It's October and the school year is in full swing, fall weather is right around the corner and the GSM Sunday gatherings are off to a great start! As we settle into the school year rhythm in GSM, there is a lot that is going on in October so this month's newsletter will focus largely on what's happening around here and how you can connect with your student as they take their next steps!
- Middle school (MS) small groups are launching on Sunday, October 9. Small groups happen during the GSM Sunday gathering and provide a great chance for your student to connect with friends and talk about the teach time and how it can apply to their life. Students are placed in small groups based primarily on their requests of who they want to be with and then we place 1-2 leaders to walk with your student through the year. If your student is new or doesn't have any friends that come to GSM don't worry, we'll do everything we can to get your student connected with some students with similar interests.
- High school (HS) students get placed into a cluster on Sunday evenings. Clusters exist to help make the big room a little bit smaller, but still have the space to invite friends and get to know a wide variety of other students as we journey together. Clusters also have the opportunity to meet in house groups throughout the week for deeper connection and discipleship.
- In both the MS and HS Sunday gatherings we go through teaching series that allow us to spend several weeks engaged in the same topic. As a parent you can find that information as well as a short 60-second vision video explaining that series and what we're covering.
- As an additional heads up for high school, from October 16 through November 20 we'll be addressing some of the BIG questions of faith. We'll seek to enter into a conversation around questions like, "Is it wrong to doubt God?" "Why do bad things happen to good people?" "Can i do something so bad God won't forgive me" and more. As a parent these questions can be intimidating to have your student asking but the reality is that these questions help a student wrestle with and grasp their faith in the process of making it their own. The article included in this month's newsletter addresses this natural process and I would also strongly encourage you to read "What do I say when my kids ask hard questions about God?"
- You can find more information about each age-specific gathering at Granger High School and Granger Middle School.
John Keim
Pastor of Granger Student Ministries