Friday Review (10/25/24)

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

3 Common Questions Youth Leaders Constantly Ask, by Rachel Dodd (Fuller Youth Institute)

But it’s essential for youth leaders to see themselves as the one charged to lead all adults in the church to invest relationally in teenagers so that students come to know that their identity is in Jesus, experience a sense of belonging in God’s family, and live out their purpose through the church.

Biblical & Theological Studies

Don’t Be Afraid to Teach Doctrine in Women’s Bible Study, by Stephanie Franklin (The Gospel Coalition)

So we set out to study the doctrine of Christ in our women’s Bible study. Leading our women through a theological study was challenging—but worth the effort. We faced two primary hurdles and saw two particular benefits for our women.

5 Things You Should Know about Union with Christ, by Jeremy Walker (Ligonier)

To be in Christ is true salvation. To be like Christ is real holiness. To be with Christ is joy beyond compare. He is the root and source of every blessing. We need, therefore, to grasp certain sweet realities about the Christian’s union with Christ Jesus.

Cultural Reflection & Contextualization

Nietzsche or Christ? Who Will We Follow amid Our Political Angst?, by Chris Castaldo (Crossway)

The days of rage are back. In the face of current social and political events, resentment may not be flooding the street (at least not yet), but it is raging at the level of the heart. It comes from a sense of powerlessness as we look into the future, even among those who are culturally and financially privileged. The feeling is piqued by the nonstop consumption of news media, which stokes our anxiety and alarm.

Why Culture Matters for Counseling, by Jon Hyatt (Center for Faith & Culture)

In this sense, every Christian counselor is a missionary. Our task is to help the counselee question his or her assumptions about what is normal and logical–the futile ways inherited from our forefathers (1 Peter 1:18-19)–in order to arrive at a more precise grasp of the truth.

Pastoral Ministry

Playing the Long Game in Local Church Disciple Making, by Larry Austin (Gospel-Centered Discipleship)

Perhaps like the people in my mountain village, pastors and their people are scurrying from place to place trying our best to make our churches flourish. Yet, we can’t help but be influenced by our culture where everything from information to food to virtual relationships are at our fingertips. No matter now much we would like to, we cannot make a disciple the way we grab a meal from a fast food drive through.

Why Young Women Are Leaving the Church and How Pastors Can Help, by Elizabeth Hance (The Gospel Coalition)

Women are leaving the Christian church, and organized religion altogether, at surprisingly high rates. Historically, women have almost always outnumbered men in religious service attendance, but that tide is shifting with younger millennials and Gen Z.

Family & Parents

Kids Need to Know Faith Is More Than ‘Being Good’, by Bethany McIlrath (Rooted)

The call to goodness is not wrong. However, we need to be clear about the place behavior holds in the life of a believer. Misunderstandings around “being good” for God can cripple kids with a sort of legalism that can lead to anxiety or rebellion.

A Parent’s Guide to Talking with Kids About Political Engagement, by Andrew T. Walker and Christian Walker (Crossway)

There is as much caution necessary to protect yourself from being politically obsessive as there is the need to reject political apathy. Apathy and obsession are equally alike in being the wrong approach to political engagement.

How Infertility Shifted My Perspective in the Midst of Grief, by Randi Singleton (Gospel-Centered Discipleship)

Each passing year felt like I was leaving my potential children behind, stuck in the present while being urged to hope for the future. In these moments, I saw others turning to Jesus or becoming bitter—often experiencing both. I was angry and seeking Jesus, but mostly I was quietly crying outside a room full of people, knowing that something had to change.

From YPT this week

YPT Podcast ep.79: How Catechesis Can Strengthen Your Discipleship with Skyler Flowers & Parker Hudson

How can the historic practice of catechesis strengthen our ministry’s ability to disciple students into lifelong faith?

How to Teach Biblical Poetry in Youth Ministry by Joseph Bradley

The poetry in the Bible is the inspired word of God and is there for our benefit. Discovering that benefit requires us to learn how to read it, in context, as it was intended by the original author. Here are some principles when preparing to teach biblical poetry.