Forward Motion

Series Summary
We've all made resolutions and set goals, but all too often we fall short of what we expected to accomplish. Unfortunately, it's often the same when we try to become the Christian we really believe God has called us to be. We fall short of the goal and become increasingly discouraged. In this series, your student will learn that following Christ is more about the small steps we make every day, not about the huge leaps of faith that we think we need to make. They will set a goal, determine the first step and then make it. The series will end with a celebration!
Use these weekly summaries and parent cues to promote spiritual growth in your families! Make sure to answer the cues yourselves so as to create trust and dialogue with your student!

Session 1- February 20
So many times we look at our lives with great expectations, thinking we should be leaps from where we are. We expect perfection. We expect to arrive at some level. The reality is that following Christ isn't about leaping to instant perfection. We're walking with Him daily- a walk that involved steps, not leaps. Following Jesus Christ is about the small steps we make every day, steps of obedience, steps in relationship with Him. Sometimes those steps are small, sometimes they are big- but they are all still steps, moving us forward.
Session1 Parent Cue
Following Christ is about steps, not leaps. This week students will be introduced to the myth: that Christianity is all about taking big leaps of faith. They will encounter some of Scripture's most daunting verses, and wrestle with what it means to have a life of consistent spiritual growth. Each student will set a goal for him or herself, and the next few weeks, will revisit that goal. Discuss with them some of the unrealistic goals you have for yourself.

Session 2- February 27
The goal of every Christian is to become more like Jesus. But the problem comes in when we think we are going to achieve this feat in a day. It's a lifelong journey, a process, a walk. Following Jesus is about the steps we take everyday, and as Christians, we have divine help in taking those steps- the Holy Spirit. What is the step God is asking you to take? What is holding you back from taking it?
Session 2 Parent Cue
The way you get from where you are to where you want to be is one step at a time. This may sound obvious, but we forget it all the time. We want to go to the gym one time and look like a model; we want to make one smart comment at work and be promoted right to the top. But we know deep down that isn't the way things work. The good news is that in our spiritual development, God has not left us alone to work out the mess. He has sent His Spirit to guide us. This week, students will look at the power of the Holy Spirit to guide their paths, and they will make a plan for beginning to take the first step towards their goals. What is an obtainable goal that you could work on achievng this week?

Session 3- March 6
What if you acknowledged the steps you took every day in your own "walk" with God? What if you realized that even though you may not be where you want to be, you may be exactly where God wants you to be, learning the things you need to know one step at a time? It brings a lot of freedom, doesn't it? But not only that, what if we started celebrating not only the steps we take every day, but the steps of those around us as well? Because what may not be a big deal for you, may be huge for someone else.
Session 3 Parent Cue
Celebrate the steps you take in your relationship with God, and celebrate the steps others take as well! It's all about celebration, not the cheap kind of celebration that comes from making a big deal out of nothing, but the real party that comes naturally when we know that we have made even the slightest move in the right direction. Your students will talk this week about what it looks like to encourage each other and celebrate with each other whenever they make progress towards one of their goals. What are some specific areas of growth you have seen in your son or daughter over the last week, month, or even year? Celebrate those with them!