Sunny U Notebook: Guiding Youth Toward Leadership & Light


 That’s a fantastic vision! Using your Sunny U Notebook idea and adapting the Peaks and Valleys: Learning to Look to Christ in Life’s Highs and Lows study as a practical, youth-focused tool for an after-school program could be transformational—both for the youth and for you as a leader. Let’s break it down into approachable, action-based ideas:

🌟 Sunny U Notebook: Guiding Youth Toward Leadership & Light

🌻 Your Core Mission:

Help youth see themselves as leaders—not hoodlums.
Help them learn to channel energy, frustration, and potential into purpose.
Help them understand that life’s highs and lows are part of a bigger story, and they can choose to lead with character.

🌿 How to Apply Peaks & Valleys in Your After-School Program:

📝 1️⃣ Anchor Your Program in Peaks & Valleys Themes

Create a Sunny U Notebook for each student—simple folders or journals where they can write, reflect, and draw.
Each week, pick a theme from the Peaks & Valleys study, but make it youth-friendly:

Theme Youth-Friendly Version Discussion Focus
God of Mountains & Valleys "Life’s Ups & Downs" How do we act when life feels great vs. when it’s tough? Who do we want to be?
Forgetting in the Highs "Don’t Let Success Change You" What happens when we get what we want? How can we stay humble?
Doubting in the Lows "Don’t Give Up" When life stinks, how do we keep going? Who can help us? What can we hold onto?
God’s Plan "What’s Your Dream?" What are you good at? What’s your dream? How might God use you?
Seeing with Eternal Eyes "Think Big Picture" Why do we do what we do? How can we make a difference, not just for now, but forever?
Practical Steps "Level Up" What’s one good thing you can do this week to get closer to your goals?

✍️ 2️⃣ Use Reflection Prompts as Heart Openers

Teens may not want to talk at first—so give them quiet writing time.

💡 Sample Sunny U Journal Prompts (from Peaks & Valleys):

  • "Write about a time you felt on top of the world."

  • "Write about a time you felt like quitting."

  • "What’s one thing you wish adults knew about you?"

  • "What kind of leader do you want to be?"

  • "What’s your dream for your life?"

👉 Keep it simple: 5-10 minutes to write or draw.
👉 Let them share if they want to.
👉 Let them decorate their notebooks—personalize them.

💪 3️⃣ Make Leadership a Goal, Not a Punishment

Youth causing trouble are often leaders in disguise. So:

  • Flip the script: “I see you’re a leader. How can you use your influence for good?”

  • Give them small leadership roles:

    • Group leaders for games

    • Team captains for challenges

    • “Encouragement boss” for the week (write a positive note to someone)

    • “Cleanup Crew Chief” (ownership = pride)

🧩 4️⃣ Use Challenges + Discussions = Build Life Skills

Teens need more than Bible talk—they need hands-on learning. So blend the Peaks & Valleys themes with real-world challenges:

  • Team challenges: Build something together (like a LEGO model or a tower from straws) → Discuss what happens when things go wrong.

  • Role-play scenarios: What do you do when someone disrespects you? Walk through “peaks & valleys” of emotions.

  • Scripture tie-in games: Example: Create an obstacle course to represent “valleys” and “peaks,” then read a verse at the end that ties it together.

🙏 5️⃣ Close with Prayer + Vision

End each session with:

  • A short prayer (ask a student to volunteer if they feel brave).

  • A “Big Dream” board where students write their goals, dreams, or even frustrations—remind them God has a plan, even in the messy times.

🌟 Long-Term Vision:

This isn’t just an after-school program. You’re creating a leadership pipeline.
These youth are future leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, parents, mentors. You’re teaching them to lead themselves first—to handle life’s highs and lows with faith, integrity, and grit.

Would you like me to draft a weekly guide for this program based on your Sunny U Notebook and Peaks & Valleys? I can help create lesson plans, games, and journaling prompts tailored to your group! 🌻📚

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