C.S. Lewis wrote "There is the strange idea abroad that in every subject the ancient books should be read only by the professionals, and that the amatuer should content himself with the modern books... This mistaken preference for the modern books and this shyness of the old ones is nowhere more rampant than in theology...It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another one till you have read an old one in between."
I would also argue that this mistaken preference for modern books is rampant in Youth Ministry as well. I am trying to decide which books to use for a number of discipleship groups this year and Idon't want to overlook the classics. Last year I used both Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer and The Mortification of Sin by John Owen and our youth thoroughly enjoyed it. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd also like to hear what newer books you might suggest as well.
It sounds like your students read some good, heavy stuff!
ReplyDeleteJerry Bridges is an easy read. You could try "The Pursuit of Holiness" or "Trusting God"
I would highly recommend J.C. Ryle's, "Thoughts for Young Men" for the boys. He is a great writer and pastor, but there is a need for someone older to "interpret" a few of his statements. I used it with some college age guys and it was stellar! I also have study questions to go along with that book.
A small booklet that you could use is Stuart Scott's, "From Pride to Humility". It is a short, easy to read booklet that introduces pride and its many forms as well as humility. I also developed study questions for that.
As far as new books, i would recommend (especially for your environment of "church kids") Graustein's "Growing Up Christian." Great book for them to read, great book for you to arm yourself with to understand "churched" students.
-AC
I am working through "Dug Down Deep" by Joshua Harris right now, and am seriously considering using it for our young men's (20-30) bible study. It is a light biblical theology. J.I. Packer said in his forward, "A humbling, compelling, invigorating read."
ReplyDeleteHere are a few excerpts:
"If doctrine is only words on a page, it can be perceived as a bunch of lifeless rules or formulas. But when you see orthodoxy in the vibrant colors of a person's life - when you observe that person applying it with joy and humility - you see that it's beautiful." pg. 33
When speaking about obedience he says,
"They know the rules but don't really know God. It's possible to know the restrictions of righteousness but never learn to appreciate the beauty and goodness of righteousness. Of course the problem is that their obedience is not motivated by a desire to please God. Thy're not being guided by his Word. They're just conforming to someone else's practice." pg. 169
Two things to consider:
1) How vividly he describes his struggle with sin and the lust of the world, pp. 1-4, 96, 146, 150.
2) His views on the gifts. pg. 184. He is a self-proclaiming conservative charismatic, but does a great job striking a balance between abusing the gifts and abusing those who use the gifts.
May the Holy Spirit guide us as we decide what to lead our young people through this next semester.
-PS