Teen Trends
Social media has a pretty bad reputation for being harmful for teenagers. While I'm not trying to deny this, it's not as bad as some may think. Pew Research Center has conducted a survey in which 80% of teens said that social media made them feel more connected with their friends, and over 50% said that it makes them feel more accepted. Obviously, this means that there is still a chunk of teens that feel left out, so it's important to understand that it affects everyone differently. It's not all bad though. It's also important to note that connecting over social media is different than truly connecting with someone and living life with them.
Song of the Week
Most artists have already started releasing their versions of Christmas classics, but I will resist that urge until after Thanksgiving. You're welcome. One of the new releases that doesn't involve Christmas is Land of Color's Brother. This hidden gem of a duo is a couple of friends that knew that they'd have a greater impact as a duo rather than as individual artists. You can read their bio on their website here. Their newest song though, tells a character's story about how a close friend was there in the midst of a difficult season for them. By the end of the song, the character learns what it truly means to be a friend - to be present and willing to carry the other person's burdens.
Check out our running playlist of this season's songs on Spotify here.
Sermon Illustration
One of the most famous friendships in the Bible is between David and Jonathan. 1 Samuel 18 says, "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." This kind of relationship goes far beyond casual conversations. Their love for each other is indescribably deep. They're sharing thoughts, questions, passions, dreams, joys, and heartache. There's nothing that can separate them if they are "one in spirit," even if they're miles apart. Who's your friend that you share everything with, the friend that understands you without having to say anything, and the friend whose presence means everything? We all need this kind of person in our lives. We can't do our Christian walk alone.
Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Encouraging Thought
Because tomorrow is Thanksgiving, it feels wrong not to encourage you to think about what you're thankful for, but I also would encourage you to think about who you're thankful for. Who has been that "brother" or "sister" in your life that has been a rock for you? Whether it's a close friend, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, parent, or teacher, do something to thank them for who they are and what they've done for you. Don't just tell them - actually show them.
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The vision of the Student Leader Weekly is to empower high schoolers (alongside adult leadership) with practical ministry ideas.