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 | Jonathan’s Resource Ezine |
Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
| In This Issue |
- Something You Can Use This Week: Bible Outreach Discussion based on Linkin Park’s hot new music video “What I’ve Done”
- Free Discipleship Guide with Second Edition of Jonathan’s Book: Last chance to get a free Discipleship Guide with the purchase of the second edition of Jonathan’s hit book “The Top 12 Resources Youth Workers Want”
- Coming Next Month: The Source for Youth Ministry PodCast
| 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. |
| Something You Can Use This Week: Bible Outreach Discussion based on Linkin Park’s hot new music video “What I’ve Done” |
Linkin Park- “What I’ve Done”
May 15, 2007
Main Point of Discussion: How do we start over and begin with a clean slate?
The Music Video: “Let mercy come and wash away what I’ve done.”
Linkin Park has been at the top of the charts since the turn of the century. Their blend of rock and rhythmic lyrics- almost like rap- has captured audiences in both genres and always secured spots on the top 100. They have been the talk of music and radio news, they were the featured musician on SNL last weekend, and their new anticipated album is releasing today… Linkin Park is hot.
Right now the video for What I’ve Done is the 5th most downloaded music video on iTunes. The song is in the number 11 spot on iTunes and its number 28 on the Billboard Top 100. But the launch of their new album “Minutes to Midnight” today will probably create more of a stir as millions of teenagers rush out to buy it this week.
At THE SOURCE FOR YOUTH MINISTRY we like to use pop culture references to start Biblical conversation (just like the Apostle Paul used culture to start conversations about Jesus in Acts 17). This music video might be a good discussion starter in some circles. Use your discernment. Although this song, like most Linkin Park songs, is clean, their new album actually has the explicit lyrics warning
But don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. You can use the video as a discussion starter without endorsing the album.
If you want, you can print out the lyrics (below) and give each student a copy to refer to.
MTV.com has the video on their site for free right now and iTunes offers the video as a download for $1.99. Ask the tech guy at your church how to play the video on a laptop through a projector.
IMPORANT NOTE TO LEADERS: This discussion is NOT meant to turn into a discussion about our environment (I’ll let Al Gore do that). We are simply going to use the issues and questions that Linkin Park raises to talk about mercy and forgiveness.
Introducing the Music Video:
Many of you might have already seen the relatively new music video from Linkin Park, “What I’ve Done.” I’m going to show you this video really quick and then we want to hear from you.
- Song Lyrics: “What I’ve Done”
In this farewell
There’s no blood
There’s no Alibi
?Cause I’ve Drawn Regret
For the Truth
Of a Thousand Lies
[Pre-Chorus]
So let Mercy Come
And Wash Away
What I’ve Done
[Chorus]
I’ve Faced myself
To Cross out what I’ve Become
Erase Myself
And let Go of What I’ve done
Put to rest
What you Thought of Me
Well I Cleaned this Slate
With the Hands of Uncertainty
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
For What I’ve Done
I’ll start again
And whatever pain may come
Today this ends
I’m Forgiving What I’ve Done!!!
[Chorus]
What I’ve Done
Forgiving What I’ve Done
In this video we saw a lot going on. We saw a lot of different bad situations, wars and crisis that humans have caused.
Large Group Questions:
- What are some of the bad things that humans have done to each other and to our planet that we saw in this video? (leader-some of the answers you might be looking for are: race riots, war, pollution, gas consumption, ivory, engorging ourselves while others are starving, looting, terrorism, oppressive governments or hate groups like the KKK, the Nazi’s or Saddam, bombing villages, nuclear bombs, global warming, drug abuse, oil spills…)
- As we look at some of these heinous crimes by people like the Nazis or the KKK… it’s probably easy to think, “I would never do something like that.” And most of us probably don’t feel that responsible for nuclear war, bombing villages or killing elephants for their tusks. But we see problems like global warming, fuel consumption, pollution, littering… maybe a few of us might actually realize that we are a part of that. Bottom line: who is guilty for all of this? (leader-the answer you are looking for is: We are!)
- According to Linkin Park, who is responsible for all these sins against humanity? Hint: the answer is in the title of the song (leader-the answer you are looking for: “I” …what I’ve done. We’re the only ones to blame.)
In the lyrics to the song, Linkin Park not only seem to be accepting responsibility for some of these crimes against each other and our planet… but they also seem to be seeking forgiveness and mercy for “What I’ve done.”
Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups to discuss this, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.
| Free Discipleship Guide with Second Edition of Jonathan’s Book: Last chance to get a free Discipleship Guide with the purchase of the second edition of Jonathan’s hit book “The Top 12 Resources Youth Workers Want” |
The Second Edition of Jonathan’s hit book “The Top 12 Resources” just arrived f rom the printers. This fantastic resource is recommended by Kurt Johnston, Wayne Rice, Jim Burns, Chap Clark and others.
Chap says it well:“For years Jonathan McKee has been providing a dynamite (FREE!) resource for youth workers through his website. Now you can get the best of his thinking in a single volume. It is handy, easy to read, and very practical. But don’t let any of that fool you – it is also sharp, poignant, and real. I have been teaching and leading youth ministry for decades, and this is the best single volume on pragmatic programming I have ever seen. This is a must on every youth worker’s shelf!”
Chap Clark, Ph.D.
Author, HURT
Director of Youth Ministry Programs, Fuller Theological Seminary
THE SECOND EDITION: If you already have this book, you know what a great resource this is, especially to put in the hands of a new youth worker, a volunteer or intern. In the Second Edition, enjoy the same great book, but with a brand new Chapter 5 and other updates.
And this week, we’ll send you the WELCOME TO THE FAMILY discipleship guide free with the purchase of “The Top 12 Resources Youth Workers Want”
| Coming Next Month: The Source for Youth Ministry PodCast |
Next month we at The Source for Youth Ministry are launching our free Podcast, providing help, encouragement and entertainment to youth workers around the world. This show is fun and applicable with ideas you can use that day! And like our web site, it’s always free!
Each show The Source for Youth Ministry Podcast will feature:
- SPECIAL GUESTS: The Source is bringing in guests each week to join Jonathan in the show. Some will be youth workers from the front lines, others will be authors, speakers and bands that you know and love (Upcoming guests: Chap Clark, Kurt Johnston, Les Christie, Greg Stier, Scott Rubin, Detour 180… and more!)
- YOUTH CULTURE WINDOW: In this section we will address popular videos, songs, quotes, statistics or youth culture phenomenon.
- THE SEVEN SINS: This is the part of the show where we look at how NOT to do something.
- RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT: Here we take a peek at just one of the thousands of free resources on S4YM.com that helps youth workers reach kids.
- HELP ME! This is the part of the Podcast where we address some of the questions that people send to us at ASK THE SOURCE on S4YM.com
Jonathan is booked to speak at camps, conferences and events across the U.S. CLICK HERE to see what others are saying about this dynamic speaker.
TRAINING
Jonathan McKee‘s youth ministry and evangelism training ranges from 90 to 180 minute sessions like he does at the Y.S. National Youth Worker Conventions every year to the all day workshops like his Reaching Out to the Unchurched training he does nationally. Jonathan is the author of numerous youth ministry books including DO THEY RUN WHEN THEY SEE YOU COMING? and the upcoming YS book GETTING STUDENTS TO SHOW UP. He trains youth workers, equipping them to not only reach beyond the church walls, but to disciple them into the church.
BOOKING JONATHAN FOR THIS SPECIAL DEAL
Normally THE SOURCE charges $1,000 plus travel for Jonathan to come out and speak for one day, or $1500 plus travel for a weekend. All money goes to THE SOURCE and the free resources we provide.
Since Jonathan will already be in Phoenix for these three days, you won’t have to pay any travel costs. In addition, THE SOURCE will be charging only half the normal honorarium.
Jonathan in for a speaking or training event,
email us at speaking@TheSource4YM.com
and let us know what you’re looking for.
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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.