Our adult class during Youth Day was incredible—so much so that most participants didn't want it to end! I promised to share some resources, and I’m delivering them here in one place. I pray that you all had safe travels back home, and we can’t wait to support your youth events in the future. We’re also looking forward to seeing you again at next year's Youth Day!

Spiritual Disciplines: Pathways to Transformation

Spiritual disciplines were first introduced to me by BB Gatson and were further strengthened through my time at Lipscomb. These disciplines are vital in drawing us closer to God and enabling transformation in our lives. I highly recommend incorporating spiritual disciplines such as sabbaticals, the examen, and silence and solitude into your routine.

Here are some recommended resources to help guide you on this journey:

Palms Up, Palms Down Practice: Watch this helpful video for a powerful spiritual exercise on centering prayer HERE.

Books:

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Calhoun Link.

Sacred Rhythms Bible Study Participant's Guide: Spiritual Practices that Nourish Your Soul and Transform Your Life by Ruth Haley Barton Link.

One of the key aspects of spiritual health today is the elimination of hurry. The adversary now uses time as a distraction, keeping us from being effective in the Kingdom. For further reading, I highly recommend The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer. You can find it HERE.

Parental Resources for Managing Smart Devices

With the increasing use of smart devices among our youth, it's important to take steps to manage and monitor their usage. Here are some tools that can help:

For Android Users: Android devices are relatively easy to manage. The Family Link app allows you to monitor your child’s screen time and app usage. It also lets you set restrictions based on age for content in the app store. FAMILY LINK APP

For Apple Users: iPhones take a few more steps to set up, but once configured, it’s easy to manage. This video HERE does a great job of walking through the process. Be mindful that tech-savvy kids might find ways around restrictions by jailbreaking their devices, but if they don’t know what jailbreaking is, you’re in the clear.

Bark (for Both Android and iPhones): Bark is an amazing app that helps you monitor your child’s mental health by analyzing their text messages and social media. It’s a paid app, but it costs less than most video streaming services. You can check it out and start a free trial HERE.

Photos from Youth Day

As promised, here are the links to photos from Ave G Youth Day '24! Feel free to add your own favorite pictures from the day: Youth Day Photos.

We’re grateful for everyone who made this event special, and we can’t wait to see you next year!