The Greek word for grace is charis, and there’s no question of its importance in biblical theology. Charis appears 116 times in the New Testament. There’s a lot about grace in Scripture because it’s the message of Jesus. Grace means favor. It means acceptance. It means giving. Grace is free in the sense that something done or given in grace is done so without expecting to receive anything in return. Grace isn’t dependent on the way it’s received, the moral goodness of the one receiving it, or even that person’s ability to rightly … [Read more...]
How Do We Teach College Students to Share the Gospel?
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, CSB) Recently when a number of college students were asked to share the gospel, they struggled to do so. These students are leaders of ministries, grounded in their faith, involved in church, and they love Jesus. Their inability to share the story of Jesus clearly and succinctly was astonishing. Some of the students shared about who Jesus was in their lives. Others talked about … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Overcome Disappointment in Ministry
We’ve all been there. We planned something for months and the day finally comes--and only 3 people show up. We had a significant conversation with someone in our collegiate or young adult ministry about a life decision--and a few days later, they're making choices as if that conversation never happened. Disappointment is a regular factor of ministry, but it's a topic we rarely discuss. We often treat it like a forbidden topic to talk about as leaders. So how do we deal with disappointment in ministry? I’ll be honest: … [Read more...]
One Action Step If You’re Struggling to Know God’s Will for Your Life
Surely most of us have looked up into the sky and asked the question, “What is God’s will for my life?” Generally, that question comes at the crossroad of some important decision. Maybe it’s about choosing what to study in college. Perhaps it’s about choosing between this job or that one in this city or that one. Maybe it’s about whether to marry the person you are currently dating. It could even be about whether or not to retire. So we have this crossroad before us, and we want to know if God’s will is for us to choose to the … [Read more...]
Why Your Time At the Polls Really Does Matter
It was senior superlative time at my high school. We had borrowed the county's voting machines for our oh-so-important elections and were preparing for the influx of students to come through the gym. As we were setting up the machines, a volunteering mother mentioned that she never had used one before. As she put it, "I'm not political." I'll never forget how those words rang in my ears. My 18th birthday and voting eligibility were just weeks away. Standing at the bulky contraption, I pondered my own "political" future. MILLENNIALS … [Read more...]
Featured Resource — Pray Like This
Have you ever wanted to know God more intently and invigorate your prayer life, but you just didn’t know where or how to start? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. Prayer is, without a doubt, the most dynamic discipline in a believer’s life. Yet it may be the most misunderstood and the least taught. Pray Like This, a new six-session study by Steve Gaines shows believers that following Jesus' Model Prayer will lead them to fall more in love with God and grow in their desire to engage in conversation with Him. Groups who dive … [Read more...]
Try the 21-Day Experiment
Disciples of Jesus know they’re commanded to share their faith. Countless resources exist for evangelism—including tracts of all shapes and sizes. I like some of them and find them to be beneficial in certain circumstances; but they’re not my favorite way to share the gospel. Here are just a couple of reasons why: One, it is difficult to summarize the cost of following Jesus and what responding to the gospel entails in a small booklet. Two, we live in a culture that increasingly does not possess a biblical worldview. Therefore, … [Read more...]
Friday Links
Here are some articles, blogs, and podcasts from this past week that you may find helpful as you work with young adults in your church and community. “Millennials Face Life After College, Finding ‘Quarter-Life Crisis’ Instead of Dream Jobs” by Linda Ha There may be some young adults in your group that have graduated from college, but have had difficulty in finding a job that fits their training and passion. This article discusses some of the aspects of a “quarter-life crisis” that many of today’s millennials face. “Leadership … [Read more...]
More Than Words
Over the weekend, we've seen images of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in communities across Texas. Our hearts break for those in the pathway of storms and extensive flooding. And if you are anything like me, you want to do SOMETHING. One key essential of young adult ministry is responsibility. Young adults desire to be a part of something that is a making a significant impact in the world. As leaders, we can miss out on a key component of young adult ministry if we do not provide ways for them to be a part of something … [Read more...]
Friday Links
Here are some articles, blogs, and podcasts from this past week that you may find helpful as you work with young adults in your church and community. “How Our Screens Diminish Our Empathy” by Tim Elmore There seems to be a separation between what is real life and what is seen on screen in our culture. Elmore examines how screens have diminished empathy in young adults. As young adult ministry leaders, this article should stimulate some good conversation. “Americans Increasingly Support Same-Sex Marriage Amid Confusion” by … [Read more...]
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