Archive for "February, 2012"
CURRENT EVENT – MARCH 3, 2012
This week, I came across an article by my friend, Bert Montgomery. Bert is the author of a book titled Psychic Pancakes and Communion Pizza, so I know I can always count on him for an interesting perspective.
REFERENCE SHELF – MARCH 3, 2012
17-20: ”Law and prophets” frames the Sermon (see 7.12); law is Torah (Pentateuch); the prophetic writings contain history (Joshua-2 Kings) and oracles (Isaiah-Malachi). 19: Jesus does not abrogate but intensifies Torah. 20: Scribes and Pharisees epitomize righteousness (see 23.2); Jesus’ followers must be even more righteous.
MINISTRY WITH YOUTH – MARCH 3, 2012
Recent studies have shown that families who attend church experience roughly the same divorce rate as the unchurched. Statisticians predict that approximately fifty percent of the members of any given youth group either have or will experience divorce in their families of origin.
CURRENT EVENT – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
I read a story this week about the problems American soldiers are having when they return from combat zones across the globe and attempt to reenter “normal life.”
REFERENCE SHELF – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
The Sermon on the Mount 5.1-7.29: The Sermon on the Mount, evoking Moses on Sinai, contains material scattered throughout Mark and Luke as well as sayings unique to Matthew. Luke 6.17 presents much of this material in the “Sermon on the Plain.”
MINISTRY WITH YOUTH – FEBRUARY 26, 2012
Jesus startled the people who held traditional ideas about the Messiah God would send. As you read the following word studies, keep in mind how odd these words and phrases would have sounded to people hearing them for the first time.
REFERENCE SHELF – FEBRUARY 19, 2012
6.10-20: A call to arms and prayer for strength to proclaim truth. 14: Ephesians 4.25. 17: Helmet of salvation, Isa 59.17. The sword of the Spirit, the word of God, the only offensive weapon.
MINISTRY WITH YOUTH – FEBRUARY 19, 2012
Do you know what ministry opportunities exist outside your church doors? Have your youth create a survey or questionnaire to help them discover who the neighbors of the church really are. Choose a day to have them go into the neighborhood and fill out the surveys.
CURRENT EVENT – FEBRUARY 12, 2012
In churches today, just as in the world as a whole, a great number of people deal with health concerns. One way that people are dealing with their health concerns is by turning to their “faith community nurses.”
REFERENCE SHELF – FEBRUARY 12, 2012
The ascended Christ as the prime minister of the church gives gifts of grace, varying with the individual, designed to equip all the saints for ministry. The receiving church is thus to be the serving church, both means and goal in the purpose of God.