Friday Review (9/11/26)
Each week we compile a list of helpful articles from other sites, in a variety of categories, for youth workers to read, reflect on, and/or discuss with parents and volunteers. If you have any articles you’d like to suggest, we’d love for you to share those in the Youth Pastor Theologian Facebook group. That’s a great way to bring them to our attention and to discuss them with like-minded youth workers! (Inclusion in this list does not imply complete agreement with the publishing source, but we have found these articles to be beneficial.)
Youth Ministry
5 Ways to Help Your Student Ministry Volunteers Win, Zac Workun (Lifeway Research)
If we want healthy volunteers who stay, grow, and lead well, we have to give them more than a schedule and a small group roster. They signed up to make a generational difference, and we want you to help them on a generational run.
With Arms Wide Open: Grounding Gen Z in the Gospel by Expounding the Apostles’ Creed, Andrew Slay (Gospel Leadership)
The problem is not simply the number of Gen Zers leaving the church. It is also that those who remain hold beliefs that do not align with historic creedal Christianity. According to the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, 67% of practicing Christians believe that if a person is generally good and does good deeds, they will get to heaven.
Biblical & Theological Studies
3 Marks of True Repentance, Matt Boswell (Crossway)
True repentance is more than simply acknowledging our wrongs and feeling sorry for what we have done; it is turning from our ways and returning to God with conviction of wrongs, contrition of heart, and confession of sin. In doing so, we receive the abundant mercy of God in Christ.
Does Hell Actually Exist? Why Would a Good God Send People There?, Huey Lee (Rooted)
A student in my youth group once shared with me: “I can’t believe in a God who sends people to hell. I have friends who are Muslim, Jewish, agnostic, and they are genuinely good people. I can’t accept that they’re condemned just because they don’t believe in Jesus.”
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Music as Map and Mirror: A 3(D) Look at Ella Langley’s “Be Her”, Walt Mueller (CPYU)
My just-turned-13-year-old-grandaughter is like most girls her age, obsessed with the music of the 27-year-old singer who at one time earlier this year had 15. . . yes 15! . . . of her songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the same time. And so, I began listening. Truth be told, Langley’s music is quite catchy. . . so much so that even this non-country-music-fan was intrigued by the singer’s music, lyrics, and sudden rise to popularity.
Pastoral Ministry
True Power and True Prayer, Charles Spurgeon (For the Church)
Brethren, do you believe in prayer? I know you pray because you are God’s people; but do you believe in the power of prayer? There are a great many Christians that do not, they think it is a good thing, and they believe that sometimes it does wonders; but they do not think that prayer, real prayer, is always successful.
Alternatives to Structuring a Sermon Around a Big Idea, Mikey Lynch (TGC Australia)
While structuring a sermon around a big idea is a very effective approach to writing a sermon, it is not the only faithful one. There are other structures that can facilitate a coherent and dynamic sermon, where a big idea is not the dominant organising principle. Some of these structures also better suit the natural abilities of a preacher and the main ways they order their own thinking.
Remember the Sabbath: Four Reminders for Achievement Addicts, Kelly Needham (Revive Our Hearts)
Imagine how strange this command must have felt to a group of slaves. Hard labor is their life. It’s all they know. Now God has told them to take a day off. Not just once a year, but every week. Is it any wonder some still went out to gather manna on that first Sabbath day?
Family & Parents
Parenting is More Than Kid Management, Sean McGever (Substack)
There is a vast difference between the Prodigal Father and the Prodigal Manager. The Prodigal Manager renegotiates the employment contract, invites the team to Chili’s for lunch on Friday, and says he looks forward to seeing everyone again on Monday at 8AM. The Prodigal Father runs to his son, throws his arms around him, kisses him, restores him, gives him a robe, family ring, shoes, celebrates with the family feast, and so begins the rest of their life together.
The Present, Willing, and Repentant Parent, Rebekah Hannah (New Growth Press)
In today’s world, the idea of keeping our children cocooned away from all negative cultural influences just isn’t an easy option any longer. Our kids see and hear things that I wouldn’t typically let a child take in. Even if we tightly regulate their access to technology and social media, messages will be bombarding them constantly from friends, school, billboards, commercials, and grocery store aisles. It’s the plight of every parent for every kid.
From YPT this week
How I’m Teaching the Psalms, Cody Cagle
The Psalms cover the entire range of human emotion, and they can model how to express our feelings, while learning to trust God even when navigating difficult circumstances. Here’s how I’m teaching them to youth.
Note: The YPT Podcast returns this coming Tuesday! Subscribe on your preferred podcasting platform, but make sure you search “Youth Pastor Theologian Podcast” since there are a million YPT’s.
