Friday Review (3/15/24)

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

Just Jesus?, by Walt Mueller (CPYU)

I get a bit nervous when I hear a youth worker say that the goal of their youth ministry is to “just bring people to Jesus.” I don’t question the intentions. I don’t question the fact that Jesus is our Savior, Redeemer, Master, and Friend. I don’t question the fact that Jesus is the one and only Way, Truth, and Life. I don’t question the reality that salvation is found in no other name. What I question is what is meant by the phrase, “just bring people to Jesus.”

Biblical & Theological Studies

Are the People in Your Pews Good Theologians?, by Marissa Postell Sullivan (Lifeway Research)

The first in a series entitled Theology for Every Person, God explores questions concerning God’s existence, His divine nature, His Persons, and His attributes. But ultimately, Yarnell hopes the book helps Christians take their next step in knowing God so they can love Him and experience Him. Here’s a look at a recent conversation with Yarnell on how pastors can help shape churchgoers into good theologians.

What Are Demons? (Tough Questions Teenagers Ask), by Michael Goldstein (Rooted)

The problem with this interpretation is that it directly conflicts with Jesus’ own worldview. It’s clear throughout the Gospels that Jesus believed in the existence of demons, interacted with them, and taught his disciples to take them seriously. Furthermore, the writers of the Epistles make several references to demonic powers and teach that recognition of these is essential for followers of Jesus.

Cultural Reflection/Contextualization

Two Common Mistakes Christians Make about Government, by Robby Lashua (Stand to Reason)

So, what do we do? We love our neighbor, which means voting for laws that will help our neighbors by ensuring their justice and protection. We also love our neighbors through benevolence, which means personally helping the poor, homeless, and immigrant. And we seek the spiritual good of our neighbors through the church.

Three Reasons Students and Pastors Shouldn’t Use ChatGPT, by Jacob Haley (Center for Faith and Culture)

This latent nefarious potential is so potent and corrupting that while tools like ChatCPT can theoretically be employed harmlessly, even beneficially, the risk is not worth the reward. Indeed, the reward of intellectual discovery is ultimately available through other more satisfying means. While this may sound like a luddite’s unrealistic paradise, I encourage you to read on and consider with me.

Nihilism—in Nazi Germany and Today, by Carl Trueman (First Things)

We have created something via our technical abilities that revolutionizes what it means to be human without even realizing that that is what we are doing. We have created anthropological chaos. No wonder there is no agreement on what to do with the results.

Pastoral Ministry

Through the Valley of Miscarriage, by Tanner Swanson (Desiring God)

Though tears cloud our eyes, hormones our emotions, and sorrow our thoughts, we can arrive at truth and its only source, our God. For what we cannot see through the fog of loss and grief, we can read. Because of the Bible, there is no shortage of hope-restoring words to choose from (Romans 15:4).

When My Rights Make Me Wrong, by Dave Harvey

Why would he orchestrate his own demotion? Because his service for Christ was higher than his ambition for his role. How did Otto arrive there? Two steps positioned him to make his role about his Savior.

Are You Weary in Ministry?, by Jeremy Oliver (Biblical Counseling Foundation)

One can certainly experience this brand of weariness as a single person in ministry, but adding a family to the mix expounds the suffering, as it affects your loved ones in profound ways they didn’t necessarily choose. In either case, let me encourage you with some truths that helped carry me through my years of soul care ministry and gave me permission to rest.

Family & Parents

Prioritizing Our Marriages During the Child-Raising Years, by Katie Polski (Rooted)

For Christians in otherwise healthy relationships, imperfect as they are, we must do what we can during the child-rearing years to prioritize our marriages amid the demands that require our attention. By God’s grace, you can start by remembering his design for your marriage, praying fervently and worshipping together, and pursuing each other throughout the time God gives you.

From YPT this week

YPT Podcast Episode 62: The Religious Lives of Australian Youth with Graham Stanton

What can youth workers learn from a research project, examining the spiritual lives of Austrian youth? 

Apologetics as a Posture, not an Argument, by Joseph Bradley

Three biblical examples showing that apologetics takes a posture according to the context and type of conversation.