Friday Review (11/25/22)

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

Christians Remain a Minority Down Under, but Gen Z Aussies Are Open, David Roach (Christianity Today) 

“Most ordinary Australians” are “still open to talking about faith, and research again suggests that personal relationships are the biggest way to promote the gospel,” said Akos Balogh, external engagement manager for Moore Theological College in Sydney and former CEO of The Gospel Coalition Australia.

Can Christians Date Nonbelievers? by Marshall Segal (Desiring God)

More than twenty times in 1 Corinthians alone, he uses the phrase “in the Lord” or “in Christ.” This phrase, for the apostle, was not merely a spiritual tag onto his counsel about marrying wisely; it was his whole world. In his mind, we do everything we do — especially our major commitments and callings — in the Lord. For a Christian, there’s simply no other place to be, much less marry.

Biblical & Theological Studies

9 More Things You Should Know About Hinduism, by Suraj Kasula (The Gospel Coalition)

In recent years, Hinduism has enthralled many Westerners. Some adopt Hinduism as a philosophy or find its mysticism and yoga alluring, while others devoutly follow its religious practices. Because of this, I believe Christians in the West need to know more about this religion and its core concepts. Here are nine things you should know about Hinduism

What does “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” mean? by Kevin Halloran (Open The Bible)

But what exactly does this phrase from James mean? Does it mean that we will receive everything we pray for, or that holiness strengthens our prayers? Before answering these questions and pointing out the characteristics of effective prayer, let’s look at the verse in its context.

Final Answer? Jeopardy, Paul, and Hebrews by Greg Lanier (The Gospel Coalition)

But I was more concerned about a deeper issue: it’s not even Hebrews to begin with, and no one seems to care about that bigger error. The most Old Testament quotations are in a different epistle altogether, and it is not even all that close.

Pastoral Ministry

The Spiritual Discipline of Thanksgiving, by Stephen McAlpine (Gospel Centered Discipleship)

When Paul drilled down to the very heart of sin in Romans 1:21, he said, “Although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him.” A thankless heart isn’t just a problem. It is a sin against God. Every kind of evil begins there. Francis Schaeffer said, “A heart giving thanks at any given moment is the real test of the extent to which we love God at that moment” (A Christian View of Spirituality, 205). Thanking God is loving God. Thanksgiving is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; the Christian life cannot be lived without thanksgiving.

Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church, by Tim Challies (Challies)

Michael Kruger’s Bully Pulpit is meant to address the issue by addressing Christian leaders. “I am writing as a leader in the church to other leaders in the church. Church leaders are the primary audience because they are the ones who can prevent spiritual abuse. They can stop bully pastors.” While there are other books written for the victims of spiritual abuse, this one is written for the ones who may purposely or inadvertently find themselves perpetrating it.

Family & Parents

Prayers for a Teenager Struggling with Pornography, by Joey Turner (Rooted)

God, I am so scared. I am so scared of what my teen has been exposed to and I can’t control it. Lord have mercy, God have mercy. Lord, please have mercy. Please deliver me from fear and my teen from pornography. Deliver us.

For the Burdened Parent of College-Aged and Young Adult Children, Kristen Hatton (Rooted)

For all who are burdened—whether your child is a prodigal living in outright rebellion against God, struggling to find his way, making poor decisions, caught up in the world or something else—know that while we may not have any control, as believers we have these three things.

From YPT this week

Teaching Christology and the Incarnation at Christmas by Mike McGarry

Far too many church kids enter the Christmas season and roll their eyes at the Christmas story.The incarnation gets little more than a shrug of the shoulders. Maybe we ourselves are even right there with our students, bored with the annual message we’re joylessly repeating. 

Theologically Grounded Youth Ministry with Kevin Yi

Youth Ministry is theological ministry. But what's this actually mean, and what's it look like? Kevin Yi joins the podcast to share what he's learned about theologically grounded youth ministry.