______________________________________


{Heart4Teens.com}  *Ten TIPS for Christian Students in Secular Classrooms*

______________________________________

If you enjoy this free email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of teenagers everywhere! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, you can join Heart4Teens.com readers around the world by visiting:

http://www.hundred-acre-woods.com/magic-list/Heart4Teens


Visit our inspirational web site to read all the past articles in our archives and view the tons of resources we have there for teens!

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories

_________________________________________


Good morning Heart4Teens subscribers!

Have you ever been in class and wanted to stick up for what the Bible says about the origins of life, but felt like you didn't know enough about the Creation vs Evolution debate to ask intelligent questions?  Or do you have enough knowledge about the issue, but found yourself coming off as arrogant and all you ended up doing was getting the teacher mad at you?  Well, we have some help for you in today's article and in the websites that are listed afterwards!

From my family to yours,
Michael


_________________________________________


Ten TIPS for Christian Students in Secular Classrooms


1. Before making a classroom presentation or paper, become as well-informed as possible about Creationism and the problems involved with Evolutionism. Books such as The Illustrated ORIGINS Answer Book are specially organized to make this study quick and effective.

2. In many public schools, there is a strong sensitivity against the expression of Christian religious beliefs in the classroom. Students have more latitude than teachers on this point. However, in the classroom, students are usually wise to strictly limit their comments to scientific facts, rather than dealing with biblical information or religious beliefs.

3. Don't be surprised about not being treated fairly in a public school when discussing the subject of Creationism. Be prepared to handle such treatment with a proper Christian attitude. It is an unfortunate reality that many teachers and administrators are strongly biased and misinformed on this subject. This is quite understandable. In most cases, their entire education (grade school through college) was totally one-sided on this issue.

4. Remember that students are under the authority of the teacher, even teachers who are antagonistic to Christianity. Christian students have a responsibility to respect their teacher' authority and remain courteous and respectful at all times, even if they don't agree on the subject of Evolution.

5. For best student/teacher relations, maintain a good humor about situation and stay objective. Stick to the facts. A Christian's attitude should be one of love and sensitivity toward all, including teachers. Do not resort to emotional arguments or verbal assaults. Do not belittle the beliefs of a teacher. Phrase comments and questions in a sensitive way that depersonalizes the issues. It is very unlikely that embarrassing a teacher in front of a class will produce desirable results! Information should be presented with an attitude of good will, good humor, and honest respect. Teachers are more likely to respond favorably to a good, hard-working student who is simply looking for honest answers, than to a student who appears hostile, ill-humored, poorly prepared, or who sounds like a "know it all."

6. Lend the teacher a good book on the subject, especially one which maintains scientific objectivity. Also of interest are various books critical of Evolutionism written by Evolutionists. Use of these avoids making the issue look like a religious battle.

7. Realize that all teachers and classroom situations are not the same. What may work with one teacher or school may not be effective with another.

8. Remember that the main purpose of a student in school is to learn, not to witness. However, students should remain open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. There are many exciting stories about how students provided the questions and information that eventually produced major changes in teachers' lives.

9. Prayer is the most important ingredient in any human endeavor. Be sure that classroom efforts are founded upon time spent in prayer. PARENTS: Take advantage of this opportunity to pray with your child concerning their Christian walk, attitudes and faithfulness.

10. Organizations that offer advice or legal help to students or teachers facing discrimination due to their belief in Creation:

Christian Legal Society - 4208 Evergreen Lane, #222, Annandale, VA 22003, (703) 642-1070

Citizens for Excellence in Education (CEE) - P.O. Box 3200, Costa Mesa, CA 92628, (714) 546-5931

Rutherford Institute - P.O. Box 7482, Charlottesville, VA 22906, (804) 978-3888
Western Center for Law & Religious Freedom - 3855 E. La Palma, Suite 124, Anaheim, CA 92621


Author: Paul S. Taylor of Eden Communications

Copyright © 1995, Eden Communications, All Rights Reserved

Heart4Teens readers have generous rights for putting this page of information to work in their homes, personal witnessing, churches and schools. 


Be sure to visit the following websites if you have questions about the Creation vs Evolution debate.  Both websites have more than enough information to help you as you try and answer questions that you or someone you know may have.

http://www.answersingenesis.org

http://www.christiananswers.net/creation/home.html


_________________________________


Thought For The Day:

"Motivation is where your dreams put on work clothes." --Parkes Robinson


Verse for the Day:

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." -- Colossians 3:23


Teen's Thought For The Day:

"They will remember you if you are the best student in the class -- or if you throw up at lunch."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"One thing you can never find in a teenagers room is the floor." --Bruce Lansky


Coach's Thought For The Day

"Perform the best you can for when you find that you perform your best, there is still so much more in volleyball to do better, harder, faster, and smarter. It is just like when you go for a long journey. You go as far as you can see, and when you get there, you can see farther." --John Kessel


Deep Thought For The Day:

"Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul - chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!"


__________________________________________


Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 20 other inspirational books.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

_________________________________________


ALL-STAR Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.


New Series!  "The Seven Checkpoints"
 
THIS WEEK:  Sunday October 24:  Authentic Faith Part 3


Sunday October 31 -- Hangman's Curse

Sunday November 7 -- Spiritual Disciplines
Sunday November 14 -- Spiritual Disciplines Part 2
Sunday November 21 -- Spiritual Disciplines Part 3
Sunday November 28 -- Give 'Til it Hurts!

Sunday December 5 -- Moral Boundaries 
Sunday December 12 -- Moral Boundaries Part 2
Sunday December 19 -- Moral Boundaries Part 3
Sunday December 26 -- Christmas Party!

Sunday January 2 -- Healthy Friendships
Sunday January 9 -- Healthy Friendships Part 2
Sunday January 16 -- Healthy Friendships Part 3
Sunday January 23 -- Wise Choices
Sunday January 30 -- SnoBall Weekend!

Sunday Febuary 6 -- SuperBowl Party!
Sunday February 13 -- Wise Choices Part 2
Sunday February 20 -- Wise Choices Part 3
Sunday February 27 -- Ultimate Authority

Sunday March 6 -- Ultimate Authority Part 2
Sunday March 13 -- Ultimate Authority Part 3
Sunday March 20 -- Others First
Sunday March 27 -- No Youth Group Easter Sunday

Sunday April 3 --  Others First Part 2
Sunday April 10 -- Others First Part 3


_______________________________________________

Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights
 
Wednesday night community groups for teens. The groups are limited to no more than ten teens and are split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

Join us as we do a Bible Study called "Life Together!"
 
_______________________________________________________
 
The Extreme Teens

6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights  is on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

"Extreme Teens" meet Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (September -May). This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them.

Join us as we study the book "A Life God Rewards For Teens"

_______________________________________________


Reading Books, Changing Lives!


For those of you who love to read or love to give out books as gifts...

You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! 

If you love to read inspirational stories, these books are most likely those you will eventually buy anyway. And how cool would it be to be able to buy books like those in the Chicken Soup series for your friends and family with a personalized autographed message by one of the contributing authors! How's that for a unique gift! Check out this link to find out more!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books