eZine 10.13.2009

Weekly Resources, Ideas and Articles from The Source for Youth Ministry
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The world we live in is a very broken one. Sometimes, it seems that injustice and pain is all there is. It?s easy to become angry at God in light of the observations we make of His world. But God has a plan to change the dark reality we face: He wants to use us to save the world.

Main Point: God truly desires to use us to help the hurting, free the captive, and bring God?s love to a lost and dying world.

The Movie Clip: A Thousand Questions
This video is a powerful combination of images, music, and content that chronicles a young filmmaker?s journey through questioning God and eventually submitting to His call to minister to the lost world. As you watch it, put yourself in the place of the main character and see if you can relate to where she?s coming from- especially the questions she asks.

The number of HIV/AIDS cases has doubled. 25% of teenage girls have an STD. Teen birth rates have spiked. But does anyone really agree about the cause of this escalation? I contacted the The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and I think you?ll find their answers to be enlightening and encouraging.

It’s fun, it’s informative, it’s gritty… it’s Jonathan’s Blog.

I’ve never heard 35 junior high students be so quiet.

Some of you might know, I volunteer at my church working with the junior high group midweek. This is fun for me. My youngest daughter is in the group and being involved keeps me “hands-on” with kids on a regular basis since the focus of my ministry is speaking, training and writing right now.

Halloween is just a few weeks away, and you may still be scratching your head as to what to do?or whether you should do anything at all. If you?ve got parents asking you about ?Satan?s Holiday,? and kids asking you about Trick or Treating, check out this multi-faceted resource on the upcoming holiday.

This resource has everything from the simple to the serious. You?ll find fun games to play with your group. You?ll have access to a few event-driven discussion starters. You?ll even see a ready-made talk you can give to your kids that?s perfect for Halloween. In short, this collection of ideas has you covered. Enjoy.

As Christians, we have an obligation to share our faith, without ceasing, starting now. We?ve been rescued from death, and so we must live like it! If your students need a reminder of the task Christ has left us with, use this MOVIE CLIP DISCUSSION to jumpstart their evangelism to the lost.

Main Point: Sharing our faith is a task that simply cannot wait!

The Movie Clip:
The scene that is used for this discussion comes from the end of the movie right after the ?death? of the Titanic. Hundreds and hundreds of people are chaotically flailing for their lives in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic waiting to be rescued by the life boats or another passing ship. In this scene, I want you to pay close attention to the various attitudes of the people who made it safely into the life boats.