The First Christian Church believes the Bible is God’s written Word.  It is perfect in all matters of salvation and moral Truth.  All of God’s Word should be understood, but in regards to student ministry, some teachings are more important than others.

In his book The Seven Checkpoints, Andy Stanley has compressed the major Christian teachings that students must know into just seven topics.  These topics are what the Apostle Peter might consider the “spiritual milk” of our faith (I Peter 2:2). These Seven Checkpoints serve as a template to the teaching of FCC’s Student Ministry.

The following is an excerpt from Stanley’s book (pp 10-12) that gives an overall scope of the seven checkpoints:

Checkpoint #1: Authentic Faith

This checkpoint focuses on a correct understanding of faith.  Confusion in this one area is the primary reason so many students abandon Christianity.  True faith is confidence that God is who He says He is – and confidence that He will do everything He has promised to do.

Principle: God can be trusted; He will do all He has promised to do.  

Critical Question: Are your students trusting God with the critical areas of their lives

Key Passage: Proverbs 3:5-6

Checkpoint #2: Spiritual Disciplines 

The focus of this checkpoint is your students’ devotional life.  The apostle Paul says that true spiritual transformation begins with a renewed mind.  Only as teenagers begin to renew their minds according to the truths of Scripture will their attitudes and behavior begin to change. 

Principle: When you see as God sees, you will do as God says.

Critical Question: Are your students developing a consistent devotional and prayer life? 

Key Passage: Romans 12:2

 Checkpoint #3: Moral Boundaries

One of the most important things you can teach your teenagers to do is to establish clear moral limits.  They need to learn to how to protect their bodies and emotions by honoring God’s plan for sex and morality.  That’s the focus of this checkpoint.  The depth of their intimacy with God and others is dependent upon it.

 Principle: Purity paves the way to intimacy.

 Critical Question: Are you students establishing and maintaining godly moral boundaries?

 Key Passage I Thessalonians 4:3-8 

Checkpoint #4: Healthy Friendships 

The people your students associate with the most will have a direct impact on the decisions they make and the standards they choose.  Healthy friendships build them up and draw them closer to God; unhealthy friendships bring them down and cause them to compromise what they know is right.  This principle focuses on helping students build healthy friendships while avoiding unhealthy ones. 

Principle: Your friends will determine the direction and quality of your life. 

Critical Question: Are your students establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy ones? 

Key Passage: Proverbs 13:20

Checkpoint #5: Wise Choices 

This principle focuses on the necessity of applying godly wisdom to the choices students make.  Good decision making is more than simply choosing between right and wrong.  Teenagers need to learn to ask, “In light of my past experience and my future dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do in this situation?” 

Principle: Walking wisely 

Critical Question: Are your students making wise choices in every area of their lives? 

Key Passage: Ephesians 5:15-17

Checkpoint #6: Ultimate Authority 

Teenagers often view freedom and authority as opposing concepts.  But the Bible teaches that true freedom is found under authority.  This principle focuses on students’ need to recognize God’s ultimate authority and respect the earthly authorities He has placed over them? 

Principle: Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority. 

Critical Question: Are your students submitting to the authorities God has placed over them? 

Key Passage: Romans 13:1-2

Checkpoint #7: Other’s First 

Selfishness comes naturally to teenagers (not to mention the rest of us!)  Selflessness, however, must be learned.  The Bible says that Jesus “made himself nothing” in order to serve the people He loved.  He put the needs of others ahead of His own.  This checkpoint focuses on the true nature of humility and service. 

Principle: Consider others before yourself 

Critical Question: Are your students putting the needs of other ahead of their own? 

Key Passage: Philippians 2:3-11

A copy of Andy Stanley’s book The Seven Checkpoints: Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know can be borrowed from the personal library of Chad French or easily purchased from www.amazon.com or www.christianbook.com