Acts 17:22-28 is one of the passages that is the basis of one of my 'Theological Rocks' of Youth Ministry: "God transcends culture but uses his church to infiltrate and influence it in order to bring his light and truth to people."
These passages are about Paul speaking with the Greeks and making the gospel relevant to them. The Greeks were a very spiritual people, but they had little direction as to what they ought to worship. Worried that they might miss worshipping the correct god, they even built a monument to 'the unknown god' - just to cover their bases.
In a way, today's youth culture is a lot like that ancient Greek culture. They're very spiritual, but they have little direction as to what they ought to be worshipping. Fame? Money? Happiness? Personal ambition? Sex? Karma? Allah? Vashti? Personal enlightenment? Jesus? Now, today's youth culture doesn't erect statues and monuments to the things it worships, but they sure do talk about them a lot.
One of the very best questions in Youth Ministry is this: Why? Why do you listen to the music you listen to? Why do you hang out with the people you hang out with? Why do you engage in certain activities? Why do you watch the shows you watch? If you can think of nothing else to ask a kid, find a 'why' question.
Teenagers are at a place where they can understand and articulate their motivations for the things they do. A child does this that or the other thing because their parents tell them to or because their teacher tells them to or because that's just a part of who they are. Teenagers have a greater capacity for choice and they need to understand and accept the consequences of their choices. A child can't always tell you why they do something. A teenager should be able to.
Teenagers are also at a place where they are searching for a 'self' to adopt. It's a time of trying on a number of different personalities, testing them to see which one fits the best. The frustrating thing is that often, that personality is chosen for you by others, especially at high school. You're the smart one, the athletic one, the artsy one, the druggie, the geek, the popular one. And it's strange, but even though everyone else around you is in the process of trying on personalities, no one lets anyone out of the molds that have been decided for them.
Which is why I always say that everything changes after high school. You finally have the freedom to figure out who and what you really are, without the pressure of a high school environment.
But that's a long road to get to my point - teenagers are searching. Just like the Greeks, they're searching for something to put their faith in. We need to recognize and acknowledge that search, the way Paul did in Athens. And then we need to tell them what it is they've really been searching for - a God who loves them unconditionally and who wants to be a part of their lives.
Their 'unknown god' is none other than Jesus Christ!
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Thursday, May 18, 2006
loved by God
I think it's fair to say that we all want to feel loved...by our families, by our friends and by a 'special someone'.
Today's passage from John 15:9-11 is part of a whole speech from Jesus that has come to mean a lot to me. It's from his last 'pep talk' to his disciples before he was led off to die. After their last supper together, they went and walked to the Mount of Olives, on of Jesus' favorite places to teach them. I can imagine Jesus feeling kind of anxious. He knows what's about to happen and he also knows that his disciples just really aren't entirely ready for it. He knows that Judas is about to betrya him. He knows that Peter is about to deny him. He even knows that Thomas will doubt the resurrection. I imagine he felt like he needed to cram in some last lessons before the circus of his last moments on earth started.
What strikes me is that he doesn't give them a quick overview of his leadership style or instruct them on how to run various programs for their ministry. Instead, he tells them to abide in his love. And how do they abide in his love? By following his commands. What is his command? Love each other.
Love. To abide in Christ's love for us, we only need to love each other. Nothing could be more simple or more profound!
I am deeply grateful that Jesus' last instructions to his disciples was not a to-do list. It is an invitation to abide in him. To exist as a part of him. I need that reminder. So often I try to do things out of my own self and in my own strength. It's exhausting. I need to remember that my calling is to abide in the love of Christ. To choose to be more with him than to do more for him.
I need to think about the relationships that I'm in and evaluate how much I love the people given to me. Do I love them as Christ loves me? No, not entirely. But if I seek to be with Jesus more, I think I will, by default, love others more.
It's good to be loved.
Today's passage from John 15:9-11 is part of a whole speech from Jesus that has come to mean a lot to me. It's from his last 'pep talk' to his disciples before he was led off to die. After their last supper together, they went and walked to the Mount of Olives, on of Jesus' favorite places to teach them. I can imagine Jesus feeling kind of anxious. He knows what's about to happen and he also knows that his disciples just really aren't entirely ready for it. He knows that Judas is about to betrya him. He knows that Peter is about to deny him. He even knows that Thomas will doubt the resurrection. I imagine he felt like he needed to cram in some last lessons before the circus of his last moments on earth started.
What strikes me is that he doesn't give them a quick overview of his leadership style or instruct them on how to run various programs for their ministry. Instead, he tells them to abide in his love. And how do they abide in his love? By following his commands. What is his command? Love each other.
Love. To abide in Christ's love for us, we only need to love each other. Nothing could be more simple or more profound!
I am deeply grateful that Jesus' last instructions to his disciples was not a to-do list. It is an invitation to abide in him. To exist as a part of him. I need that reminder. So often I try to do things out of my own self and in my own strength. It's exhausting. I need to remember that my calling is to abide in the love of Christ. To choose to be more with him than to do more for him.
I need to think about the relationships that I'm in and evaluate how much I love the people given to me. Do I love them as Christ loves me? No, not entirely. But if I seek to be with Jesus more, I think I will, by default, love others more.
It's good to be loved.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
darkness
Today's passage is just one line:
But some days can feel very dark.
I don't know the origins of the passage or other ways it has been interpreted, but one of words that struck me in this passage was 'remain'. We should not remain in darkness. It doesn't say that everyone who believes in Jesus will leave the darkness behind them forever and ever, but that we should not remain in darkness. As though rather than walking away from the dark, we instead just turn our backs to it. It makes me think that maybe we can still sense the darkness, creeping at the edges of our vision, clawing at us, trying to envelop us again.
Some days, when I forget to focus on the light, the darkness at the corners of my eyes seems to creep in around me and make me forget that I am now a child of the light. I don't turn away from the light, but I'm distracted by the darkness at my back.
But I don't remain in the darkness. The darkness has no hold over me anymore. I believe in Jesus so the darkness can only distract me, it can't remove me from God's love.
When you feel dark, remember whose light you live in!
Jesus said to the crowds, "I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness."I believe in Jesus and it gives me great light - insight into my own life, insight into God's will for me, insight into what God is doing in the world.
John 12:46-47
But some days can feel very dark.
I don't know the origins of the passage or other ways it has been interpreted, but one of words that struck me in this passage was 'remain'. We should not remain in darkness. It doesn't say that everyone who believes in Jesus will leave the darkness behind them forever and ever, but that we should not remain in darkness. As though rather than walking away from the dark, we instead just turn our backs to it. It makes me think that maybe we can still sense the darkness, creeping at the edges of our vision, clawing at us, trying to envelop us again.
Some days, when I forget to focus on the light, the darkness at the corners of my eyes seems to creep in around me and make me forget that I am now a child of the light. I don't turn away from the light, but I'm distracted by the darkness at my back.
But I don't remain in the darkness. The darkness has no hold over me anymore. I believe in Jesus so the darkness can only distract me, it can't remove me from God's love.
When you feel dark, remember whose light you live in!
Thursday, May 04, 2006
teachable moments
Today's story is from Acts 8:26-39. It's one of my more favorite 'post-Jesus' stories. The disciple Philip is told by God to go to a certain road. There, a chariot drives by him and he hears that its passenger is reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. He hears from God again that he should go and talk to this person. So he runs to catch up with the chariot and asks, "Do you understand what you're reading?"
It's funny to me that the eunuch bascially says, "Of course I don't understand it!" It makes me wonder why he was reading the passage in the first place. But it's a huge opening for Philip - all but an invitation to instruct the man.
This is what my youth professor would call a 'Teachable Moment'. One of those rare spaces in time where you've got something to say and the person you're talking to is ready to hear it. I've found that you can't create teachable moments - you can create an environment that encourages them, but you can't create the moment itself. Those, I think, come from God.
In youth ministry, that's the thing we always have to be looking for - those teachable moments where the kids say, "Of course I don't understand!", inviting us to teach them the Good News of Jesus.
As I write this, I wonder whether TYN might be at a very teachable place right now. The kids are used to our Bible Study routines and seem to be craving something more or different. Here are some brainwaves I'm having right now that I'm gonna post:
It's funny to me that the eunuch bascially says, "Of course I don't understand it!" It makes me wonder why he was reading the passage in the first place. But it's a huge opening for Philip - all but an invitation to instruct the man.
This is what my youth professor would call a 'Teachable Moment'. One of those rare spaces in time where you've got something to say and the person you're talking to is ready to hear it. I've found that you can't create teachable moments - you can create an environment that encourages them, but you can't create the moment itself. Those, I think, come from God.
In youth ministry, that's the thing we always have to be looking for - those teachable moments where the kids say, "Of course I don't understand!", inviting us to teach them the Good News of Jesus.
As I write this, I wonder whether TYN might be at a very teachable place right now. The kids are used to our Bible Study routines and seem to be craving something more or different. Here are some brainwaves I'm having right now that I'm gonna post:
- In the fall, instead of preparing a bible study for the kids, break them into groups and help them write their own bible studies that they would then present over the next few months.
- Have a prayer concert (where you spend almost the entire two hours praying) with prayer rooms and group prayers and worship and stuff.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
never enough
The more I read the Bible, the more I appreciate the disciples. They are just so...human! These followers of Christ, these extra-special people are some of the most dense, confused and hypocritical people in the entire Bible. I love that the Bible doesn't hide that. It doesn't gloss them over and only tell us the good things about the disciples - it tells us when they totally suck too!
In the Catholic calendar, today is St. Philip and St. James' day, so naturally today's passage (John 14:6-14) is about St. Philip. Philip says to Jesus, "Show us God, then we'll be satisfied." I feel that way sometimes, especially when I feel like my life is out of control or I have experienced a series of bad events. I feel like crying out, "Just show yourself to me, God! Let me see you so I can know you're really there and you're really taking care of me."
It's one thing to talk the talk. It's easy to say that God is always with us. It's easy to say that God takes care of us. But when the rubber hits the road and tragedy strikes or sickness hits or you don't have enough money to pay your bills that month, just saying that God takes care of you doesn't seem to be enough. You want proof. You want a solution, healing, cash - not now, right now! If that would happen, then I'd be satisified. Then I'd know you were really there, God.
I love Jesus' response to Philip. "Have I been with you all this time and you still don't know me?" Jesus walked with Philip. He talked with Philip. He performed miracles in front of Philip. He prayed with Philip. But it wasn't enough. All Philip could see was the way the disciples were treated by the Pharisees and he wanted reassurance. His question to Jesus proves that Thomas wasn't the only doubting disciple. He wanted to see God, to know that who and what he was following wasn't some grand hoax.
"Have I been with you all this time and you still don't know me?"
Isn't it the same with us? We've seen God work in our lives and the lives of the people we know. We've seen him come through in some of the worst situations, bringing comfort and healing and hope. Heck, I've even seen him take care of my finances time and time again. And yet it's still not enough some days.
We already know that life on this earth is not guaranteed to be easy just because we're Christians. We live in a broken, sinful world, full of pressure to worship things and lifestyles other than Christ. But Jesus is with us and he works all things for the good of those who love him. All things - the good stuff and the bad stuff - are in God's control.
How then can we say, 'Show us the Father'? Do we not believe that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him? Those days when we are not satisfied with God, when we want proof that he's there, we need to look to the cross again and again and again until we remember and are convinced that Jesus really is enough.
In the Catholic calendar, today is St. Philip and St. James' day, so naturally today's passage (John 14:6-14) is about St. Philip. Philip says to Jesus, "Show us God, then we'll be satisfied." I feel that way sometimes, especially when I feel like my life is out of control or I have experienced a series of bad events. I feel like crying out, "Just show yourself to me, God! Let me see you so I can know you're really there and you're really taking care of me."
It's one thing to talk the talk. It's easy to say that God is always with us. It's easy to say that God takes care of us. But when the rubber hits the road and tragedy strikes or sickness hits or you don't have enough money to pay your bills that month, just saying that God takes care of you doesn't seem to be enough. You want proof. You want a solution, healing, cash - not now, right now! If that would happen, then I'd be satisified. Then I'd know you were really there, God.
I love Jesus' response to Philip. "Have I been with you all this time and you still don't know me?" Jesus walked with Philip. He talked with Philip. He performed miracles in front of Philip. He prayed with Philip. But it wasn't enough. All Philip could see was the way the disciples were treated by the Pharisees and he wanted reassurance. His question to Jesus proves that Thomas wasn't the only doubting disciple. He wanted to see God, to know that who and what he was following wasn't some grand hoax.
"Have I been with you all this time and you still don't know me?"
Isn't it the same with us? We've seen God work in our lives and the lives of the people we know. We've seen him come through in some of the worst situations, bringing comfort and healing and hope. Heck, I've even seen him take care of my finances time and time again. And yet it's still not enough some days.
We already know that life on this earth is not guaranteed to be easy just because we're Christians. We live in a broken, sinful world, full of pressure to worship things and lifestyles other than Christ. But Jesus is with us and he works all things for the good of those who love him. All things - the good stuff and the bad stuff - are in God's control.
How then can we say, 'Show us the Father'? Do we not believe that Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in him? Those days when we are not satisfied with God, when we want proof that he's there, we need to look to the cross again and again and again until we remember and are convinced that Jesus really is enough.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
abuse
Acts 7:55-8:1 - the stoning of Stephen.
Apart from Jesus, Steven was the first martyr for the Christian faith. As a North American Christian, I don't think a lot about martyrdom. My life isn't in danger here because of what I believe. I'm protected. I can more or less say what I want, worship where and to whom I want and pray to my God whenever I want (even in a public school if I'm so inclined). I don't worry about being beaten or killed for what I believe in.
That's not the case for many Christians. Many Christians rely on stories like Stephen's just to endure the hardships they face every day. They need to look to someone like Stephen to assure themselves that even though their fellow humans may hate them to the point of wanting to kill them, God does not. God loves them completely and unconditionally.
I own the book 'Jesus Freaks' by the organization called the Voice of the Martyrs. It's powerful and disturbing and shows me one of the things I miss as a North American Christian. I miss the gut-wrenching, life-or-death need for Jesus that these people experience every day. I miss this, but I don't want it. I have no interest in being in those kinds of situations.
In many ways, I feel that the persecuted church has an easier time living as Christians than the non-persecuted church. Why? Well, think about it. If you're gonna risk your life, you wanna be really, really sure about what you're risking your life for. I honestly don't think that persecuted Christians made their decision to come to Christ lightly. They know what they're up against. Once they've made their decision, there really aren't many more choices after that. They could deny their faith and become like the people persecuting them or not. Risk my life or become a killer. Somehow, risking ones life actually seems like the better option to me. And if you're risking your life to that extent, then clinging to the promise of the gospel that Jesus will reward you and that you will go to heaven where no one will persecute you is a pretty gratifying thing.
In North America, however, there are thousands of other choices apart from Christianity. I don't risk very much by becoming a Christian. It's not a life-or-death decision (in this life, anyway). And if one does decide to become a Christian, there are so many things that can distract you and lure you away. There's less of a sense of urgency about being a Christian in North America.
I think in some ways, there is a more of a danger in North America of becoming like Saul. In the story of Stephen, he stood by and watched people stone Stephen to death. People lay their jackets at his feet and he stood there and approved. He was a good Jew. He had it made. Nothing to worry about. No one waiting to stone him. Thing was, technically, Stephen was a good Jew too. A good Jew with a new revelation.
God forbid that the non-persecuted church stand by and watch their fellow Christians be killed. Let's not forget those for whom Christianity is a life-or-death decision.
Want to get involved? Click here to write a letter to a prisoner.
Apart from Jesus, Steven was the first martyr for the Christian faith. As a North American Christian, I don't think a lot about martyrdom. My life isn't in danger here because of what I believe. I'm protected. I can more or less say what I want, worship where and to whom I want and pray to my God whenever I want (even in a public school if I'm so inclined). I don't worry about being beaten or killed for what I believe in.
That's not the case for many Christians. Many Christians rely on stories like Stephen's just to endure the hardships they face every day. They need to look to someone like Stephen to assure themselves that even though their fellow humans may hate them to the point of wanting to kill them, God does not. God loves them completely and unconditionally.
I own the book 'Jesus Freaks' by the organization called the Voice of the Martyrs. It's powerful and disturbing and shows me one of the things I miss as a North American Christian. I miss the gut-wrenching, life-or-death need for Jesus that these people experience every day. I miss this, but I don't want it. I have no interest in being in those kinds of situations.
In many ways, I feel that the persecuted church has an easier time living as Christians than the non-persecuted church. Why? Well, think about it. If you're gonna risk your life, you wanna be really, really sure about what you're risking your life for. I honestly don't think that persecuted Christians made their decision to come to Christ lightly. They know what they're up against. Once they've made their decision, there really aren't many more choices after that. They could deny their faith and become like the people persecuting them or not. Risk my life or become a killer. Somehow, risking ones life actually seems like the better option to me. And if you're risking your life to that extent, then clinging to the promise of the gospel that Jesus will reward you and that you will go to heaven where no one will persecute you is a pretty gratifying thing.
In North America, however, there are thousands of other choices apart from Christianity. I don't risk very much by becoming a Christian. It's not a life-or-death decision (in this life, anyway). And if one does decide to become a Christian, there are so many things that can distract you and lure you away. There's less of a sense of urgency about being a Christian in North America.
I think in some ways, there is a more of a danger in North America of becoming like Saul. In the story of Stephen, he stood by and watched people stone Stephen to death. People lay their jackets at his feet and he stood there and approved. He was a good Jew. He had it made. Nothing to worry about. No one waiting to stone him. Thing was, technically, Stephen was a good Jew too. A good Jew with a new revelation.
God forbid that the non-persecuted church stand by and watch their fellow Christians be killed. Let's not forget those for whom Christianity is a life-or-death decision.
Want to get involved? Click here to write a letter to a prisoner.
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