Page History

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1. Prayer
2. Start discussions around Needs #1 & #2
3. What to do for a stronger family ministry since home is where it all starts? – Move to next meeting
4. Wrap-up

Needs #1 & #2

1. Need to know Christ (Don't Bait-n-Switch, it is not about the fun, it is about the Lord)
1. Stillness
2. Silence before prayer
2. Need to know who they truly are
1. We don't want our kids to have a "Road to Damascus" experience like St. Paul.
2. We give sports activity a priority over church activity. We focus on offering our kids the best shot at getting into college.
3. Practice self-emptying. The second need is met when the first is met.
4. Shed the false identity. Humility in place of self-centeredness. God at the core.
5. Practices: Fasting (without self-creation in a secular 3 world). Fasting from cell-phones.
6. Confession is self-emptying.

Meeting notes:

1. (Fiby) Meditation sheets during an outing acting as guiding questions. Works during an activity day. Turn off the light during prayer. Turn on a candle. Teach the order or prayer (Glory, peace to church, peace to the people, peace to us)
2. (Nancy) Make a prayer corner, each in their room or home. Put a cross, icon of their patron saint, agpeya, Bible. This should be "their own" prayer corner. Makes them feel like they have their own private special place where they can spend time in the presence of God. Children sent pictures of their prayer corners, and servant asked them to reflect on how this has changed the quality of their prayer, and gave them guidance on how to use this activity to revive their prayer life. It is there in front of their eyes to remind them of their prayer time and would hopefully protect them against evil temptations.
3. (Marian) Prayer sheets (I am so glad because ...., I am so thankful for ...., etc)
4. (Nelly) Write their own psalms like David. Understand and learn how to pray.
5. Agpeya Prayer - How to make it more effective:
   1. Slow it down, Quality vs Quantity
   2. Pray it not read it
   3. Portions which can be sung as a group
   4. Praying after Asheya is more challenging
6. (Hossam) Need to focus more on the kids get to know and experience the relationship with God. First the u-turn. Next is the confirmation in God. We need to focus on the salvation aspect so kids may realize its importance. Servant needs to learn more about the kids and where they are on the scale of their relationship with God.
7. (Nelly) Quiet time (Khelwa). Time spent by oneself to self-empty. Practice with kids quiet time, especially during spiritual days and or trips.
8. (Nancy) Shed the false identity. Believe and live our true identity as beloved children of God. Humility in place of self-centeredness. Who am I and how does Christ see me? Our discussions need to focus more on who we are, our purpose, our value in the eyes of God, and our true identity.
9. Fasting: Focus on the important things which come with fasting, such as Alms giving, draw the kids attention by starting or doing specific services during the fasting period.
10. Need to engrain this message with all servants so they can lead their groups. Think about something the servants can do during the fasting period.
11. Confessions. How do we encourage kids towards confession - Need Abouna's help to assign confession days/times. Encourage doing this as a family. Doing it during tasbeha. Abouna follows-up with kids.
12. Servant can plan a day/time for their class with Abouna for confession. NEEDS CONSISTENCY.