- If my question isn't worded well, the answers won't be either. The yes/no questions don't inspire great answers to work with. And if the answers aren't really deep--or they're all on the level of "I love poop"--then it's difficult to address those answers in the teaching.
- Students who don't have phones or texting can feel left out, though I make sure that the message is something that can address everyone in the room.
- This tends to be more topical in nature, as opposed to expository teaching. We've talked about doubts, the authority of Scripture, and suffering in the world.
- More students have my cell number, so more students feel the freedom to text me throughout the week.
- I've got to have my game face on. If students are asking difficult questions, I need to be ready to articulate a semi-thoughtful and loving response, even if that response is "I can't answer that right now."
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
ConText
Labels: Bible, Youth Ministry
Posted by Joel Mayward at 7:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday Movie Day Reviews
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Food, Inc. (2009): One of the disturbing aspects of American consumerism is its ability to keep us ignorantly detached from where our products come from. How did that shirt we purchased at Target travel all the way from China or Taiwan? Who made the $100 athletic shoes, and how much did they get paid for their labor? How is it possible that I can purchase a ripe tomato in the middle of the Arizona desert 365 days a year? Food, Inc. answers this latter question with terrifying clarity--it's not really a tomato I'm purchasing, but a strange modified shell of what a tomato used to be. Our food isn't what we think it is. It's less about nutrition and more about business.
Labels: Justice, Monday Movie Day, Movies
Posted by Joel Mayward at 9:25 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Friday, November 20, 2009
Faith and Doubt
There's a moment in Scripture where the disciples are hiding in a locked room after Jesus has been crucified. They're terrified of what the Jews will do if they're found to be followers of an executed rebel. Suddenly Jesus shows up, revealing Himself to his closest friends and followers. He offers words of comfort and sends them out, just as the Father had sent Him.
Labels: Jesus
Posted by Joel Mayward at 9:05 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Thursday, November 19, 2009
McCarthy and Fatherhood
The Washington Street Journal has a fascinating interview with one of my favorite authors, Cormac McCarthy on writing, filmmaking, and the end of the world. On fatherhood and morality:
I don't think goodness is something that you learn. If you're left adrift in the world to learn goodness from it, you would be in trouble. But people tell me from time to time that my son John is just a wonderful kid. I tell people that he is so morally superior to me that I feel foolish correcting him about things, but I've got to do something--I'm his father. There's not much you can do to try to make a child into something that he's not. But whatever he is, you can sure destroy it. Just be mean and cruel and you can destroy the best person.
Posted by Joel Mayward at 9:38 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Consumerism: The Musical
Found this video while looking for examples of consumerism online. I'm talking about the religion of consumerism with the junior highers this Sunday for Advent Conspiracy. Not sure if I'll show this video to them, but it's worth watching all the same. (RSS readers, click through to watch the video).
Labels: Culture, Funny Stuff, Youth Ministry
Posted by Joel Mayward at 11:38 AM 5 comments Links to this post
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday Movie Day Reviews
Labels: Justice, Monday Movie Day, Movies
Posted by Joel Mayward at 5:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Advent Conspiracy
Labels: Kingdom of God
Posted by Joel Mayward at 9:47 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Sin Pisses Me Off
I've recently been angered by the presence of sin in people's lives around me, people I know well and people I've never met. It's not just frustration, it's downright anger with the sin. I want to punch the sin in the face. It's troubling to see sin creep in and destroy people with its isolation and pride and blindness to the truth and love of God.
Posted by Joel Mayward at 7:00 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Back to the Northwest
We're heading to the Oregon/Washington area for my sister's wedding and to see family and friends. So blogging will likely be scarce until late into next week. It's Copeland's first plane ride, and we have about two million people we want to see in a very short period of time, so pray for endurance and patience!
Labels: Life
Posted by Joel Mayward at 7:03 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Baby Blogging
We dedicated Copeland in the worship service two weeks ago, which was an emotionally powerful moment for me as a father. He was all smiles the entire time. The heart of Deuteronomy 6 is my prayer for our little family:
Posted by Joel Mayward at 8:30 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Giving Well(s) at Christmas
Know.Think.Act. Well Video from Global Support Mission on Vimeo.
Labels: Justice, Kingdom of God, Youth Ministry
Posted by Joel Mayward at 2:20 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Monday, November 2, 2009
Monday Movie Day Reviews
Labels: Monday Movie Day, Movies
Posted by Joel Mayward at 7:00 PM 0 comments Links to this post


