eZine 10.28.2008

Main Point of Discussion: The invisible God of the Bible has left visible clues pointing to His existence and desire to have a relationship with us.

The Movie Clip: Mr. Moore and Jake discuss ‘forces at work’ that are beyond our understanding.

The Happening is a 2008 apocalyptic thriller starring Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel. It essentially revolves around the mystery as to why mass suicides are taking place, and one of the initial clues is the disappearance of bees. (Click here for Jonathan and Todd’s review of this film)

Introducing the Clip:
Sometimes Christians struggle in their faith because of supposed lack of ‘evidence’ for God’s existence and presence. That fact coupled with the increasing worldview that denies the existence of God because he cannot be scientifically ‘proven’ has caused many Christians to doubt and even reject their belief in the God of the universe revealed in Scripture. Tonight we’re going to take a look at a scene from the film The Happening that is a great discussion starter around the question of ‘proof’ for God’s existence.

Let’s take a look.

BEGIN CLIP AT 6 minutes and 43 seconds. (Chapter 4)

Scene Script:
The Scene opens with high school teacher, Elliot Moore, leading his science class in a discussion about the disappearance of honey bees all over the United States.

END CLIP AT 8 minutes and 59 seconds. (Chapter 4)

Transitional Statement:
This clip gets at the heart of what the Bible calls general revelation. In other words, the ‘forces at work beyond our understanding’ are really not beyond our understanding, and in fact they present strong evidence for a Creator God who designed the universe.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word…

Jonathan: OK, we’re here at the convention now, walking around. And I think we’re gonna go ahead and start launching into interviewing people. And I got a good question in mind, so let’s go find some people and ask them questions right now.

(Jonathan and Brandon enter the YS Exhibit Hall and grab CPYU’s Walt Mueller)

Jonathan: Alright, I’m standing here with Walt Mueller, and Walt I got a question for you. If you could see one celebrity, one musician, some person that’s high profile in the media, if you could see one of them become totally sold out for Christ, who would you wanna see totally sold out for Christ?

Walt: Living or dead?

Jonathan: Yeah, sure.

Walt: Alright, people will laugh, but my favorite musician of all time, Marvin Gaye.

Brandon: Yeah, there you go.

Walt: Great song writer, great singer, brilliant social activist, but terribly conflicted about his faith, which ultimately led to his demise, but, yeah, Marvin Gaye.

Jonathan: Hey, that’s a great answer. Thanks Walt.

Walt: Alright.

(Jonathan and Brandon grab YS Director of Events, Tic Long)

Jonathan: I’m standing here talking with….

Tic: Tic Long.

Jonathan: Tic, the question I gotta ask you is, if you were to see one celebrity or musician become totally sold out for Christ, who would you wanna see that happen to?

Tic: Oh. Any one celebrity? I don’t really care about celebrities, I’d just like to see anybody sold out for Christ.

Jonathan: So pick a name.

Tic: Oh, who do I love? Shaquille O’Neal.

Jonathan: There you go. That’s a great answer.

Tic: The big fella. He could just slam everybody into the Kingdom.

Jonathan: I love it. That’s a great answer, Tic. Thanks.

(Jonathan and Brandon grab HomeWord‘s, Jim Burns)

Jonathan: Jonathan McKee from The Source and I’m standing here talking to….

Jim: Jim Burns.

Jonathan: I got one question for you Jim. If you could see any celebrity, music star, somebody who is seen on TV, whatever, if you could see somebody like that become sold out for Jesus, who would you see?

Jim: You know, this is a funny story, but it would actually be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Jonathan: And why is that?

Jim: I was at a Laker game the other day and I actually saw him reading a Bible. I have no idea what that is, and I know we’re kinda messin’ around, but honestly, I saw him reading a Bible and I thought if that guy in the world of sports, when a sports figure makes a commitment to Christ and sticks with it, it’s amazing. And plus, I’m a Laker basketball fan. I realize I’m talking to you and you’re a Sacramento guy, but…

Jonathan: Hey, it’s not that bad.

Jim: But as a Laker fanatic, if Kareem Abdul-Jabbar would become a Christian, um, I would follow him anywhere.

Jonathan: Ooh. That’s awesome. And maybe Jack Nicholson would be next?

Join us for our second annual “Road Trip Podcast” with Jonathan and Brandon traveling all the way to Sacramento (a long drive, mind you) for the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention. This podcast once again features quite a few cameos from different authors and speakers you’ll recognize, as Jonathan and Brandon survey them. They also give you snippets of various aspects of the conference, a tour of the book store, and a few minutes of Jonathan’s new CONNECT seminar.

OR CLICK HERE FOR OUR PODCAST WEB PAGE

WHEN: This Weekend! October 31-November 3rd

WHERE: Pittsburgh, PA at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

DETAIILS: Jonathan will be doing two seminars at this year’s convention, one on speaking to a generation with a short attention span, based on his new book, 10-Minute Talks, and then he will be teaching a 90 minute version of his Connect workshop.

Jonathan McKee, president of The Source for Youth Ministry, is the author of numerous youth ministry books including the brand new 10-Minute Talks, and the award winning Do They Run When They See You Coming? and Getting Students to Show Up. He speaks and trains at camps, conferences, and events across North America., and provides free resources for youth workers internationally on his website, TheSource4YM.com.