Wide Awake In God S World

In an expressivist culture, effective engagement must acknowledge teenagers’ freedom to choose their own spiritual path. Yet, in an evangelical theology, faithful formation must hold on to biblical authority. As we seek to engage young people with the Bible, key questions need to be explored. Such questions include: how can pedagogical freedom be affirmed without undermining theological authority; and how can authority be asserted without diminishing personal freedom? This study explores a freedom–authority dialectic in theological dialogue with the educational philosophy of Maxine Greene. Greene’s reflection on the arts and the imagination are brought into conversation with insights from Charles Taylor, Garret Green, and Nicholas Wolterstorff. As a work of practical theology, the book concludes with a framework to shape the purpose, content, and values for Bible engagement in contemporary youth ministry.

To be asleep is to be oblivious to being oblivious. The danger of sleep is the danger of carbon monoxide: it's colorless and odorless, and you're anesthetized before you know it--before you ever hit the floor. And for the follower of Jesus, it's just as dangerous--because the Christian who is "asleep" is spiritually unreceptive. If anything will be our undoing, sleep will. In this thoughtful, engaging, challenging book, Rick James dives deep into the New Testament's teachings on spiritual wakefulness, calling Christ-followers to defy the darkness and remain awake as they await Christ's return. Because being awake--continually in prayer, watchful for God's will, expectant of open doors, cautious of sin, desiring to serve, eager to repent, continuously giving thanks, willing to witness, embracing of humility, overflowing with kindness, persevering in obedience--changes everything.

Now with exclusive bonus content from author David Levithan, the New York Times bestselling mind behind Every Day and Another Day. An emotional and politically charged novel that’s a must-read for turbulent times when the very democratic process itself is called into question and basic rights are at risk. In the not-too-impossible-to-imagine future, a gay Jewish man has been elected president of the United States. Until the governor of one state decides that some election results in his state are invalid, awarding crucial votes to the other candidate, and his fellow party member. Thus is the inspiration for couple Jimmy and Duncan to lend their support to their candidate by deciding to take part in the rallies and protests. Along the way comes an exploration of their relationship, their politics, and their country, and sometimes, as they learn, it's more about the journey than it is about reaching the destination. Only David Levithan could so masterfully and creatively weave together a plot that's both parts political action and reaction, as well as a touching and insightfully-drawn teen love story. A MARGARET A. EDWARDS AWARD WINNER

The alarm sounds. Your feet hit the floor and carry you into another day. But what does that day hold for you? Will you be punching your card at work, catching up on TV at home, and crashing into bed before you rinse and repeat the next day? Or will you dare to dig deep and discover the incredible potential lying dormant within us all? In Wide Awake, renowned speaker and church visionary Erwin Raphael McManus challenges us to put an end to all the sleepwalking and settling, for each of us was created by God for a reason. He has called you to live as Jesus did—a heroic life, void of monotony, teeming with danger, adventure, and the unknown. Living wide awake is about realizing that the world desperately needs you to live up to your potential. There is a future that needs to be created, and it is waiting for us all to wake up and get out of bed. The alarm has sounded, and it is time to shake off the slumber. It’s time to live, to create, to imagine, to dream . . . Wide Awake.

Research in youth ministry has excelled and developed rapidly over the last four decades. Youth ministry is not just a church practice, but has become an emerging academic discipline, with a variety of methodological, theoretical, and contextual approaches. This academic handbook offers an assessment of contemporary youth ministry research to assist students doing bachelor, master, and doctoral research, and youth ministry scholars, in their studies of youth ministry. By examining youth ministry research through the lens of the following five fundamental questions, the reader is challenged to engage with state-of-the-art theory, methods, and findings from current youth ministry research: • Who are the youth in youth ministry? • Where is God in youth ministry? • What is the purpose of youth ministry? • Who is the youth minister in youth ministry? • How to research practices in youth ministry? The academic handbook is a must-read for everyone who is interested in systematic reflection on youth ministry and youth ministry research.

This book is a unique contribution to the study of children’s and youth ministry, displaying the rich theological thinking that is developing amongst Australian evangelical scholars. Many of the writers have previously presented at the Youthworks “House” conference, which promotes “theological reflection for best practice in youth and children’s ministry in a community of youth and children’s ministers.” The themes explored in this book are vitally important to pastors seeking to nurture young people as disciples of Jesus. Thirteen evangelical scholars answer questions such as: How can biblical theology shape a young person’s view of themselves? What is the biblical definition of church and how does this shape our understanding of intergenerational gatherings, family, and community? How should young Christians interact with the culture around them? And how do biblical teachings on sin, grace, and wisdom provide young people with the resources to live in today’s world? You will be challenged to reconsider how theology and exegetical study of the Bible can mold your priorities, principles, and presumptions as you exercise ministry to and with young people.

Helmut Thielicke's lectures, first spoken in defiance of the Nazi regime, are recorded here. He covers a wide range of topics, including, ethics, politics, the state, war, atomic power, economics, sex and art. Revolutionary in their time, they offeran example of how Christian faith can provide a strong ground to stand on when living in the constant danger of death. Delivered during World War II when one after another of Thielicke's meeting places were bombed, the lectures were aimed at people who were not conventional churchgoers and were not accustomed to the language and premises of the church. They were people who had to be met on their own ground, and then introduced to the Christian faith. Thielicke had a unique gift for finding the point of contact and addressing the Gospel to this point. Relevant even to this day, his words remind us what it means to be a Christian.

How well do you know yourself? What do you think of when you think about God? Are you living half asleep or wide awake? Stemming from Laura's relatable storytelling, Live Wide Awake brings together two significant understandings-- loving who we are through the lens of the Good News and also knowing God through a close relationship with the person of Jesus Christ. Written from a fresh and honest perspective, this thought-provoking, curiosity-generating work uses pay-attention practices to engage with the Bible, God's Living Word. As a spiritual formation guide for individuals and small groups, Live Wide Awake is divided into three sections: The first directs our attention to loving who we are through self-awareness and acceptance, the second to knowing who God is and how His love transforms us and the third towards embracing the healing and wholeness enjoyed by those who know him intimately. This spiritual formation guide leads readers to live knowing that God is everywhere, can do anything and loves us like crazy.