MONDAY NIGHTS • 6:30PM • STUDENT CENTER • ENTRANCE H

What is The Landing?

Students struggle on a daily basis with things like depression, anxiety, loneliness, isolation, bullying, peer pressure, family conflict, self-worth and so on. The Landing is a safe and confidential place where they can feel welcomed and supported just as they are.

The Landing is not only meant to walk with teens through hurts, hang-ups and habits, it is also a resource that can be applied to preventing future struggles.

The Landing follows the same format as Celebrate Recovery does; it is based on 12 Steps and 8 healing principles from the Beatitudes.

How Does it Work?

The Landing meets Monday nights at 6:30PM. All middle school and high school students are welcome. We start off with snacks and then large group.

LARGE GROUP
Large group is a chance to worship together as well as hear a story/teaching about finding freedom and new life in Christ. After large group we’ll move to small groups.

Small Groups
Small groups are gender and age specific groups where we dive deeper into what was shared in the large group.

Wrap-Up
The evening wraps up between 8:30–9:00PM with some more snacks and a time to connect with one another and build community.

See the 12 Steps

Freedom Break

Landing focuses on a 12-Step Process

Step 1

We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

Step 2

We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:1

Step 3

We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

Step 4

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40

Step 5

We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16

Step 6

We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

Step 7

We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Step 8

We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Step 9

We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Step 10

We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12

Step 11

We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16

Step 12

Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1

Areas of Struggle

Bullying Depression Anxiety/Stress Eating Issues/Body Image Loneliness Anger Family Conflict Abuse

Suicidal Thoughts and Ideation Drugs and Alcohol Self Harm Social Media Pornography Sexuality Hurt, Habits and Hang-ups

Bullying

Roughly 80% of all teens report being bullied in their lives. Many teens feel isolated, lonely and afraid as a result. Bullied teens report more illnesses and miss more school on average. If you feel you have been bullied you are not alone. There is hope, there is someone who fully understands and wants you to know that you are valuable, you matter and you are created by design. There is hope!

Depression

Struggling? Feel like things are not getting better? Feel like an outsider? Did you know that 1 in 5 teenagers struggle from depression? You are not alone, many just like you are searching for something more. There is hope. You were created with a purpose and your life is important.

Anxiety/Stress

Over 6 million teens report struggling with anxiety or anxious thoughts, many teens report higher stress levels than what is considered “healthy”. Anxiety and stress can leave a person paralyzed with fear and irrational thoughts that include extreme hopelessness. There is hope and there are solutions. There are options and steps to take to help you overcome your anxiety and cope with stress.

Eating Issues/Body Image

Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? Do you feel like you never measure up? Have you become obsessed with what you eat and how much you exercise? Do you use what you eat as your source of control? Are you continually unhappy with how you look? You have value because you are a child of God and created in His image. There is hope and help for you.

Loneliness

Teens often report loneliness, with the rise of social media, anxiety and depression; teens are reporting more loneliness than in previous years. God never meant for us to feel alone. He created us to be in community with each other. You are a part of a greater family that exists because of you. You belong and you matter!

Anger

Do you find yourself more irritable than you would like to be? Do you snap or overreact at what others may think is something small? Do you feel angry inside at all times. God wants us to find the hope and freedom from that anger that only He can offer. Many things can contribute to feelings of anger, but there are steps to take to learn to cope with these intense feelings.

Family Conflict

Family conflict is more common than you may imagine. Tension in relationships with siblings, or with parents seems to be a part of living with other people. At times family conflict can become more stressful and leave a teen feeling alone or scared. Things like divorce or fighting can be hard to manage alone. There is help for you to learn to navigate family conflict and steps to take to learn to cope; you do not have to be on this journey alone.

Abuse

Verbal, physical or sexual abuse was never a part of God’s design. You have value because you were created by God. If you feel dirty, ashamed or guilty there is hope. You CAN find freedom from the situations that hold you captive. You are not alone in this. There is hope for a new way.

Suicidal Thoughts and Ideation

Have you ever thought you didn’t want to live anymore? Thought this life isn’t worth it and want to end it? Does life have you so overwhelmed that you just do want to be in it anymore? If you are having any of these thoughts, first you are so worth it and your life has a plan and a purpose on this earth. Second, take the steps to reach out to a trusted adult and share your thoughts and pain with them. If you do not have a trusted adult please call 1-800-273-8255 and talk to someone who understands.

Drugs and Alcohol

Teens are reporting lower levels of substance use and alcohol experimentation than they have in years past. Often use occurs as a result of peer pressure, looking for an escape from pain, or feeling unable to cope with life. There is hope and freedom from using drugs and alcohol. There are many healthy coping mechanisms. If you are struggling with using a substance you are not alone in this, there is help for you.

Self Harm

"I cut myself." "I am a cutter." "I hate myself."
Have you ever said these things? Looking for a release from the overwhelming pain or emotions you are feeling? Or do you feel numb and empty? Struggling with how to deal with the tough situations you are facing? We want to help and encourage you on your journey to take the steps to healing.

Social Media

It is hard to find a teen, let alone an adult that is not daily using social media. The trends are to report all the good things in life leading the viewers to feel discontent or inadequate. Further, bullying on social media is a common place. If you find yourself over using social media, having a difficult time navigating your thoughts when you’re on social media there are new ways to connect with people and find satisfaction in life.

Pornography

You’ve tried to stop but the images seem to be burned in your mind and you can’t seem to break free. You feel guilty. You feel dirty. You feel trapped. There is hope and you CAN find freedom from the images that hold you captive.

Sexuality

The current culture is rampant with discussion regarding sexuality, including LBGTQ and being sexually active outside of God’s design. If you have questions in this area, if you have made decisions that have left you full of shame and regret, there is hope, restoration and redemption.

Hurt, Habits and Hang-ups

It has been said if you say you don’t have some sort of hurt, habit or hang-up in life that either you are in denial or one is right around the corner. Everyone that has breath has something difficult in their life that they need help to overcome. There are tools for help with each struggle that life can present.

Interested in leading? Email us at
landing@centralholland.org.

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