WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a “parent cue” to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

Series Overview

Every one of us has experienced it at some point. At one time, we were really into a relationship—whether that’s a friendship or a dating relationship—and now, well, not so much. We’re just not that into it anymore. So we walk away or we let the relationship die. But what happens when that relationship you’re not that into anymore is the one you have with God? You were really into Him at one point. You were feeling connected, directed, close. Now it feels like nothing. How do you deal with it?

Session One: The Breakup? (October 10th)

There is a natural ebb and flow to our relationships, isn’t there? There are times when we feel really close to someone, and times when we don’t. The reasons vary, but there are times when we’re just not feeling that into a relationship. It’s true of our friendships and other relationships, but what happens when it happens in our relationship with God? And when it does, why is it so difficult to admit it?
Session One Parent Cue: Describe a time when you felt really close to God. Now, describe a time when you felt really distant from Him.

Session Two: Fight for Me (October 17th)

When you’re not that into a relationship, you have a choice—to stay or to go. God has made it very clear in the Bible that He’s not going anywhere. He’s in. But we’re the ones who struggle with the choice, and that struggle sometimes involves fighting our own feelings and perceptions. It’s a fight that we have to be willing to take on, and a decision each of us has to make. And while it may feel like it, it’s not one-sided, God isn’t going anywhere. So are you going to fight your own tendencies to pull away? Are you going to fight for your relationship with God?
Session Two Parent Cue: Have you ever been tempted to walk away from God? What made you come back to Him . . . or walk away?

Session Three: Do You Know Me? (TBA)

So you decided to fight, to stay in your relationship with God even though you’re feeling not that into Him. And for some of you, you’ve already seen a big change. There’s a new connection. There’s excitement. But for others, you’re fighting and nothing’s happening. You’re working, but you’re not getting anything in return. So what’s the problem? It may be that “me” is getting in the way, that your focus is on you. And in the process, you have made God very small, boring and predictable—a God you think you know, but One who is actually so much bigger than us.
Session Three Parent Cue: What are some things you’ve learned about God in your relationship with Him? Search online for “names of God” and go through the list and identify specific ways you’ve “experienced” those names. For example, one of the names of God means “provider.” How have you seen God provide in your life?

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Resumen de la Serie

Cada uno de nosotros lo ha experimentado alguna vez. En algún momento, nosotros estuvimos realmente involucrados en una relación –sea amistosa o de noviazgo- y ahora, bueno, no lo estamos tanto. Simplemente, ya no estamos interesados. Así que nos vamos alejando o dejamos que esa relación muera. Pero que pasa cuando esa relación de la que te has alejado, es la relación que tu tienes con Dios? Estuviste realmente interesado en El en algún punto de tu vida. Te sentiste conectado, dirigido, cerca…Ahora sientes que no hay nada. ¿Como lidiar con eso?

Primera Sesión: La Ruptura? (10 de octubre)

Hay una fluidez natural en nuestras relaciones, ¿no es cierto? Hay veces que nos sentimos verdaderamente cerca a alguien y otras veces en las que no. Las razones varían, pero hay veces en las que no nos sentimos involucrados en esa relación. Esto suele pasar con nuestras amistades y otras relaciones, pero ¿que pasa cuando nos está pasando con nuestra relación con Dios? Y cuando ocurre, ¿porque es tan difícil admitirlo?
Referencia para el Padre: Describa algún momento cuando usted se sintió realmente cerca de Dios. Ahora, describa un momento cuando usted se sintió realmente distante de El.

Segunda Sesión: Lucha Por Mi (17 de octubre)

Cuando no estas muy interesado en una relación, tienes la opción de quedarte o irte. Dios lo ha dejado bien claro en la Biblia que El no se va para ningún lado. El siempre esta ahí. Pero somos nosotros los que luchamos con las opciones y esas luchas algunas veces se tratan de nuestros propios sentimientos y opiniones. Es una lucha que debemos estar dispuestos a enfrentar y una decisión que cada uno de nosotros debe tomar. Y mientras nosotros podamos sentir como si Dios no está de nuestro lado, El siempre esta allí. Así que ¿vas a luchar en contra de tus propias tendencias? Vas a luchar por tu relación con Dios?
Referencia para el Padre: Te has sentido tentado a alejarte de Dios? Que ha hecho que vuelvas a Él?....O alejarte de Él?