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Question of the Day

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!

Question of the Day

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!

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.