Are you a Fan or a Follower?
Where are you at with your relationship with Jesus?

Jayke Youell • Student Pastor
August 31, 1026

4 Minute Read

‘DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP’ - Where are you at with your relationship with Jesus?

This week in Connect Groups, we dove into a challenging and eye-opening message in our series CERTAIN titled "Define The Relationship".
Looking at Matthew 9:9–13, we explored what it truly means when Jesus says "Follow Me"—and why He calls us to total surrender, not just casual admiration.
What We Talked About (Quick Snippet):
We opened up with a situation every teenager understands: the "DTR" (Define The Relationship) talk in dating. You can spend time together and enjoy hanging out, but eventually someone asks, "What are we?"
Many people settle for casual religious affiliation instead of real commitment. They act like "fans" or "consumers"—liking Christian music, attending groups, or turning to Jesus only when stressed. But looking at the calling of Matthew the tax collector, we see that Jesus doesn't call us to admire Him from the sidelines; He calls us to surrender our lives, leave our past behind, and follow Him fully.
The Big Idea: Jesus never called us to merely admire Him, attend church, or agree with His teachings. He calls us to surrender our lives and follow Him—leaving our past behind to take His grace to the world.
Real, Practical Takeaways (In Teen Language):
Grace Comes First: Jesus called Matthew at his tax booth before Matthew "cleaned up" his life. You don't have to fix yourself up or be perfect before you can follow Jesus—grace comes before growth.
  • Followers, Not Fans: Following Jesus isn't just adding Him to your busy schedule or turning to Him when you need help. It means actively filtering your friendships, phone habits, time, and future plans through what He commands. Talk about what this looks like with your student this week!
  • Highest Allegiance: A true disciple puts Jesus first, even when it conflicts with approval from a coach, friends, or family.
  • Throw the Party: Matthew’s first move as a disciple was throwing a party to introduce his non-believing friends to Jesus. We are called to be intentional about bringing classmates and teammates to Jesus without compromising our values.
Questions Your Student Might Ask You This Week:
Want to keep the conversation going at home? Here are a few honest questions your student might be wrestling with after this week’s discussion:
  1. "Am I just a fan of Jesus, or am I actually following Him?" (We walked through self-identifying as a Fan, Consumer, or Surrendered Disciple in Connect Groups).
  2. "Why do I feel like I have to fix my life before God will accept me?" (We looked at Matthew 9:9 and Romans 5:8 to remind students that Jesus meets us right where we are).
  3. "How do I put Jesus first when it costs me socially at school?" (We discussed Luke 9:23 and Matthew 10:37–38 on what it costs to make Jesus our highest allegiance).
Cultural Trends & Why This Matters Right Now:
Here is some helpful context on where your student is coming from regarding this topic:
  • Consumer Mindset in Faith: Modern culture trains teenagers to treat everything—entertainment, relationships, lifestyle—as consumers. It's easy for teens to treat faith the same way: picking and choosing what parts of Jesus' teaching suit them while keeping control of their own lives.
  • Fear of Social Exclusion: For Students, "leaving something behind" (like a toxic friend group, a party culture, or a reputation) feels terrifying because belonging is everything. Re-anchoring their identity in Jesus gives them the courage to stand firm.
  • "Clean Up First": Most Students often deal with heavy perfectionism. When they mess up, they assume God is disappointed and distance themselves from church until they feel "worthy" again. Remind them that Jesus calls outcasts and sinners long before they have it all together.
At-Home Application:
Screen Time & Schedule Check: Have an honest conversation with your student about where their time went last week. Ask: "Does our family schedule reflect that Jesus is our highest allegiance, or are we giving Him our leftovers?"
  • Be an Ambassador: Challenge your student to identify one younger student or classmate who needs encouragement this week, sit with them, and pray for them by name.


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From this Collection: Student Ministry
September 21, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
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Jayke Youell

Student Pastor

September 15, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
What do we do about the reality of Evil?
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Jayke Youell

Student Pastor

September 7, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
DON'T WASTE YOUR MAT!
STUDENT MINISTRY WEEKEND RECAP: DON'T WASTE YOUR MAT Series/Message: The Transformative Work of Christ Key Scripture: Luke 5:17–26 THE BIG IDEA Jesus doesn’t just want to improve our temporary circumstances; He came to completely transform our eternal souls. Sometimes, the exact circumstance we are begging God to remove is the very vehicle He is using to draw us closer to Him. RECAP OF THE MAN ON THE MAT: Imagine being completely paralyzed, trapped on a mat, and unable to get to the one person who could heal you. In Luke 5, we read about a man in this exact situation. But he had incredible friends—the kind of "1% battery" friends who didn't let the crowds stop them. They carried him to the house where Jesus was teaching, climbed up to the roof, and tore a hole through the ceiling just to lower their friend directly to the feet of Jesus. But when the man was lowered down, a massive plot twist happened: “When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’” (Luke 5:20) Everyone in the room thought the man’s biggest need was his physical legs. But Jesus bypassed his biggest perceived need to get to his deepest need: spiritual paralysis. Jesus knew that even if He gave the man perfectly working legs for the next 40 years, he would still have an expiration date. Jesus healed his legs to prove He had the authority to forgive his sins. But He didn't tell the man to leave his mat behind. He told him to pick it up and walk home. Why? Because when you encounter Jesus, the very thing that used to hold you hostage becomes the tool you use to set other people free. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: WHAT IS YOUR "MAT"? Every single one of us has a "mat." A mat is the circumstance, habit, excuse, or pain that spiritually paralyzes us. The Mat of Apathy: Acting "non-chalant." Crossing your arms, pretending you don't care about your faith, and keeping your walls up just so you don't look uncool or get disappointed. The Mat of Comfort: You have a good life, a good phone, and a good friend group, so you feel too comfortable to realize you actually desperately need God. The Mat of Hidden Sin: Going back to the same bad habit over and over, leaving you trapped in shame and feeling like God can't use you. The Mat of Anxiety & Control: Trying to completely control your own life and fix your own problems, which leaves you exhausted and lacking peace. We look at these mats and think they are massive obstacles to our happiness. But Jesus looks at these exact same circumstances and sees them as vehicles for our transformation. DISCUSSION STARTERS (For Connect Groups or Family Dinner) Identify the Crowd: The crowd literally stood in the way of the man getting to Jesus. What are the "crowds" (distractions, toxic friends, busy schedules, or social media) that keep high schoolers/middle schoolers from actively pursuing their faith? Identify the Mat: If Jesus asked you to follow Him completely today, what is the #1 excuse you would use to say, "Not yet"? There are also sin habits and circumstances that we see as obstacles to us getting to Jesus. This could be the key to figuring out how you can begin to use your mat to be more dependent. Identify the Carriers: Who are your "mat carriers"? Name the friends or older mentors in your life who refuse to let you stay stuck and will always push you toward Jesus. (Accountability, Godly Wisdom, Etc) THE WEEKLY CHALLENGE: 3 ACTION STEPS We aren't called to just be fans; we are called to be players on the roster. Here is how you can step off the sidelines this week: 1. CHANGE YOUR PRAYER: Some of you have been praying the exact same prayer for months: "God, fix this. Take this away." This week, open your hands and change your prayer to: "God, use this mat to change me." God, use this anxiety to make me completely dependent on You. God, use this broken relationship to teach me how to forgive. God, use this failure to crush my pride and show me Your grace. 2. BE A MAT CARRIER: Carrying someone’s mat is inconvenient. You have to step into their mess. But your job isn’t to fix them—your only job is to carry them to the feet of Jesus. Get to know their life, their story, hurts, and hang-ups, and begin to influence them toward Jesus. Invite them to church, invite them to a lunch Bible Study, and keep praying for them. 3. FIND SOME MAT CARRIERS: Stop hiding or reverting to your mats: sins, circumstances, and excuses. Everyone needs at least a few people in their lives that will help carry them back to Jesus when they are getting distracted. Most of the time, we need to ask someone if they can begin to do this with us (Help keep us accountable, help us repent, confess, and build disciplines that will lead us back towards Jesus). If you don’t have this in your life, begin to pray and look for them. - Easiest way is to join a Connect Group and ask the people in your group!

Jayke Youell

Student Pastor

Currently Reading
August 31, 1026 • 4 Minute Read
Are you a Fan or a Follower?
‘DEFINE THE RELATIONSHIP’ - Where are you at with your relationship with Jesus? This week in Connect Groups, we dove into a challenging and eye-opening message in our series CERTAIN titled "Define The Relationship". Looking at Matthew 9:9–13, we explored what it truly means when Jesus says "Follow Me"—and why He calls us to total surrender, not just casual admiration. What We Talked About (Quick Snippet): We opened up with a situation every teenager understands: the "DTR" (Define The Relationship) talk in dating. You can spend time together and enjoy hanging out, but eventually someone asks, "What are we?" Many people settle for casual religious affiliation instead of real commitment. They act like "fans" or "consumers"—liking Christian music, attending groups, or turning to Jesus only when stressed. But looking at the calling of Matthew the tax collector, we see that Jesus doesn't call us to admire Him from the sidelines; He calls us to surrender our lives, leave our past behind, and follow Him fully. The Big Idea: Jesus never called us to merely admire Him, attend church, or agree with His teachings. He calls us to surrender our lives and follow Him—leaving our past behind to take His grace to the world. Real, Practical Takeaways (In Teen Language): Grace Comes First: Jesus called Matthew at his tax booth before Matthew "cleaned up" his life. You don't have to fix yourself up or be perfect before you can follow Jesus—grace comes before growth. Followers, Not Fans: Following Jesus isn't just adding Him to your busy schedule or turning to Him when you need help. It means actively filtering your friendships, phone habits, time, and future plans through what He commands. Talk about what this looks like with your student this week! Highest Allegiance: A true disciple puts Jesus first, even when it conflicts with approval from a coach, friends, or family. Throw the Party: Matthew’s first move as a disciple was throwing a party to introduce his non-believing friends to Jesus. We are called to be intentional about bringing classmates and teammates to Jesus without compromising our values. Questions Your Student Might Ask You This Week: Want to keep the conversation going at home? Here are a few honest questions your student might be wrestling with after this week’s discussion: "Am I just a fan of Jesus, or am I actually following Him?" (We walked through self-identifying as a Fan, Consumer, or Surrendered Disciple in Connect Groups). "Why do I feel like I have to fix my life before God will accept me?" (We looked at Matthew 9:9 and Romans 5:8 to remind students that Jesus meets us right where we are). "How do I put Jesus first when it costs me socially at school?" (We discussed Luke 9:23 and Matthew 10:37–38 on what it costs to make Jesus our highest allegiance). Cultural Trends & Why This Matters Right Now: Here is some helpful context on where your student is coming from regarding this topic: Consumer Mindset in Faith: Modern culture trains teenagers to treat everything—entertainment, relationships, lifestyle—as consumers. It's easy for teens to treat faith the same way: picking and choosing what parts of Jesus' teaching suit them while keeping control of their own lives. Fear of Social Exclusion: For Students, "leaving something behind" (like a toxic friend group, a party culture, or a reputation) feels terrifying because belonging is everything. Re-anchoring their identity in Jesus gives them the courage to stand firm. "Clean Up First": Most Students often deal with heavy perfectionism. When they mess up, they assume God is disappointed and distance themselves from church until they feel "worthy" again. Remind them that Jesus calls outcasts and sinners long before they have it all together. At-Home Application: Screen Time & Schedule Check: Have an honest conversation with your student about where their time went last week. Ask: "Does our family schedule reflect that Jesus is our highest allegiance, or are we giving Him our leftovers?" Be an Ambassador: Challenge your student to identify one younger student or classmate who needs encouragement this week, sit with them, and pray for them by name.

Jayke Youell

Student Pastor

August 17, 2026 • 4 Minute Read
What do we do when God feels 'silent'?
If you’re waiting on God to speak, you’re not alone. Middle schoolers, high schoolers, & families– we SEE you. There are many times we don’t know what to do or what to think when we feel like God is ‘Silent’. This weekend we looked at Matthew 1 & Luke 2 and the silence of 400 years being broken with God speaking through His Son Jesus being born into the world. It doesn’t have to be Christmas to celebrate the Christ-Child come into the world. Here’s our BIG IDEA - ‘God’s silence does not mean His absence. When heaven feels silent, God is actively working behind the scenes to prepare His purpose, and we can trust His character even while we wait.’ Here are some questions we might ask: "Why does God wait so long to answer important prayers?" (We talked about how God prepared the world for 400 years before sending Jesus at the perfect time in Galatians 4:4). "How do I know if God is silent or if I'm just not listening right?" (We discussed how David cried out "How long, Lord?" in Psalm 13—it’s okay to tell God honestly how you feel). "What if I wait and pray, but the answer is still 'No' or doesn't go my way?" (We looked at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3, who trusted God's character even when they didn't know the outcome). Here are some trends that will hurt our and students’ ability to HEAR from God through prayer and be faithful in the waiting: "On Read" Anxiety & Ghosting: In teenage communication, silence is often used as a tool for rejection or conflict avoidance. Because students experience being "ghosted" by peers, they easily project that same fear onto God when He doesn't answer right away. Distraction Over Reflection: When faced with silence or uncertain waiting periods, the default cultural reflex is to fill the void with digital noise (TikTok, short-form media) rather than leaning into prayer, reflection, or community. We have to combat this cultural norm of distractibility by intentionally correcting our posture towards God. Do this every day in the morning before trying to tackle the day. Spend 5 minutes in Silence and Solitude listening to God. No phone, no music, no reading, distractions, etc... Just God - Start your time off saying, ‘Speak Lord, your servant is listening’ - Write down all of the verses, pictures, or ideas that He puts in your mind as you listen and hold that up against Scripture, asking: Does this line up with what God’s already said? And is this myself talking or God’s Spirit? God desires us to be faithful ‘Actively Waiting’ as we are prayerfully pursuing Him and His desires. Don’t give up on those big prayers for our friends and family to come to salvation, hearts and situations to be changed, or answers to our biggest questions. Let’s be faithful in the middle of the waiting! Here’s a look at Mess Fest 2026:CLICK HERE FOR MORE MESS FEST PHOTOSCONNECT GROUPS 26/27 PHOTOS Parents: We had a great time at Mess Fest this year and are ecstatic with how everything turned out and the buy-in we had from families and students. Thanks for making things like this possible where we can effectively reach and love our community, to give them a safe place on Saturday Nights @5:30! Up above is our Google Photos link that you can add your own photos or download the ones of your kiddos. We can’t wait to share more updates on all the activities and events we have coming up. One of our parents shared this week that they’ve already seen positive changes in their student after just two weeks of Connect Groups, and their student said: ‘I think I found where I belong.' This is exactly why we do the things that we do. We hope that more students come to connect in our Ministry, but more importantly Discover and Grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ!

Jayke Youell

Student Pastor

August 17, 2026 • 5 Minute Read
Is Baptism really Necesssary?
It’s time to stop letting your past dictate your future. In a culture that loves to hold onto mistakes, Jesus offers something radical: a complete, permanent clean slate. This week in our Connect Group series CERTAIN, we asked a big question: What does it really mean to be baptized? Whether your student is curious about taking that first step of obedience or is already baptized and wondering how to walk in that freedom daily, here is a quick look at what we discussed, practical takeaways for home, and how you can support them this week. What We Talked About (Quick Snippet) We opened up asking students if they’ve ever completely ruined a project, a relationship, or a reputation and wished they could hit a literal "factory reset" button. We talked about how baptism is God's prescribed response to the Gospel—a spiritual fresh start where we are born of water and the Spirit to be cleansed of sin. This isn’t just a symbolic process - This is where God does a total Heart and Life transformation, where we’re made completely NEW! (Romans 6:3–4) The Big Idea: Baptism is God's prescribed response to the Gospel, where we are born of water and the Spirit to be cleansed of sin. For those already baptized, it isn't a finish line—it's the doorway to walking daily in His righteousness and unlocking life in God's Kingdom! Real, Practical Takeaways (In Teen Language) - How to receive this ‘New Life’ ‘Factory Reset’: Repentance isn't just feeling bad about a bad decision—it's choosing to turn away from sin in how you handle relationships, your behavior, thoughts, and what's on your phone. We recognize the sin that separates us, God opens our minds toward Him, and we turn from sin and toward our Savior. (Acts 2:37-38) Follow the Leader: Even though Jesus was completely sinless, He insisted on being baptized to "fulfill all righteousness". If Jesus prioritized obeying the Father, we should take that same step of obedience. Not just a baptism of Repentance that John the Baptist preaches, but a baptism of the ‘forgiveness of sins’ and the ‘Holy Spirit’. In our Surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, we recognize His Saving Work on the Cross and Resurrection, and identify with Him in this. (John 3:5; Mark 16:16; 1 Corinthians 15) Stop Acting Like Your Old Self: If you’ve already been baptized, Paul says you are a "new creation". You don't have to stay tied to old habits, bad attitudes, or toxic friend groups from your past. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Share Your Story: Remember, at the end of the day, we’re a bunch of sinners- NOBODIES- who live to tell EVERYBODY about the SOMEBODY who has saved our souls. Every one of us has a responsibility because of this news - to Share the Story. Encourage your student to share their baptism story with others, invite questions, and bring others to church to learn more about this Jesus! Questions Your Student Might Ask You This Week Want to keep the conversation going at home? Here are a few honest questions your student might be processing after this week’s lesson: "Do I need to be baptized to be saved, or is it just symbolic?" (We looked at John 3:3–5 and Acts 2:37–38 to discuss why God chose baptism as His prescribed response to the Gospel rather than an optional suggestion). "Why was Jesus baptized if He never did anything wrong?" (We discussed Matthew 3:13–15, where Jesus aligned Himself with God's righteousness and set the pattern for us to follow). "If I’ve already been baptized, why do I still mess up and feel guilty?" (We talked about Romans 6:3–4 and how baptism isn't the finish line—it's the start of learning to walk daily in 'newness of life'). Cultural Trends & Why This Matters Right Now Here is some helpful context on where your teenager’s mindset might be regarding this topic: The Desire for "Cancel" or "Reset" Buttons: High school culture can be unforgiving; one mistake online or in a social circle can stick with a student for years. The message that God offers a genuine, permanent "clean slate" through repentance and baptism addresses a deep need for forgiveness and a fresh start. Treating Spiritual Steps as "Optional": Modern culture often encourages a customized approach to faith, leading students to view spiritual practices (like baptism or church community) as personal preferences rather than commitments. Re-anchoring baptism as God's clear step of obedience helps counter this trend. Identity vs. Past Mistakes: Teenagers frequently tie their identity to their past failures or the labels their peers give them. Remind students that through Christ, their old life is buried and they are given a brand-new identity. Next Steps: If your student wants to be baptized: Have a conversation with them tonight! Reach out to their Connect Group leader or our ministry team so we can talk through their questions and help schedule a baptism date. Also, we’ve made a resource for you to walk through baptism start to finish as their adult; check it out below:START HERE: BAPTISM GUIDE If your student is already baptized: Ask them this week: "What is one area—like your speech, phone habits, or how you treat family—where you want your choices to reflect your new life in Christ?" Continue to encourage your family to continue to learn and live like Jesus. WE want to help your family to do this!

Jayke Youell

Student Pastor