Friday Review (10/14/22)
Each week we compile a list of helpful articles from other sites, in a variety of categories, for youth workers to read, reflect on, and/or discuss with parents and volunteers. If you have any articles you’d like to suggest, we’d love for you to share those in the Youth Pastor Theologian Facebook group. That’s a great way to bring them to our attention and to discuss them with like-minded youth workers! (Inclusion in this list does not imply complete agreement with the publishing source, but we have found these articles to be beneficial.)
Youth Ministry
Leveraging Transitions to Remind Teenagers They Belong by Chelsea Kingston Erickson (Rooted)
Thankfully, we don’t have to keep watching helplessly as this drift occurs. Instead, we can leverage school transitions as moments to reaffirm a culture of belonging. Because Jesus has radically welcomed us into his family through his life, death, and resurrection, we have the opportunity to remind students that we belong to each other.
5 Ways You Can Nurture Faith That Goes Beyond Youth Group by Jen Bradbury (Fuller Youth Institute)
By cultivating trust, modeling growth, teaching for transformation, practicing together, and making meaning, you can intentionally form young people’s character so they have what they need to live out their faith beyond youth group, regardless of where life takes them.
Biblical & Theological Studies
Essentials and Non-Essentials in a Nutshell by C. Michael Patton (Credo House)
While I don’t think we should over-define it to the point where our circle of fellowship is so small that it only includes “you and those two,” we need to be careful, as under-defining our faith is just as dangerous as over-defining it... While it is true that because something is non-essential this does not make it negotiable, it is also true that because something is believed strongly does not make it central.
5 Things You Should Know about Creeds by Keith Mathison (Ligonier)
Most Christians have heard of things like the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed, but many Christians also have a number of misconceptions about creeds. There is a lot of misunderstanding about the nature, history, and purpose of creeds. Here are five things you should know about creeds.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
How The Gospel Guides us in Engaging Indian Culture by Jimit Mehta (The Gospel Coalition India)
We are called to both celebrate the good and challenge the bad in our culture. Both are different ways of pointing to the redemption that God offers in Jesus.
Be More Ted by Mike Rutt (Ministry Architects)
Ted’s unique leadership style has led to numerous articles and podcasts debating his strengths and weaknesses... But what can church leaders learn about caring for their congregations from this folksy, fictional sports coach?
Pastoral Ministry
The Silent Sin That Kills Christian Love by Trevin Wax (The Gospel Coalition)
We must not call a noisy gong “boldness” or a clanging cymbal “courage.” Instead, we must stand out from such worldliness and cultivate the church as an oasis of quiet kindness, a respite from the sin Jesus says will lead us to hell.
Four Ways to Preach Like Jesus by Alistair Begg (Truth for Life)
If you are one of God’s chosen servants who has the privilege and responsibility of preaching, then preach like our Lord Jesus, for He is both the example and the substance of our preaching. If we declare His Word with the urgency and God-centeredness we see in His own ministry, we can rest in the integrity of our own ministry and trust the Good Shepherd with the outcomes.
Family & Parents
How to Parent the Proverbs Way by William Boekestein (Core Christianity)
[I]f we examined each of the “my son” texts in their contexts, we would see three key instructions that young people need to learn. These instructions can help parents prioritize what they teach their children, and help children and adults know how to honor our heavenly Father.
Peas, Christian Activities, and all the Little Saviors that Don’t Save by Katie Polski (Rooted)
While it’s our responsibility to share the good news of the gospel, it is Jesus who saves by his lavishing grace. This takes the ultimate burden off our shoulders and allows us to humbly submit our children to their Creator, the one who loves them infinitely more than we do. And it’s this truth that keeps us steady when our well-designed plans that we deem are “saviors” don’t work like we thought they would.
From YPT this week
We Need More Than Theology by Christian Vargus
Gospel doctrine crafts a gospel culture, and when you have that, you will see students that bear fruit, love each other, and bring God glory.