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 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
| In This Issue |
- Featured Article: How Do I Know My Students Are Getting It?
- Something You Can Use: “Looking for the Right Players” … A Video Clip Idea and Discussion about Character
- A Note from Jonathan: Affordable Training in Your City? Really!
| If you aren’t a subscriber of this EZINE and would like to subscribe – it’s free – just pop on www.TheSource4YM.com and sign up in the upper right hand corner. |
| Featured Article: How Do I Know My Students Are Getting it! |
March 1, 2005
Ever wondered if they’re getting it?
I have. And so has Zack. That’s what he asked me in this recent email:
- Hey Jonathan, I let one of my volunteers teach a lesson Sunday night to our youth. The parents and adults that attended really enjoyed it, but our youth didn’t like it at all. I’ve had the same frustration. Sometimes I work on a lesson, teach it, and feel good about it … but then I realize that the students didn’t hear a word I said!
How do I teach my young people to prepare their hearts anytime God’s Word is open, regardless of how well a speaker does? How might I help this teacher with her lessons? How do I know my students are getting what is being taught? How much is really getting in those heads of theirs?
I just want to know that God is using me as an effective minister. Feeling inadequate for the task at hand. -Youth Minister Zack-
- How can I get students to listen?
- Is there a way to make sure we connect with students every time we communicate?
- Should I be careful who I allow to teach my students?
It would be nice if we lived in a world with no distractions– a world where teenagers aren’t used to being entertained by over 100 different channels of quick edit, highly visual shows filled with eye candy. But kids are drowning themselves with these messages daily. We can’t compete with the entertainment industry … but we can provide one ingredient that will make kids listen: relevance.
When I speak to teenagers, I’ve got 30 to 60 seconds at the beginning of my talk to answer a question that every one of them is asking: “Why should I listen to you?” Any speaker has to answer that question in the first minute. We have to either make them laugh, make them think, make them question … something that buys us a couple more minutes.
From there … we need to set the hook of relevance. We have to talk about something that makes them think, “Yes … that’s true. That’s exactly what I feel.” Or, “That’s exactly what I’m struggling with.” Or, “Yes, I want those answers.”
In order to provide those answers, we need to be clear. We don’t want to give them a confusing collection of Bible verses, quotes and truths, thrown into a cornucopia that we call a “lesson.” We need to communicate one clear point. One important truth that we want them to walk out of the room with that day-a relevant point that they will remember.
Then I support the point. I give reasoning and evidence why it’s true or how it can be done. All this is done with stories, examples and relevant life illustrations pointing to the one main truth I’m communicating that day.
That’s the way we need to be communicating.
- Give em’ a reason to listen.
- Hook them with the relevance of the issue you are going to address.
- Make your point.
- Support your point with stories, examples and relevant life illustrations.
I break down this process even more and talk about how to construct these kind of talks in this article on our web site: HIGH IMPACT SPEAKING – Not Just Speaking to Entertain, but to Make an Impact (CLICK HERE)
I also recommend a few books about communication. When it comes to teaching or preparing relevant lessons:
Secrets of Dynamic Communication, Ken Davis (CLICK HERE)
Biblical Preaching, by Dr. Haddon Robinson (CLICK HERE)
CHECK OUT MANY OF OUR NEW SPEAKERS IN OUR
“AFFORDABLE SPEAKERS’ NETWORK” (CLICK HERE)
| Something You Can Use: “Looking for the Right Players” … -And- More New Video Clip Ideas |
Main Point: God is looking for “the right players.” Our world tends to look at outward appearance- God looks at the heart. He cares about WHO we are, more than how good looking, talented, rich or famous we are.
Opener: Movie Clip – Miracle (Walt Disney) 2004, PG (Kurt Russell)
Plot Outline: Miracle tells the true story of Herb Brooks (Russell), the player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory over the seemingly invincible Russian squad.
About 14 minutes into the movie – Asst. coach looks at the final roster Coach Herb put together on just the first day of what is supposed to be weeklong tryouts and says, “You’re kiddin’ me, right?….You’re missing the best players.” Coach Herb, who obviously knows what he wants in a team, replies, “I’m not looking for the best players, I’m lookin’ for the right players.”
Intro: Read Samual 16:5-13 (NLT)
- “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them, too.
[6] When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” [7] But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”
[8] Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” [9] Next Jesse summoned Shammah, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” [10] In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” [11] Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep.”
“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
[12] So Jesse sent for him. He was ruddy and handsome, with pleasant eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”
[13] So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David’s head. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.”
Discussion Questions
- This clip shows the difference in perspective between these two coaches. What did Coach Herb (Kurt Russell’s character) see that the other coach didn’t? (One looked at outward appearance, Herb looked at potential.)
- In the passage we read about David, why was he selected instead of his brothers? (his heart)
- Our “heart” is our character or “who we are when no one is looking.” In other words … the real you! Think of someone who you would describe as a “person of character” or “person of integrity.” Describe them.
- Why is our character more important to God than our outward appearance?
- What do most people spend more time developing: their character, or their outward appearance. Why?
- How does our character influence or affect our future?
- Share what you think you spend the most of your time developing?
- There are tons of verses that refer to one’s character, but let’s take this passage for starters:
- Gal 5.22-25 (NIV), But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
A story is conveyed about D.L. Moody, a great 19th century preacher. The story goes that during a visit to Britain Moody heard words that made him hungrier for a deeper Christian experience and marked a new era in his life. The words were spoken to him by Mr. Henry Varley, a well known evangelist, as they sat in a public park in Dublin.
The words were these: “The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully consecrated to Him.” “He said ‘a man'” thought Moody, “he did not say, a great man, nor a learned man, nor a ‘smart’ man, but simply ‘a man.’ I am a man, and it lies with the man himself whether he will or will not make that entire and full consecration. I will try my utmost to be that man.” The words kept ringing in his mind, and burning their way into his soul until finally he was led into the deeper, richer, fuller experience for which his soul yearned.
Will you be that kind of man or woman? The kind who will have character and be a leader, not a follower? If that’s the kind of person you want to be, (raise your hand, stand up…).
Now, get in groups of 2-3 – guys w/guys, girls w/girls – go around and share one specific way in which you will grow in your character so that you can be a leader, not a follower. After all of you have shared, pray for each other.
(New on this page: 13 Going on 30, The Last Samurai, Hidalgo, Spy Kids 3D … and more. Each complete with small group discussion questions and wrap up)
| Affordable Training in Your City? Really! |
A Note from Jonathan: That’s right … THE CORE Training is back. Youth Specialties has been training youth leaders for decades. Those who have been to their training conferences want to go back. And if you haven’t been … now is the time.
THE CORE is coming to over 100 U.S. Cities in the next few months. This half day training is so incredible … that they give you a satisfaction guarantee. If you aren’t completely satisfied with this training event, you’ll get a full refund.
And the best news is it’s affordable. For about $40 a person, you could bring your staff team, or for just under $50 an individual. Money well spent!
I’ve experienced THE CORE and even helped with the training in years past … I highly recommend it. Check out their web site (CLICK HERE) for a complete description of what you’ll learn, including an outline of the lessons, bios on the teachers, registration info, etc.
DON’T WAIT. SIGN UP TODAY!
| Ministry Tools for Your Library |
DO THEY RUN WHEN THEY SEE YOU COMING? (CLICK HERE)Many of you have already bought Jonathan’s new book on reaching out to the unchurched … without scaring them off! If you haven’t-now’s the time. Get THE SOURCE 2005 OUTREACH CD for free just for ordering the book from us! We also offer this book in discounted “6-packs” so you can buy bulk for your staff and student leaders.
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Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.