Friday Review (11/4/22)
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
Prayers for a Teenager Who is Struggling With Depression by Liz Edrington (Rooted)
Sometimes the teenagers we love go through season of pain and suffering, and we quickly reach the limits of our human ability to help. We long to pour out our hearts to God, but it can be hard to find words when we are worried or afraid. Thanks be to God, we who have the Holy Spirit do not have to form perfect phrases, because “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Rom. 8:26).
Biblical & Theological Studies
The Worshipper by Jeremy Walker (Banner of Truth)
Why is it that the worship of the world puts to shame the worship of the one true and living God? Should not the glories and beauties of Christ capture and enrapture our hearts more than the fading glories and flawed beauties of this world?
5 Things You Should Know about Justification by William C. Godfrey (Ligonier)
While this doctrine is of tremendous theological importance and can be a subject of deep scholarly study, here are five truths all God’s people should know about the doctrine of justification.
Recovering Martin Luther’s Catechism: What Protestants Forgot by Todd Haines (Logos’ Word by Word)
Pastoral answers require the logic of God’s Word. For Martin Luther, the logic of God’s Word is distilled in the catechism—that is, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. “Whatever all of Scripture holds,” Luther said, “it is simply expressed in these three.” To read the Bible by the catechism is to read the Bible by its own light. That’s the genius of Martin Luther and his Reformation insight. And—to the surprise of many Protestants—it’s an insight he learned from the Roman Catholic Church.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Play Ball! (Like a Christian) by Michael Betrus (The Gospel Coalition)
As athletes united to Jesus Christ, we glorify him as we live not for wins on the field but for the triumph of the resurrection. Win or lose, we will appear with Christ in glory (Col. 3:4)—and that changes everything. A World Series ring might last a lifetime in our hearts, but Christian athletes demonstrate that God has placed eternity in our hearts (Eccles. 3:11).
Pastoral Ministry
Why Missionaries Should Value Professionalism by Matt Rhodes (9Marks)
Our role in the missionary task is not a particularly impressive one. We have little to offer, and God could easily reach people without our help. But because God has chosen to work through us, the unimpressive, slow, “human” aspects of our role remain important. Let us press into them. Let us pursue our task with diligence and professionalism.
The Body Is Bigger Than You Think by Trevin Wax (The Gospel Coalition)
The beating heart of orthodoxy joins us to confessors across space and time. We say, “I believe,” and we know we share a commonality with millions of people who have found the same treasure, who recite the same words, who believe the same concepts and trust the same Savior. The Body is big.
Family & Parents
Four Ways to Help Your Children Love the Church More by Stephen Kneale (Building Jerusalem)
When we’re clear about why we are going – because Jesus asks us to and we go primarily to serve others – our children will at least understand, whether things are good or bad, there is a better reason why we are going at all. And that may just lead them to love the church even a little bit.
Our Kids Are Not Upgraded Versions of Ourselves by Steve Eatmon (Rooted)
When we live this truth as parents, we will become the sweet aroma of Christ to our children. In you, they will see the true savior – Christ – rather than a weak and faulty one – themselves.
From YPT this week
Developing a Theology of Power by Alex Tufano
How should youth workers think about and embody the power they have as leaders in the church? Here are a few suggestions that will help us lead students in a way that reflects God’s authority and love.