3 Big Things Today’s Kids Are Looking For

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April 15, 2024

I often say that today’s kids are not the same as when we were kids. Childhood has changed…drastically.

But in spite of all the changes, there are three things that today’s kids are looking for. These are things that every child longs for.

Let’s see what they are.

1. Relationships

A relationship with their parents. A relationship with those who lead them. A relationship with a caring volunteer. A relationship with their grandparents and other family members.

They want to know that they are loved. They want to know that there are people who have their back. They want to know that there are people who really do care about them. They want to know that they have leaders that can help guide them toward God’s plan for their life.

Today’s kids won’t come back to church because the church has a playground or a cool building or fun videos. They are growing up in a world of technology, virtual reality toys, and all the cool things they can cram into their life are available.

While these things will get them into your church doors, it won’t keep them coming back. What will keep kids and families coming back? Relationships.

Does this mean we should we pull back from doing fun games, crazy videos, dynamic lessons, awesome crafts, etc. as part of our teaching strategy?

No. All of these things are great…as long as they help build and strengthen relationships with the kids.

No child should be left alone sitting by themselves or stuck in a row of chairs that aren’t conducive to helping kids form relationships with other kids.

Kids will come back to church because Mr. Jim cares about them. Kids will come back because they know Mrs. Smith will ask them how their week went. Kids will come back because they have established relationships with other kids in the room.

What they need from us is to give them opportunities to build relationships. Games can build relationships. Small group discussions can build relationships. Praying together in their group can build relationships. Purposeful icebreakers can help build relationships.

Don’t Try To Fix Your Small Group

By

Josh Hunt

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April 15, 2024

fix your small group — Adobestock #252901993

One of the interesting insights coming out of the 12-step literature is that it is counter productive to try to fix each other. We can only fix ourselves. An atmosphere where we are constantly trying to fix each other will quickly squelch honesty. I do not want a group that is constantly trying to fix me. If the group tries to fix, no one will be honest. It does not matter how well-meaning the group is in this, fixing kills honesty.

I have seen this happen in groups many times. One person will bravely risk sharing something that is not working. Someone will tell them, “You just need to pray.” Another will tell them to, “Just forgive and forget. Another will tell them to, “Have more faith.” Another will tell them that if they just had more discipline all would be well. Everyone has simple answers to enormous problems. And no one puts a bandage on the wound. This is where Sunday school gets a bad name. To give a “Sunday school answer” is synonymous with a simplistic, unrealistic, or poorly thought through answers.

People do this fixing in a well-meaning way. They are honestly trying to help. . . but it does not help. It only squelches the atmosphere of honesty. There is something almost magical that the Christian community can do for one another. If they will hear one another, really listen to the feelings as well as the facts, and bring those together to the Father, the group will find healing. As long as we are trying to fix each other, God isn’t allowed to do much fixing.

James 5:16 does not say, “Confess your sins, do your best to fix each other and then pray.” It is counter intuitive to what we think it would be, but fixing just messes things up. What we need to say is, “That must really hurt. I am sorry.”

Emotions are inherently a-moral and should always be validated. Actions are moral; emotions are not. If I tell you I feel a certain way and you rebuff me by saying I should not feel that way, I am not likely to share again. My emotions are not wrong. They are just feelings. Ethics has to do with behavior, not emotion. We need a place where we can hear each other say, “I understand why you would feel that way.”

It is true that it is wrong to cultivate certain emotions. It is wrong to cultivate lust and greed, which are essentially feelings. But it is not wrong for a person to admit that he is fighting these. In fact, we will never win the fight until we admit the war.

What we can do, instead of trying fix, is serve. Instead of fixing a person, try fixing a meal for a person. Pray for them. Send cards. Let your love be visible and felt. But don’t correct or scold. There is, of course, a place for admonition, but it is not in the context of the honest confession of sins.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Simple Changes To Shift From Good to Godly Parenting

By

Andrew Linder

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April 15, 2024

Do you ever feel like your parenting efforts are just falling short? Sometimes all it takes are small adjustments to make huge progress.

Most Christian parents want to be the godly parent their child deserves, but they find it hard to get from good to godly parenting. More specifically, they struggle to break free from traditional Christian parenting (a rules-based model) to true Christian parenting (a relationship-based model) from the Bible.

Here are some mental and practical adjustments you can start implementing TODAY to make the difference between good and godly parenting in your home. It might just be easier than you think.

Good parents take OWNERSHIP of their children seriously – “These are my kids and I’m going to make sure they turn out right.”

Godly parents take STEWARDSHIP of their children seriously – “These are God’s kids entrusted to me to lead them to him and his purposes.”

Good parents focus on BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION – ”My kids will be the most well-behaved.”

Godly parents focus on HEART CHANGE – “My kids are foolish at heart, and in need of God’s grace, just like I am.”

Good parents care about OUTWARD CONFORMITY.

Godly parents care more about INWARD MOTIVES.

Good parents teach their children WHAT to think.

Godly parents teach their children HOW to think.

Good parents try to INSTILL biblical values in their children.

Godly parents teach their children how to POSSESS biblical values and personally live them out.

Good parents try to GIVE ALL THE ANSWERS to life’s questions.

Godly parents encourage and ALLOW TOUGH QUESTIONS from their kids.

Good parents REGULARLY GIVE TIME and attention to their children.

Godly parents INTENTIONALLY INVEST TIME and attention in their children.

Good parents want their children’s traditions and preferences to be motivated by FAMILY LOYALTY.

Godly parents want their children’s traditions and preferences to be rooted in their LOVE FOR JESUS.

Good parents see DISCIPLINE AS NECESSARY for good behavior.

Godly parents see DISCIPLINE AS AN AVENUE to their child’s heart.

Good parents EXPECT IMITATION from their children.

Godly parents ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALITY in their children.

Good parents read the Bible IN FRONT OF THEIR CHILDREN.

Godly parents also read the Bible TOGETHER WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

Good parents prioritize TAKING THEIR KIDS TO CHURCH.

Godly parents prioritize BEING THE PRIMARY SPIRITUAL INFLUENCER in their kids’ lives.

Good parents take THEIR FAMILY RULES seriously.

Godly parents take THEIR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS even more seriously.

Good parents often produce GOOD KIDS.

Godly parents are more likely to produce GODLY ADULTS.

How could you shift your thinking or practice to become more of a godly parent than just a good one?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree? Disagree? Or have others that you’d add to this list?

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

5 Biggest Mistakes Pastors Make on Sundays (and How To Avoid Them)

By

Charles Stone

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April 15, 2024

For pastors, Sunday can be the most draining day of the week. Intense people interaction, teaching or preaching, seeing our critics, trying to remember names, and attempting to put our own problems aside to listen to other peoples’ problems add up to a stress-filled day. The very day we want to be at our best requires more from us than any other day. As a result, we can easily make one or more of the five biggest mistakes pastors make on Sundays. Evaluate this list to find out how many you make. I follow the list with some suggestions on how to avoid them.

5 Biggest Mistakes Pastors Make on Sundays

Failure to recognize allostatic load.
- This term describes the wear and tear on our body from chronic stress. Our bodies have limits. Yet, when we are under stress for long periods of time, our bodies suffer. Prolonged stress causes sustained high levels of the stress hormone cortisol which, along with an overabundance of other neurotransmitters and hormones, can cause heart problems, weight gain, impaired immunity, decreased memory due to brain cell atrophy and diminished brain functioning. If we don’t manage our stress during the week, we will limit our ability to function at our best on Sundays.
Too much emotional labor.
- Psychologists call the emotional work necessary for any job emotional labor. It’s the effort required to put on a public face when we interact with others. Unless you’re a grump or you hole up in your office until right before the Sunday service, your role requires considerable emotional labor as you interact with people on Sundays. However, when we surface act too much, put on a fake smile, we’ll quickly use up the energy stores God gave us for the day.
People pleasing.
- I based my third book, People Pleasing Pastors: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Approval Motivated Leadership, on extensive research of over 2,000 pastors. I discovered that over 70 percent of pastors self-assessed themselves as being affected in some way by people pleasing. As humans, we have a basic drive to be liked. Rejection actually physically hurts because social pain registers in the same part of our brains as does physical pain. On Sunday when we get sucked into trying to make everybody happy (by saying yes too much and/or saying what people want to hear) we will quickly get drained.
The sacrifice syndrome.
- Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, authors of Resonant Leadership, coined a concept called power stress to describe a kind of stress unique to leaders. “Power stress is part of the experience that results from the exercise of influence and sense of responsibility felt in leadership positions.” McKee and Boyatzis explain that when the demands of leadership get so high and leaders fail to manage it, they risk becoming trapped in what they call the Sacrifice Syndrome. Sometimes we leaders feel so overly responsible for the success of our churches that we get caught in a vicious cycle of unhealthy sacrifice for others that leads to burnout. And often that weight drains us on Sundays.
Continuous partial attention (CPA).
- Linda Stone, author and consultant, developed this phrase to describe the mental trap we easily fall into when we constantly scan our surroundings to look for the best opportunities upon which to focus our attention. It happens when we ‘skim,’ and pay attention, only partially. When this happens to you, you won’t focus on the most important tasks at hand and will get further behind on mission-critical issues. Then, you must rush to get the important things done, which in turn contributes to chronic stress. On Sundays when we are listening to someone and we try to scan the crowd to see who else may want to talk to us (CPA), our energy stores get burned up faster than if we paid full attention to one person.

Developing Leaders – 10 Core Skills You Need

By

Dan Reiland

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April 15, 2024

Without developing more and better leaders, it’s unlikely that you’ll realize all that God has in mind for your church. Yes, God can do anything, He doesn’t “need” us, but He chose us. This is his plan. In His divine wisdom, God has chosen to extend His Kingdom through us. Jesus modeled developing leaders. He gathered the 70, selected the 12 disciples, and he was close to Peter, James and John. Jesus invested in them. He spent time with them, taught them, corrected them, cared about them and empowered them to preach the gospel, heal the sick and carry out the Kingdom of God.

I’m grateful for the mentors who have so generously invested in me. Candidly, without them I can’t imagine where I’d be, and it’s highly unlikely that I’d be writing to you today.

Their passion has rubbed off on me, and for decades now it’s been my privilege to develop other leaders. Second only to someone’s salvation, there’s just nothing like helping someone grow as a leader. That experience leads to a legacy that anyone developing leaders can enjoy.

A Three-Point Framework:

Vision – Developing leaders is the best way to realize the full measure of your vision to reach people for Christ. You just can’t do it alone, raising up more leaders is essential.

Heart – The best developers of leaders genuinely care about the men and women they invest in…it’s not only to grow the church, it’s first to grow the person.
Skill – When you develop leaders inside an organization like the local church, there are certain skills required to be effective.

I’ve written a book titled Amplified Leadership: 5 Practices to Establish Influence, Build People and Impact Others for a Lifetime. (If you would like more in depth content on these 10 skills, you can order the book here. Amplified Leadership will teach you how to improve these skills.)

But in this post, I want to give you the outline at a glance.

A Great Worship Leader Needs These 5 Skills

By

David Santistevan

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April 15, 2024

What does it take to be a great worship leader? If I polled pastors and worship leaders across the world, I’m sure we’d see a common thread of common skills necessary to fulfill the role with excellence. We’d talk about heart and passion. We’d talk about vocal ability. We’d discuss musicality and band leadership. We’d talk about leadership—the ability to lead a team, grow a team, and maintain momentum. We may even agree on discipleship—the ability to reproduce other leaders. But what if there were other disciplines and skills that sustain a worship leader beyond mere leadership savvy and musical talent? What if there was something deeper than just have a “passion for worship” or a “passion for God?”

I’m going to outline a few of these. Having led worship for most of my life now, I’ve noticed that talent can get you started, but it’s not enough to sustain years of faithful ministry. If it’s all about your talent, the stage won’t be big enough. Your audience won’t be engaged enough. Your band won’t be talented enough.

A great worship leader who leads well is one who follows Jesus. One who never stops pursuing. One who builds the Spiritual disciplines in their life to keep them close. Essentially, a great worship leader is one who maintains a posture of loving Jesus more than worship.

A Great Worship Leader Needs These 5 Skills

Here are a few of those disciplines:

1. Memorize Scripture – Knowing songs is a great first step. But knowing Scripture will make you a worshiper. It gives you understanding into who God is, what He’s done and how He moves. It provides context to the gathering of God’s people.

2. Get to Know People – Well, depending on the size of your church, you may or may not get to know everyone. But you need to hang out with more than just your friends. You need to sit and listen to the heart of the 85-year-old woman who doesn’t like your music. You need to hang out with the student who sits outside the sanctuary during worship. You need a heart for people. Without a heart for people, you’ll hate to lead worship. You’ll enjoy it for a season but will dry up when you realize it is ALL about loving people.

3. Study Preaching & Communication – Most of what makes a worship leader effective in leading a room is what happens in between the lyrics. It’s what happens in between the songs. That’s where trust is formed, connection is built. Good preachers are constantly refining their delivery and studying ways to deliver unchanging truth in a way that connects with a changing audience. The combination of delivering truth and public speaking is an incredible skill for a worship leader to develop.

Christian Life Isn’t Just Cussing Less and Giving More

By

J.D. Greear

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April 15, 2024

There’s a book in my library called unChristian that analyzes the results of an extensive, nationwide study conducted by the Barna Group about Christian life. The authors sought to compare the lives of Christians and non-Christians to see how they differed. Part of what I like about this study is how Barna narrowed the classification of “Christian.” In this study, Christians were those who claimed faith in Christ and were able to articulate the gospel. Plus, the results were anonymous. Nothing like anonymity to bring out honesty.

Christian Life Isn’t Just Cussing Less and Giving More

The Barna Group found that Christians:

Cuss less in public (The modifier “in public” is important. In private, apparently, Christians still cuss; but they rein it in around Nana).
Give more to charitable causes.
Buy fewer lottery tickets.
Are less likely to recycle (because, I guess, the world is just going to burn up anyway?).

On the whole, I suppose that’s better than nothing. I wouldn’t exactly say we’re being a radical presence by cussing less in public, but it could be worse.

In fact, it is worse.

In this same study, Barna found that Christians are just as likely as non-Christians to:

Visit a pornographic website.
Get drunk.
Do illegal drugs or take prescription medicines not prescribed to them.
Be willing to lie to get out of a difficult situation.
Have intentionally done something to get back at someone within the last 30 days.

Keep in mind: This isn’t a perception of Christian life by outsiders. This is self-reported. It’s no surprise, then, that 84 percent of non-Christians said they personally knew at least one Christian, but only 15 percent thought that person’s lifestyle was significantly different than their own.

Non-Christians don’t think we’re different because we’re not different. But we should be. I can’t help but wonder what Jesus would think of this situation. Certainly, he had something else in mind when he died to create a new race of people. After all, he didn’t say, “The world will know you are my disciples because you buy fewer lottery tickets.”

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

–John 13:35

We really shouldn’t be that surprised by this. In Romans 2, the Apostle Paul points out that religion is often just a thin veneer papered over a heart that is still every bit as sinful as everyone else’s. By itself, religion is powerless to change our hearts. It might change our behavior—by cussing a little less, or giving a little more—but the change doesn’t go any deeper than the surface.

The Bible Dares You To Fill in the Blanks

By

Michael Kelley

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April 14, 2024

Once upon a time, I loved Mad Libs. In case you don’t remember this particular cultural phenomenon, Mad Libs was a book of short, simple stories. But each story had a number of blank lines in it. Each blank line was marked with a particular part of speech—noun, verb, adjective, and so on. One person would interview another person and ask them for random nouns, verbs, adjectives and the like and fill in the blanks. In the end, you would have a story with the blanks filled in but with random words that didn’t always fit.

The results were predictably hilarious because you could fill in the blanks with virtually anything, and sometimes bizarre, words. Sure, the story would end up nonsensical, but that was the point. It was to think of the most outlandish ways to fill in those blanks and then sit back and enjoy how it all came together.

Wouldn’t it be nice if life were a little like that? That you could fill in the blanks?

In such a world, you would say, “For dinner tonight, I’m going to have _________.” And you could put anything in that blank that you wanted. Or you could say, “I’m going to take a trip to __________”, and you would magically have the means to visit that place immediately. Of course, life doesn’t work like that. There are all kinds of limitations and exceptions that keep us from just filling in those blanks. Time, money, access—these limit the ways all those blanks can be filled in.

So life doesn’t work that way, but maybe the Bible does. At least in a sense. In fact, maybe the Bible actually invites us—even dares us—to fill in some of the blanks.

Take for example Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

This is such an invitation. We are invited to drill down on “all things” and do our best to fill in that blank. Sickness? Trouble? Job loss? Those are all big, significant, life-changing things, and you can fill in the blank with those. But you can also fill in the blank with traffic, interruptions to your schedule, or a dinner time conversation. Those are small things. In either case, fill in the blank because all things work together for our good.

Or this blank, from 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.”

Fill in the blank with whatever temptation you are facing today. It still works, without exception.

Or one more, this one from Matthew 16:18: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

There’s a blank to be filled in here, too, for there has always been a challenge to the church of the day. Governmental challenges, cultural challenges, doctrinal challenges—these have always been there. Fill in the blank with whatever’s most current, and it still works. The church will endure. The church will go on.

We could go on and on, and there will still be more blanks to be filled in. But because of the certainty of God, because of his unchanging nature, and because of his rock solid promises to us in Christ, the blanks will always be filled in. Despite our best efforts to find the exception, we cannot. We will not. And praise the Lord we can’t.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Religious Change in America: They Buried the Lead

By

James Emery White

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April 13, 2024

religious america PRRI — Adobestock #273658630

For a brief period following graduate school, I worked for a denomination as its leadership consultant for preaching and worship. My first assignment was to steward an already-existing program for churches titled, “Let’s All Go to Church.” It was a growth campaign for churches, and one clearly designed to capitalize on people’s innate sense that they should, indeed, go to church.

That was 1991.

Even then I knew that it was a conceptual mess and was built on a terribly outdated assessment of culture.

My first self-assignment?

Instead of “Let’s All Go to Church,” it was, “Hey, Let’s All Come Up with a New Idea.” That new idea was titled, “Opening the Front Door.” Rather than reminding people to do what we (wrongfully) assumed they knew they should do (attend church), how about creating a church people would actually want to attend?

But even that idea is now passé.

You can think of the progression this way: In the 60s and 70s, you could play off of guilt and obligation to get people to attend a church. In the 80s and 90s, and even into the early 2000s, you could open the front door of the church in such a way that it would attract people who had been turned off to church.

Today?

The latest research from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) has found that 26% of Americans now identify as religiously unaffiliated, making them the largest single religious group in the U.S. This isn’t exactly news. My book The Rise of the Nones came out in 2014. What has changed is that the number of atheists within that percentage has doubled since 2013, as has the number of agnostics. Another new dynamic is that not many of those who are unaffiliated are “looking for a religion that’s right for me.”

As in just 9%.

Also news? The reason why people are joining the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated.

Many news articles on the PRRI report highlighted that nearly half (47%) of all respondents who left a faith tradition cited negative teaching about the treatment of LGBTQ people, rising to about 60% of Americans who are under the age of 30.

Get the Most From Your Digital Bible

By

David Tank

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April 13, 2024

For centuries, only royalty, scholars, or pastors could personally open the Bible. Most people had to go to church in order to hear the Bible read, sung, prayed, and preached. However, the invention of the printing press revolutionized people’s relationship to God’s Word. As the Bible became mass-produced, biblical literacy skyrocketed, and the Reformation began. The modern digital revolution is similar to what happened 500 years ago. Having access to the digital Bible is a tremendous blessing for the church, and yet, this resource is often undervalued. Even as there are many reasons why you should open the Bible in print, here are five advantages to reading it on your phone or computer.

The Advantage of the Digital Bible

1. Accessibility

The early Church cited the Bible so much that, even if God’s Word disappeared, it could still be put back together based on their writings. Today, God’s Word is free and available to more people than ever because of the internet. Through websites and apps, Scripture appears in different translations and languages, and through social media, videos, and other communication. Tablets and phones have the ability to enlarge type and change fonts, so people of all ages can engage with God’s Word. The Bible is more readable, available to more people, and more readily accessible than ever before in the history of the world. When you love the Word of God and carry it with you, you can meditate on it all day long (Ps. 119:97).

2. Devotionals

The Bible promises that, when we are regularly in the Word, it is “able to make [us] wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). Today, there are a variety of ways you can regularly be in God’s Word. You can listen to audio Bibles during meals or on your commute to work. Setting reminders on your phone or limits on websites can help you remember to open your Bible each day, and if you are goal oriented, some Bible apps track your progress through the year. In an age when we receive more communication than ever, there has never been a more opportune time to hear from God.

3. Search Tools

Many Christians have been in this situation: Someone asks a question, and you know there is a passage of Scripture that speaks to it, but you cannot remember where it is. It is a noble thing to search the Bible for answers. When the Bereans heard the gospel from Paul, “they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). The Bible on your phone or tablet has search features which can help you find specific passages and can show you repeated words and phrases across God’s Word. Previously, one needed to look up the occurrence of words in a concordance—a large dictionary-like book, sometimes abridged in the back of some study Bibles. However, today’s Bible study software can even look up the usage of words and differentiate when they are translated from different words in the original Hebrew or Greek. Overall, digital search tools have made searching, cross-referencing, and understanding words in the context of the rest of the Bible faster than ever.

4. Evangelism

Though the Bible has been around for millennia, many people have yet to open it for the very first time. Evangelism involves opening the Bible with others and showing them how the Bible story is all about Jesus Christ. Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” There are many resources for sharing the gospel with people in the digital age, such as openthebible.org, created by Unlocking the Bible. Many people will be open to learning more about the Bible, but for those who feel intimidated by picking up a large book, encouraging them to take out their phone or tablet may be an easier starting point. Consider using Open, or talk about what you have been reading in your Bible app. Your phone can help you share God’s Word in specific, timely ways with others.

5. Resources

Finally, the digital Bible on your phone or tablet can be very helpful at church, in your small group, and for communicating with other believers. Many Bible apps allow for you to create an account so you can save highlights, notes, and even mark up the text with a stylus. A Bible app or digital notebook on your phone or tablet can be a great place for you to keep your notes from sermons, devotions, and reflections in the Word. Even when you change devices, your notes will always be there, and you will never run out of pages in a journal. If you are a small group leader, you can share your notes or highlight the text with others by sharing your screen via video chat or by casting your device onto a TV. Leaders can communicate with their small groups and include links to the passages of Scripture being studied, and using a digital Bible can help you to encourage other believers with Scripture through social media.

There are many biblical and helpful ways to use the Bible on your phone. In this age of the internet and smartphones, having a digital Bible can be an incredible tool for evangelism and discipleship. Find out what tools and resources work best for you, then prayerfully consider opportunities in which you can open the Bible with others.

This article on using your digital Bible originally appeared here.

Interactive Learning: The Power of Hands-on Sunday School Lessons

By

Stephanie Martin

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April 12, 2024

Interactive learning brings the Gospel message to life. Sunday school students love using their senses and bodies to interact with lessons. No matter their learning style, kids remember more when Bible messages move beyond lectures.

Hands-on activities, object lessons, re-enactments, and other interactive techniques have powerful impacts. They engage young learners with Scripture lessons and principles. Active learning personally invites kids into God’s redemptive plan.

Plus, children love interactive Sunday school lessons because they’re fun and meaningful. Kids will be excited to attend church each week. And they might even invite some friends along!

So keep reading for great ways to add active learning to your kidmin program.

Interactive Learning Tips and Resources

You might already use some interactive storytelling. Check out these ideas for making children’s Bible lessons come alive.

1. Why Active Learning Yields Results

Read this refresher about the transforming power of interactive learning. First discover the benefits of active classrooms. Then learn how to structure hands-on Bible stories for kids.

2. Tips for Using Hands-on Learning

Next check out these helpful tips about engaging students. Hint: It’s OK to let children move around, be loud, play, and even get messy!

3. Techniques for Active Learning

Here you’ll find 20 types of active learning strategies. Easily adapt most ideas for use in Sunday school and small groups.

4. Hands-on Learning Bible Activities

Next, here are 10 hands-on learning ideas geared toward Bible lessons. They’re sure to foster deeper understanding of God’s Word and its relevance to daily life.

5. Active Object Lessons for Kids

Sermons4Kids is filled with free object lessons that involve children. Search the website for specific topics and Bible stories. Pro Tip: Try a 14-day free trial of a three-year Sunday school curriculum.

Bible Study on Identity: Help Teens Discover Who They Are in Christ

By

Stephanie Martin

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April 12, 2024

A Bible study on identity lets teens grapple with their developing sense of self. Amid all the challenges and changes of adolescence, your youth group members might feel lost. Kids wonder who they are, who they’re becoming, and where they belong. They also might ask: What are Jesus’ plans for me? What does God want me to do with my life?

Leading a Bible study on identity requires insights about today’s teens. And lessons about identity and belonging must be based on the truth of God’s Word.

Assure kids that God created them in his image and for his purpose. Also, God has good plans in mind for everyone who follows him. A Bible study on identity works well with large and small groups. You may want to hold some separate sessions for guys and girls.

Encourage teens to pray and read Scripture on their own too. Journaling about identity questions and God’s answers can help kids develop a deeper relationship with him.

See the seven youth group and teen ministry resources below. They’ll help you launch a Bible study on identity and lead discussions about self and belonging.

Bible Study on Identity: 7 Resources for Youth Lessons

Foster a deeper understanding of who kids are in God’s eyes. In Scripture, teens will find relatable role models who struggled with identity and worth. They’ll also discover ways to persevere through challenges and glorify God in victories.

1. Dive into Scripture for insights about identity.

Begin by having students look up Bible passages about identity. Start with the 19 listed here. Challenge kids to memorize one or more of these verses. Pro Tip: Many of these Scriptures make great “life verses” for teens!

2. Avoid an identity crisis.

Teach kids that focusing on who Christ is will help them pinpoint who they are. That’s the important theme of the Bible study on identity provided here.

3. Learn from Gideon.

Check out this Bible study for teens based on Judges 6:12-16. Kids may be surprised what the Old Testament character of Gideon teaches us about identity.

4. Jot down thoughts about identity.

As we mentioned, journaling is a great way to ponder our identity in Christ. Kids can use the declarations at this website to reflect on biblical truths.

Unraveling Loneliness: How Deep Friendships Combat Anxiety and Depression

By

Josh Spurlock

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April 12, 2024

fighting loneliness — Source: Lightstock

In today’s fast-paced world, the phenomenon of loneliness has emerged as a silent epidemic, cutting across age groups and communities, subtly contributing to the rise of anxiety and depression among many. This growing trend underscores the importance of deep, healthy, and mature friendships—not just as a buffer against the harsh winds of solitude but as a foundational pillar for mental well-being and emotional resilience.

Loneliness, often mistaken as mere physical isolation, extends deeper into the emotional realm, manifesting as a feeling of being disconnected, misunderstood, or unsupported. This emotional void, when left unaddressed, paves the way for anxiety and depression, feeding into a vicious cycle of further withdrawal and isolation. The emotional distress stemming from loneliness can trigger a cascade of psychological responses that exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression, leading to a diminished quality of life and impaired social functioning.

Conversely, the role of friendships—especially those characterized by depth, authenticity, and maturity—cannot be overstated in undoing the grip of loneliness on one’s psyche. Friendships of such quality offer more than just companionship; they provide emotional nourishment, a sense of belonging, and a safe space for vulnerability and growth.

These relationships act as mirrors reflecting our true selves, encouraging acceptance, understanding, and mutual support. In essence, they offer corrective emotional experiences that can heal the wounds of loneliness and mitigate the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Developing the skills to foster such friendships is a journey, one that may sometimes require guidance and introspection. Engaging in counseling or therapy can be a transformative step in this journey, providing insights into one’s relational patterns, emotional needs, and areas for growth. Counselors, especially those from platforms like MyCounselor.Online, are equipped to facilitate this exploration, offering strategies to enhance one’s capacity for emotional connection, empathy, and communication—key ingredients for nurturing deep and lasting friendships.

Moreover, delving into resources on friendship skills, such as those offered at JoshSpurlock.com, can provide practical tips and perspectives on being the kind of friend who attracts and nurtures healthy relationships. From understanding the dynamics of give-and-take in friendships to learning how to effectively communicate and resolve conflicts, these resources can be invaluable in building the foundations of strong, supportive friendships.

Friendships play a critical role in shaping our happiness, resilience, and overall mental health. They remind us that, despite the inevitable challenges and solitude that life may present, connection, understanding, and love can flourish, bringing light to the darkest of times. By actively seeking out and investing in deep, meaningful friendships—and equipping ourselves with the skills to do so—we can navigate the complexities of human emotions with grace, strength, and the comforting knowledge that we are never truly alone.

REFERENCES

This article originally appeared here.

Maximizing Your Bandwidth

By

Full Strength Network

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April 12, 2024

As a ministry leader, you understand the weight of responsibility that comes with guiding and shepherding a congregation. The demands of the role can often feel overwhelming, leaving you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually drained. In the digital age, the concept of “bandwidth” takes on a new significance. Just as a strong internet connection is essential for seamless online communication, your personal bandwidth is crucial for maintaining your well-being and effectiveness as a leader. What is bandwidth in life? And what are practical tips to help pastors create and maintain healthy bandwidth for more fruitful ministry?

Understanding Bandwidth

Recent studies from the Barna Group shed light on the challenges faced by ministry leaders and the state of their mental and emotional health. According to Barna’s research, 57% of pastors say they feel unable to manage their time effectively, while 84% feel they’re on call 24/7. Furthermore, 46% say that the demands of ministry frequently interfere with their family life. These statistics highlight the urgent need for pastors to assess and manage their personal bandwidth to prevent burnout and maintain healthy well-being.

Practical Tips for Cultivating Healthy Bandwidth

Prioritize Self-Care: Just as you encourage your congregation to prioritize their spiritual and emotional health, remember to practice what you preach. Regularly allocate time for self-care activities that rejuvenate you, whether it’s reading, exercise, spending time in nature, or engaging in hobbies.
Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries for your work hours and availability. Communicate these boundaries to your congregation, staff, and family. While emergencies may arise, having defined limits helps prevent constant feelings of being “on call.”
Delegate and Empower: You don’t have to do it all alone. Delegate tasks to capable team members and empower them to take ownership. Effective delegation not only lightens your load but also provides growth opportunities for others.
Practice Digital Detox: The constant influx of information through emails, social media, and notifications can be draining. Schedule regular periods of digital detox, where you disconnect from screens and focus on real-world interactions and personal reflection.
Invest in Relationships: Maintain strong connections with friends, mentors, and colleagues who understand the challenges of ministry. Having a support network can provide a safe space to share experiences, seek advice, and receive encouragement.

Unlock the Mysteries of Mark 2:1: Faith, Miracles, and the Authority of Jesus Explored

By

Staff

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April 12, 2024

In exploring the profound narratives within the Christian New Testament, the Gospel of Mark stands out for its vivid storytelling and deep theological insights. Particularly, the passage of Mark 2:1-40 offers a captivating glimpse into the early ministry of Jesus, portraying him as a healer, a teacher, and a figure of divine authority. This blog post delves into the essence of “Mark 21” and the surrounding discussions, aiming to illuminate the richness of these biblical texts and their implications for faith and understanding.

Understanding Mark 2:1-40

Mark 2:1-40 encapsulates several key moments in Jesus’ ministry. At the heart of this narrative is the miraculous healing of a paralyzed man, a testament to Jesus’ divine power and the pivotal role of faith.

The account also confronts the challenges Jesus faced, including accusations from an anti-Semitic preacher who claimed Jesus expelled demons by the power of Beelzebul. Jesus’ response, marked by wisdom and authority, not only discredits these accusations but also reinforces his status as the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament.

Exploring the Key Questions

Mark 21 Meaning: While “Mark 21” directly does not appear in the biblical texts, exploring the themes and narratives around Mark 2:1 and beyond offers insights into the complexities of faith, healing, and divine authority in Jesus’ ministry.

Mark 1:21 About: This passage marks one of Jesus’ first public acts of teaching in Capernaum, immediately establishing his authority and power over unclean spirits, setting the stage for his transformative ministry.

Mark 21 to 23: These verses underscore the continuation of Jesus’ teachings and miracles, each narrative enriching our understanding of his divine mission and the kingdom of God.

Moral Lesson of Mark 1:21-28: Demonstrates the power of Jesus’ authority and the importance of recognizing and submitting to divine truth for spiritual liberation and healing.

Meaning of Mark 2 Verse 21: Through the metaphor of new cloth on old garments, Jesus teaches about the incompatibility of his new covenant with old traditions, emphasizing the need for renewal in faith and practice.

Friday Night Lights, Forgiveness, and Future Glory: The Vision Casting Episode

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April 12, 2024

On this episode of “Transforming the Church,” Dr. Derwin L. Gray unpacks the power of effective vision casting for life transformation within the church. Drawing from the words of Jesus, Gray shares personal stories of forgiveness and reconciliation, highlighting the need for unity in a world plagued by division and racism.

Locusts and Wild Honey: A Dive into Biblical Sustenance and Symbolism

By

Staff

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April 12, 2024

In the tapestry of biblical narratives, few images are as vivid and thought-provoking as that of John the Baptist’s diet of locusts and wild honey. This peculiar dietary choice, mentioned in Matthew 3:4, not only sketches a portrait of John’s austere and ascetic lifestyle but also opens a gateway into exploring the significance of these foods within biblical and historical contexts. This article delves into the essence of locusts and wild honey, uncovering their nutritional, cultural, and symbolic layers and answering some of the most intriguing questions surrounding these biblical foods.

The Essence of Locusts and Wild Honey

What Food Was Locusts and Wild Honey?

Locusts and wild honey were staple foods in the diet of John the Baptist, a prophet known for his simple living and deep spiritual commitment. Locusts, belonging to the family of grasshoppers, are considered clean and edible according to Levitical laws (Leviticus 11:22). Wild honey, on the other hand, refers to the natural sweet substance produced by bees from the nectar of plants, collected from the wilderness away from human cultivation.

What Is the Significance of Locusts in the Bible?

Locusts carry a dual significance in biblical texts. While they are depicted as a form of sustenance permitted for consumption, they are also portrayed as instruments of divine wrath, symbolizing destruction and divine judgment in prophetic imagery (Exodus 10:12-15; Joel 2:25).

What Is Wild Honey in the Bible?

Wild honey, mentioned across various passages, symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and the sweetness of God’s promises. It is often associated with the land of Canaan, described as “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8), highlighting the fertility and divine favor of the Promised Land.

What Does the Bible Say About Eating Locusts?

The Bible explicitly permits the consumption of locusts among a few other insects. Leviticus 11:22 states, “Of these you may eat: the locust of any kind, the bald locust of any kind, the cricket of any kind, and the grasshopper of any kind,” categorizing them as clean and fitting for consumption.

Why Did John the Baptist Only Eat Locusts and Honey?

John’s choice of diet underscores his ascetic lifestyle, symbolizing his dedication to spiritual purity and his role as a herald for Christ. This diet reflects his separation from worldly pleasures and his immersion in nature, preparing the way for the Messiah with humility and simplicity.

What Does Locust Honey Taste Like?

While “locust honey” might imply honey made by locusts, it’s a misinterpretation. The term refers to wild honey that John consumed alongside locusts. Wild honey’s taste can vary widely, depending on the types of flowers visited by the bees, but it generally has a richer, more complex flavor than cultivated honey, with hints of the wilderness it’s derived from.

Can You Eat Locusts?

Yes, locusts are edible and have been a part of diets in many cultures throughout history. High in protein, minerals, and vitamins, they are considered a sustainable and nutritious food source, especially in regions where conventional livestock farming is not feasible.

Do Locusts Produce Honey?

Locusts do not produce honey. The honey mentioned alongside locusts in the Bible refers to the product made by bees from flower nectar. The combination of locusts and wild honey in the biblical context highlights a diet of simplicity and natural provision.

What Is Locust Honey Made From?

As clarified, locust honey is a misnomer; the correct term would be wild honey, made from the nectar of wildflowers. Bees collect this nectar, transform it through enzymatic processes, and store it in honeycombs as honey.

Are Locusts a Delicacy?

In some cultures, locusts are indeed considered a delicacy. They can be prepared in various ways: roasted, fried, boiled, or dried. Their consumption is prevalent in parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, celebrated for their nutritional value and flavor.

Nutritional and Cultural Insights

The dietary habits of John the Baptist, though seemingly austere, are rich in nutritional and cultural layers. Locusts, with their high protein content, represent a sustainable food source, while wild honey adds essential sugars and nutrients, symbolizing the sweetness and sustenance provided by nature.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The symbolism of locusts and wild honey extends beyond their immediate nutritional value, touching on themes of judgment, promise, and the sustenance of faith. John the Baptist’s diet, rooted in simplicity and natural provision, echoes a broader call to spiritual purity and readiness for the coming of the Messiah.

Conclusion

The biblical account of John the Baptist’s diet of locusts and wild honey opens a fascinating window into the interplay between sustenance, symbolism, and spirituality. This diet underscores the themes of simplicity, providence, and the bounty of nature, reflecting a lifestyle wholly dedicated to spiritual preparation and purity. As we explore the depths of these biblical foods, we uncover layers of meaning that resonate with cultural, nutritional, and spiritual significance, reminding us of the rich tapestry of symbolism woven throughout the biblical narratives.

Chuck Swindoll, 89, Moves to Founding Role at Stonebriar; Jonathan Murphy Named Successor

By

Stephanie Martin

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April 12, 2024

Chuck Swindoll, one of America’s first high-profile megachurch pastors, will soon begin a new role at the church he founded near Dallas. Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, announced that on May 1, Swindoll will become the founding pastor, with Jonathan Murphy stepping into the senior pastor role.

Swindoll, 89, helped launch Stonebriar in 1998. Before that, he served as senior pastor of First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, California, for more than two decades. The preacher, whose “Insight for Living” Bible-teaching program airs on more than 2,000 radio stations globally, has written 70 books. Swindoll is repeatedly named one of America’s most influential pastors.

Murphy serves as a department chair and professor of pastoral ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary. The native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a married father of four.

Chuck Swindoll Is ‘Excited’ About His Church’s Future

Stonebriar has an average weekly attendance of more than 3,000 in-person and 16,000 online worshipers. A special announcement on the nondenominational church’s website explains the “new chapter” that is approaching.

“Pastor Chuck will continue to preach God’s Word at the pulpit on Sundays, while Jonathan will shepherd our day-to-day ministries and fill in at the pulpit when requested,” according to the announcement. “Pastor Chuck will continue to serve as mentor and advisor to Jonathan, and at the appropriate time in the future, Jonathan will then assume primary pulpit duties.

Stonebriar emphasized that Pastor Chuck Swindoll “is not retiring.” Instead, he’ll keep preaching “as much as he desires and is able” and will remain one of the church’s nine male elders. When Murphy officially becomes the senior pastor, he too will become an elder.

In a video accompanying the church’s announcement, Swindoll and Murphy discuss how their mentoring relationship and ministry partnership have unfolded naturally. “You’re easy to love,” Swindoll told Murphy. “I hope you feel full freedom to be you. And that works its way toward the most natural and truly spiritual future and health for our church.”

Swindoll said he appreciates the absence of any feelings of competition or frustration during this pastoral transition. “We’re in the same family, we’re working on the same team, we’re serving the same Lord, we’ve got the same ideals and goals in mind,” he told Murphy. “Our purpose is to glorify our God.”

Chuck Swindoll’s Successor Is ‘Honored & Humbled’

According to the church, elders began considering Murphy as a future senior pastor about two years ago. During combined worship services at Stonebriar on April 28, Murphy will be commissioned through prayer.

“I’m honored and humbled,” Murphy said about his new role. “What a privilege to serve Jesus alongside my ministry hero, mentor, and friend, Chuck Swindoll.”

Dallas Jenkins Gives Season 4 Update on First Day of Filming ‘The Chosen,’ Season 5

By

Jessica Mouser

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April 12, 2024

Dallas Jenkins, creator and director of “The Chosen,” gave a few updates Thursday, April 11, from the set of Season 5, right before he and the cast and crew began filming the show’s next round of episodes.

“Hey there! It is Day 1. In the midst of all the craziness of us trying to get Season 4 to you…and in the midst of all the craziness of ‘The Chosen’ in general, all over the world, we are officially commencing Day 1 of 68 days of filming, here in beautiful Utah,” Jenkins said in a video showing him walking outside with the set behind him. “We have done our first rehearsal, and we are about to get going. It is unbelievable.”

‘The Chosen,’ Season 5, Begins Filming

“The Chosen” is a television series based on the life of Jesus and a global phenomenon. It has exploded in popularity in the U.S. and around the world, with its viewership recently reaching 200 million and with many sharing stories of how the series has personally, sometimes dramatically, impacted them.

Starting Feb. 1, “The Chosen” became the first streaming TV series to release an entire season in theaters, and the eight episodes of Season 4 extended their run at a discount in U.S. theaters during the three days before Easter.

Jenkins shared that not only was the release in theaters successful but also “the theatrical release is continuing right now all over the world.” What’s more, the first four episodes of Season 4 are currently being shown in churches and prisons throughout the U.S.

The show’s director had hoped that Season 4 would have been released to streaming by now but shared on March 10 that legal issues had delayed the streaming release. In his Thursday update, Jenkins said, “I’m sad to say that the legal matters that we are dealing with for Season 4 are still happening.”

He addressed speculation that Season 4 won’t be out for months or even come out this year. “That is not the case. It will be well before then,” he said. While Jenkins cannot give an exact date, he is “hopeful that it will be some time in the near future.”

“It’s not going to be three months, ok?” said the director. “We are working on it actively. We are working on it every day.”

‘In a Christian Worldview, Every Child Is a Wanted Child,’ Dr. Jeremiah Johnston Declares Ahead of Prestonwood’s CHOSEN Conference

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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April 12, 2024

Jeremiah Johnston Prestonwood CHOSEN Conference — Screengrab via YouTube @Prestonwood Baptist Church

This Saturday (April 13), Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, will host an emergency summit to address the urgent foster care and adoption needs in America and around the world.

The one-day event, titled CHOSEN Conference, is expected to be the largest of its kind and will feature speakers Sadie Robertson Huff, Korie Robertson, Jack Graham, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Scott Turner, Gregg Matte, and Shane and Kasi Pruitt.

The CHOSEN Conference will equip attendees through plenary sessions and breakout sessions, teaching people how to provide children in need with loving homes, as well as how to support families who have made the choice to foster or adopt.

An estimated 400,000 children in our nation are in foster care. Of those in foster care, 100,000 children are waiting for a family to adopt them. Nearly 20,000 of those children will age out of the foster care system without ever receiving a forever family or home.

Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, Prestonwood’s associate pastor and pastor of apologetics and cultural engagement, told ChurchLeaders that the “why” of this conference can be found in Mark 9:33-37:

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

“The greatest people in God’s eyes are those who do for others what they cannot do for themselves in Jesus’ name, and that is why we believe the CHOSEN Conference is essential,” Johnston said.

“In a Christian worldview, every child is a wanted child,” he added. “There is no such thing as an unwanted child in the eyes of God.”

Johnston went on to share that historians frequently point out that “children were held in little regard in late antiquity.” In other words, “listening to ‘children’s talk’ was thought to be a waste of time.”

1. Relationships

5 Biggest Mistakes Pastors Make on Sundays

Failure to recognize allostatic load.

Too much emotional labor.

People pleasing.

The sacrifice syndrome.

Continuous partial attention (CPA).

A Great Worship Leader Needs These 5 Skills

Christian Life Isn’t Just Cussing Less and Giving More

The Advantage of the Digital Bible

1. Accessibility

2. Devotionals

3. Search Tools

4. Evangelism

Interactive Learning Tips and Resources

1. Why Active Learning Yields Results

2. Tips for Using Hands-on Learning

3. Techniques for Active Learning

4. Hands-on Learning Bible Activities

5. Active Object Lessons for Kids

Bible Study on Identity: 7 Resources for Youth Lessons

1. Dive into Scripture for insights about identity.

2. Avoid an identity crisis.

3. Learn from Gideon.

4. Jot down thoughts about identity.

REFERENCES

Understanding Bandwidth

Practical Tips for Cultivating Healthy Bandwidth

Understanding Mark 2:1-40

Exploring the Key Questions

The Essence of Locusts and Wild Honey

Nutritional and Cultural Insights

Symbolism and Interpretation

Conclusion

Chuck Swindoll Is ‘Excited’ About His Church’s Future

Chuck Swindoll’s Successor Is ‘Honored & Humbled’

‘The Chosen,’ Season 5, Begins Filming

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