Thursday Thoughts For Parents: 08/07/08
August 7, 2008 6:38 pmPlease Pray…
August 5, 2008 7:28 amDHT Chapter 10 Discussion Questions
August 3, 2008 2:37 pm
Some questions for further discussion on today’s chapter:
CHAPTER 10: GENERATION RISING
- What does it mean to be salt and light? Is it easier to be salt (fighting against sin) or light (fighting for truth)?
- What are the “three pillars of the Rebelution” (p. 176)? Which of these is hardest for you?
- What is John Piper’s definition of a holy ambition? Do you have a holy ambition?
From the OFFICIAL STUDY GUIDE:
- Conner Cress’s normal life got turned upside down one day when he encountered pictures of hungry, hopeless children. Have you ever had a similar experience that changed how you saw the world? If so, talk about it.
- Do you see signs in your life and among your friends that teens today want to make a real difference in the world? If so, what do you notice?
- The brothers deliver a mission statement for rebelutionaries: “We are change makers who influence our world both as salt and light. That is to say, we influence our world both by fighting against sin, suffering and decay and by fighting for truth and justice.” In what ways are you already engaged in these fights? In what new ways do you think God is inviting you to engage?
- On pages 176 to 179, Alex and Brett talk about how we need character, competence, and collaboration to truly succeed in our endeavor. Do you agree? Which pillar comes hardest for you, and why?
- If you were to identify one passion as your “holy ambition,” what would it be? Do others know about it? If so, do you feel supported by them? How could knowing your holy ambition help you make decisions and set priorities in the months and years ahead?
Thursday Thoughts For Parents: 07/31/08
July 31, 2008 1:20 pmParents,
I’m hearing good things about a message Gregg Harris (father of Josh, Alex, and Brett, etc.) gave at Covenant Life Church on Sunday called Don’t Waste Your Kids, based on Psalm 127. You can listen here:
Worldliness
July 30, 2008 3:54 pmCheck out this review of C.J. Mahaney’s latest book (it’s a collaboration), called Worldliness.
Look for it in our bookstore this fall!
Laser Quest
July 29, 2008 3:23 pmDHT Chapter 9 Discussion Questions
July 27, 2008 2:34 pmSome questions from Sunday and some more for home:CHAPTER 9: TAKING A STAND
- On page 151, Alex and Brett explain, “a changed heart will result in a changed life.” [Whiteboard:] What are some of the changes in a teenager’s life that we should expect to see after conversion?
- Read the paragraph on page 154 that starts with “When we…” Describe a situation in which you took a stand for God and suffered for it in some way. How was God at work in that situation?
- What do Alex and Brett mean when they say, “the right thing, though hard, really is the smartest—and in many ways the easier thing.” (p. 155) What do they mean by this? Explain why you agree or disagree.
- The section on page 157 and following is packed with wisdom. Have you ever taken a stand for something that wasn’t really worth taking a stand for?
- Of the six steps on page 157ff, were there any that surprised you? Which one is hardest for you, and why?
- From page 164: Is there a stand you know you should be taking but haven’t? [Discuss at home with Dad and Mom:] Is there something in your life you know is wrong but continue to do?
From the OFFICIAL STUDY GUIDE:
- When Eva decided to live for Christ, she had to make choices that isolated her from her friends. Have you ever had a similar experience? If so, talk about it.
- Do you think it’s harder to take a stand for what’s right around friends who say they are Christians or around friends who don’t? What are some of the different challenges in each case?
- Can you think of an example of a Christian you know who took a stand on an issue but made a choice that didn’t seem wise to you—and perhaps the outcome wasn’t positive either? If so, describe what happened. Apply¬ing the authors’ principles listed on page 157, how could that person have made a wiser choice?
- Alex and Brett include a letter from a guy who mostly disagreed with the values of the Modesty Survey but admired how the site responded to critics. Do the Christians you observe generally deal with critics respectfully, or generally not? If so, how? If not, how could they improve?
- Is there a stand you know you should be taking but haven’t? What are you willing to do about it, starting now?
