Friday Review (11/18/22)
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
Helping Teenagers Navigate Complicated Family Dynamics Through the Holidays by Kara Powell (Fuller Youth Institute)
While the church is by no means perfect, I’m grateful that the church family gave me a place to find belonging as I navigated complex realities at home. The same is true for my own kids as our church has stepped in to help shape their identity, belonging, and purpose—in ways that only intergenerational Jesus-centered community can.
Biblical & Theological Studies
8 Reasons to Rethink the Song of Songs by J.A. Medders (Spiritual Theology)
If these themes of biblical theology were sprinkled about in another book of the Bible, we would gladly say, “Wow, look at all of these pointers to Christ and the gospel.” So let’s not hesitate with the Song of Songs, the soundtrack of Christ and his bride. Our Messiah loves to use metaphors, and the Song is one we must learn to sing along with.
The Shadowy Nature of the Theocracy by Nicholas Batzig (Feeding on Christ)
Those who have been swept up with various forms of theonomy (or Christian Nationalism) should reflect deeply on the redemptive-historical role of the Old Covenant civil law as well as on how the Apostles spiritually applied it to the New Covenant church. To move beyond these things is to impose an artificial, underdeveloped, and over realized worldview on the Scriptures rather than to allow Scripture to determine our understanding of the precise relationship between the Old Covenant theocracy and the New Covenant church.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
10 Things You Should Know about Islam by A. S. Ibrahim (Crossway)
Distinguishing Islam from Muslims is important, as we are called to love Muslims as Christ does, but it is important to think critically and biblically about the claims of Islam and subject them to the word of God and what it teaches. Here I offer you ten things you should know about Islam.
Every Wind of Doctrine: A Biblical Response to Kanye West by Tucker Fleming (Rooted)
There are several takeaways from Kanye’s recent comments for our students, but I’ll mention two here. First, our words matter. All of them. We should be careful and wise with them, and when we’re not, we should seek the Holy Spirit’s help in identifying why we’re not careful with them. Second, this situation pushes us to remind our students that they will sin, they will do so seriously, and sometimes they will do so publicly.
How Should Christians Speak in Public? by Tim Keller (Mere Orthodoxy)
I know that we are very early in this conversation in the evangelical world, but I propose that, using Paul’s exhortation, we can find ways of combining the three elements of Affection, Resolution, and Persuasion in our public discourse in a way that many secular people will find moving and some secular people will find convincing. That will grow the church, slowly but steadily, in our society.
Pastoral Ministry
Shepherding in the Age of Self by Jonathan Dodson (9Marks)
Most of all, remember that the flock is ultimately the responsibility of the Chief Shepherd. He loves them more than you or I ever could, and we can trust him with the outcome of their faith.
Pastor, Don’t Forget to Add Personal Evangelism to Your Crazy Schedule by Mike Kubinec (Southern Equip)
So, do pastors need to add more to their overflowing schedules? Realistically, many of us will need to rethink some of our time commitments if we want to lead our churches to obey the Great Commission. If we spend 50+ hours a week in sermon prep, church administration, and pastoral care, we will not have time or capacity to invest in personal evangelism. And if we aren’t investing in evangelism, neither will our churches.
What Should ‘Equipping’ Christians Look Like? by Champ Thornton (9Marks)
The good news is that God in Christ and through the Spirit has already done the heavy lifting. He is the One who actually equips and enables every-member-ministry (Eph. 4:15; 1 Cor. 12:3). So if I were to re-cast Howard Hendricks’s statement about equipping, I might say this to pastors: God is not calling you to do the work of ten men. He is calling you to use your words and example to encourage all the members of your congregation to do the work he has already equipped them to do.
Family & Parents
Protecting Your Teenagers Online by Kristopher Schaal (Growing Fathers)
Dads, what if your teenagers used technology the way that you do? You can make all the rules in the world, but your actions always speak louder than your words... It’s a wicked world out there, and our flesh is drawn to it. Let’s do everything we can to protect our teenagers (and ourselves) online.
Prayers for a Teenager Struggling with Pornography by Joey Turner (Rooted)
A collection of short prayers to pray for the teenagers struggling with pornography and for parents who are struggling to know how to help without over-reacting.
From YPT this week
Teaching Students and Keeping Their Attention by Mike McGarry
How can youth workers teach effectively and keep students’ attention? Here’s an excerpt from Lead Them to Jesus to help with this important skill.
The Intersection of Theology & Apologetics (Bradley & Hartman) on YPT Podcast
Youth pastor theologians know that persuasion is an important element of their ministry. Students are faced with so many opposing worldviews and doubts, it's important for us to take an apologetic approach when teaching the Bible and theology. But what's that mean and how do we do it? In this episode, we're joined by two of YPT's regular contributors to discuss the intersection of theology and apologetics.