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"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25)
DISCLAIMER: Due to the content described and my personal convictions, I have not watched nor read the media referenced in this article and do not plan to do so. The content gleaned is a result of reviews and research.
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At Youth Ministry's core is an innate sensitivity to culture. Yes, we are a people who are in the world and not of it. But there's something to be said about finding ways that cause the Word of God to truly resonate with our students through their own life experiences and understandings. It's a Biblical concept. One that finds its basis in the parables of Jesus and the sermons and writings of the Apostle Paul.
Some days, it's more difficult than others. More and more, as leaders, we are finding the truths of Scripture diametrically opposed to the messages expressed outside our doors. More often than not, when teaching, I find myself laying out what the Word says, then what the world says, and detailing the difference between the two.
Recently, there's been a cultural resurface of a controversial, decade-old book, now a hit Netflix series, "Thirteen Reasons Why." The premise is that the heroine of the narrative is a suicide victim, who laid out the 13 reasons and people responsible for the taking of her own life, prior to her death. This is all done via a set of 7 cassette tapes. Her story leads the reader/viewer down a dark path of harsh profanity, graphic promiscuity, lies, gossip, hate, and, of course, bullying.
The series and book have been hailed an "unfiltered window" into the high school culture of today. An unprecedented number of young people are consuming both mediums, perpetuating the phenomenon. Youth leaders around the nation are struggling to grapple with and stand against the message that's being broadcasted to our students:
- "Suicide is ok if it's an escape from bullying."
- "Evil is always someone else's fault."
- "Promiscuity, profanity, and gossip are just a part of high school. Deal with it."
- "It's your life. Do what you want with it."
How do we combat this momentum? The answer isn't found in an event, a game, a Facebook post, or a catchy title or series. It's found in what we can offer through the Gospel, and answer that is, ironically, 13 letters long—faith, hope, love—and is given in I Corinthians 13:13.
The reason we can love our students the way we are called to is found in the first 13 words of I John 4:10:
"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us..."
The first 13 words of John 3:16 tell us just how much God loved us:
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son..."
The 13 verses of I Corinthians 13, also known as the Love Chapter, deal with God's love for us more than they do the wedding ceremonies they're typically read at. The core message of the chapter is that God's love endures and gives us hope. Describing Jesus, the 13 words that make up Romans 4:25 take it a step further to show why the Love of God gives us hope:
"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."
The last 13 words of Jeremiah 29:11 display the thoughts of love God has for us, that give us hope. They are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
We could go on and on, but the key is this: The truth we're telling does more than the series we're selling. Being relevant in our presentation is good, but our young people don't need another Netflix spin-off Bible Study. They need to know that they are loved by us, that we're in their corner. They need to know that they have hope. But, most of all, they need to know that there is a God Who loves and cares for them more than they could ever dream or imagine, no matter what their peers or culture may do or say. They need to know that they have a purpose, a calling greater than themselves, and that their life is sacred, even when it's at its lowest.
The words of the world may give our students 13 reasons to die, but the Word of God has given them many, many more reasons to live!
Yours in Service,
Jeremy Gove
Section One Youth Director
gove.jeremy@gmail.com
302.462.1641
www.theGDYD.org
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NOW AVAILABLE! Official GDYD, Section One T-Shirts
Want to help raise funds for Sheaves for Christ AND get some sweet Section One SWAG in the process?!!! Show that you're proud to be a part of Section One of the Georgia District and buy an official Section One t-shirt! Imagine being able to wear a Section One shirt out and about or EVEN AT CAMP! We have several colors available and 100% of the profits go to SFC! Click this link or the image below to get free shipping!
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DON'T FORGET! HAPPENING THIS FRIDAY, 4/21, AT 7:30PM!
(at First United Pentecostal Church of Savannah)
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Sheaves for Christ Official National Kickoff // NATIONAL EVENT
April 17, 2017. The theme for 2017 is "Cover the Earth." The national giving goal is $6 million. Section One goal is $8,000 and 100% participation.
Section One Spring Youth Rally // SECTIONAL EVENT
April 21, 2017, 7:30PM, Savannah FUPC, 1735 Grove Point Rd, Savannah. The theme the rally is "Pressing Forward!" Bro. Ryan French will be our special speaker. Click here to view the event page on Facebook.
PROMise 2017 // LOCAL EVENT
May 5, 2017, 7:30pm-9:00pm. Life UPC, 1301 Pipkin Rd., Hinesville, with special guests, Nathan and Rachel French. The theme is "ChinaTown." Click here to view the event page on Facebook. PLEASE NOTE: This event is for high school students ONLY.
2017 Hyphen Retreat // DISTRICT EVENT
June 8-10, 2017, 5:00PM (Thursday)-10:00AM (Saturday), GA District Campground. Guest Speaker, Joe Campetella. Click here to access forms on the GDYD website. Click here to register online via Eventbrite!
2017 Teen Camp // DISTRICT EVENT
June 12-16, 2017, 2:00PM (Monday)-1:00PM (Friday), GA District Campground. Guest Speaker, Amado Huizar. Click here to access forms on the GDYD website. Click here to register online via Eventbrite!
2017 Senior Camp // DISTRICT EVENT
June 19-23, 2017, 2:00PM (Monday)-1:00PM (Friday), GA District Campground. Guest Speaker, Rema Duncan. Click here to access forms on the GDYD website. Click here to register online via Eventbrite!
2017 Camp Meeting All-State Youth Choir // DISTRICT EVENT
July 6, 2017, 6:00PM. GA District Campground. The All-State Youth Choir will be singing on Thursday Night of Camp Meeting. Practices will be at Teen & Senior Camp. Choir Director, Candi Walden.
2017 GDYD Summer Planning Session // DISTRICT EVENT
July 21-22, 2017. The GDYD Committee and Department Head planning session.
2017 North American Youth Congress // NATIONAL EVENT
July 26-28, 2017, 7:30PM (Wednesday)-11:00PM (Friday). Lucus Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. Speakers will be Michael Ensey, Tom Ellis, Sam Emory, Victor Jackson, Jason Staten. Click here to access the official Website for NAYC.
2017 eXtreme // DISTRICT EVENT
August 18-19, 2017, 6:00PM (Friday)-11:00AM (Saturday). GA District Campground. Guest Speaker, Victor Jackson. Click here to access forms on the GDYD website.
2017 SFC Offering Date // NATIONAL EVENT
August 27, 2017. The 2017 theme is "Cover the Earth." The national giving goal is $6 million. Section One goal is $8,000 and 100% participation.
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These resources have earned their place in this list becuase they are either free, affordable, or are well worth the investment. We hope you find these tools helpful in your ministry.
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You are receiving this email because you are either a pastor, youth pastor, or youth worker in Section One of the Georgia District or because you have subscribed to receive this communication.
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Georgia District Youth Department, Section One
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