Kirkmont Youth Newsletter

YS STUDENT NEWSLETTER #324

January 14, 2008

Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot

HELP YOUR FRIENDS WALK WITH JESUS

Before Jesus left his disciples he said to them, "go and make disciples of all nations." It was a command for everyone who follows Jesus. But what does it mean?

In "Duplicate This!" you'll learn the foundations of discipleship and what it means to make a disciple, and you'll be equipped to walk with your friends as they learn what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Learn more and purchase "Duplicate This!" here.
https://shop.youthspecialties.com/store/product.php?productid=581

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

Find a Christian bookstore near you:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/store/dealers/

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

GO AND MAKE NEW DISCIPLES

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
--MATTHEW 28:19-20 (ESV)

The world calls it proselytizing, and for all practical purposes, what they're referring to is not the right way to disciple someone. Jesus didn't tell people to go out on the street corner and slander people because of their sin in hopes that they'd come to repentance.

He didn't even ask you to argue with someone until he comes to a realization of salvation.

No, Jesus said, "Go." Go to all nations and make disciples.

Today, making disciples looks a lot different than it did even 15 or 20 years ago. People aren't as compelled to listen to someone ranting and raving about sin in the world and prophecy of doom and destruction.

We've moved into a time period when the general public is longing for someone to live what she says. They want to check you out personally and make sure you're the real deal before they let you into their spiritual worlds. Some people don't think they need God, while others are simply ignorant of the fact that God exists.

Some Christians think you have to be an old, wise sage to speak into the lives of others. Don't be fooled--you don't have to be 60 years old to start discipling someone; you can start today. Paul told Timothy, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things; devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:12-16, ESV).

When you set out to disciple someone, all you need is simply to be one step ahead of the person you're teaching. As you go through this book, each chapter is dedicated to preparing you to take one step forward. You'll have plenty to talk about if you simply look up the Scriptures and combine your reading with a little study on that particular issue.

Go and find someone who respects you. Find someone who looks up to you. Find someone who would be excited to sit down over a cup of coffee, or a slice of pizza, and talk about how to know God's will in his life. It's the most rewarding part of being a Christian, because it's true to Jesus' commandment.

**

Taken from "Duplicate This!" by Andy Braner, copyright 2008, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here:
https://shop.youthspecialties.com/store/product.php?productid=581

2. SURF REPORT

~ The Go Overboard Challenge: Share your idea on how to change the world, and you could win a grant.
http://www.burton.com/Region.aspx?return=/gobsite/ChallengeGrant.aspx

~ The Traveler IQ Challenge: For you geography buffs (or those of you who need to brush up on your geography!)
http://www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

Every year, Alaska has about 5,000 earthquakes.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

"In the Kingdom of God, service is not a stepping-stone to nobility: it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized."
~T.W. Manson

"Such a blessed people should be a thankful people."
~Cotton Mather

5. PARTING SHOT

If you don't care where you are, then you ain't lost.

*All "surf report" internet links and "potent quotables" are provided for informational purposes, and do not imply endorsement by Youth Specialties.