youth bible studies

Made to Make a Difference with Max Lucado

For the past few months, our creative team at Bluefish TV has been in the process of creating three video-driven youth Bible studies with Francis Chan, Max Lucado, and Doug Fields. In early August, the studies released and it’s been so neat to see the final outcome. I had a blast writing copy, editing, finding real-life stories, and networking with some really great people on this project.

Made to Make a Difference was the Bible study we worked on with Max Lucado and his daughter Jenna. This study in particular is so unique as it challenges students to get beyond themselves and to step out and make a difference in the lives of others.

Here is a 2 minute glimpse into the study. I get chills every time I watch it. I hope you’ll pass the info along to anyone you know involved in the lives of youth.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSvCA_wXTU8&feature=player_embedded]

Man on the Street: Who is Jesus?

crossFor Bluefish, we recently did some man on the street interviews here in Dallas. The interviews will go into our upcoming youth series about the tough questions we have about Jesus with David Nasser. I’m working on host copy (the words that our host will say to introduce segments in the series). Mac Powell with Third Day is going to be our host (I’m a big fan). Mac and David are good friends and have done a lot with the Glory Revealed album together.

Here are some of the comments we got off the street:

Our question: Who is Jesus?

I don’t really have an opinion of Jesus I believe that religion was created to control the masses.

He was a dude lived back in the day pretty awesome he had a beard.

Jesus is a person that existed that continues to enrich the lives of people everyday.

I think that he is a pretty cool guy he had a peaceful philosophy I think he’s misinterpreted by a lot of people.

He is the Savior of this world.

I don’t know because I don’t really believe in him so I don’t really think anything of him.

I mean he could have been a real person I mean I am sure he was I mean I am sure he was just good at what he did or something.

I kind of feel that Jesus is a modern day scapegoat.

Jesus is God I think, yeah, I just learned that.

Jesus was a man from what I figure.

He was just kind of a guy with a really unique positive message that kind of gave a lot of people a lot of hope.

He probably existed but I don’t believe he was the Son of God or anything.

Who is Jesus? is the one question that we all must come to terms with. Our destiny depends on who this figure in history was. What sets Christianity apart from any other religion is the Resurrection. If all Jesus did was live on this earth, claim to be God, die on a cross, but never rose from the dead (to prove He was God), our faith would be pointless.

The resurrection proved that He was God. Josephus, a Jewish historian, wrote about it. Archeology proves it. Over 500 eye witnesses after his resurrection proves it. Disciples who turned from cowards to courageous leaders for the gospel proves it. Prophecy upon prophecy fulfilled proves it. The list goes on.

We just simply cannot get away from dealing with Jesus and what he means for our lives. He was either a Liar, a Lunatic, or was Lord as C.S. Lewis coins it and it’s a choice we have to make. Is Jesus fully God and did he die on the cross for me to save me from my sins? Do I believe that God loves me unconditionally, right where I’m at?

Who do you say that He is?

Review: The Trouble with Paris DVD Study

paris3We often live in light of the statement, “I will be happy when…” Being immersed in Western culture, we can’t deny the heavy influence of consumerism on our lives. In The Trouble with Paris DVD study, Mark Sayers communicates relevant truth to teens, young adults, and adults across the board in way I’ve never seen before.

Filled with trendy and engaging motion graphics and video, Mark hits on three main points when it comes to reality: Hyper reality, Reality, and God’s Reality. Most of us live in hyper reality or have been influenced by it in some way. This is the life we dream of where it’s all about “me”. There’s no work—only pleasure, fun, vacation… and no pain.  This is a world the media has created (in ads, shows, movies) and because it invades so much of our lives, we often don’t want what’s real anymore. We’d rather buy that product that will add meaning to our lives. But the fact remains that it’s still a plastic promise.

The truth is that reality is far from hyper reality. Life just isn’t neatly wrapped up like it is at the end of a show or movie. Conflict often lingers way after the credits roll and injustice, war, poverty, and death still exist whether we deny it or not. Awkward silence still pervades, forcing us to face the emptiness and loneliness we sense in our hearts.

God’s reality, however, is better. He has given us glimpses of heaven on this side of earth: genuine friendships, a wonderful vacation experience, marriage, laughter, the beauty in nature and much more. We must then place meaning under His reality. So to do that we need to have a biblical view of God’s reality and how we fit into His story.

Mark Sayers portrays God’s reality with creative, cartoon illustrations in how God came to redeem all of creation. I’ve never seen the biblical account quite like this before! (you’ll just have to see it)

You’ll do your youth, young adult, and even adult ministry a disfavor by not showing the truths in this DVD and then teaching from it. I am recommending this product to people who have been shaped by consumerism and the media (and that’s every American!)

Review any product you’d like on SmallGroupExchange.com and get The Trouble with Paris for FREE!

Youth Series’ off to the Press

This past week, our production team just finished reviewing and editing the DVD’s and leaders guides for the new 2009 Youth Ministry kit that will release August 1. After all the editing and reviewing, the kit is now off to the press. A lot of filming, producing, graphics, and writing went into the series so to celebrate Brian treated our entire team to some good Mexican food!

The 2009 Youth Ministry kit includes teaching from Marcus Goodloe, Sean McDowell, and David Nasser. Marcus Goodloe and Sean McDowell’s teaching was filmed in LA and David Nasser’s was filmed in Rome. All three of these leaders are extremely gifted and they really meet youth where they’re at.

This will actually be our third year working with David Nasser. Having the opportunity to go to Rome and film David’s teaching was a life-changing experience for our crew. David always had wanted to teach on the life of Paul in Rome as well so it worked out perfectly.

In the next few posts, I’ll be writing on what I learned in writing the Paul in Rome series alongside of David Nassser’s teaching. God really spoke to me about a lot of things as I was researching, reading, and writing the series. I’ve learned truths I’ve never seen before in a whole new light. I can’t wait to share them with you.

Our prayer is that all of these series will truly impact this generation of youth and that they will be challenged to live out their faith radically in a culture that is in desperate need of Jesus Christ.

Paul in Rome Writing Project

 I was asked today by Phil, our director of production and Jackie, our Senior producer if I would write the leader’s guide curriculum that goes with our upcoming video series on the Life of Paul in Rome with teaching from David Nasser. The study is geared for youth and will release August 1.

I feel very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to write on this video series and reach teens in this way. One, I love that it is based in Rome and is about the life of Paul. Two, I am a huge fan of David Nasser. He spoke often at Liberty University when I was a student there and the Lord always used him to speak to me. I also love that he is scripturally-focused and has a heart for the next generation. Third, of course I love that Bluefish is behind it all. Our producers have worked really hard on it.

I am excited to start plugging away at this in the upcoming weeks.

 

Filming Youth Series w/ Sean McDowell & Marcus Goodloe

This past week, I enjoyed talking to Phil about his recent trip to LA to film two separate series for our upcoming youth ministry kit.

Phil and Josh filmed Marcus Goodloe aka “Goodie,” in a downtown loft in LA. He taught on the upcoming youth series called Choices. Goodie is on staff at Mosaic with Erwin McManus and has a passion for leadership training, particularly to youth and young adults. I really love that we get to partner with such creative and brilliant leaders there at Mosaic.

Sean McDowell was also a part of the upcoming series. He encouraged teens in the series called Friends, which was filmed at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools. Sean actually teaches “Apologetics 101” and “Old Testament Survey” there.

I smiled at Phil when he said that he and Josh managed to fit in a Dodger’s game (actually I got a little jealous). Phil and Josh hung out at the game with Chris Seay from Ecclesia Church and Eric Bryant from Mosaic (author of Peppermint Filled Pinatas). They also ate good Mexican food at the same place Richard Nixon used to dine.

I’m really looking forward to the upcoming 2009 Youth Ministry kit. We have some awesome leaders lined up for the teaching and some really impacting interviews from teens. The kit will release August 1 so you can keep an eye out for it at bluefishtv.com.

 

Bible Study for Youth Groups with David Nasser and Bluefish TV is filmed in Rome

 A few weeks back, David Nasser and some of our crew returned from an unforgettable journey retracing the steps of the Apostle Paul to help teach youth groups across the country.

Our last project with David Nasser, the I AM youth group series with David Crowder and Chris Tomlin led our Director of Production, Phil Warner to ask about potential project ideas brewing in David’s mind. David said, “I’ve always wanted to teach in Rome.”

David’s response was taken seriously and our production crew and David packed their bags for a 7 day shoot in Rome, Italy. Rome would be the teaching location for the new Bluefish TV 2009 Youth Ministry Kit.

Standing on the streets of Rome, David taught about the cost of discipleship at the Tre Fontana (the three fountains) which is now a monastery and the supposed spot where Paul was beheaded. He taught about the “Roman Road” on the actual Roman Road (the Appian Way). He spoke on grace at the Scala Santa (The Church of the Holy Steps); the steps in front of Pontius Pilate’s house in Jerusalem where legend believes Jesus stood when was condemned to the cross.

David’s favorite segment was at the Roman Forum. He walked among the ruins and deteriorated remains of what at one time was the “center of the world.” David taught that no matter how powerful a nation may be it is never indestructible. “Ancient Rome can serve as a real warning for modern day America. Rome was the fashion, entertainment, military, and social capital of the world at one point (much like the U.S. today). But the one thing that brought Rome to its knees was its own arrogance,” says David.

 David’s teaching is scripturally focused. He motivates youth groups to venture deeper into God’s word and further investigate Roman culture. The 2009 Youth Ministry Kit for youth group leaders with David Nasser is Bluefish TV’s first teaching series in Europe. It is scheduled to release August 1. You can watch for release details at bluefishtv.com.

If you’d like to explore and purchase other Bluefish TV Youth Ministry Bible studies, visit the following youth studies: Teens Vs. Parents with Mark Matlock, Sex. Dating with Michael and Hayley DiMarco, and Revolution with Doug Fields.

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