Daily Archives: January 8, 2009

Jan 8 2009

Book Study: “The Grace and Truth Paradox” (chapters 5 & 6)

grace-and-truth-paradoxFree files for youth pastors:

The Grace and Truth Paradox: chapters 5 & 6

I don’t want my students to be either a bunch of theoogical egg-heads or a group of jerks walking around and debating theology.  I so desire them to be like Christ.  I want them to be full of grace and truth just like Jesus is (John 1:14).  I want my students to be able to love a Mormon, to give to an Atheist, to help a Muslim, etc.  At the same time, I want my students to defend the truths of Scripture, the proclaim the gospel, and to be willing to die for Christ.  I pray for them to be full of grace and truth like Jesus.  Continue reading →

Jan 8 2009

Book Study: “The Grace and Truth Paradox” (chapters 3 & 4)

grace-and-truth-paradoxFree files for youth pastors:

The Grace and Truth Paradox: Chapters 3 and 4

I don’t want my students to be either a bunch of theoogical egg-heads or a group of jerks walking around and debating theology.  I so desire them to be like Christ.  I want them to be full of grace and truth just like Jesus is (John 1:14).  I want my students to be able to love a Mormon, to give to an Atheist, to help a Muslim, etc.  At the same time, I want my students to defend the truths of Scripture, the proclaim the gospel, and to be willing to die for Christ.  I pray for them to be full of grace and truth like Jesus.  Continue reading →

Jan 8 2009

Storyline #31: Deuteronomy 1:1-5 “The Introduction”

1 - Deuteronomy 1 - The IntroductionFree files for youth pastors:

1 – Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Introduction (Service Order)

1 – Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Introduction (mp3)

1 – Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Introduction (ppt)

1 – Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Introduction (fillout sheet)

1 – Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Introduction (sermon outline)

When I was about 13 years old, I can remember thinking I was running for my life. I ran home as fast I could, just out of their grips, slammed and locked the door behind me. When they ran up to the front door of my house and were beating on it, my dad had to sternly open it and tell them to leave me alone. It all happened when I asked too many questions of some teenagers who came over into my neighborhood. They “said” they were in a gang; and before I knew it, they had “thrown” some gang signs with their hands and tried to initiate me. I ran for my life to my house! Gangs are thought of as important to some in urban America because they offer protection to weak individuals, but those individuals must pledge their lives to the gang in return for their safety. Continue reading →

Jan 8 2009

YOU GOT SKILLS: Discovering Your Spiritual Giftedness #3 – “What’s Your Ministry?” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

yougotskills-blog-pic1Free files for youth pastors:

You Got Skills – 3 – What’s Your Ministry? (mp3)

You Got Skills – 3 – Whats Your Ministry (fillout sheet)

You Got Skills – 3 – What’s Your Ministry? (ppt)

Before we move forward, lets review exactly what these spiritual gifts are. What good will it do us if we move forward while forgetting what we’ve learned so far? Lesson 1 – Spiritual gifts include our passions, abilities, personality, and experiences that were once used for Satan’s kingdom. Jesus Christ our King has plundered that evil kingdom, rescued our gifts, and now we can use them for His kingdom! Lesson 2 – God has recorded many spiritual gifts in His Word, but not all of them are found there. He just gave us an idea to understand what they are and what some of them are. Our spiritual gifts can include many different abilities that Jesus has given us to use for His glory in the church. Looking at our spiritual SHAPE is very helpful. Now moving on… Continue reading →

Jan 8 2009

YOU GOT SKILLS: Discovering Your Spiritual Giftedness #2 – “What’s Your Skill” (Romans 12:3-5)

yougotskills-blog-picFree files for youth pastors:

You Got Skills – 2 – What’s Your Skill? (mp3)

You Got Skills – 2 – What’s Your Skill? (fillout sheet)

You Got Skills – 2 – What’s Your Skill? (ppt)

Let’s review from the last lesson on what spiritual gifts actually are. Spiritual gifts are our God-given passions, abilities, personality, and experiences that were once used for Satan’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ plundered Satan’s kingdom by His death, rescued our giftedness from Satan, and now He has given them back to us so that we can use our spiritual gifts for His glory in His Kingdom. We use them for Him!

There are many spiritual gifts found in the Scriptures. In four different passages we see an apostle looking at the life of a church and noticing how they have been gifted spiritually. In Ephesians 4:11, Paul tells that church that Jesus has given out spiritual gifts for some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church. In Romans 12:6-8, Paul tells that church that he has noticed their spiritual giftedness of prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giver, leadership, and mercy. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Pauls tells that church that he has noticed their spiritual giftedness of wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation, helping, administration, etc. Lastly, in 1 Peter 4:10-11, Peter tells the church that he has noticed their spiritual giftedness of speaking and serving. Continue reading →