MCCA 2009 Workshop Resources: Spiritual Hacks for the Amateur Christian

Scripture Intake

• Bible Reading Plans
• Listener’s Bible
• Bible Memory Plan
• Text yourself the weekly memory verse

Prayer

• Luther’s A Simple Way to Pray
• Ken Boa’s Face to Face: Praying the Scriptures for Intimate Worship
• Daily prayer through Scripture
• Valley of Vision
• Valley of Vision webpage
• PocketMod Prayers and PDF

Journaling

• EmailFuture.com

Life

• Randy Frazee’s Making Room for Life
• Gary Thomas’s Seeking the Face of God
• C. J. Mahaney’s sermon on A Biblical Understanding of Sleep
• Clayton’s Story

Next Steps

• Don Whitney’s Simplify Your Spiritual Life [his website: biblicalspirituality.org]
• Bonus link: Ben Patterson interview

What’s the difference between extramarital and premarital sex?

The news has been again been abuzz with another high profile affair.  Although these seem like monthly (weekly?) occurrences, should we be surprised?

In general, society is (properly) against extramarital sex.  However, from my perspective, there is much less scrutiny given to premarital sex.

The apparent logic is:

“Once you commit through marriage, you should be faithful to your spouse.  Before you have a spouse, monogamy is a nice idea, but unrealistic.”

However, viewed another way, there seems to be little difference between extramarital and premarital sex: both are having sex with someone other than your spouse.

M. J.: Most famous initials?

• Michael Jackson
• Magic Johnson
• Michael Jordan
• Mary Jane (Spiderman)
• Others?

When Stars Die

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

There will come a day when your childhood stars die.  Today two such stars passed over the oblivion.  Did we really think they would always be there?  There is only One who is everlasting.  Why do we exult in the temporal at the expense of the eternal?

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (Psalm 90:2)

Coldplay?

[free album]

Youth Ministry Curriculum

I haven’t used youth ministry curriculum much in the past, but have preferred to adapt books or other material. However, there is a lot of good material out there. Here are six that I found; I’m sure there are many others.

1. Student Life Bible Study – I like Student Life’s stuff — their videos on knowing the Word are particularly good.  This is a downloadable 6-year plan which aims to take the students through the entire Bible.
2. Lifeway’s Known – Also a downloadable 6-year plan  based on a “comprehensive strategy for student spiritual development.” [review by Tim Schmoyer here]
3. Through the Bible – Biblical Theology for youth!  12 lessons which aim to help students navigate the Big Picture.
4. Teach Me Your Way – The first youth curriculum put out by Desiring God.  One of my friends was key in this, and she is solid theologically so my hunch is that the content herein is excellent.
5. Group’s Grapple – We are trying the downloadable version of this for our Jr. High right now.
6. Teach the Text – “A God-focused curriculum for preschool and preteens”

Related, here is an excellent post critiquing some aspects of children’s curriculum (which is applicable to youth and adults).

I wish there was a chart comparing youth curriculums based on content, activities, and theology (like this one comparing marriage books).

My Quest for a Free iPod Touch

Note: I realize this seems like a total scam, but I was referred to it by a fellow Youth Pastor who vouches for it.

5 Things I Love About My Job

1. The People: I love working with the generous, hard working, and gracious people of CCCI.
2. The Study: I love studying the Scriptures. Period.
3. The Autonomy: I love crafting teaching series, workshops, retreats, etc. — and I love that I have the autonomy to do this.
4. The Flexibility: I love being able to largely work wherever and whenever is most helpful.
5. The Location: I love being able to travel almost everywhere within 15 minutes.

Debunking Myths of Christianity

1. No, Jesus wasn’t white.
2. No, God isn’t a Republican.
3. You yourself actually cannot merit your way to Heaven.
4. Christians aren’t all judgmental.
5. Christians actually do want to use their brains.

Summer Reading List

Don’t waste your summer!  Read a book and change your life!  Below are 10 books on a wide variety of topics (indicated in the parentheses).  A star (*) indicates that while I have not read every book below, people I trust have recommended that book.

1. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper (Life)
2. When Sinners Say “I Do”: Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage* by Dave Harvey (Marriage)
3. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney (Spirituality) [note: I really appreciate Dr. Whitney's practical yet deep writings on spirituality.  Check them all out!]
4. Questioning Evangelism* by Randy Newman (Evangelism)
5. Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions* by Gregory Koukl (Apologetics)
6. Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments and Practices of a Diverse Congregation by Mark DeYmaz (Church; Race; Leadership)
7. A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther (Spirituality; Old Book)
   
8. Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney (Life)
   
9. Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris (Church)
   
10. For the Love of God by D. A. Carson (Devotional) [update: PDFs of both volumes available for free here and here]

Want more?  See this overwhelming list of lists that I’ve collected over the years.