Welcome to Lenten Mentor/Companion Orientation

1. Welcome to Lenten Mentor/Companion Orientation

3. With God All Things Are Possible See the Bible ina whole new way this Lent!

4. FOUR GOALS: • Experience the depth ofGod’s great love for you. • Understand how your unique story fits into God’s story for all of us. • See the scarlet thread of redemption through Jesus Christ. • Go deeper and gain a great knowledge of God’s Word.

5. March 12 – From Death to Life • Text: John 5:24 Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. • Big Idea: God’s great plan of salvation provides a way out for me – out of death and into life – new life, eternal life, abundant life

6. March 19 – From Slavery to Freedom Text: John 8:32 You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Big Idea: God’s ‘Great Salvation’ provides deliverance from bondage and slavery, into a life of freedom and blessing.

7. March 26 – From Victim to Victor Text: Romans 8:37 In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Big Idea: The ‘Great Salvation’ God provides means that I am no longer a victim of sin and circumstance, but can be victorious through Him who loves me.

8. April 2 – From Religion to Relationship • Text: Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. • Big Idea: In providing salvation from guilt and shame, sin and death, God’s purpose is not the establishment of a religion, but the enjoyment of a relationship.

9. April 9 – From Darkness to Light • Text: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now in the Lord, you are light. Live as children of light. • Big Idea: God has delivered us from the darkness of confusion, fear, and doubt, and has bestowed on us the light of a new purpose, pace and presence.

10. Faith Formation “An intentional life-long process of equipping people for an ever deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, learning, service, prayer, community and life experiences in order to live out one’s baptismal calling.”

11. Five Principles for Passing on Faith • Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal trusted relationships – often in our own homes. • The church is a living partnership between the ministry of the congregation and ministry of the home. • Where Christ is present in faith, the home is church too. • Faith is caught more than it is taught • If we want Christian children and youth, we need Christian adults.

12. Purpose of Lenten Mentor Program • Expand each young person’s circle of trusted adults in the church. • Enable each young person to see and learn how another adult (besides their parents) lives out their Christian faith. • Offer each young person a personalized learning opportunity to make sense of their own Christian faith.

13. Lenten Mentor/Companion Overview Just the Facts

14. Just the Facts Dates: • February 26: Orientation • March 5: Ash Wednesday - Worship at 7:00 • March 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9 Mentoring

15. Just the Facts Time & Place: • Worship 6:30-7:15, Sanctuary: Taize service. This is a quiet, meditative service with music and scripture. Sign in at the door. • Large Group 7:15-7:30, Sanctuary: introduction to the night’s theme and announcements. • Mentor Time 7:30–8:15: Mentors and Youth will meet to discuss faith issues from the Lenten Mentor/Companion Guidebook and participate in activities. 

16. Just the Facts Resources and What to Bring: • Lenten Mentor Guidebook, Bible, a pen, an open heart and mind. • Walk the Labyrinth on your scheduled night • Create original works of art on your scheduled night.

17. Lenten Mentor Guidebook • Four parts to each week: • Tradition: Share highs and lows • Devotions: Read scripture and guidebook • Caring Conversation: Discuss questions in guidebook • Service:Pray for and with each other and follow activities • These are the 4 Keys for practicing faith.

18. Just the Facts If you CANNOT be here on a Wednesday • Call your partner (mentor or youth) and let them know you will not be present. • Large Group Sessions will be on line at www.BethanyLive.org in Youth section • Make up the session at another time that is agreed upon by the mentor, mentee and parents. • If your mentor is from out-of-town, be present on Wednesday nights with a parent and have follow-up discussion with your mentor during the night or on another scheduled.

19. Just the Facts Guidelines: • Remain at Bethany during scheduled meeting times. • Keep all matters of discussion confidential unless otherwise agreed. Important exception: if a safety issue arises, please report the situation to a Pastor immediately. • Pray for each other during your Lenten journey • Let Russ know if you have any questions

20. Mentor/Companion Time Supplies: • Just Facts Handout - Everybody. • Lenten Mentor/Student Guidebook - Everybody. • Mentor Covenant – Youth only Find your mentor: • If you do not know your mentor,come up front so we canintroduce you to one another.

21. Mentor/Companion Time • Find a place for conversation in the building. • Any room that is empty is available for you to use. (No music wing or BECC area) • More than one mentor team to room. • Share one thing about yourself. • Review the Covenant.Sign and return to the Sanctuary. • You are free to leave after this time.