Friday, March 9, 2012

New Series!


Next week we're starting a new series from Dare 2 Share called "Reach Out, Don't Freak Out".  I'm super-excited about this, and I'm hoping it will be a catalyst for our students to share their faith with their friends.

Check out the promo video above, and then click right here to learn more about the series!

The Story of the Thirsty


An organization that is very close to my heart is Living Water International.  They seek to provide clean water (among other water-related assistance/services) to people around the world who do not have access to it.  I cannot imagine lacking access to this most basic of needs.  Would you do me a favor and visit Living Water's website, and also visit their Facebook page and "like" it?  Awareness is the first step towards action, and sharing LWI and the work they are doing with people on your friends list is a great way to start!

Thanks!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

VIDEO: This is My Story


I made this video a few years ago to go along with a series on sharing our stories with others.  I thought you could use it as inspiration to make a similar one for your group, or have a student make one like this, or whatever!  All you need is a digital video camera, a pad of paper, a sharpie, and video editing software that can speed up a video.

Have fun!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Incarnational Youth Ministry



The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14

The Gospel is built around the core theological idea of incarnation.  The fact that God became a man and made our home his own is full of mystery and wonder.  The very idea that Jesus traded all the glories of Heaven for the mundane has provided inspiration for artists, musicians, and ministers for over two thousand years now.  Somehow, knowing that we were worth this incredible sacrifice, this confounding trading of places, captures our hearts in ways that nothing else can.

God became a man.  The Word became flesh.  For a moment God was physically present here on the earth, and now He has sent the Holy Spirit to be a constant presence in the lives of those who believe in Him.

In youth ministry, we can never underestimate the power of presence in young people’s lives.  Our relationship with God is centered on the incarnation – the presence of God in a place He didn’t have to be.  You also can choose to be present in a place you don’t have to be.  No one is forced into youth ministry.  No one is pressured into getting to know and care for a teenager.  But when we choose to practice presence in the lives of students, we are embodying the very heart of Jesus for His children.  We become incarnate – the love of God made manifest in their lives through acts and words of encouragement, consistent reaffirming love, or simple smiles and unprovoked kindness.

The Word became flesh.  May our love for Jesus, our love for students, and our passion for youth ministry take on tangibility in the lives of the teenagers we are so blessed to know.

GAME: I and Y


I found a great little game over at YouthLeaderStash.com called I and Y that I tried out with my students last night, and it was super fun! Here's a copy from their site (by the way, their website is AWESOME and you should check it out by clicking right here!!):

"To play this game, you will need a room or space that has boundaries and is open and uncluttered. You can use all your students to play this game.

Select one person to be “it.” The person who is “it” is the “I” and everyone else are the “Y’s.” The tagger raises his or her arms straight above their head to make his or her self into an “I” and everyone else puts their arms above their heads in the shape of a “Y.” The goal is to be one of the “Y’s” at the end of the game. The goal of the “I” is to tag someone else so that they are no longer the “I” but one of the “Y’s.” The “I” has to collide with the “Y’s” and bump them with something other than his or her hands so that someone else is “it” and becomes the “I.” In this easy-to-learn game of tag, the “I” has to bump a “Y” (“bump” not tackle, kick, whack or smash) to no longer be “it.” The game can be played for as long as you can allow. Fix a set time and put on a timer so that everyone knows how long they have to try to be a “Y” and not the “I”."


I made a few little tweaks to the game:

- Players - ALL players - can only take little shuffle baby steps.

- While a player is moving, they must say what they are in addition to keeping their hands up.  So, I's say "i-i-i-i-i-i" and Y's says "why-why-why-why-why."  This, combined with the baby-steps, makes for some HILARIOUS looking kids!

- The "bump" of another player is only a sideways hip bump.  NOTHING ELSE.  It seemed like it could turn inappropriate really quick, so I made this a rule.

All in all, it turned out really fun.  Try it and let me know how it goes!