other believers?