Chestnut Grove Baptist Church has a dynamic youth group based on the development of relationships. First and foremost, each member is invited and challenged to deepen his or her relationship with Jesus Christ through Bible study, small group discussions, personal reflection, and prayer.

Our youth programming, which includes lots of social and recreational activities, also fosters friendships and Christian relationships between the members of the group. Finally, through myriad missions projects we strengthen our relationships with the community of Earlysville and the world .

Sunday School
Sunday School unofficially begins around 9:45 in the fellowship hall as the whole church gathers for doughnuts, coffee, milk, and juice. At 9:55, the youth gather for "opening" which involves prayer, singing praise to God, and sharing of important announcements about or group or individuals.

The students then split into smaller classes, usually based on grade level. Sunday School is a time to intensely focus on learning the lessons and the stories of the Bible.

Sunday Night Youth Meetings (including dinner)
Sunday night is a time of fellowship and enjoyment in the name of God. Sunday nights begin at 6:30 with a dinner prepared by a member of the church for the entire youth group. We then spend some time on a brief Bible lesson or devotional. Finally, we participate in a time of recreation by playing traditional games such as volleyball and ping pong, or not-so-traditional games like Brain Freeze or Progressive Relay. Sunday night is a laid back environment meant to allow students a time to relax and enjoy the company of each other in a God-centered setting. We conclude Sunday night activities around 8:00 in the evening.

Wednesday Day Night Youth Bible Study
Every Wednesday from September to May, at 6:30, the youth meet for Bible Study. This immediately follows Wednesday night suppers that are served in the Fellowship Hall from 5:30-6:15. Wednesday night sessions help students to recognize and understand how God's word intersects with our daily lives.

Leadership
In September of 2003, a leadership team was formed with the purpose of planning and organizing activities for the Chestnut Grove Baptist Youth Group. Participation in this group is voluntary, but students who participate are expected to make a commitment to carrying out assigned projects. This group has chosen as a name for themselves LOL 4 YOU(TH). This name stands for Live Out Loud for You (or youth). The name implies that students in this group are committed to leadership and service to our church, the community and individuals. The group has already successfully planned and carried out our annual Youth Sunday Worship service, Spring Follies fundraiser, and various weekly Sunday night activities and service projects.

Vacation Bible School (a.k.a. Youth Missions Week)
Every summer in June, our church offers Vacation Bible School for children of all ages. For the past several years, the youth have participated in a special way. They spend each day of the week working on various service projects in the community which have included in the past, the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, and working for elderly members of the community cleaning up homes and yards.

The evening of this special week is spent doing fun things such as going to the movies, playing Putt-Putt, swimming, and cooking out. This year we will continue the Missions approach to Youth VBS while emphasising team-building and leadership in our week's activities.

Other Mission Activities
We strongly believe that one of the best ways to learn about the Word of God is to live it. We offer many opportunities for our youth to experience God through Christlike service. The second Monday of each month during the school year, our youth prepare and serve dinner for the homeless at the Salvation Army. A Service Committee has been recently created by the LOL(4) Him leadership group. This group has begun a dinner ministry to provide a cooked meal and companionship (if wanted) for members of the church who may be in need. We are currently planning other ongoing service projects under the leadership of our service committee.

Retreats and Excursions
Highlights of the year include an annual trip to a summer Christian camp, Centrifuge at Eagle Eyrie. Other outings often include, trips to Smith Mountain Lake with a BSU Worship Team, white-water rafting, the Youth Evangelism Conference in Richmond, camping, Busch Gardens, and much, much more.

Ultimately
It is the goal and mission of the Chestnut Grove Youth Group that every teenager involved in the youth program experience and feel the love of Jesus Christ so that each young person feels accepted, loved, and a part of the community of God.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned. It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

 

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