LEading Students to know and follow JEsus
Whoever you are, everyone is welcome at First Students! First Students gives 7th-12th grade students the opportunity to get connected with a group of people their own age who are growing closer to the Lord each day. We want to see students know and follow Jesus Christ! First Students is a place for teenagers to deepen their relationship with Christ while simultaneously growing their relationships with others!
We're pre-registered for FUGE 2026!
Centrifuge Camp 2026 will be here before we know it. Stay tuned for updates throughout the year!
Dates: June 8-12, 2026
Cost: TBD
Location: SBU, Bolivar, MO
Ages: Students who have completed 6th-12th grade.
Dates: June 8-12, 2026
Cost: TBD
Location: SBU, Bolivar, MO
Ages: Students who have completed 6th-12th grade.
FIRST STUDENTS - WEEKLY PARENT EMAIL
We send out an email to our parents each Wednesday! If you would like to be added to the email list, send a message to tim@fbcsiloam.com! Here is the latest edition:
Upcoming Events
No Sunday Morning Small Groups for the summer! - The church lobby doors will open at 10:15 on Sundays for the summer!
Midweek and Camp Recap - Tonight! June 18 - 6-8pm - Our first Midweek of the summer will feature a camp recap where we will be sharing the big things God did at camp with the rest of our students! We’ll also be hanging out and playing games tonight. See you there!
Parent Resources!
I wanted to remind you about our latest addition to the parent email!
We know that parenthood is hard. Especially when you are trying to lead your kids to be confident, responsible, Godly people in a world that is trying to pull them the opposite way. So for our weekly parent emails, not only will you continue to get updates about upcoming events and details about what your student is learning, but these emails will periodically include resources for parents that are aimed to help you spiritually lead your teens and your family! Our hope is that these resources would help support you as you lead your family as God has called you to.
The Parent Page
This week, I want to remind you about “The Parent Page.” This page contains the following:
-A Parenting Guide to read
-A 5 minute Parenting Video
-”Family Experiences” for you to engage with your teens
Each month, the Parent Page will be updated with a new guide and video that follow that theme. This month’s theme is “Leading Gen Z,” and it focuses on some of the issues facing this generation, and how parents can engage with their teens and young adults. So, for this month’s theme, the parent page has:
-A Parenting Guide: “Leading Gen Z: A Guide for Christian Parents”
-A 5 minute video: “Encouraging Gen Z Kids In Their Faith”
I would strongly encourage you to check out there parent page! To get the link, send a message to tim@fbcsiloam.com to be added to the weekly parent email list.
Summer Midweek 6-18
Tonight we will be going through the lessons that our students learned at camp last week. Students who were at camp will be reminded of the things they learned, and students who didn’t go with us will be brought into what the rest of us are learning!
We will also have an opportunity for students to be able to share how they saw God work at camp this year. It’s going to be a great time!
Here is a brief overview of the camp theme and each days’s lessons:
THEME/BIBLE STUDY OVERVIEW
INTO THE LIGHT
Owning Your Faith
“We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42
Ownership is a powerful thing. When something is yours, it becomes immediately more important to you than something that is not yours. At a point in your faith journey, you must step from a borrowed faith that may seem repetitive and flat into a full, vibrant faith that is your own. The source of our faith is Jesus, the true Light of the world. Once we have accepted salvation, we ignite our faith by living it out. We fuel our faith by growing in our relationship with Christ and living in relationship with a community of believers around us. Once we have experienced the Light, we must let it shine as we share it with others.
Day 1 SOURCE
Every form of light has a source. In our faith journey, Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the Source. Salvation is foundational, and the starting point. When we respond to the gospel in faith, our journey with Christ begins. This session is a study on Paul’s conversion where he experienced a bright light that changed his life.
Focus Story: Paul’s Conversion: Acts 9:1-20
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 5:24, John 8:12
Key Verse: Jesus spoke to them again: I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12
Life Question: Have you followed Christ in obedience by responding to the gospel?
Day 2 SPARK
To experience the effects of light, we must let it in. When a spark is kindled, it gives off light in the darkness. As we choose to believe and own the truths that we have been taught, we become light to others as we live it out. This session is a look at Nicodemus and his encounter with Jesus, which sparked his knowledge into a genuine faith.
Focus Story: Nicodemus: John 3:1-10, John 7:50-51, John 19:39
Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22, Galatians 5:25, Philippians 2:12-18, John 15:16
Key Verse: So that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:15
Life Question: Have you made your faith your own? Are you living out the truths of Scripture?
Day 3 FUEL
Fuel keeps the light going. We strengthen and fuel our faith by pursuing a daily relationship with Christ and other believers for support and encouragement along the way. We are not to go it alone. This session is a look at Jesus and the disciples and the community they shared.
Focus Story: Jesus and the Disciples: Luke 6:12-16, John 21:1-14
Scriptures: Proverbs 27:17, Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25
Key Verse: Iron sharpens iron and one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Life Question: How would you describe your relationship with Christ? Are you invested in a community of faith?
Day 4 SHINE
A sure sign of having been in the light is that it shines through us. Maturing in our faith is being secure enough in it to talk about Jesus with others and live it out. When we do, we are shining the Light in a dark world and growing the Kingdom of God. This session focuses on Stephen and his passion to share the good news of Christ, even to the point of losing his life.
Focus Story: Stephen: Acts 6:8-7:60
Scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Key Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Life Question: Have you shared your story and the message of the gospel with those you know who do not have the hope of Christ? What’s holding you back?
Thank you for all you do. As a parent, you are the primary spiritual influence in the life of your teenager, and they desperately need you. I’m praying for you! If you have any questions or if I can help with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Tim Conley
Minister of Youth
FBC Siloam Springs
tim@fbcsiloam.com
No Sunday Morning Small Groups for the summer! - The church lobby doors will open at 10:15 on Sundays for the summer!
Midweek and Camp Recap - Tonight! June 18 - 6-8pm - Our first Midweek of the summer will feature a camp recap where we will be sharing the big things God did at camp with the rest of our students! We’ll also be hanging out and playing games tonight. See you there!
Parent Resources!
I wanted to remind you about our latest addition to the parent email!
We know that parenthood is hard. Especially when you are trying to lead your kids to be confident, responsible, Godly people in a world that is trying to pull them the opposite way. So for our weekly parent emails, not only will you continue to get updates about upcoming events and details about what your student is learning, but these emails will periodically include resources for parents that are aimed to help you spiritually lead your teens and your family! Our hope is that these resources would help support you as you lead your family as God has called you to.
The Parent Page
This week, I want to remind you about “The Parent Page.” This page contains the following:
-A Parenting Guide to read
-A 5 minute Parenting Video
-”Family Experiences” for you to engage with your teens
Each month, the Parent Page will be updated with a new guide and video that follow that theme. This month’s theme is “Leading Gen Z,” and it focuses on some of the issues facing this generation, and how parents can engage with their teens and young adults. So, for this month’s theme, the parent page has:
-A Parenting Guide: “Leading Gen Z: A Guide for Christian Parents”
-A 5 minute video: “Encouraging Gen Z Kids In Their Faith”
I would strongly encourage you to check out there parent page! To get the link, send a message to tim@fbcsiloam.com to be added to the weekly parent email list.
Summer Midweek 6-18
Tonight we will be going through the lessons that our students learned at camp last week. Students who were at camp will be reminded of the things they learned, and students who didn’t go with us will be brought into what the rest of us are learning!
We will also have an opportunity for students to be able to share how they saw God work at camp this year. It’s going to be a great time!
Here is a brief overview of the camp theme and each days’s lessons:
THEME/BIBLE STUDY OVERVIEW
INTO THE LIGHT
Owning Your Faith
“We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42
Ownership is a powerful thing. When something is yours, it becomes immediately more important to you than something that is not yours. At a point in your faith journey, you must step from a borrowed faith that may seem repetitive and flat into a full, vibrant faith that is your own. The source of our faith is Jesus, the true Light of the world. Once we have accepted salvation, we ignite our faith by living it out. We fuel our faith by growing in our relationship with Christ and living in relationship with a community of believers around us. Once we have experienced the Light, we must let it shine as we share it with others.
Day 1 SOURCE
Every form of light has a source. In our faith journey, Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the Source. Salvation is foundational, and the starting point. When we respond to the gospel in faith, our journey with Christ begins. This session is a study on Paul’s conversion where he experienced a bright light that changed his life.
Focus Story: Paul’s Conversion: Acts 9:1-20
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 5:24, John 8:12
Key Verse: Jesus spoke to them again: I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life. John 8:12
Life Question: Have you followed Christ in obedience by responding to the gospel?
Day 2 SPARK
To experience the effects of light, we must let it in. When a spark is kindled, it gives off light in the darkness. As we choose to believe and own the truths that we have been taught, we become light to others as we live it out. This session is a look at Nicodemus and his encounter with Jesus, which sparked his knowledge into a genuine faith.
Focus Story: Nicodemus: John 3:1-10, John 7:50-51, John 19:39
Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12, James 1:22, Galatians 5:25, Philippians 2:12-18, John 15:16
Key Verse: So that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:15
Life Question: Have you made your faith your own? Are you living out the truths of Scripture?
Day 3 FUEL
Fuel keeps the light going. We strengthen and fuel our faith by pursuing a daily relationship with Christ and other believers for support and encouragement along the way. We are not to go it alone. This session is a look at Jesus and the disciples and the community they shared.
Focus Story: Jesus and the Disciples: Luke 6:12-16, John 21:1-14
Scriptures: Proverbs 27:17, Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25
Key Verse: Iron sharpens iron and one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Life Question: How would you describe your relationship with Christ? Are you invested in a community of faith?
Day 4 SHINE
A sure sign of having been in the light is that it shines through us. Maturing in our faith is being secure enough in it to talk about Jesus with others and live it out. When we do, we are shining the Light in a dark world and growing the Kingdom of God. This session focuses on Stephen and his passion to share the good news of Christ, even to the point of losing his life.
Focus Story: Stephen: Acts 6:8-7:60
Scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Timothy 1:7-8
Key Verse: In the same way, let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
Life Question: Have you shared your story and the message of the gospel with those you know who do not have the hope of Christ? What’s holding you back?
Thank you for all you do. As a parent, you are the primary spiritual influence in the life of your teenager, and they desperately need you. I’m praying for you! If you have any questions or if I can help with anything, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Tim Conley
Minister of Youth
FBC Siloam Springs
tim@fbcsiloam.com
