Thirst! It's back!

Thirst discipleship groups began meeting again on Sunday, January 16th. We kicked things off meeting all together in the Upper Room with food and fellowship. Then Jennie spoke on "Devotion" and what that looks like in our lives as girls. Here's a quick review:

Devotion defined: profound dedication; earnest attachment to a cause or person.

What can devotion look like in our lives? We can be devoted to a myriad of things or people: schoolwork, ballet, basketball, our phone, Facebook, music, ourselves, soccer, a guy...really anything that we spend the majority of our time, thoughts, money, and speech on. An example of devotion from God's Word is seen in the difference between Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. In Thirst we discussed Mary's actions and compared them to Martha's. Then we looked at what is most important - Jesus's response. Jesus said in Luke 10:41, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Girls, if you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, confused, distracted (like Martha) - put everything down. And focus just on ONE thing: spending time with Jesus. Pray, read His Word, listen to Him. He promises that time spent with Him is never wasted time. (Luke 10:42)

Remember: Mary still did her work (Nope, you can't tell mom and dad that you are not doing chores and homework anymore!). Mary made sure her choices gained her the all-important time she needed to take care of her devotion and commitment to God. It's a choice.

What will you choose to be devoted to?

~Jennie McKay

*Join us for "Thirst" this Sunday - Middle School at 4pm & High School at 5pm - on the 3rd floor.

Year of the Bible

On January 1, 2011, Bellevue students will join with the entire church in reading through the Bible chronologically in a year. How neat it will be for all of us to be reading the same passages every week and discussing what the Lord is teaching us individually and as a church family.

In order for all of us to be on the same reading plan, we will follow the plan of the NIV Chronological One Year Bible. We will be making these available at the Student E.R. for $10. A student journal is also available for $10, or you may buy both for $18.

It all begins in just a few weeks on January 1st!

Thirst: "Lord, I Want to Know You"

11th-12th grade girls in "Thirst" are going through Kay Arthur's "Lord I Want to Know You" which teaches about the character of God by studying His Biblical Names. For example, this week we are focusing on God Most High, El Elyon. This name designates God as the sovereign, ruler of the universe. This is the name Daniel uses when he is thanking God for interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dream to him. It is the name Isaiah uses when quoting God to the Israelites in regards to their future. The same God Most High is in control of all people, circumstances, and happenings of today!

Memory Verse: "I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me." Psalm 57:2

Quote from Book:
"If God is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then He is not the Most High, and you and I are either in the hands of fate (whatever that is), in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil." - Kay Arthur

Thirst: "Lady In Waiting"

What 10th grade girls are learning this week in "Thirst" from their leader, Lindsey:

The tenth graders involved in “Thirst” are reading through “Lady in Waiting” by Jackie Kendall and Debby Jones. We are studying how to trust God with His perfect plan for our lives, including finding future mates. But, most importantly, we are learning how to become ladies who truly follow God in radical abandon to Him, seeking His will above our own. We have read about how to be a lady of diligence and a lady of faith. A look into the life of Ruth shows us how God is in control of our lives—every detail—and that we must choose to walk by faith and not by our own understanding or desires.

Memory verse: Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

Thirst: "Crazy Love"

A look into what the 9th grade girls are learning in "Thirst" this week from their leader, Nicole:

One of the main things we have talked about is a question that Francis Chan ("Crazy Love") asks and that is, " What do you think would be the FIRST thing out of your mouth the moment you saw God?" We have talked about how we want this question to transform the way that we pray. Far too often we find ourselves trapped in the hurried," God thank you for this day...this food....God please help ME do this, ME, ME, ME...." When you think about the fact that you are coming into the presence of the JESUS of the Bible who is seated on a throne in heaven as Revelation describes, our hurried, unintentional, "check it off the list of things to do" prayers seem as though perhaps they are not really prayers at all. We should learn to pray as though Someone is LISTENING - because so often we find ourselves not in a conversation, but in a hurried rambling of thoughts, not even truly focused on the Lord.

Memory verse: Psalm 63:3 " Oh God, You are my God; I shall seek you earnestly; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

A quote from "Crazy Love" this week: " ...it doesn't matter what place you find yourself right now.Your part is to bring Him glory...The point of your life is to point to Him."

"Thirst": One Girl Can Change the World

A glimpse into what the 8th grade girls are learning in "Thirst" this week:
We are learning (from Ch. 2 in "One Girl Can Change the World") about how God has created our passions for His purpose and how to find out what that is! Also, how to develop your passion into being used for the body of Christ.

Our memory verse: Psalm 63:2 "Thus I have beheld Thee in the sanctuary, to see Thy power and Thy glory."
(8th grade girls are memorizing Psalm 63 this semester.)

A quote from this week's chapter: Never doubt that a community of thoughtful, committed women, filled with the power and Love of God, using gifts they have identified and developed, and pursuing passions planted in them by God, that these women can change the world.

"Thirst": Essentials of Prayer

"Thirst" is our Girls' Discipleship that meets on Sunday afternoons (Middle School @ 4pm & High School @ 5pm). Each grade meets separately, with a leader, for a time of accountability, prayer, scripture memorization, and study of God's Word. I wanted to share a bit of what our 7th grade girls are studying this week, and it comes from E. M. Bound's book called "Essentials of Prayer." They are learning how to pray, how to keep a prayer journal, how Jesus prayed, and of course we are praying together! A few tidbits about prayer and our memory verse for this week:

For the Christian, prayer is a relationship - and a way of life.

The praying Christian, as the soldier, fights a life-and-death struggle...littleness, half-heartedness, weakness, and laziness are all absent.

The largest results in praying come to him who gives himself, all of himself, all that belongs to himself, to God.

"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matt. 22:37

"Thirst" Girls Discipleship

Girls 7th-12th Grade

Begins this Sunday, September 19th

7th & 8th Grade @ 4pm

9th-12th Grade @ 5pm

Where: Upper Room

What to Bring: Bible & $12 for your book

What: A time of mentoring, accountability, study of God's Word, fellowship with girls your age, scripture memorization, and of course something to quench your "thirst!"

"O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You;

my soul thirsts for You..." Ps. 63:1

Friday Favs: Carmen Berretta

Carmen shares her favorite thing about High School Impact Mission Trip:

1 samuel 12:24- Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider what great things he has done for you.

"I loved being able to be with the kids that have no where else to go, and to get to know them and learn their stories. I also loved the opportunity we had in the different ministry projects like the painting we did for the Green Law Community center."

Thanks Carmen!!

(for more info & pics from HS Impact, go to: http://www.bellevuestudents.org/)

Friday Favs: Hannah Quinn

Hannah Quinn’s favorite part about
Middle school Impact Mission trip…

“My favorite part about Impact was being able to share Christ with two of my kids and leading them to the Lord, and I also enjoyed making new friends and spending time with my other friends!”


Thanks Hannah! And to all those who were involved in
Middle School Impact mission trip, you all were awesome!
Thank you for making yourself available to serve the Lord!

HS Impact & SLU 301

A glimpse into Student Ministry this week:

Pray for the 45 High School students that are serving at Impact Baptist Church in Frayser, TN. The team will be loving on the community through VBS, community service, and sharing the Gospel. A couple of pics of the girls from Day 1:

We also have a group of 30 High School students and counselors in Paris, Normandy, London, and Oxford this week for SLU 301. This group will be trained in leadership skills and hear from speakers such as Jay Strack, Brent Crowe, Will Cavanaugh, Prince Michael of Kent, and Dr. Graham Ferguson Lacey. Check out Bellevue Student Ministry for pictures and visit our Facebook page for updates! For a 301 schedule, go here.

For more info & pics visit our Bellevue Student Ministry site.

Students on Mission

Please pray for these students that are serving this summer:

* 30 High School students in Tegucigalpa, Honduras serving with POI ministry.

* 17 High School students serving at Camp Sonquest in Memphis.

* 55 Middle School students serving in Frayser with Impact ministry.

* 45 High School students serving in Frayser with Impact ministry.

Each of these teams will be doing VBS, service projects, sharing the gospel, and loving on children and adults. Thank you students for following the Lord in obedience this summer to spread God's love and gospel to Memphis and the world! Are you serving somewhere this summer? Leave a comment and let us know your story!

Go to http://www.bellevuestudents.org/ for updates and pics from these trips!

Camp 2010!

Tonight @ midnight is the last chance to register for

Summer CAMP at the $250 price.

You will not want to miss this incredible trip! Go to

Bellevue Student Ministry website to sign up!

why miss the chance from Bellevue Student Ministry on Vimeo.

Authentic Christianity

Have you ever wondered what it looks like to really follow after Christ?

Have you ever seen an example of what this looks like in our world today?

One of my friends introduced me to someone who is an authentic Christ-follower...Katie. From Nashville, she surrendered to God's call at 17 years old. Her story began with a short-term mission trip as a high school student. And the rest of her story (which continues today) is incredible... you must read it (beginning with the 2007 entries on her blog). God's plan for her included surrendering everything, and moving to Uganda to become "mommy" to 14 orphaned girls. Wow.

Consider this passage from Matthew 16, as paraphrased in The Message: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself?"

Katie took God at His Word and followed the One True God... to Uganda.

Jesus wants all of you too. Let go of the possessions, popularity, and pursuits that you hold on to so tightly... and experience the freedom that God gives from a life surrendered to Him.

I urge you to read Katie's story here and see a 21-year old that is in love with Jesus.

I'm excited to introduce you to someone that can say "Follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Cor 11:1).

Remember as you read, God's plan for you may not look exactly like Katie's. But He does have a plan, exciting and full of adventure (not without trial and difficulty), and He wants to share it with you and walk alongside you... will you follow Him?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you" (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

Seek Him...surrender all...

Jennie

The Call

"The Call" was the theme of 2010's Disciple-Now weekend. Students from Bellevue and several other churches in the area gathered together for a Friday through Sunday of worship and teaching from God's Word. Glory Revealed led us in worship (you must check them out - they are my most favorite group!), and Brent Crowe and David Nassar taught us about the "Call."

The "Call" to: Salvation, Proclamation, Persecution, and Position.

"Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me." Isaiah 6:8

The weekend was for 7th-12th grade students and consisted of not only the conference, but also small group times in homes, missions projects on Saturday, and time to hang out with friends. Here are a few photos that highlight the weekend:

Thanks to all the incredible leaders, co-leaders, and host homes!

(Some groups even had chocolate facials for their free time!)

(Visit http://www.bellevuestudents.org/ for more pictures!)

We would love to know what you thought about DNOW 2010! Likes? Dislikes? Suggestions for speakers or bands for next year? Leave me a comment below! :)

~Jennie

"Mugs & Muffins"

We had such a great time at Panera at 6:30 am each Tuesday for "Mugs & Muffins" this semester. Our study was on "Spending Time With God," and we heard the Girls Council teach on Jesus' pattern of spending time with His Father, why it is important for us to spend time with God, and Biblical examples of those that regularly spent time with God no matter the cost. Last week was the final study for this semester, and here is a picture of the group:

Mark 1:35 "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."