The purpose of the 12th Grade Ministry is to help 12th grade students connect to the adult sanctuary (Dome-Campus B) and LIFE. The leadership of Student Ministry is making an effort to address the needs of this age group through a more focused and specialized ministry.

• Classes are held once a month on the FIRST SUNDAY of every month

• Classes are 12:30-2 PM @ The Rock building on Campus A, 800 Quebec Drive

• A light lunch is served from 12:30-1 PM and sessions begin 1-2 PM

• You can bring a friend to the sessions who are not members of FCCC!

• Classes will be conducted through May, but there will be a refresher session as needed
  
  
  

For more information about the 12th Grade Program, contact:

LaKeisha Pearson @ (205) 243-8068 / keshia_1378@yahoo.com

Reginald Smith @ (205) 616-0926 / R1402210@yahoo.com

SESSIONS

January 8, 2012 - Financial aid, scholarships, and the college application process

February 5, 2012 - Goal-Setting & Relationships

March 4, 2012 - How to be a Light - Witnessing to Others through your personal lifestyle

April 1, 2012 - Budgeting, Credit, Finance

May 6, 2012 - Overcoming Fear

June 1, 2012 - Graduation Celebration@ Campus A, Main Sanctuary

June 2, 2012 - SHIFT Conference

10. Always carry your I.D. – When the police are looking for a black male named Leon Noel Jr., you need to be able to prove that’s not you.

9. Credit cards are not free money. If you get a credit card application in the mail, remember that if you can’t pay the bill, you shouldn’t have the card.  Good credit is about money management.  Use your credit card for EMERGENCIES ONLY.  Don’t let debt ruin your happiness. Please note: A hotel room for you and your girl or an I-Pod are not considered emergencies.

8. Buy a blue or black suit – You can wear a blue or black suit almost anywhere.  Just like you have “down” clothes to work out in or shoot ball in, you need dress up clothes for interviews, church, dinners, etc. You can’t always wear a white tee.

7.  Polish your shoes – Assuming you have shoes to wear with your suit; even if you don’t have a suit, a shirt and tie does the trick sometimes.  You always need a nice pair of dress shoes.  Be sure to polish your shoes. Maybe you’ve heard the term, “look you up and down.” Well, if your shoes are garbage, a woman will never look up regardless of how handsome you think you are.

6. Keep yourself groomed – That basically means always shower/bathe, keep your hair neat, shave, cut your finger and toe nails, use lotion, lip balm, clean your ears and neck, wear a cologne or body spray, brush your teeth.

5. Give respect to get respect – Shake a man’s hand like a man, look him in the eye, give him a firm grip and speak.  Learn to use the words, “Thank you,” let the lady go first through the door, pull out a chair for the woman/women you’re with, refer to older men and women as “sir” and “ma’am”, walk tall, and speak in a pleasant tone. It’s okay to apologize (it may save your life one day!), treat children like treasures (they are not adults, so don’t treat or speak to them like adults).  Don’t call a woman out of her name (as much as she may not be acting like a lady, she doesn’t need to hear that from you).

4. Respect yourself.  If you want to be respected, you must first look like you are respectable.  If your pants have belt loops, you should wear a belt that keeps your pants above your waist.  It may not be cool, but it’s respectable worldwide.

3. Listen – Learn to listen to people.  You can learn a lot by listening and people can learn a lot about you.  Some things are better left unsaid.  Knowing when and when not to speak will get you a long way.

2. Your friends are a reflection of you.  Be careful who you associate yourself with.  Some of the best and worst times happen because of your friends.  You are much more than the neighborhood you came from or the streets you grew up in.  Don’t let where you are stop you from getting to where you are going.  Meet new people, explore new things. Think for yourself.

1.  You are special and powerful.  Always be aware that the blood of the strongest, smartest, most loving, patient, creative passionate people flows through your veins.  The future is bright for so many others because of you. Life will be tough and you will have difficult times, but always know that GOD loves you and through Him, all things are possible. Your ancestors have endured much more than you ever could imagine - but they made it.  You have to believe it is possible first and then you can start planning your work and then start working your plan.  And you will thrive because you are just like them.  You are just like me. We are powerful.

We look forward to seeing you grow and seeing you become another strong, man.  We need you.

The Khan Academy

http://www.khanacademy.org/

A FREE world-class education for anyone anywhere. The Khan Academy is an organization on a mission. Its' materials and resources are available to you completely FREE of charge.

The library of over 2400 videos cover K-12 math- algebra, arithmetic, geometry, statistics, calculus, and more. Science topics include biology, chemistry, physics and even reaches into the humanities with playlists on finance and history. Each video is a digestible chunk, approximately 10 minutes long, and especially purposed for viewing on the computer.

Live Homework Help & More

Get FREE live one-on-one homework help with any topic, K-12 and College.  Hours and days of operation: 3 pm-10 pm, Sunday-Thursday.

Click here for live homework help

• You must have a library card code (the code is located on the back of your library card)
• If you don’t have a library card, you can sign up for a temporary one on the website
• Student Center: Homework topics: science, math, English, AP courses, social studies; help in studying for exams
• College Center: tutoring for current college students, ACT/SAT prep resources, and college information
• Writing Center: Help with writing reports, essays and papers.
• Career Center: Career tutors to help with job search, writing a resume, current job openings, and preparing for interviews
• Adult Education: GED preparation information and back to school information

What is Pornography?

Definition: Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.  (American Heritage Dictionary)

How does it start? 

• Providing stimulation that appeals to your body
• Gravitating towards sexual immorality
• Viewing soft porn (viewing people who are not revealing all body parts but leave you wanting to see more)
• Reading lustful materials
• Viewing seductive images.  Images from:  Internet, videos, video games, cable television, satellite television, magazines, sometimes in the mall (people with revealing clothing)

How does pornography work?

Pornography is designed to create lust.  Lust is out of selfishness.  How can I be satisfied?  If you feed lust it will grow and you will be out of control. 

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart". Mathew 5:28

Possible Consequences of Pornography

• Perversions

      >homosexuality (same sex)

      >bestiality (sex with animals)

      >bisexuality (sex with male and female)

      >transsexuality (sex change)

• Addiction to masturbation
• Lies and deception
• Spiritual death
• Torment
• Guilt and condemnation
• Fear
• Marital challenges/divorce
• Out of control (throughout life)
• Depression
• Sexual dissatisfaction
• Lustful eye
• Promiscuity (out of control sexual activity)

How do I break free?

1. Go to God.
   • Jesus did it for us.  He conquered sin, death and the grave.
   • Repent and ask forgiveness.  I John 1:16
   • Ask God to clean your heart.  Psalm 51:1-17
2. Realize daily quality time with God is a must.

• Call out to God quickly when in trouble.  Matthew 14:22-23
• Ask God for more grace (help).  James 4:6; Romans 5:20
• Hide God’s Word in your heart.  Psalm 119:11

3. Identify a person/people you can trust.

• Someone to hold you accountable. 

      Matthew 18:19-20

• Go to church.  (One that teaches you how to walk in the Word of God)
• Find right people. 

      Proverbs 11:14b

      >Pastor

      >Minister

      >Counselor

      >Mature Christian

4. Ask yourself , "is it worth it?"

• Think about all the negative results of this sin.
• Make a quality decision and ask is this worth it?
• Turn your head from seductions.
• Don’t go into areas that temp you.
• Avoid using the computer alone.
• Set filters for your television and computers.
• Train your eyes to turn quickly from any and everything that tempts you.
• Choose to give only eye contact.
• Refuse to scope out body parts.

5. Identify your weak areas.

6. Guard your eyes.

Prayer

Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus thanking you for your love. I thank you for your grace.  Lord you said that if I confess my sins, you are faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  I thank Jesus for making me free.  Whom the Son made free is free indeed.  I believe I am free now.  I break the power of the habit of pornography off of my life now in Jesus’ name.  I am free! Amen.

Grow in God's Word:

Gates Millennium Scholarship

http://www.gmsp.org/%28p0xiq1bpmuy3jjv2isyq42jl%29/default.aspx

Air Force ROTC Scholarships – High School Students

http://afrotc.com/scholarships/high-school/

Tips on Getting to College - http://www.knowhow2go.org/freshmen_quiz.php

Christian Colleges - Thinking about attending a Christian College? Check out - http://christiancollegeguide.net/

The KFC Colonel's Scholars Program® is looking for high school seniors with entrepreneurial drive, strong perseverance, demonstrated financial need, and who want to pursue a college education at an accredited public institution in the state they reside.

The KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program is about you, your dreams and aspirations, and the perseverance to succeed. This program is offered to high school seniors planning to attend a public in-state college or university. Students who meet the criteria may apply online to become a KFC’s Colonel’s Scholar. Students selected for this scholarship are eligible to receive up to $20,000 to complete a bachelor’s degree program.

For more information, log on to:http://www.kfcscholars.org/scholarships/

The College Fund/UNCF – www.uncf.org

Fast Web – www.fastweb.com

Black College Dollars – http://www.thesalliemaefund.org/smfnew/scholarship_directory/index.html

Ron Brown Scholarship - http://www.ronbrown.org/Apply/EligibilityRequirements.aspx

College Preparation Checklist
Know how to prepare for college while you are in elementary school, middle school and high school.

Check it out at:

http://www.edpubs.gov/document/en0920h.pdf?ck=668

Alabama Career Information Network
Career planning, financial aid information, life after high school, resources and more. Log onto: http://www.alcareerinfo.org/

ACT Information – registration, test prep, scores, college/career planning, financial aid and more.
Check out: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/index.html

Tips on Getting to College - http://www.knowhow2go.org/freshmen_quiz.php

Christian Colleges - Thinking about attending a Christian College? Check out - http://christiancollegeguide.net/

After a summer of sleeping in or doing things on your time, the alarm bell announcing that first day of school can be a rude awakening. Whether you're an anxious new freshman or a confident senior, heading back to school signals a time of transition: new classes, new teachers, new schedules, and a new social scene.

How can you combat first-day chaos?

• Pack your backpack the night before school starts so you're not scrambling around at the last minute looking for what you need. In addition to packing basic supplies (such as notebooks, pens, pencils, and a calculator), hunt down any of the school forms that were mailed to your family over the summer: immunization (shot) records, permission slips, and class schedules.
• Each school has a different opening-day drill. Some start with homeroom or an assembly, but others may jump right into the first-period class. You'll meet your new teachers, and they'll probably give you an overview of the course syllabus, class rules, what the semester will be like, what supplies you'll need, and expectations of your performance and behavior. Some teachers will jump right into their first lesson, others may have non-coursework activities planned. It all depends on the class and teacher.
• New place = new emotions. Lots of people feel anxious scared, or excited about school. Although people who are coming back as seniors may be happy they're in their final year and can't wait to visit with friends, most freshmen or new kids are likely to be tense or worried
• It's perfectly normal to feel nervous the first day of school. Getting back to the school routine and adjusting to new workloads takes some getting used to after a long summer break. If you're having a mental meltdown, think back to some previous "first days." Everything probably settled down pretty quickly once you got into the routine.
• Meeting new people or getting reacquainted with classmates can feel overwhelming, especially if you're the shy or reserved type. Start small: If large groups make you nervous, try saying hi to one or two new people a day - the kid at the desk next to yours in homeroom is a good place to start. Or ask new people to sit with you in the cafeteria. If you still feel uncomfortable after a few days, talk to the school guidance counselor, a favorite teacher, or someone else you trust about how you're feeling and what you can do. But give yourself time - most problems adjusting to school are only temporary.

Having a Brain Drain?

• Plan ahead. Get a wall calendar or personal planner. Mark the dates of midterms, finals, and other tests. Note the due dates of term papers, essays, and other projects as they are assigned. List any other time commitments you have, like basketball practice or play rehearsals. When your calendar starts to fill, learn to say no to additional activities until things calm down.
• Stay ahead. Try not to fall behind. If you feel yourself falling behind and starting to feel frustrated, let your teachers know. It's better to get help early on than to wait and think you can ace the final if you spend a few nights cramming. Almost everyone struggles with a particular subject or class. If you're having trouble with a particular subject or homework project, ask your teacher for extra help after class. Taking a few minutes to address the problem right away can save time later, and if your teacher knows that you're struggling with something, he or she is likely to be more understanding of the situation.
• Listen up. Paying attention in class can actually pay off in the long run. Sure, it's often easier said than done, but actively listening and taking notes during lectures can make recalling information easier when it comes time to study and remember things.
• Take notes. If you take notes and review them before class begins (or while studying for an exam), you can ask a teacher to go over anything you don't understand. It can also be helpful to go over notes with a friend after class - as long as you're confident your friend really grasps the material! Learning good note-taking skills in high school also helps put you ahead of the curve in college, when good lecture notes are key to studying and doing well.

Source:  David B. Waldman, BA, MA, Joan Y. Meek, MD, MS, RD, July 2004