Friday Review (11/24/23)
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
Training Up Biblical Carnivores, by Walt Mueller (CPYU)
The older me is increasingly convinced that I’ve got to do everything I can to seek to go deep into the limitless depth of the things of God. . . . and by doing so, my spiritual compass will be calibrated with greater and greater accuracy as the days, months, and years pass. So, what will we do to get our kids to the same place? What will we do to be sure the research shifts and the frustrating anecdotes fade?
Biblical & Theological Studies
Slippery Slopes & Finding Allies, by Matthew Hosier (Think Theology)
Yes, it’s true, sadly, that sexism has been a greater reality in complementarian settings than egalitarian ones, just as it’s true, sadly, that support for same sex relationships exists in egalitarian settings in a way it doesn’t in complementarian ones. All of us need to be alert to the ‘shadow sides’ of our theologies. Let’s avoid the slippery slopes and find our allies.
The Supper and the Self, by Kevin P. Emmert (Desiring God)
If we as Christians want to understand who we are, we must look to Jesus Christ. As the God-man, he is the true revelation of both God and of humanity. He alone can reveal to us who we are. And one concrete way he reveals our identities is through his appointed Supper.
What Did Jesus Teach about Himself?, by Joanna Kimbrel (Crossway)
Jesus taught on a variety of topics, from family to money, to discipleship, and more. But there is one subject that is central to all his other teachings—himself. Jesus’s autobiographical words reveal not simply interesting facts, hobbies, or personality traits, but an astonishing identity that, if true, demands our attention and response.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Arenas Are Cathedrals, by Mark Jones (Desiring God)
Passionate sports fans desire the joy of victory, but in many cases, the fear of defeat and the accompanying grief can reveal how disordered our passions can be. I have heard it said by many players, coaches, and fans that they hate losing more than they love winning. For many, sports is the clearest window into their soul, where they show more joy or grief than in any other realm of life!
Pastoral Ministry
The Great Commission Is Bigger Than Your Church, by Bobby Jamieson (9Marks)
In other words, pastor, don’t consider your denominational affiliation or the money you give to missions to be your only or even primary means of fulfilling the great commission beyond the confines of your church. Instead, I’d argue that Scripture would also have you cultivate a posture of building partnerships with other pastors and churches in order to promote the gospel in your region and around the world.
Why You Should Wait to Go to Seminary by Ryan Williams and Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Go to Seminary by Keith A. Evans (The Gospel Coalition)
Should you go to seminary when you are young or wait until you’ve got some ministry experience? TGC has two articles, one that takes each position.
Family & Parents
I’ve Been a Prosperity Gospel Parent, by Gretchen Ronnevik (Christianity Today)
We’ve learned painful lessons with God, and we want to keep our children from having to learn them too. Except that’s not how it works. We can’t keep our children from struggling—and if we try, we risk instead keeping them from the full truth and beauty of the gospel.
One Thing My Parents Did Right: Ask for Forgiveness, by Ashley Kim (The Gospel Coalition)
My parents often compelled my sister and me to apologize to each other after petty fights. I wasn’t always willing to say sorry, nor was my heart always ready to forgive. But throughout my childhood and into adolescence, my parents showed me the importance of apologies and verbal forgiveness not only by telling me to make amends but by asking for my forgiveness when they wronged me.
Am I A Good Mom?, by Haylee Williams (For the Church)
Growing up, I became accustomed to objective standards of success defining whether or not I had succeeded. An ‘A+’ signifies a job well done. A winning record in my collegiate sport proves my hard work. Even in marriage, a “Great job!” from my husband means I am accomplishing my goal of loving him well. Until recently, I didn’t realize how much I had begun to rely on these exterior praises to determine whether I had accomplished a job well done.
From YPT this week
YPT Podcast Episode 51: Church Membership for Teenagers? with Justin Wong
Should teenagers become members of the local church? Justin Wong joins the podcast to chew on the ways church membership can be a meaningful context for student discipleship.
Building an Advent/Christmas Series for Youth Group with Simplicity and Depth, by Joseph Bradley
Let’s not be so clever about building our Christmas/Advent series that we’ve lost the plot. Here are three ways youth groups can study Christmas and Advent while keeping Jesus’ birth central.