As November and December peer into our calendar it is more important than ever to think through how we spend our time and moments with our students. If you haven't been to a store recently, you'll notice that Christmas decor is already out on the shelves and Halloween decorations are already a thing of the past. Yet, in this moment, if we can set some markers now, we might have a chance to make the holiday season not only bearable but meaningful as well. We're here to help you through this with a little bit of guidance.

If you haven't already subscribed or if you're not a regular listener, this is a must-have for ALL parents and family members of children and youth who are serious about family discipleship. FDP is a podcast of imperfect parents having conversations about the critically important and mostly ordinary work of leading at home, hosted by Adam Griffin, Chelsea Griffin, and Cassie Bryant.

The build up in the month of November is going to lead your family towards Thanksgiving. And beyond the food and the week off of school, we have a huge chance to community some deep-seated biblical truths and wisdom that God has established in the rhythm of life. But there are a few things you must remember when it comes to celebrating Thanksgiving:

1. We are thankful for the gifts but we are more thankful to the giver of those gifts. Help your family be thankful to the giver of what is good. Usually when we pray, we often focus on what we have and what we've received (which is appropriate) but it shouldn't stop there. The gifts, our health, all things to be thankful for ought to lead us in thanks to the One who has given us such things (and mature believers recognize the good and difficult that comes from the same hand of God). Help your family focus on this principle. Maybe that a weekly build up to Thanksgiving in things you're thankful for. Maybe one week you're focus on simple things (make it fun). Another week can be being thankful for difficult times that have produced strength, dependence, and wisdom.

2. Use this season to point to God's character. God loves to bless his children with all blessings. The biggest and best representation of this is himself. God gives himself to us because he desire to be near us and for us to know him and enjoy him forever. Use this season to point out to your children the big and awesome nature of a God who has given us all things. You're trying to cultivate an understanding of a God who gives and gives and gives. These lessons pay big dividends in the future as they fix their eyes on the author and perfecter of their faith.

3. Celebrate BIG. There are times when we need to be wise and steward with caution, yet there are times when we NEED to celebrate BIG. Why? Because we trust and believe that God is a God of plenty and that He demands us to party and to celebrate. This might mean trusting the Lord with your gifts and resources and enjoying something you typically don't do throughout the year. Maybe for some of yall it's getting a big cake or pie or bao. Maybe for some of yall it's inviting others over and really taking care of your guest. Maybe it's thinking through how to be generous in your neighborhood with gifts and such.

Thanksgiving time is a perfect opportunity for the Christian family to enjoy and to show off how good our God really is to us. God's people are to work and to steward his gifts well. And during certain times of the year, God's people are to enjoy the fruits of their labor as God has allowed them to enjoy. Let us be generous and give thanks to the One who has given us all things through His Son.

Hey everyone, as you're praying through where to attend and exercise your membership for the upcoming year, I want you to pray about and consider being a part of this youth group for better or for worse. We never assume that just because you were here last year that you want to be this year and we want each and every year to be a commitment. I know many of you have graduated and moved on from the youth group but still, I want invite you to join and to serve students as you see the need.

For leaders, parents, and youth...please take a look at the application and pray through it. If the Lord leads you here, we welcome you. If you decide not to join, then i pray you find a church and community that is gospel-minded, gospel-serious, and that you bless that church and community with your gifts, talents, resources, and membership. If you need help finding a church, please let me know and I'll be sure to find you one that's awesome.

But if you do want to be a part of CBC, here are the links:

FOR YOUTH: https://forms.gle/vdhumH2jtCK4qPg5A

FOR LEADERS: https://forms.gle/KuMQgrMvTABCCuHg7