Tag Archives: Systematic Theology

Feb 16 2016

How To Teach Systematic Theology to Students

systematic-theology

Here are my personal thoughts on how to teach Systematic Theology in Student Ministry:

Make sure that Every Lesson, Session, and Doctrine are Fulfilled in Jesus. There is no such thing as biblical truth that does not lead to or center on Jesus. Remember, there were a group of people that taught Bible truths absent of Jesus: the Pharisees. Today there are a huge group of people that continue to teach truths absent of the Gospel: Legalists. Truth is not understood in depth or fulness if it is not connected to Jesus.

Teach Systematic Theology to your whole Student Ministry. Don’t just teach Systematic Theology in a book study or small group study. I highly suggest teaching Systematic Theology to your whole during Wednesday worship service or in Sunday morning Small Groups. I believe every student needs to learn from both Biblical Theology and Systematic Theology. Biblical Theology is the foundation to the best understanding and teaching of Systematic Theology. Some students learn better in narrative (literature, Biblical Theology) while others learn better in logic (mathematics, Systematic Theology). I believe a healthy view of both will help round-out a students theological understanding of Scripture. But also, preaching and teaching Systematic Theology to your whole student ministry will help you be accountable to communicate it with more illustration and application.  Continue reading →

Feb 15 2016

Do Not Teach Students Systematic Theology If…

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I love Systematic Theology. Seriously, I read the stuff for pleasure. Systematic Theology has been my most favorite classes, conversations, and  lessons to teach. I have seen Systematic FIRE UP students, but I’ve also seen it tear down relationships. Here are some thoughts on “Do Not Teach Students Systematic Theology If…”

First of all, we must answer the question, “What is Systematic Theology?” Think of playing a sport. Sports is not all about the game, but also includes practices. During those practices, coaches will separate out positions from one another to focus on their roles. The same can happen in an orchestra or band as the leader separates out instruments into proper sections for more intentional focus. In the same way, Systematic Theology is the separating out of Christian doctrines from the Scriptures to focus on them individually.

Just like in sports, the point of the separation in practice is for the unity of the team during the game. In music, the point of the separation is the harmony during the performance. In Systematic Theology, we must remember that the point of the separation is ultimately for the unity and harmony of all truth in Scripture that plays its part perfectly together  display the glory of the Gospel. Do not teach students Systematic Theology if you do not wish to bring it back all together for the sake of the Gospel!  Continue reading →

Aug 19 2010

framework #31: the doctrine of general revelation – Is the man on the island INNOCENT of sin?

Free files for youth pastors and small group leaders:
2 – MOTI – Innocent (mp3)
2 – MOTI – Innocent (handout)
2 – MOTI – Innocent (ppt)
2 – MOTI – Innocent (sermon)
2 – MOTI – Innocent (notes)
2 – MOTI – Innocent (service)
2 – MOTI – Innocent (small groups)
Sermon Intro Video: Clips from the movie “Castaway”
Last night was another BEST NIGHT YET! Two words that come to mind to describe last night are: EXCITEMENT and GENUINE. All night long the students were truly pumped up to praise Jesus, and the worship just seemed to be more genuine than ever. So the sermon was on “Is Moti INNOCENT of sin?” This is one of the most prominent answers I get from teenagers who think that Moti goes to heaven when he dies (Moti is a man on a deserted island who has never had contact with any other human being, missionary, etc.). So, does God reveal to Moti the existence of sin? Does Moti know that he is a sinner? How in the world does Moti sin? Is he cussing out the island koala bears? Is he drawing dirty little pictures in the sand? Is he torturing any bird he can get his hands on? This is an important message to understand how the entire world is cursed with sin, and how the only cure for sin is the gospel of Jesus!

Aug 12 2010

framework #30: the doctrine of general revelation – Is the man on the island IGNORANT about God?

Free files for youth pastors and small group leaders:
1 – MOTI – Ignorant (mp3)
1 – MOTI – Ignorant (handout)
1 – MOTI – Ignorant (ppt)
1 – MOTI – Ignorant (sermon)
1 – MOTI – Ignorant (notes)
1 – MOTI – Ignorant (small groups)

I literally didn’t sleep at all the night before because I was so nervous and excited to start up this series and preach this message on Romans 1. This is a series on the Doctrine of General Revelation which says that God reveals Himself to everyone, everywhere, at all times so that they are held responsible and without excuse. So the question is: say there is a man somehow (HYPOTHETICALLY) born on an island, and now he is 30 years old. He dies tomorrow. He’s never been reached or contacted ever in his life by another human being. No boat, no plane, and no message in a bottle has ever come by. He dies tomorrow. Where does he go? Does God allow him into heaven or send him to hell? How does the Bible answer this question? What is God’s answer? What is your answer? Your answer will tell you so much about what you think about God, Jesus, humanity, sin, salvation, eternity, etc. Check out this mp3 and these notes to learn more about…is MOTI ignorant of God? (Disclaimer: I heard this series by one of my favorite pastors and professors of all time, Dr. Russell D. Moore. I have taken much of his lecture on this, made it my own, used many of his illustrations, and have come to many of his conclusions. So all credit to RDM!)

Apr 3 2010

framework #29: the doctrine of providence – how can i pray to make a difference?

Free files for youth pastors and small group leaders:

3 – Doctrine of Providence – Prayer (mp3)

3 – Doctrine of Providence – Prayer (ppt)

3 – Doctrine of Providence -Prayer (handout)

3 – Doctrine of Providence – Prayer (sermon)

3 – Doctrine of Providence – Prayer (outline)

3 – Doctrine of Providence – prayer (service)

Doctrine of Providence Series Q&A (small groups)

sermon intro video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjxw92zNYRQ

Our last installment in the doctrine of providence series was on prayer.  With understanding God as providentially in control, and His will for our lives…the question remains: what good does prayer do to change the mind of a sovereign God?  So this message was all about how to pray effectively to make a difference.

Mar 11 2010

Framework #27: The Doctrine of Providence – How could a good God allow evil?

free resources for youth pastors and small group leaders

1 – Doctrine of Providence – Problem of Evil (mp3)

1 – Doctrine of Providence – Problem of Evil (notes)

1 – Doctrine of Providence – Problem of Evil (handout)

1 – Doctrine of Providence – Problem of Evil (service)

1 – Doctrine of Providence – Problem of Evil (small groups)

sermon intro video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muJjOmZH7Fc

We’re taking a break from our normal Storyline series that goes through the whole Bible, and we’re going to look at the Doctrine of Providence for this month in our Framework series.  I don’t want our student ministry to just be about “love Jesus”.  I also want us to know the truth of Jesus from His Word.  So we’re taking a long, hard look at what providence is and what it means for our lives.  We call this series Framework because we want God’s timeless truths to be the Framework structure that holds our lives, faith, and thoughts together.  We’re tackling super tough questions in this series, so I hope you enjoy it with us!

Jan 30 2009

Framework #25 – “Doctrine of God: God as Son and Spirit”

06-doc-of-god-god-as-son-and-spirit-blog-pic

Free files for youth pastors:

06 – Doc of Gd – God as Son and Spirit (ppt)

06 – Doc of God – God as Son and Spirit (fillout sheet)

06 – Doc of God – God as Son and Spirit (mp3)

06 – Doc of God – God as Son and Spirit (study notes)

We started out this lesson with the discussion question: “In what ways are Jesus and the Holy Spirit alike, and in what ways are they different?” I wonder how many teenagers have asked themselves that question. I wonder if I thought about that at all when I was a teenager. This question isn’t just technical like splitting atoms nor is it too deep like asking about the elements found on the moon. We’re talking about our God! Continue reading →

Jan 28 2009

Book Study: “The Grace and Truth Paradox” (chapter 9 and Conclusion)

grace-and-truth-paradox

Free files for youth pastors:

GTP – Chapter 9 and Conclusion

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 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 →