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Friday, 27 February 2015

Roll call

Here is the answer to the question that is on many people's minds: How is ISCF going?

Happy Hill Secondary

The group at Happy Hill comprises a few faithful students who are quite open with their views, and willing to learn more about how God wants them to live. We had some spirited discussions on why young people indulge in alcohol, and discussed ways that they can have fun without exposing themselves to the risks associated with alcohol consumption.
Being reminded of the importance of honoring God with their bodies
We also examined the value of waiting until marriage before engaging in sexual activity. In discussing the consequences of premarital sex, we spoke about abortion and the negative effects it has on the mother. This led to a discussion about suicide, and whether God would forgive persons who kill themselves, and what was necessary for persons to do if they wanted to get to heaven.

Activity teaching the importance of boundaries
We shared Matthew 7:21 about some persons not getting to heaven even though they called on God’s name and did works, because they never had a personal knowledge of God. This led to a bible study the following week on how to become a true follower of Christ.


Anglican High School

The ISCF group at High School consists of a small but dedicated group of girls who are committed to learning more about how they can honor God in their daily lives. We looked at how our faith as Christians is based on the fact of God’s Word, which is always true in every situation. We examined how our faith relates to social issues that are prevalent today.

Sharing about how to choose friends
At one session we examined various scripture verses to determine what the bible teaches about the kinds of friends we should have, and how to choose friends. They spent some time evaluating their friendships, praying about any relationships that needed to be ended because they were not healthy.

We also had a good discussion on how we can know that God is real. After talking about the evidence in creation and science, we recognised that there are some persons who will continue to deny God because the enemy has blinded their minds, so we need to pray for their eyes to be opened. We also spoke of the value of having a testimony of a personal encounter with God, and recording incidents of God’s faithfulness to us in times past.


Boca Secondary School

One of our larger meetings, the ISCF meetings at Boca Secondary are planned by students who are on the Executive, with the guidance of their sponsor. Each meeting starts with an icebreaker - a fun activity that helps the new students feel welcomed to the group.

Having fun with the "I went shopping" game
 Following this exercise, an Exec member or the sponsor shares on the selected topic for that day. So far, they have examined the authenticity of the Bible and looked at the topic of Forgiveness. They also did a bible study based on Proverbs 3.

Encouraging the students to study the Bible on a regular basis
One student from this group, along with the sponsor, are preparing to represent ISCF Grenada at the IFES World Assembly in Mexico in July. The group has been very creative in developing ideas to help raise funds for this, as well as ISCF camp, by doing portraits for students, and creating jewelry and keychains for sale.

Beacon High School

This is another group which is run by the student Executive. Since this term started, they have dealt with the topics of homosexuality, teenage pregnancy, devil worship and pornography.

Listening intently as the President shares
It is very encouraging to hear the leaders sharing from their own personal experiences. This is what ISCF is about: students reaching students! They are much more in touch with the challenges that their peers are facing, and the students are a great deal more receptive to counsel from one of their own.

Student leaders engaging students in discussion
The students in this group are very open and candid about sharing their stories. They feel comfortable being honest in these meetings, and are very willing to accept godly advice.

T.A. Marryshow Community College

The Community College Christian Fellowship (CCCF) has been meeting consistently since the school term began. The two member Executive has been working with the sponsor to plan and execute meetings every week, in the midst of their preparations for final exams in just a couple months time.

Spending time in praise and worship
One of the discussions the group engaged in focused on the effects of sexual promiscuity, with particular emphasis on the spiritual implications. They also discussed triggers of sexual impurity like pornography. This topic is very relevant as many of the nation's youths are engaged in sexual promiscuity without any regard for the consequences.

Engaging in a fun activity
At CCCF the students are encouraged to participate in the meetings by sharing their own testimonies. At one session, they read scripture verses, and students shared what they felt God was saying to us through those verses. At another session, they shared what the phrase "God is in control" means to them.

Westerhall Secondary School

The group at Westerhall continues to be a wonderful opportunity to share God's principles and truth with students who may not otherwise have been exposed to the Word of God. This term the principal has mandated that all students must attend a Religious Instruction class, whether they belong to a religion or not. Most of the non-denominational students choose to come to our ISCF meeting.

Engaging in a Getting to Know you activity
For this term we having been looking at relationships – the purpose of relationships, why people get into relationships, and when is a good time to enter into a relationship. We spoke about why sex was only safe in the context of marriage. The students were taught about the bond that is formed between two persons who have sex (the two becoming one flesh) and cautioned that this bond is very difficult to break, so it should only be entered into with the person that you intend to spend the rest of your life with. They were warned about entering relationships with persons who  would prefer to see them dead rather than enter a relationship with someone else. Sadly, later on in the day reports came of a young lady from St. Mark’s who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. This served to reinforce the caution given about entering into relationships.

One of the young men expressed the view that he would not mind being with someone who had multiple partners before him, because he had done the same, and if it did not work out with her, he could always get someone else. An Anglican priest who was visiting asked them how many persons believe that sex before marriage was a sin, and out of a class of 30+ students, only 3 of them raised their hands. He went on to quote verses from the bible which showed that sex outside of marriage is not pleasing to God.

Students reverencing God in prayer
At another session we spoke about the increased involved in young persons in online pornography. The students were challenged to see their bodies as God’s temple, and encouraged to honor God with their bodies. They were also encouraged to see themselves as precious and valued in God’s sight, and to not seek love and acceptance from anyone else apart from Him.

Grenville Secondary School

The sponsor has been steadfastly working to ensure that ISCF meetings happen at GSS. Despite the challenges, she continues to persevere, encouraging students to know Christ, and to make Him known.

Mrs. Hamilton has a great influence over these young people
One session conducted so far focused on what does a Christian look like. While it is true that there is no typical ‘look’ for a Christian and that it is the heart that matters, we looked at bible verses that outline what characteristics should be seen in the lives of true believers.

Students leading in worship


Please continue to pray for :
  • all these ISCF groups as the students seek to shine their lights in the midst of the darkness around them. 
  • the sponsors, that they would not become discouraged 
  • the student leaders, that they would not become distracted, but would keep their focus
  • the group members, that they would hunger and thirst after righteousness, and that they would be filled
  • those students who are supposed to be Christians, but for one reason or another do not attend the ISCF meetings - that they will be bold, and see the value of being a witness for Christ in their schools.

1 comment:

  1. These reports from schools show the importance of reaching teens with the truth of God's word. Praying that they would continue searching the scriptures for God's perspective and would have the courage to live out what they learn. Great witnessing opportunities.

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