TITLE: Back to School

PROPOSITION: There are things we need to carry with us through life.

QUESTION: Which?

KEY WORD: Things

Introduction:

1. Stores list the supplies needed to start school – paper, pencils, ruler, notebooks, etc.

2. Not everything needed is on the list.

3. When you go back to school here are some things to carry with you.

PUT IN YOUR BACKPACK:

Honesty

1. Be honest with:

   1. Yourself – admit mistakes, “I did it”

   2. Friends – no quicker way to lose a friend than to lie to them

   3. Teachers – honesty is always the best policy

   4. Parents – they will find out eventually

2. Cheating is a major problem in school

   1. We want high grades

   2. Many are not willing to work, study, learn

   3. Today – cell phones are used to cheat

   4. Term papers on line, watch movie rather than read the book

Respect for Authority

1. Teachers, principle, police, parents, etc. are authority figures

2. Who are they to tell me what to do?

   1. Dress code, no cell phone, register car

   2. No weapons, be on time, not too many absences

   3. We must learn to obey rules – job, government, church

3. We must obey those in authority – as their power is from God.

Moral Courage

1. There will come challenges that will test our moral compass.

   1. No body will know, its OK, just this once.

   2. It is fun, exciting, give you a new high.

2. Do you have the courage to say NO?

3. Some will challenge our faith – God, Bible.

   1. They will ridicule and make fun of us a religious nuts.

   2. Will you deny your faith for stand up for it?

4. We must decide what is right / wrong and stay with our decisions.

5. We must be prepared to accept the consequences of our actions.

6. Others with weak courage will be encouraged to follow our example.