Friday Review (10/18/24)
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
Teach Teenagers the Bible—And Don’t Bore Them, by Chelsea Kingston Erickson (Rooted)
So let’s call it like it is: Making Bible teaching a mainstay of our ministries does not mean we have to be boring. Exploring the Bible should be exciting, compelling, and transformative for our students—but as youth ministers we’ll need to put in the time, both to hone our craft and to commune with the Lord.
Biblical & Theological Studies
Can Jesus Pray “Imprecatory” Prayers?, by Christopher Ash (Crossway)
So although the “imprecatory” prayers in the Psalms are an acute difficulty for us, we must grapple more deeply with them to see if there is any way we can join in these prayers. We do this in five stages.
Life, Death, and the Euthanasia Debate, from Growing Young Disciples
As parents and church leaders, we must shape the theological framework through which children and young people view ethical issues. We need to offer a perspective that speaks into issues of life and death with clarity, hope, and truth. Here are a few practical steps to consider:
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
How the Internet Made Vibes More Important than Arguments, by Brett McCracken (The Gospel Coalition)
Vibes are the currency of our time, given and received a million times a minute on screens everywhere. The vibe world is Memes over messages. Aesthetics over arguments. Relatability over rightness. Feelings over facts. Mood over meaning. Vibes are fluid, subjective, and immune to criticism or definition. You can’t articulate, replicate, or invalidate a vibe.
Satan Loves Social Media, by Melissa Edgington (Your Mom Has a Blog)
Every other video on the internet seems to be trying to convince women to be dissatisfied with their lives. I’m not just talking about people displaying gorgeous homes and inspiring jealousy. I’m not even talking about the vast array of ads and influencer posts that convince us we aren’t allowed to age or sport any type of physical imperfections. I’m talking about reel after reel of men and women explaining to women specifically and in great detail why we should be unhappy.
“I Feel Guilty When I’m Not Overworking”, by Reagan Rose (Redeeming Productivity)
I recently wrote about the blessings and temptations of remote work, offering some cautions for Christians to be wary of laziness. While many found it helpful, I also received some gentle pushback from readers who said they actually have the opposite problem. They feel guilty when they’re not overdoing it.
Pastoral Ministry
Why Do Good Churches Send Bad Missionaries?, from Great Commission Council
What about the evangelical trump card? “God is calling me to…” Who wants to disagree with God? Churches are often afraid to question this kind of statement, and a person’s subjective call becomes the primary factor in whether they should be sent to the mission field. But the reality is that when a person is unqualified in character, unclear on biblical mission, and unprepared for the mission task, we can be confident that God is not calling them–at least not yet.
Why Do People Deconstruct? Beware the Grand Theories, by Trevin Wax (The Gospel Coalition)
A monocausal explanation or grand theory will hinder our ability to attend carefully to the person God puts in our path. A grand theory will cause you to retrofit their story and shove their experience into a predesigned category. Even worse, you won’t have ears to hear the heartache of people whose experience doesn’t fit any of the above.
Family & Parents
Empty Nesting: Discovering Radical Trust, by Eowyn Stoddard (Committee on Discipleship Ministries)
Empty-nesting is a great opportunity to press further into our calling as followers of Christ. My primary identity is in Christ, not in being a mother (Phil. 1:21). With fewer demands on my time, I can serve more intentionally. I am considering how I want to spend the last third of my life. I do not want to live vicariously through my children. Instead, I am asking God to direct me to a ministry that uses my gifts to serve His kingdom in this new stage. I want to focus on others who need Jesus, spiritual children God will yet call, without neglecting to love my adult children well.
Living Water for the Parent’s Parched Soul, by Brian Dembowczyk (Gospel-Centered Discipleship)
Let’s do something new and expect a different result. What if we become the first generation of American parents to get family discipleship right? What if we become known for turning the tide of family discipleship, not for our glory, but for God’s glory and our kids’ good? What if we plant seeds of faithfulness so deep in our kids that they bear fruit in them and in multiple generations beyond them? So, how do we do this? It all starts with how we understand the gospel.
From YPT this week
YPT Podcast ep.78: Discussing Gender and Sexuality with Youth with Andrew Bunt and Ashleigh Null
Discussing gender and sexuality with teenagers has never been more important... or intimidating. Andrew and Ashleigh from Living Out join the podcast to share their experience and counsel.
How to Teach the Epistles in Youth Ministry by Kyle Kennicott
Although there is a level of simplicity in the Epistles, we can wrongly assume their simplicity is all that there is to them and miss deeper truths they highlight.