Young people have a lot on their minds.
                We help them explore what they really want to know, but might be uncomfortable asking about.
                    Asking questions is encouraged at Teen Action on Thursday nights at The Bread of Life.
                        Putting aside our regular program to focus on teen relevant topics is a great way to fill space!
          Even when we change our regular program, we still make the YWAP Character Fitness Lesson of The Week available, it's posted below for your information. Please feel free to use it. If you'd like a copy in a Word Document. please email us at ywapbuffalo@yahoo.com or call us at 716-830-8240.
                                                                         Teen Action Night, 6-8 pm Thursdays
                                                                                  Bread of Life Church
​                                                                       1638 South Park Ave. Buffalo, NY 14220

     Words of New Beginnings: “Helping other people, is like planting seeds that grow heart-smiles.” ♥
KEY WORD of THE WEEK
→DISCERNMENT
 
Discernment is the ability to judge between what’s right, what’s almost right & what’s wrong.
 
1. You may not like to take a test, but when making a decision, it’s good to test your decision up against what’s right and wrong. 
2. One way to discern or decide if an idea is good or bad, is to ask, “Would this idea be good in heaven as it is on earth?” Would God be happy with what you decided to do? 
3. The world has bad things & bad people. You need to make wise decisions or you could end up in a heap of trouble. Drugs & alcohol fog up your ability to make good decisions. 

          2 → KEYS → 2 → DISCERNMENT

1. Go 2 God’s Word & Study what’s right..
2. Go 2 God and ask Him for wisdom.

 
GOD’S WORD 4 THE WEEK
 
“If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.” ~ James 1:5 (AMP)
 
“But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. Then it is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest.” ~ James 3:17 (ICB)
 
 “The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (TLB)
Jesus Loves You And So Do We.
youthwithapurpose.org               716-830-8240    

     Young people come for the fun, the food and the friendship.
          Words that can improve their character are another kind of food.
               Another YWAP Teen Action has begun - as they always do!
                    Pastor Evangelist Virgie Baker from Praise Fellowship Ministries is our 9 Minute Guest Speaker tonight. 
          The YWAP Lesson for the night is on Anger & Resentment. The Lesson is posted below. Please feel free to use it in your youth group.

It’s Good To See Ya! We’re glad you’re here.
You Have A Reputation With God.
YWAP Teen Action Night At The Bread  1-23-20

Words of New Beginnings: “Your past does not have to define your future. Make a decision to follow a path of greater potential.”
 V  Resentment is “resending” a bad memory back into your heart and causing a greater wound.
V  Resentment is a weak emotional response that only serves to further embitter a resentful person.
V  The world is unfair, resentment only serves to recreate unfairness.
V  Let unfairness become a key to learning how to create greater fairness in your life, and in the folks around you.
 Ø  Accept others the way they are. Hold them accountable when necessary, but do it with grace, not anger. None of us are without faults, we will make mistakes. When you hammer someone who made a mistake, it’s like being a hypocrite. Treat other folks the way you want to be treated.
Ø  Silence is golden. The person who learns how to keep his mouth shut in the face of hard times is often viewed as a strong person. It’s easy to complain, it’s harder to be quiet during times of unfairness. Think quietly and meditate on a better solution that showing anger.
Ø  Emptiness is a state of readiness to be filled with something. Choose this day what you want to be filled with. Anger is like a volcano that will fill you to exploding. Peace is like a river that wells up in your soul. Peace will take you through the valleys where death has cast its shadow. Peace will take you over the mountains of life.
 ”Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry –but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge.  And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil that kind of foothold in your life.” ~ Ephesians 4:26 –27 (MSG)
 “Complain if you must, but don’t lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for His verdict. ~ Psalm 4:4-5 (MSG)
 Jesus Loves You And So Do We.
youthwithapurpose.org               716-830-8240

     You already know that teachers need a lesson plan for their students.
     While that's a good plan, it's only part of a good education.
     A lot of learning happens when we give teens the chance to ask questions.
     Planning an open topic night at Teen Action was a great idea and they loved it!
          Deb Sudyn is a volunteer mentor who came up with the idea for an Open Topic Night. We did have a planned Leadership lesson on Resilience that was incorporated into the evening. Deb and a young man named Robert did a great job facilitating the teaching and Open Topic discussion.
          Thank you to all of the great YWAP Mentors at the Bread of Life. Teen Action Night is a wonderful success because of your integrity, compassion and love for God and young people. 

     Young guys and young girls mature at different speeds.
     When Space Thursday comes around once a month, we separate the guys and girls.
     Allowing ourselves space to grow helps us appreciate each other more.
     People who know what a friend they have in Jesus will be better friends.
Here's a report from YWAP Space Thursday Mentors Becky Rogowski and Evelyn Guash.
     The gentlemen watched a video of the Seattle Seahawks players called, Making of a Champion on You Tube. They were given the salvation message and discussed testimonies on the video. Here's a comment from the YouTube Channel, "Eli Scott 4 years ago "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty..." 1 Cor 1:27 (Nkjv) ... I amazed how God uses the NFL to His glory; and He has the right to use the NFL and any other means by which to get the blessed Gospel Of Jesus Christ out to the world." (Copied & pasted as written.)
     Here's what Miss Evelyn had to say about the space the ladies enjoyed, "We had a great meeting with the girls. I see how God is doing a work in their hearts and they are truly taking it in. They are sharing alot and forming the sweetest sisterhood.?? 
     My title was "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
     Scripture came from John 15:13, Proverbs 18:24, 1Corinthians 15:33, and Roman's 5:8. I started with how we will never have a greater friend than Jesus, He laid down His life and suffered and died for us. No other friend loves us enough to do that. He's always present and available to us. The best friend that we could ever ask for.
     Too many or the wrong friends will lead us to trouble. There was alot of talk about "bad company". In closing I told them that Jesus died not just for perfect church folks, even our parents can leave us and not be there to support us, but Jesus loved us and thought about us 2,000 years ago and gave of Himself for us.
That's love, that's a friend!?"
     That's a great Space Thursday for teens! Thank you everyone who helped to open the doors, put up volleyball nets, serve food, show a movie and give a great message. We appreciate you. More importantly: Jesus loves you and so do we!

     You may not know what it's like to live in a cave, but the choices we make can put us in dark places.
     When Pastor Randy told the young folks about his past life, they listened attentively.
     Alcohol and drugs can lead people to dark places and Pastor Randy almost died in a dark place.
     Perfect people don't exist. "God doesn't use perfect people. He uses people He's perfected."
     Pastor Randy talked about being obedient to God and listening to His voice. "Be obedient in small things and God will open big doors." At one turning point in his life, a man gave Pastor Randy a Bible with a prayer written in side. "May the Lord keep you until your time. Maranatha (the Lord is coming.) Since then, Randy and his wife Kathy have travelled to many countries and shared the love of Christ with thousands of people.
     You probably noticed that he's in a wheelchair, but don't mistake that for a limitation, Randy is still speaking in churches and doing one on one mentoring. You can't stop this former caveman, he's a mountain man for Jesus who helps others climb the mountains of life! Thanks Pastor Randy and Kathy, Jesus loves you and so do we.
     This was the first week of Teen Action Night's new season at the Bread of Life. Members of the Buffalo Police Department Neighborhood Engagement Team came for a short visit. They came back a week later to share and play volleyball and basketball with the young people. More on that in our next article. 
Videos of our Leadership Lesson can be found here: 
"How To Be Popular" (Facebook)
"How To Be Popular" (YouTube)
The video of Pastor Randy's inspirational message can be found here: 
"Pastor Randy Once Lived In A Cave" (YouTube)
"Pastor Randy Laid His Heart On The Line" (Same Video on Facebook)

     Young people in immeasurable numbers are victims of abuse and bullying.
     When Robin Lynn spoke to the 12-18 yr. olds about her personal story, they heard raw truth.
     A lot of people are abused and bullied, some courageously step forward and confront truth.
     People believe that they're the cause of abuse that happens to them. That's a lie and Robin stopped believing in that lie as she embraced God.
     As a young girl she listened to bullies tell lies about her. She desperately wanted to be liked, so when a guy showed interest in her, she was flattered and he became her boyfriend. He ended up abusing her in horrible ways.
     Statistics will show that it takes about seven attempts before an abused person finally breaks free from their abuser. Robin realized her self-worth in God and how much He loves her. She broke free, but that's not the end of the story. She forgave her abuser because she said holding a grudge would be just what the devil wanted. She defeated the devil and now is engaged to a fine young man named Jeremy.
     Here are Robin's final words to the young people:
"God will always have your back. You guys are amazing and just know your self-worth."
Thank you Robin, we're proud of you, but more importantly - Jesus loves you and so do we!
You can watch Robin's motivational talk on Facebook or watch Robin on YouTube.

   Young people are gathering in greater numbers on Thursdays at YWAP Teen Action Night.
   Women - lots of young ladies filled a room with open hearts to God and smiles that were as wide as that room!
   A lot of young people are searching for God and asking questions. It's time to give them God's answer in Love.
   Parents - get your children involved in Teen Action Night. Young people learn Biblical leadership - serving in Love.
     This week was what we call "Space Thursday." It's a time to separate the ladies and the guys for some deeper discussions about God's unique and individual plans for their lives. This week we're focusing on the ladies. The guys are doing great things also. 
     Here's a comment from Evelyn Guash who was the leader of last Thursday's "Space Night For Ladies,"
"My brother we had 21 ladies in the room!!!!!. I talked about hygiene and honoring the Lord with a healthy and clean body. Then moved on to being clean inside and out. The sin nature that makes us unclean. They interacted with each other, we went deep into the topic and played a game where they won hygiene products. We prayed at the end and many said the sinners prayer. God is good."
​

      Young people will all grow up someday. Some will embrace the struggles of life and do great things.
     When Kobe Matestic told the young folks at Teen Action about his focus on growing up, they focused on his words.
     All of us will struggle, but when we embrace those struggles and turn them over to God, He uses them to work together for our good.
     Plenty of young people go to church, but a real relationship with God opens doors to opportunities beyond their imaginations. 
     All young people. App youth leaders. All Pastors. ALL PEOPLE will glean some wisdom from Kobe's words. He's an awesome young man. His Mom Jamie Matestic deserves a lot of credit along with other family members who've helped mold Kobe into the Godly young man that he has become. Links to the video are posted below. Kobe only took 7:45 out of his allotted Nine Minutes.
Kobe On Facebook.
Kobe On YouTube
     Here are a few heart-nuggets from Kobe's Life Direction Speech:
"I knew it was time to grow up and focus."
"It was time to get serious about becoming a man."
"I looked in the mirror and I was sick of the person I was looking at."
"I knew something needed to change."
"I said to God; 'I'm giving everything over to you."
 
     Thank you Kobe for breathing God's wisdom into the hearts of young and old alike. You will enlarge the place of God's Love in many hearts and the world will become a better place because you have walked through it. Special shout out to Becky Rogowski for inviting Kobe and Derek Murphy for the pictures and video.
Jesus loves you and so do we.

You may not see it at first, but there's a pointing finger in the picture above.
When young people see your actions and hear your words, their impressionable hearts are pointed in your direction.
As a Youth Leader, Mentor, Worship Leader, Community Activist. Wife, Mother, Daughter and bold believer in Jesus Christ, Nancie is an Extraordinary Leader in a world sorely in need of leaders.
Parents, if you're looking for some healthy exercise, social/emotional learning, Biblical Leadership with a nutritious ho meal for free, drop them off at The Bread of Life Church tonight 3/7/19 at 6pm. Pick them up at 8pm. They will also hear Nancie as our Nine Minute Guest Speaker provide some positive Life Direction in a culturally relevant manner that kids can understand.
     When we lift others up, we sometimes fail to mention the folks around them who support and help them do what they do. Nancie's husband Nick is a stand up guy who also goes the extra mile and helps those who can't stand up for themselves. Together they have children who walk in their parents shoes as they follow the steps of Christ.
     Soon YWAP will be launching a new program called the Great Dads Network. We're being proactive in battling a modern day leprosy or the disease we call "Fatherlesscy." In a 13 week program, we'll teach young men about the responsibilities and benefits of embracing their roles as fathers. Our initial focus will be on guys currently in the court system. Call us if you have a heart for the fatherless. 716-830-8240.  
​

YWAP Director Linda Kuebler has written a book called "Heavenly Happenings - How The God of Heaven Revealed Himself To Me." All proceeds are used to help us support and enlarge programs at Youth With A Purpose." Thank you.

           Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Friends, Ywapsters & Buffalonians!
          Youth With A Purpose is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Derek D. Murphy as our new Media Director at Teen Action Night. Mr. Murphy has accepted a YWAP Leadership Role and takes over the responsibilities of photographer and videographer for our Youth Program at The Bread of Life. We are honored to have Derek as a member of the YWAP Leadership Team. Thank you Derek, Jesus loves you and so do we.  
          Teen Action Night is a program for guys and girls 12-18 yrs. old. We get physical exercise, listen to an inspirational speaker, study Biblical Leadership, eat a full course meal, make new friends and SMILE A LOT! Call 716-830-8240 if you'd like to know more.