Greater Heights FAQ

A. Individuals can certainly benefit from the guidebooks. However, they are best used in small groups – generally from 3 to 10 people. Larger groups, such as in a school classroom setting, are also workable. The accountability, relational, and discussion aspects are better facilitated in a small group setting. The advantage of the Small Group Starter Kit is getting all the materials in one package at a 10%-21% discount.

A. Most expenses don’t really fall into the category of “I don’t have the money.” They belong in a category of “That’s how I choose or don’t choose to use my money.” According to the 2000 United States Census, the population of 39 million teens spends $158 billion per year, which is almost $80 a week in disposable income for the average American teenager. Since clothes, movies, fast food, music and video games are some of the main expenditures of this age group, let’s take a brief look at some common expenses:

Here’s a little closer look:

Video games – Most new releases for the Xbox, Sony Play Station and Nintendo GameCube are typically $49.95. Although games can be purchased at lower prices, it is not uncommon for many to rush out to stores to buy the new titles at full price.
Computer software – Similar to video console games, popular titles generally cost in the area of $39.95. A look at the online WalMart site found “The Sims 2” game for $49.82. EA MVP Baseball 2004 was $39.82. “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” was $29.82. The cost of one, maybe two computer games equals or exceeds the cost of our Career Game Plan guidebooks.
CDs – Despite online downloads, CDs are still hot sellers among this age group. Depending on where you shop, most new releases cost anywhere from $10-$15. As of April 1, 2004 the top 10 sellers on Amazon.com averaged $13.89 each. The cost of our guidebooks is the equivalent of 3-4 CDs. For most in this age range, buying 3-4 CDs per month, let alone per year or in a lifetime, is no big deal.
Tennis shoes – In our “image is everything” society tennis shoes have been a big seller supported by multi-billion dollar marketing machines. And we’ve bought into it. So, you can find tennis shoes from basic general brands from $29.95 to specialized branded basketball shoes at well over $100 dollars. And yet, few seem to bat an eyelash at paying these prices for a pair of sneakers.
Fast food – A typical meal deal, whether it be at McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Subway and most other fast food franchises is from 4.99 to 5.99. If you were to calculate that out at one meal for twelve weeks that would equal $59.88 to 71.88. At least one meal a week at a fast food franchise is not uncommon behavior for this age group.

When you consider the temporary nature of most of the above purchases versus the potential career benefits over the next 40 to 50 years, we believe the $49.97 price for the students is a very affordable and valuable investment (see # 5)

A. Certainly. While conducting the study over a 12-week period is most beneficial to complete and integrate the material into the lives of the students, it can be done in shorter time frames.

Here are some options:

Six weeks. Schedule two sessions a week for six weeks. Or, schedule one session per week and ask students to do the guidebook lessons at home. The meeting times would then be used to do the exercises and group discussion.
Weekend retreat. Schedule a weekend retreat where students could go through most of the lessons at one time. Lesson 10 asks students to do an online career assessment. Therefore, students could do this exercise and Lesson 11 in the week following the retreat.

A. They could, but in doing so will miss out on a number of benefits of the small group setting.

Group Dynamics – People, especially the current generation of Millennials (teens through mid-20s) are much more inclined to work in groups and committees, preferring group accomplishment over individual achievement. Working in a small group rather than alone encourages growth among peers.
Discussion – The Leader’s Guide for the small study groups includes important discussion questions to help students process and understand the course material, making what they learn more valuable. A student studying on their own would miss out on this interaction.
Reference Materials – Unless the individual student is prepared to pay for all the reference materials included in a Small Group Starter Kit, they will miss out on the benefit of these materials in completing their career game plan. The reference materials include valuable career search guides.
Leadership/Mentoring Relationship – If a student studies on their own and not with a small group they will miss out on a relationship with the small group leader. Studies of Millennials show they distinctly desire important relationships with older adults. This 12-week course allows sufficient time for important mentoring relationships to develop between the leader and the students.

to the movies?
to football or basketball games?
to dances?
to parties?
out on dates?

The same is true of a small group study. As a student you’re investing your time, money and energy in something that can help you develop a more distinct plan about your future. With studies showing that the number of unemployed people ages 20-24 has risen 60% to 1.4 million from just four year ago, you want to increase your chances of career success with a more distinct, directed plan.

If no one immediately comes to mind, you may have to find some adult volunteers in your church or organization who want to be involved with youth. Small groups can be formed under your auspices, but with these adult volunteers as leader/facilitators, the group can meet during the week at times other than your regular meeting times. These groups can vary from just three students to 5, 8, 10 or more. These groups also provide mentoring opportunities that may continue even when the Creating A Purpose-Inspired Career Game Plan study in done.

A. That’s because these books are not competing with the standard career planning guides. They’re unique. There are a lot of other excellent books in the marketplace about finding a good career, but the guides from Greater Heights take a unique perspective in helping you to not only look for the “best fit” in a career, but to prepare you for the workplace. This approach helps you develop a solid foundation in God’s word as it relates to your experience in the workplace. Remember, the emphasis in these books is about finding purpose and direction in the workplace while making thoughtful vocational decisions.

A. On the contrary, this will contribute to increased involvement in ministry at the local church. Creating a Purpose-Inspired Career Game Plan guidebooks are designed to be used in a small group setting (a leader with from 3 to 9 students). The leader of this group is intended to be either a youth pastor from the church or an adult volunteer youth worker working under the auspices of the youth pastor. Greater Heights is a parachurch organization which desires to assist the church in providing materials and training to help guide young people as they transition into the next phase of life.

A. The research and statistics today are alarming about how many young people are abandoning the church and their walk with the Lord when they leave high school and enter college or the work force. Some studies indicate as many as 75% of students who were involved in church or youth groups leave them behind when they leave high school, and very often get involved in activities such as drug and alcohol use and sexual activity . It is a difficult time of transition for many students, one in which you can make a valuable difference.

The concern of Greater Heights is that students in high school and college today are not getting a proper grounding in biblical principles, a biblical perspective of the workplace, and a strong relationship with God. Using materials concerned with something that virtually all students will be involved with, either by design or default, that is, the world of work, students can be shown how they can be fellow workers with God and develop an intimate relationship with Him.

A. Find out if the youth pastor, or senior pastor, is familiar with Greater Heights or our Creating a Purpose-Inspired Career Game Plan guidebooks. If they are, and have used the materials before, tell them you want to be involved and lead a small group. If not, tell them about Greater Heights and ask them to visit our website from which they can order a Starter Kit of guidebooks and reference materials, including the Leader’s Guide, which can guide you as you conduct the small group study.

A.We’ve identified five specific reasons to serve as a Guide to Greater Heights:

The ministry of Greater Heights creates an opportunity for you to become a conduit of God's love. You do this simply by meeting with students and demonstrating a personal interest in them. Deep inside many students wonder, "Does anyone really care? If I died today, would anyone miss me?” You enhance the self-image of students by demonstrating they are worth the investment of your time and attention.

Which of your teachers do you remember best? Most likely it's those who demonstrated a personal interest in you. As a Guide to Greater Heights, you'll have an opportunity to express an interest in young person.
You become obedient to the biblical command, "Go therefore and make disciples." Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, said: “More time with fewer people equals greater kingdom impact.”
You broaden students' horizon, raise their expectations for themselves, and enable them to see greater possibilities by sharing your life, experiences, and giving encouragement.
You add meaning to your life by leaving a legacy.
You become obedient to the biblical command, "Go therefore and make disciples." Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, said: “More time with fewer people equals greater kingdom impact.”.