week 3 responds
arnita
week3responds.docxBenjamin Moeller
Youth and Light
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Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”[1], (Matt. 5:14-16). I truly hope that I am bright light to the community around me and the unsaved people around me. I feel where I live that I am a light, though I feel I can be a stronger light the community around me. There are two neighbors that I have become close with and even shared home church with. However, I have not reached out to other neighbors around me and there is at least ten more homes I could reach out to in my court. At work, I know I am more about working then proclaiming the gospel. I do want to have more opportunities at work. I am very focused on my children, the unsaved, though I do want to help others outside of my home become saved.
Being a light to the youth is critical especially to a youth ministry at church. I have been involved at youth groups where most of the youth have grown up in the church and profess to be saved, however they lack knowledge and training. I think a youth ministry the leaders need to be focused on being a light to the youth and then see the youth become a light to one another and the world outside the youth group.
I am currently in a position to have influence on the youth ministry as I am a church intern. The Associate Pastor responsible for the youth ministry has been eager to learn from me and wants to improve with the youth ministry. So, I have been sharing resources and helping him work on a plan to work with the youth. Everyone feels very comfortable in how they have been doing things, so change can be challenging. However, I will continue to be a light to him and help however I can, so the youth program can flourish creating disciples. As youth leaders we need remember, “Teens are looking for more from a youth ministry than a holding tank with pizza. They look for a church that teaches them how to live life”[2].
WC:418
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version . (2016). (Mt 5:14–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
[2] ERIC GEIGER // JEFF BORTON (2012). Simple Student Ministry. B & H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
Are you a Bright Light
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I would consider myself to be a bright light to those of whom I am around people my family and friends. Have I been consistent in doing what God has commissioned me to do? No! But, when the opportunity arises I take advantage of it. Family members near and far have called if they had questions about the Bible or concerns about a lost one who never knew Christ. Friends near have called just to talk about the goodness of Jesus Christ and what He had done at that moment or just to share a simple testimony. However, you have to ask yourself what does it mean to shine? Does it necessary means you have to be in the spotlight at all times? I think not! I believe once you plant that seed you do not need to be out and about like the Sadducees and Pharisees going around and about demanding Jesus to perform a sign. Too many people especially those that demand to be called by whatever title giving to them demands attention. However, Jesus kindly replied and said, “Why does this generation demand a sign?” sinners or the lost demand signs because they need to see and they do not know yet how to walk by faith and not by sight. Because that seed sooner or later will need some water and it will start to look dry begging for water the same with the Word of God people are hungry and thirsty for the Word it is all in how one approaches a sinner with it.
As Christians, we should not expect the student or sinners “especially” a sinner to know what do without guidance Geiger & Borton (2012) goes on to say in their book “that expectations aren't the only factor in complex student ministry programming; there are also programs, events, and traditions that have been handed down.”1 An individual whether you are a sinner or a believer they are watching and it is up to us, to be honest, and real with them because they can pick you out like one picking food out their teeth it’s important to real and upfront. With believers you do not want to lose those in a bunch of philosophy words or words too big for one understanding be honest and real that’s what a sinner is looking for and showing compassion and concern about how they feel is the key to successfully bringing a sinner to Christ. There is a book I have been reading called Gospelize Your Youth Ministry: A Spicy “New” Philosophy of Youth Ministry by Greg Steir (2018). Talk about a bright light! He is the perfect model in how to draw youth to Christ. His guidelines start from the first book of Acts to the very end of Acts 28 I recommend this book to all youth ministry. One thing that inspires me about Stier is that he has a reputation for how to relate to teens uniquely and effectively way.2 He is known for his capacity to inspire teenagers to action by conveying Biblical truth through astounding real-life stories and his hilarious humor.3
Bibliography
Geiger, Eric // Borton, Jeff (2012). Simple Student Ministry. B & H Publishing
Group. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
Stier, Greg. Gospelize Your Youth Ministry: A Spicy "New" Philosophy of Youth
Ministry (That's 2,000 Years Old) Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
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Notes
1 ERIC GEIGER // JEFF BORTON (2012). Simple Student Ministry. B & H Publishing
Group. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
2 Stier, Greg. Gospelize Your Youth Ministry: A Spicy "New" Philosophy of Youth
Ministry (That's 2,000 Years Old) Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com
3 Ibid
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