Commendation of Matt Murphy and Brad Widstrom's Book

 

 

Matt Murphy and Brad Widstrom’s book 99 Thoughts on Caring for Your Youth Group: From Coffee Shop Counseling to Crisis Care is an excellent resource that every youth leader ought to read and reference repeatedly. That said, it is not merely a handbook for youth pastors who desire to grow in their role as caregivers. Indeed, it is an effective eye-opener for anyone interacting with today’s teenagers. 

 

The significant issues facing teens in contemporary culture (e.g., drugs, alcohol, domestic abuse, unexpected pregnancies, suicide, bullying, cutting, sexting, and school shootings) justify Murphy and Widstrom’s rather startling claim that “In today’s society, all kids are at-risk” (12). The bold manner in which the authors consistently confront these all-too-prevalent problems is in keeping with the seriousness of the threat to the well-being of individual teenagers and the youth groups they belong to. They rightly refuse to shy away from the most difficult ministry situations or soft-pedal the stark realities that youth workers will face as they seek to disciple students satiated by the relativistic postmodern milieu. The consequence is that the book appropriately communicates the actual depth of youth ministry.

In short, if concerned Christian adults implement the clear advise contained within this youth ministry preparedness manual, they will be strategically equipped to provide Christ-like care in any situation and in so doing they will positively impact the lives of teenagers for the kingdom of God.

Key Themes in Nehemiah

As you read the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, look for the following key themes. First, notice what it communicates about who God is and what type of relationship he desires to have with his people (pay careful attention to the prayers recorded throughout the account). Second, observe how God graciously work with and through individuals to accomplish the physical and spiritual rebuilding he intends for the survival of his covenant partners. Third, recognize the way in which Nehemiah emphasizes both the continuity of the Jewish remnant with the historic nation of Israel as well as their religious purity in the midst of a pluralistic context. In particular, discern the stress the text places on adhering to the law and avoiding syncretism. Keep in mind how vital or critical to the ongoing existence of the returned exiles it was that they fully understood and obeyed the ethical implications of the covenant (i.e., how essential it was for the people to know and keep the principles of the law).

In case you are interested, I think the four books in the Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers series provide sound theology for kids. Here is the link from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Big-Thoughts-For-Little-Thinkers/dp/089221614X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347828524&sr=8-3&keywords=big+thoughts+for+little+thinkers+series

Zephaniah

The prophet Zephaniah was active during the reign of the good, reforming King Josiah (640-609 B.C.). He spoke the word of the Lord to the Southern Kingdom of Judah, since the Northern Kingdom of Israel had already fallen to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. He was a contemporary of the prophets Nahum, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah.

Here is the outline of the book from the ESV Study Bible:

I. Heading (1:1)

II. Judgment Coming Against Judah (1:2-6)

III. The Day of the Lord (1:7-3:20)
     A. Day of sacrifice and punishment (1:7-9)
     B. The coming wrath (1:10-18)
          1. Against God's people (1:10-16)
          2. Against all humanity (1:17-18)
     C. Repentance is still possible (2:1-3)
     D. Nations warned (2:4-3:8)
          1. Philistines (2:4-7)
          2. Moab and Ammon (2:8-11)
          3. Cush (2:12)
          4. Assyria (2:13-15)
          5. Jerusalem (3:1-7)
          6. Summary (3:8)
     E. Anticipation of hope (3:9-20)
          1. Conversion of the nations (3:9-10)
          2. Judah's return (3:11-13)
          3. Joyful song (3:14-17)
          4. God's promised restoration (3:18-20)

The Mission of God's People

Pastor Jeff Daley's summer preaching series is on the mission of God. He is basing his messages on Christopher J. H. Wright's book The Mission of God's People. Our community will be following along in order to catch this new vision for Southern Gables Church. In class, we will discuss the chapter and content that Jeff has covered in his message the previous Sunday (please refer to the posted lesson schedule).

Here is the full title and publication information for the book:

Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God's People: A Biblical Theology of the Church's Mission. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.

ISBN-10: 0310291127
ISBN-13: 978-0310291121

Here is a link to the book on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Mission-Gods-People-Biblical-Theology/dp/0310291127/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1341720678&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mission+of+god%27s+people

"Dangerous Meditations" by Dr. Groothuis

I finally found the link to an article Dr. Douglas Groothuis wrote on Yoga. I realize we are no longer studying other religions in class, but I thought this still might be of interest to some of you.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/november/10.78.html

Environmental Hindrances to Godliness

Here is a rather lengthy quote from R. Thomas Ashbrook's book Mansions of the Heart: Exploring the Seven Stages of Spiritual Growth that I thought was germane to our current study in 2 Peter.

"You and I are being spiritually formed every day. But is it the kind of 'formation' we really want? Our environment works overtime to form us into its image; we're transformed every day, oftentimes, for the worse. You see, everyone is on a spiritual formation journey. We don't live in a neutral world, with church or God as our only spiritual influence. We are bombarded by influences - some good and many bad - constantly seeking to form us into the world's mold. Just turn on the TV and watch it for the worldview being taught, or the values portrayed as normal, or the images of false happiness, meaning, purpose, and so on. This negative spiritual formation is always working on us. Statistics tell us that this negative formation is actually quite successful with many Christians. Unfortunately, we Christians have about the same rates of divorce, addiction, and other problems as the rest of the population" (p. 18).

2 Peter Outline

I. Greeting (1:1-2)

II. Theme: God’s Promises and a Life of Godliness (1:3-11)

A. Divine Empowerment (1:3-4)

B. Christian Ethical Response (1:5-7)

C. Eternal Value of Possessing Virtuous Qualities (1:8-11)

III. Peter’s Reminder (1:12-21)

            A. Impetus for the Reminder: Peter’s Testament (1:13-15)

            B. The Truth Regarding the Power and Coming of Jesus (1:16-21)

1. Personal Eyewitness Testimony (1:16-18)

                        2. Certain Testimony of the Prophets (1:19-21)

IV. Peter’s Prophetic Warning Concerning False Teachers (2:1-22)

            A. A Fortiori Argument Proving the Fate of False Teachers (2:4-10a)

1. Certain Judgment for False Teachers

                        2. Rescue for the Godly

            B. Denunciation of the False Teachers’ Behavior (2:10b-22)

                        1. The Evidence Against the False Teachers (2:10b-16)

                        2. The Adverse Implications of Their Depravity (2:17-22)

V. Peter’s Reminder Recapitulated (3:1-2)

VI. Peter’s Prophetic Warning Concerning Scoffers (3:3-4)

A. Arguments Against Doubting the Power and Coming of Jesus (3:5-7)

                        1. Power of Creation (3:5)

                        2. Power of the Flood (3:6)

                        3. Power of the Coming Judgment (3:7)

B. The Transcendent Timing of the Lord (3:8-10)

                        1. Not Slow, But Patient (3:9)

                        2. Surprising (3:10)

VII. Parousia Paraenetic: Ethical Implications of the Coming of Jesus (3:11-16)

            A. Holy and Godly Living (3:11)

            B. Expectant Living (3:12-13)

            C. Christian Wisdom (3:14-16)

D. Final Warning to Be on Guard (3:17)

E. Final Exhortation (3:18a)

            F. Doxology (3:18b)

Understanding the Missional Church • EFCA Today

Understanding the Missional Church • EFCA Today

Where did the term originate, and why does it matter?

 click on the above link for an interesting read from our denomination's website

"The term missional church has become a buzzword 

in Christian circles—meaning different things to different people. 

When some hear the term they roll their eyes and think, Yet another church-growth fad. 

For others, their heart beats a bit faster, envisioning a church 

that is more evangelistic or more holistic or more involved in the 

community or more outward-focused."

...
"
The missional impact of the church must also go
beyond evangelism alone to intentional kingdom
influence in the larger community,
 reflecting the justice and compassion of God."

POTLUCK!

Today is the potluck!

A time for friends, fellowship, and food!!!

See you all there :)

Easter Families! :)

the only little boys in class!!!

Prayer at PPH

Come join us as we seige and pray at the Denver PPH. We will pray silently for one hour then pray out loud as a group and sing a song (this month 10000 reasons by Matt Redman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ). if you cannot join us I invite you to pray during the time that we will be there. And we love to have someone join us who can play the guitar :)

The address is 7155 38th ave its the Denver stapleton facility and u can park right in front of the building.... But the building is behind a metal fence. Let's meet near the front of building at 0930

• Saturday, April 14, 2012
• 9:30am until 12:30pm

   

  --Samantha Butler (& Bound 4 Life)* 
  

   

  *Bound 4 Life supports the national bound 4 life group and have a chapter in englewood colorado. "we pray that abortion ends in our nation - vote for candidates that are actively pro-life - obey as He leads in works of compassion and justice."

Mormonism

Here are two Evangelical apologetic ministries that research and evaluate the differences between Mormonism (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and biblical Christianity.

Mormonism Research Ministry
http://www.mrm.org

Institute for Religious Research
Mormons in Transition
http://www.irr.org/mit

Here are full-text versions of the four standard works that Mormons believe contain the word of God (Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, the Holy Bible) from the official LDS website:
http://www.scriptures.lds.org

Biblical Resources

Here is a very beneficial page from CCU's Clifton Fowler Library that contains numerous links to online biblical resources. Enjoy!

http://www.ccu.edu/library/biblical.asp

Website on World Religions

Here is a website that provides balanced views on all the major world religions. Most of the material is written by knowledgeable experts, so it is factually accurate and credible. However, it is not a distinctly Christian site or solely written from a Christian point-of-view. (Although there are many Christians who contribute to the Christianity Portals.) One of the great benefits of the site is that it allows you to compare and contrast the major beliefs of each religion.

http://www.patheos.com/

Click on the Religion Portals to find a specific religion or belief system.

World Religions Study

Here is our class schedule for the next few months:

Jan. 8 - Worldviews/Religious Pluralism
Jan. 15 - Kingdom Connection Update, Rooms 177-179
Jan. 22 - SGC World's Fair
Jan. 29 - Potluck
Feb. 5 - Islam
Feb. 12 - Native American Religion
Feb. 19 - Judaism
Feb. 26 - Buddhism
Mar. 4 - Hinduism
Mar. 11 - Mormonism