Superhua

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.

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

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)

[free album]

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”
7. [Aug 2009 addition] Live Curriculum – Doug Fields and Group Publishing have teamed up on this 4-year downloadable curriculum.

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).

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

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.

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.