Week 1 (May 6): What’s heaven like?

Week 2 (May 13): Why do bad things happen?

Week 3 (May 20): What is a Christian?

Wanna listen in?

Be sure to upload iTunes podcasts to your favorite mp3 player, so you can listen anywhere, anytime – or visit each Monday to hear online what your student heard on Sunday! To choose the podcast of Transit messages at your campus, click HERE

For Rising 8th Graders

Merida, Mexico:

June 2-9, June 9-16 and June 16-23, 2012

Lighthouse Family Retreat – Florida:

June 10-17, 2012

Boot Camp 2012

For 6th Graders

Watermarke, Gwinnett and Browns Bridge – August 17-19

North Point and Buckhead – August 24-26

Frequency 2012

For 7th and 8th Graders

North Point – October 5-7

Browns Bridge and Gwinnett – October 12-14

Buckhead and Watermarke – October 19-21

Walking Wisely Weekend

For 6th – 8th Graders
February 2013

Hey Parents,

Thanks for visiting our preview page to check out, in advance, what your students will have the opportunity to discuss this month in Transit. Tackling the topic of sex is not for the faint of heart! But all you have to do is turn on the TV to see that every other part of our culture has no qualms whatsoever about influencing our students toward choices that could be devastating. We plan to talk candidly with students who are inundated with conflicting messages – from their peers, celebrities, and even respected adults – and share the biblical truth about God’s plan for sex.

This week, students will see a video message that helps them to consider what boundaries they want to place in their lives now – before they are confronted with a personal challenge. That video is posted below. Please be prayerful that, as this series concludes, students will internalize these healthy messages that are designed to show them they can honor themselves and God.

Tom Shefchunas, director of Transit – North Point Ministries

Week 4:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click HERE for the content that will be given to Small Group Leaders for discussion.

*   *   *

Because we want to continually improve what we share with students, we’ve created a brief, 10-question survey for parents in order to gather feedback about this series. Please go HERE to let us know how we’re doing.

Thank you!

Hey Parents,

Thanks for visiting our preview page to check out, in advance, what your students will have the opportunity to discuss this month in Transit. Tackling the topic of sex is not for the faint of heart! But all you have to do is turn on the TV to see that every other part of our culture has no qualms whatsoever about influencing our students toward choices that could be devastating. We plan to talk candidly with students who are inundated with conflicting messages – from their peers, celebrities, and even respected adults – and share the biblical truth about God’s plan for sex.

This week, students will be separated by gender to watch the video messages. Below, you can see each video students will watch this Sunday. Please be prayerful that, as this series proceeds, students will internalize these healthy messages that are designed to show them they can honor themselves and God.

Tom Shefchunas, director of Transit – North Point Ministries

Girls video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click HERE for the content that will be given to Small Group Leaders of girls for discussion.

Guys video:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click HERE for the content that will be given to Small Group Leaders of guys for discussion.

What students typically notice first – and love! – is the live music! Transit has its own worship band! There are also fun games & a speaker. Then, because many students experience profound emotional growth (& sometimes upheaval) during middle school, Transit is designed to provide more intimacy during small group for sharing. Most groups go to private rooms for small group, where Leaders delve more deeply into the day’s message. Also, students will enjoy participating in two annual camp retreats, where they will bond with their small groups, have fun recreation and dynamic worship. Small Group Leaders are encouraged to plan several independent outings throughout the school year and summer to continue to cement relationships and encourage spiritual continuity year round.

How are my student’s small group and Small Group Leader chosen?

We group all students by school grade, geographic area and gender. Small Group Leaders volunteer to participate and then go through an intensive Interview/Approval process before being selected to lead students. Because SGLs sometimes drive students to events or outings, a criminal background & driver’s license check are conducted.

Do I still need to check my child in and out each Sunday?

No, students are free to come to Transit on their own. You will no longer receive a security tag. They will check themselves in on Transit iPads. You may discover that it is helpful to choose and discuss an exact location where you will meet afterward, away from the main traffic areas.

I keep hearing about Boot Camp. What is that?

We’re so glad you asked! Click HERE to find out more about Boot Camp!

Do Transit small groups meet during the summer?

Yes. We have found that we don’t want to give up on the relational momentum they’ve earned during the year. Small group is so important and we’ve found kids are more eager to attend church when they know they’re heading to small group. Also, they typically enjoy one or more fun outings independently planned by SGLs.

Can I volunteer as my child’s Small Group Leader?

Becoming a Small Group Leader is a ton of fun and an exciting way to stay engaged with your own middle school student. We absolutely encourage parents to become Small Group Leaders – and, with our swiftly expanding student ranks, we need you! – but we do not permit parents to lead their own children during Transit. Some students need more space than others and are far more likely to be candid in small group discussions about life’s challenges when parents are not present. We’ll help find the best fit for you, as well as the right place to maximize your student’s experience in Transit.

How else can I, as a parent, get involved with Transit?
We’re glad you asked! There are lots of ways to share in the fun, even as you experience your own spiritual growth through serving! You can start by asking your student’s Small Group Leader how you can support them. Offer to set up a trip, provide transportation to an outing, host a gathering or even send them an encouraging note. Any time you can provide the leader an opportunity to just hang out with your students, ministry is happening. If you still want to do more, consider contributing as a Small Group Leader, Host Team, Kitchen Team, On-Deck Leader or Event Volunteer! For more information, click HERE.

Can I hear what my child is being taught each Sunday?

Yes! We want to encourage you to subscribe to podcasts by clicking HERE. This will make it simple for you to listen online or download to your iPod to listen to messages presented at your campus – even as you drive to work or around town! Beginning in June, new messages will be posted each Monday by noon.

Where can I find out what’s going on in Transit?

The best way is to do one (or we recommend ALL) of the following:

• WEB: Come to www.Transitstudents.org to access everything important! By clicking the THIS MONTH or CURRENT SERIES link, you can hear about the latest series. Come here often!
• PODCASTS: You can actually HEAR the message by signing up for podcasts. (Click HERE.)
• FACEBOOK: You can also go to our Facebook page for updates and pictures. Click HERE. Each church also has its own individual Facebook page. Don’t forget to hit LIKE if you want updates to show up in your News Feed!
• TWITTER: You can follow your campus’ Twitter for series updates and fun news. Go HERE for the link.
• EMAIL: Don’t forget to unblock your Spam filter, so that you don’t miss our regular communications. Also, be sure that we have an accurate email address for you.

Now that my child is in middle school, can he or she volunteer in other environments?

That varies at each campus. They can’t serve alone until high school and then, we urge you to encourage your student to serve in Transit! For more information, click HERE (insideoutstudents.org) to choose your campus, then select Get Involved and Love Moves. Until your student reaches high school, the volunteer policies for the children’s environments vary by campus. Contact your campus’ Small Groups Director for more information.

My child has a best friend in another small group. Can they get in the same group?

Only if they attend the same school or are in a school that is included in that small group. They will, however, be able to freely worship together during Large Group.

My child is in a different grade, but is most comfortable when paired with a friend who is in Transit. Can they be in the same small group?

No, all students within a small group must be in the same grade, as programming is specially geared to their developmental stage and conversations are grade specific/age appropriate.

My child is home schooled. How will you choose his or her small group?

Your child will be placed in a small group that matches your home’s school zone.

Sometimes we attend different hours at church. Can my child still come to Transit?

Sure, but they won’t be in a small group and will miss perhaps the most important part of Transit. Relationships are formed in small group. It is important that, as a family, you choose an hour that will accommodate consistent attendance.

I am no longer married to my child’s other parent. Should I list both (sets of) parents as contacts?

Feel free to provide what you want us to know. We will assume that your child’s records reflect your preferences for email and phone contact.

My child has special needs. Can you accommodate him or her in Transit?

We realize there is a wide range of special needs students and strive to accommodate those at many developmental stages.  Check with your campus’ Host Team table for details.

I like to leave a little early to avoid traffic after church. Can you dismiss my child early?

Typically, the most important time in small group is normally happening as group time ends. Though okay on occasion, it will be detrimental to your child’s spiritual growth to regularly leave early. It’s also extremely disruptive during a potentially sensitive time of the conversation. For this reason, please refrain from texting your child or knocking on the door during small group to ask them to leave early.

*     *     *

We hope this answers most of your questions – if you have others, be sure to attend Transit Test Drive on May 20!

Here are 4 Things You Need To Know:

1.     Plan to attend Transit Test Drive! This is a fun morning for your student to be whisked (it’s a SURPRISE!) into their upcoming middle-school environment (& for you to take a peek from behind the scenes)! Check your student into Upstreet, as usual, & then head on over to Transit to preview what’s in store. Here is the date: May 20

2.     If your student is currently enrolled in Upstreet, you’re in great shape! Students in Upstreet small groups will automatically be enrolled in Transit small groups.

3.     Save the Date!  Promotion Sunday, when rising 6 graders will officially begin to attend Transit, is June 3.

4.     Save the Date! Boot Camp, the legendary 6 grade camp, is:

August 17-19 Watermarke, Gwinnett and Browns Bridge

August 24-26 North Point and Buckhead

Boot Camp registration will open in July. It fills up fast! More details will be posted later.

Still have questions? Check out FAQs for Parents of Rising 6th Graders.

Congratulations! Middle School is just around the bend!

Hey Parents,

Thanks for visiting our preview page to check out, in advance, what your students will have the opportunity to discuss this month in Transit. Tackling the topic of sex is not for the faint of heart! But all you have to do is turn on the TV to see that every other part of our culture has no qualms whatsoever about influencing our students toward choices that could be devastating. We plan to talk candidly with students who are inundated with conflicting messages – from their peers, celebrities, and even respected adults – and share the biblical truth about God’s plan for sex.

Below, you can see the video students will watch this Sunday. You can also click HERE for the content that will be given to Small Group Leaders for discussion. Please be prayerful that, as this series proceeds, students will internalize these healthy messages that are designed to show them they can honor themselves and God.

Tom Shefchunas, director of Transit – North Point Ministries

Week Two:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Transit has become a fun and engaging place for students to come on Sunday. Our numbers show that they are coming more and more frequently to be with their Small Group Leaders. Itʼs easy to pat ourselves on the back and enjoy the comfort that comes with familiar faces we see every week.

However, over the next couple of Sundays, we are going to remind our students of a hard truth – that there are hundreds of thousands of middle schoolers in our sphere of influence who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. So, we are going to throw the focus on those students who are not here. We want to talk about what Transit small groups can
do to be better prepared when students join us on a Sunday in a series weʼre calling “Saved You a Seat.”

Wanna listen in?

Be sure to upload iTunes podcasts to your favorite mp3 player, so you can listen anywhere, anytime – or visit each Monday to hear online what your student heard on Sunday! To choose the podcast of Transit messages at your campus, click HERE

We’re delighted that you are interested in learning more about serving in Transit!

So that we can better provide you with information, please click the link below.

We look forward to getting to know you!

CLICK HERE

We’re delighted that you are interested in learning more about serving in Transit!

So that we can better provide you with information, please click the link below.

We look forward to getting to know you!

CLICK HERE