Duck United Methodist Youth

A place of worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry and Witness

ARE YOU READY FOR ALL NIGHT LASER TAG, 3-D GOLF, ARCADE, AND MOVIES WITH YOUR FRIENDS AT DESTINATION FUN?!? FRIDAY, JULY 23rd,10 PM - 7 AM

Turn in $20 to Amy before July 23rd to signup. This is an outreach event, and we need at least 30 people for us to not lose money, so invite your friends whoaren’t Christians so they can enjoy getting to know us in a fun environment. At midnight, we’ll have a short devotion time where some of our students will share about their relationship with Jesus. Bring your sleeping bag and pillow if you dare to sleep!

On June 27th, we will begin our summer series on the “Minor Prophets”. Though these prophets don’t have a lot to say, their words pack power and relevant thoughts that apply today. Join us to dig a little deeper into some unfamiliar Scriptures!

July 25th:...................................................................Been There. Done That. Wouldn’t Recommend It. (Amos)

August 8: ................................................Are You in Possession of Stolen Goods? (Malachi 3:6-18)

Summer Tuesdays,

6:30-8:30 PM

Amy’s House •

Started June 15th

Have you been wanting to grow closer to God this summer? Many of our youth have said yes to this question, so it’s time for us to dive into God’s word together. In our summer Bible study, Cross Training, we’re going to study through the entire book of Acts and discover what the Holy Spirit did among the early Church and what the Holy Spirit might do through us. We’ll spend some of our time at Cross Training in Scripture and some time in fellowship. All are invited! Call Amy for directions, 489-9965.

Girls’ Back-to-School Shopping & Sleep over!!

August 6th: Youth Group Girls,

Get Excited About Our Annual Sleepover at Amy’s! Meet at Amy’s house at 3 PM, and then we’ll head up to MacArthu rMall for back-to-school shopping.

Afterwards,we’ll grab some ice cream at Doumar’s and head back to theOBX to stay up all night watching chick flicks! Bring a sleeping bag and pillow, spending money for the mall, and money for dinner and to help pay for snacks (~$15).

The Power of Positive Peer Influence

By Jim Burns, Ph.D. The following parenting article is an excerpt from HomeWord, an organization desiring to

Encourage Parents and Build Families

No one is exempt from peer pressure. The demand to conform to a particular group, or to society in general, is made on people of all ages. The pressure to conform comes in various shapes and sizes. Sometimes it is subtle; sometimes it is blatant. No one having a heartbeat, though, can say that he or she has never had to battle peer pressure.
Kids – and particularly teenagers – experience the tug of peer pressure. No young person is immune. Still, not all peer pressure is negative. Positive peer pressure can be just as powerful as negative peer pressure. The issue becomes whether or not kids will take the initiative to set the bar for positive attitudes and behaviors, leading others to follow – or whether they will themselves be followers, conforming to the attitudes and behavior of those around them. . . .
So, how can you help your kids make the most out of positive peer pressure? Here are three ideas:

1. Teach kids to choose friends wisely. Our kids need to learn that everyone with whom they spend time has influence on them. While they may be leaders or followers, it’s natural for people who share values and interests to hang out together and influence one another. In friendships, those who don’t conform to group standards (whatever they are!) don’t last in the group for long.
God’s Word has much to say about friends and companions. Proverbs 22:24-25, for instance, offers us this lesson: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.” It’s not hard to pick up bad habits from friends. On the other hand, positive peer pressure has its own power: influencing one another; bettering each other’s lives; “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 22:27)
If your kids demonstrate that their friends are a negative influence on them, it’s time to encourage them to make major decisions about their friendships.

2. Remind them of their uniqueness – that they are special in God’s eyes. It’s worthwhile to remind your kids that God loves them for who they are, not for what they do. A healthy self-image goes a long way in protecting kids from the negative effects of peer pressure. Teach your kids that each person is a special creation of God. As such, each has the freedom to become all whom God has created them to be! A person who understands that he or she is loved by God will not be as motivated to conform to peer pressure – and is much more likely to be a positive influence on others.

3. Turn their focus toward God. Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33) When we seek God first, He promises to meet our needs. The people I know who overcome negative peer pressure and influence others positively are people who are more concerned about seeking God than about pleasing their friends. They are seeking first His kingdom. In fact, as they do that, they seem to have better relation-ships with their friends than anyone else I know.
During adolescence, peer pressure can be intense, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bad. If you successfully employ these three ideas with your kids, you will be giving them an advantage in helping them to avoid negative peer pressure – and to be an agent for positive change in the lives of their friends.