Saturday, April 12, 2008

4 Ingredients that Produce Life-Long followers of Jesus

Kurt Johnston, Saddleback Community Church Jr. High Pastor, blogged, "This morning, Kara Powell made a case for 4 ingredients of a youth ministry that produces students who remain Christ-followers as they enter college. Her 4 (in my words):* A clear understanding of the gospel.* A ministry that welcomes and provides opportunities for doubts to be shared.* Opportunities for inter-generational relationships.* Students learning how to feed themselves spiritually."

Thanks Kurt and Kara. It's statements like these that help me evaluate the effectiveness of the Youth Ministry I lead at ACC and challenges me to make the necessary changes to lead students to be Life-Long Followers.
1. Does our Student Ministry provide a clear understanding of the gospel?
2. Is our Student Ministry a ministry that welcomes and provides opportunities for doubts to be shared?
3. Does our Student Ministry provide opportunities for inter-generational relationships?
4. Does our Student Ministry teach students how to feed themselves spiritually?
All to early to answer; however, I do think we have some work to do to create the greatest opportunity for success...to see students passionately and intentionally follow Jesus for the rest of their lives.

Friday, April 11, 2008

NEW YOUTH ACTIVITY: "LED HOOPS"
Who said disco was out of style?
I don't know what all the obsession is with hula-hoops lately, but unique hoop options keep popping up on Geeky news. Maybe hoops are coming back as the activity or exercise of choice. But, an LED Hoop! How cool is that? All we need to do is have a DDR and LED Hula-Hoop Night and we will surpass the ever-so-popular Youth Group Halo Tournaments. NOT!
Love to see 3 or 4 hoops circling in one room.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

A Must Read for Students and YP's!!!
Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris
Checkout http://www.therebelution.com/ for more details.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Something Handy for "Summer Camp"

Designers Feijun Chen & Bin Zhao clearly were reading Skymall when they dreamed up these "Pioneer" sneakers with built-in recharging headlights. They've got a battery inside which charges on each step, using some mysterious tech that doesn't look piezoelectric. Apparently this can power the LEDs in the front for a full 12 hours. So you can, you know: run in the dark down dim-lit streets, or something. Who knows the cost!
Maybe they'd be handy for Youth Summer Camp?

Monday, April 07, 2008

Paper Covers Rock

Chris Davis posted this video from 12 Movies in 12 Months. It will leave you on the edge of your seat. Or, you might fall off your seat in laughter. You might not want to try this in your youth group, someone could really get hurt.

Does the Bible really claim that there is only one way to Heaven?

It seems like I answer this question every time I meet with students. It is not that I am intolerant, but the Bible states it very clear…

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)

Jesus is the only way to Heaven. We may want to buy our way in, work our way in, or think our way in. But the Bible is clear—Jesus Christ provides the way in.

“But, what if I believe that everyone goes to heaven…what if I am good…what about Muslims and Buddhists and you fill in the blank?”

The Bible says, “Jesus is the way.” It’s Jesus or it’s Hell. That’s what it says. That’s what I believe.