salvation | More Than Dodgeball

Josh GriffinMore Posts NEW! 10-Minute Moments Student Devotional: The Basics

I’m excited to announce that Simply Youth Ministry is releasing a new student devotional book this week: 10-Minute Moments the Basics. It is a 30-day student through the book of John that is perfect for foundational spiritual growth or new believers. Here’s a little insight from the product description:

Want to help teenagers build a lasting life of faith? It all begins with a solid foundation! 10-Minute Moments: The Basics will help students in their spiritual journey, whether they’re new followers of Jesus or have been Christ-followers for years. The truths in this book aren’t called “basic” because they’re childish or simplistic; they’re “basic” because they’re foundational and essential to leading a life that honors God.

Teenagers will discover a fresh understanding about God from the Gospel of John, one of the clearest and most-read books of the Bible. They’ll explore the fundamental beliefs and teachings of Jesus, and they’ll encounter a deeper of everything God has done for us. Each day’s reading only takes about 10 minutes—a great step toward building a personal habit of daily time with God.

JG

1 View Comments February 25, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts NEW! The Basics DVD Curriculum

I’m excited to let you know about a new resource that Simply Youth Ministry and I will release next week – The Basics: Foundations for Your Faith is a new 4-week DVD curriculum for small groups. It might be a good series for a new believer’s class as well. Here’s a little blurb from the official description:

The best coaches, the most effective teachers, and the strongest leaders all know this truth: If you want to build something that endures, you have to start with the basics.

That idea applies to our spiritual journey, too. The Basics will help students explore, discuss, and apply some of the core truths of the Christian faith. The truths in this series aren’t called “basic” because they’re childish or simplistic; they’re “basic” because they’re foundational and essential to leading a life that honors God.

Each week, your teenagers will explore key Scriptures that relate to these topics, discuss the significance of each biblical truth, and consider how it relates to their lives today.

The Basics is ideal for students who have recently become Christ-followers or for teenagers who are exploring the claims and truths of the Christian faith—but students who’ve been followers of Jesus for years will benefit, too.

You can order it right here!

JG

3 View Comments February 22, 2013

Josh GriffinMore Posts “New” Resource for New Believers

One of the questions I get all of the time is about what we put in the hands of new believers in our students ministry. We’ve done all sorts of things over the past few years: a Bible, Fresh Start with God workbook, Gospel of John, a Life Groups info card and more. But a new resource I want us to get in the pack right away is the book “New” from YouthMinistry360. Here’s a little clip from the SYM website:

When students give their lives to Christ, the Bible is pretty clear: They. Are. NEW! But what does it mean to be NEW? What does it mean to see God in a NEW way? What does it mean to live out the call to follow Christ? These questions can be daunting ones in the lives of the new or “young” Christ-followers in your youth ministry.

But don’t worry! That’s what NEW is all about. NEW: First Steps For New Christ-Followers is an interactive journal that helps students take the next steps in their new journey with Christ.

Looks really good!

JG

Add Comment May 17, 2012

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 142

Weekend Teaching Series: Baptism (1-off)
Sermon in a Sentence: Baptism is a step of obedience for believers and is a beautiful picture of Jesus’ death, burial and resurection and how He washes away our sins.
Service Length: 50 minutes + baptisms after each service

Understandable Message: This weekend we focused on the 2nd step in the basics of faith: baptism. I talked plainly about the who, what, why and when of baptism, using a few personal stories to illustrate it. We planned a shorter service so the students could go right out to the baptismal and watch a few students be baptized right there. We had online signups through the week, so we had a few students lined up ahead of time, and also made it available for everyone during the service as well. We provided shorts, shirt and a towel – we just asked them to get clearance from their parents – better yet invite them down to be a part of it. Really unique weekend, hopefully a good balance of heart, stories and Biblical authority on baptism.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: This weekend we had another edition of HSM Talks where the host Chris interviews our new summer interns. It was awkward and fun – kinda painful to watch – which means it was perfect. We also took the summer interns on stage and had them do the announcements – trial by fire since it was their first week. We had a good number of student greeters and students also ran the sound, control room and cameras.

Music Playlist: I Whip My Hair, Be Thou My Vision, Our God

Favorite Moment: Without a doubt the best moment was going outside and doing the baptisms we just learned about. Students cheered for their friends and family took tons of pictures. Each one had a story – a very powerful moment. Love it.

Up Next: Senior Weekend

Add Comment June 13, 2011

Josh GriffinMore Posts HSM Weekend in Review: Volume 141

Weekend Teaching Series: Salvation (1-off)

Sermon in a Sentence: A simple message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Service Length: 72 minutes

Understandable Message: This past weekend Taffy, our student ministry worship director, gave a simple talk on salvation and the need for us to be reconciled to God. You can watch a clip of his talk here. He gave a clear plan of salvation and a strong invitation to stand up if a student had made that decision or were recommitting today. It was a simple message with songs mixed in every few minutes. Good stuff.

Element of Fun/Positive Environment: We rolled out a new game called HSM Top Pick that allows students to play a “family-feud” style game where we could give simple prizes away for guessing a) the Top Pick and b) guessing all of the answers on the board. We gave away small gift cards to iTunes, Red Robin, etc. The questions centered around pop culture stuff like top musical acts and highest grossing movies. We had 3 proms this weekend, so attendance was light, but the crowd was fun and energetic.

Music Playlist: Rolling in the Deep, Savior of the World, The Stand, Love Came Down, Forever Reign

Favorite Moment: As Taffy invited students to trust Christ, I heard a student quietly whispering a prayer behind me. The girl later sought out my wife and let her know this was the 4th time she had been to HSM and had been saved. Best. Moment. Ever.

Up Next: Baptism Weekend (1-off)