Ancestors--New Small Group Study

This Sunday our youth ministry will begin a new small group series called: "Ancestors: The Old Testament." We will be looking at the faithfulness (and messiness) of several key figures of the Old Testament. More importantly, we will see God's faithfulness and grace despite the flaws of his people. And hopefully we will begin to see that we are a part God's redemptive story as well. 

We are using a curriculum from Spark House. Our student ministry did adjust the curriculum some, but overall Spark House has some amazing resources. Their videos are very well done. Below is an example.

Session 1 Adam and Eve

    The Lovable Mess-Ups

Session 2 Noah

    The Obedient Eccentric

Session 3 Abraham and Sarah

    The Ordinary Patriarchs

Session 4 Moses

    The Frustrated Leader

Session 5 Deborah

    The Exasperated Matriarch

Session 6 David

    The Flawed and Beloved King

Session 7 Elijah

   The Get-R-Done Prophet

Session 8 Daniel

    The Invincible Visionary

Thank You...

Last week my wife and I had the amazing opportunity to visit the Holy Land (I will write about that more later). The trip required that I would be absent from the church for 10 days. Fortunately, I have an amazing youth team who held down the fort while I was gone. They kept the ministry going (maybe my presence isn't THAT important after all).    :)

They are a great team of youth workers and I am very thankful for them. I am very thankful to everyone who invests in the lives of young people...volunteers and employees alike.

Thank you for serving youth...in the midst of your already busy schedules.

Thank you for loving youth...who are sometimes difficult to love.

Thank you for following Jesus...even when it doesn't make sense.

(An old Youth Specialties video called "Youth Ministry Is...")

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Here is a great video we used in one of our Advent Services. This is my favorite Christmas hymn as well.

Christmas Remix

Funny video done by the youth team at Saddleback. This is a remix for Drake's song "Forever." If you don't know who Drake is then you are too old to watch this video. 

Funny Christmas Pics

Here are some funny pics...hope you enjoy!

Don't Mess with Saint Nick

Two interesting facts about the original Old Saint Nick who inspired the tradition of Santa Claus. 

1. Nicholas accepted Christ at an early age and was the Bishop of Myra in the fourth century. While serving as bishop, he learned of three girls who were going to be sold into slavery by there father due to money issues. Saint Nick ransomed the three girls by tossing three bags of gold through the family's window. 

2. An even cooler story has to do with what Saint Nick did at the Council of Nicaea. Numerous bishops were debating about the Trinity. Another bishop, Arius, was fiercely opposed to the idea of the Trinity and continued to debate his point. Eventually, good ol' Saint Nick became so angry that he got up and slapped Arius in the face! Saint Nick apologized, but he and other bishops won the debate.

Moral of the story. Saint Nick is a nice and jolly guy, but don't push him too far. So in honor of Christmas this year, I'm going to slap someone I disagree with. Just kidding...but seriously.  

Nerds Unite: The Hobbit is Here!

I fully own my nerdiness on this...but I cannot wait to see the Hobbit this weekend! I even re-read the book in anticipation. Don't make fun of me.

Advent Info

Here is a quick break down describing the season of Advent. Enjoy!