FOLLOW UP

• Where can I get a Bible?  Click here for more information.
  
  
• How do I commit my life to Jesus?  Click here for more information. 
  
  
• How can I find more info about baptism?  Click here for more information.
  
  
• How can I grow in my faith?  Click here for more information. 

WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

• When does Emerge meet?  Emerge meets as a large group every Sunday at 10:45 AM.
  
  
• Where does Emerge meet?  Emerge meets in the Student Ministry room at the Gathering church. Click here for directions.  
  
  
• How long does the Worship Experience program go?  Emerge meets the same length of time that the main service meets between 60-75 minutes from 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM.  
   
• Exactly what happens in this Worship Experience?  Our large group worship gathering is basically “church for teenagers.” It has elements of fun, singing, video, Biblical teaching, and small group dialog that is culturally relevant to middle school and high school students.
  
  
• What is our curriculum strategy?  Based on and launched from the award-winning book from coauthors Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall, the 7 Checkpoints Curriculum Strategy for Students is an intentional, systematic approach to discipleship.  We are convinced that these seven basic principles every student should understand and embrace before they leave the safety of their homes and youth ministries. 
  
  1. Authentic Faith: This checkpoint focuses on a correct understanding of faith. Faith is confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will do all He has promised to do.
  Principle: God can be trusted; He will do all He has promised to do.
  Critical Question: Are your students trusting God with the critical areas of their life?
  Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6
  
  2. Spiritual Disciplines: The focus of this checkpoint is a student’s devotional life. The apostle Paul assures us that transformation begins with a renewed mind. As students begin to renew their minds to the truths of Scripture, their attitudes and behavior will change.
  Principle: If we could see as God sees, we would do as God says.
  Critical Question: Are your students developing a consistent devotional and prayer life?
  Key Passage: Romans 12:2
  
  3. Moral Boundaries: Purity paves the way to intimacy. One of the most important things a student can do is establish limits. Students need to learn how to protect their body and emotions by honoring God’s plan for sex and morality.
  Principle: Purity paves the way to intimacy.
  Critical Question: Are your students establishing and maintaining moral boundaries?
  Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
  
  4. Healthy Friendships: The people our students associate with the most will determine the direction and quality of their lives. This principle focuses on helping our teenagers build healthy friendships while avoiding unhealthy ones.
  Principle: Our friends determine the direction and quality of our lives.
  Critical Question: Are your students establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy ones?
  Key Passage: Proverbs 13:20
  
  5. Wise Choices: In light of past experience and future dreams, students need to ask themselves "What is the wise thing to do?" Good decision making is more than simply choosing between right and wrong. This principle focuses on the necessity of wisdom in decision making.
  Principle: Walk wisely.
  Critical Question: Are your students making wise decisions?
  Key Passage: Ephesians 5:15-17
  
  6. Ultimate Authority: Freedom and authority are often viewed as opposing concepts. But the Scriptures teach that freedom is found under authority. This principle focuses on the need for students to stay under the authorities that God has placed over them.
  Principle: Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
  Critical Question: Are your students submitting to the authorities God has placed over them?
  Key Passage: Romans 13:1-2
  
  7. Others First: Selfishness comes natural. Selflessness must be learned. The hallmark of a believer is his or her willingness to put the needs of others ahead of their own. This principle addresses our student’s propensity toward selfishness and self-centeredness.
  Principle: Others First
  Critical Question: Are your students putting the needs of others ahead of their own?
  Key Passage: Philippians 2:3-11

SMALL GROUPS

• What are Small Groups?  Small Groups are groups of middle school students or high school students that meet in their neighborhood communities.
  
  
• What time do they meet?  Small Groups meet from 6:00-8:30 PM every Wednesday.
  
• What happens at Small Groups?  From 6:30-7:00pm Small Groups have snacks together. Snacks are provided by leaders or by collecting a small donation from students. The main idea is to have food together. From 7:00-8:15pm is Small Group time. Small Groups are broken down first by gender then by year in school. Each Small Group is led by an adult leader. 
  
  
• How do I know which Small Group to go to?  Maps, directions are located both in the Student Ministry room where Emege meets every Sunday.
  
  
• What is a Group Night Out?  The first Wednesday of each month, small groups are encouraged to do an activity instead of a Bible study. Small groups can go to Sugartree to serve food to the homeless, go to Starbucks for some jazz and java, go to Laser Quest for some live action laser tag… you get the idea. We want our leaders and students to hang outside of church life… and to have fun!