Freebie Friday: The Blur

Here is a teaching series called THE BLUR I used it to teach my teens about themselves- it is great for yourself to learn more about Generation Y, culture today, and post modernism.
My Generation One - Statistics
My Generation Two - Cultural info and thought
Postmodern Blur - Post modernism in today's youth
The Blur - Life is hard and confusing but there is an answer

(If links do not work go to this site.)
okay, if you want the videos that i used in the powerpointe comment me or email me and I will send them to you.

Alex

Random Thursday: Man Law!

Today's random thought/resource is a blog I came across this weekend. I really liked the blog and some the videos on it as well.
The Blog is called MANSPEAK - I am not sure completely what the idea or the start of this blog is because their ABOUT page is not completed but according to the BIOS page, there are 6 young men who contribute to the blog regularly. As I have investigated the blog, the posts are focused on being godly men. They are reformed, believe in evangelism, and offer some great links and resources.
Some of my favorite things about the blog, besides the great posts, are the "Manly men of history" links to other websites ( Charles Spurgeon, Herman Bavinck, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, Martyn Lloyd-Jones,Thomas Watson)
Edwards, and their comedy page called MAN LAWS.

The Man Laws page is great. These bloggers sit around a table and talk about the most important Manly topics - coffee, tight pants, hugs, leg crossing, diets, and emoticons. I have posted a few videos at the bottom of this post, but go to the MAN LAWS. site to see them all. And subscribe to their blog for manly updates.

many ways to Share the Gospel

http://www.thejournalofstudentministries.com/articles/90/1/Tossing-Aside-the-Tract/Page1.html

I read an interesting article online today from Journal of Student Ministries Magazine/EMagazine I want to bring up a few points, summarize the article, add my own commentary, and ask you what you think.
Grant English brings up some great points but I think it is important to keep in mind that this issue does not have to be a false dichotomy. The issue: using tracks in evangelism.
The more I think about this article, the more think it more about evangelism theory and relational sharing vs initiative sharing.( although it is not what the author intended).
Grant says that "Most of our evangelism methods are filled with assumptions about our culture that are no longer true. Further exacerbating the problem is the manner in which these dated assumptions are trotted out. "

I agree that our culture is changing rapidly and the assumptions that cannot be applied the same way to the culture today, say like the language, questions, and style of tracks. But the tracks present the gospel message, and that message of The Word of God is always the same no matter what the culture thinks.
To every culture, any time, any place, the "assumptions" within the Gospel presentations are truth. All men are sinners, looking for true fulfillment. And the relationship with Jesus Christ, because of His sacrifice for our sins, is the answer for the void.
I will agree with Grant again, that our culture is desiring more authentic relational experiences. And as Christians we should engage the culture for Christ's sake and share the Gospel.
I'll go back to what I started with, "I think the article is more about the difference between relationship vs. initiative evangelism. "
I think that both of these types of evangelism are important. I really admire Campus Crusade for Christ and their emphasis on both and the balance between the two types of evangelism in their ministry. But I could talk about this a lot more. A great resource for this topic is a book called Witnessing Without Fear by Bill Bright.

Studying the Bible and Theology

Kudos and Props again to Reclaiming The Mind Ministries and their Parchment and Pen Theology Blog. This website and blog has continually provided solid material and great theology training. Today's blog. I am going to explain this chart above in my own words but first I want to send you to a free video from RTM Ministries website that helps explain this chart (Introduction to Theology workbook PDF File).
"...the process of how we go about "doing"theology... learning this process was the most valuable thing in all of seminary" says Reclaiming the Mind President Michael Patton.


I love this chart!

Technology and teenagers (part 2)

Gen Y and younger have live in an advanced society, too advanced - in technology and in lifestyle. Understanding the teenagers use of technology requires us to take a look at the world view of today's teen, because if we take a snapshot of how today's teenagers see society, we can better understand why and how they use technology.
With that said, the Technology and Teenager series will be an ongoing series. Today is just an introduction and brief synopsis. I will continue to refer back to this and feature more material that builds on today's post in the future:
The World view
I would be fooling, only myself, if I thought I could write a quick paragraph or two to briefly cover everything throughly I wanted to here about Generation Y world view. I encourage you to do some more research after you read my blurb here, check out future resources I will provide as well as others to get a more complete picture. And read books like Youth Culture 101, Engaging The Soul of of Youth Culture (both by Walt Muller) and check out his Youth Culture website.
For the youth of Gen Y, technology of the internet and personal computer advanced right to them. Adults older do not understand how all of the technology works, have not experienced them as much and to the same effect as the youth of today, and are not required to be apart of the technological pop culture as Gen Y is all allowed and welcomed to.
For Gen Y, technology is almost like a second life or second personality, not only do most students have profiles on social networks, personal pages, blogs, and or other community with other Gen Ys (or anyone), but Gen Y is collaborating and connecting more online than any other generation has ever tried or had opportunity to.
Gen Y teenagers might share/cry out their deepest hurts and pains on IM, on blog, on an online journal, or in a social network. They do not feel like they can share these ideas with older adults/parents in real life. This is their safe haven, or so they think.
The youth culture of today does not feel like they can connect with their parents and talk to them as they really can/should and parents want them to (but they do not). Parents are struggling today to keep up with and connect to their children. It is an awkward state.
Teenagers are getting all of these messages from so many people. They can relate to their friends online (other Gen Ys) who also are not connecting with their parents. In some ways,they are the blind leading the blind.


Technology Usage
Technology gives them the freedom to connect with some one. They can share their problems to one another, IM each other, complain about each of their own respective parents, they are learning this technology together. They are being marketed to. They make plans online. They have access to the world in seconds, it is a whole 'nother world out here online.
But like I said this is a very brief introduction. I have a lot of ways I want to run with this. But this is the beginning of more (hopefully) meaningful, meaty posts where my heart, ministry, and prayers are often.

Here is the first resources I want to provide, It is a teaching series called THE BLUR I used it to teach my teens about themselves- it is great for yourself or a big group:
My Generation One
My Generation Two
Postmodern Blur
The Blur

(If links do not work go to this site.)

P.S. - vacation in FL is awesome. I was at SeaWorld yesterday! :)