What can we learn from the stump of a tree? In this video we talk about how God created all things and give a few quick examples of why you might believe that. The New City Catechism question five asks, “what else did God create?” And answers the question with “God created all things and all of his creation was very good.” In future videos we will discuss the goodness of God’s creation and some of the challenges we have in understanding this view. If you would like to explore this topic more on The New City Catechism website here is the website http://newcitycatechism.com/new-city-catechism/#5 Thanks for checking out this video and engaging in this question with me.

In this podcast we discuss what Christians mean when they talk about the “glory” of God and how we “glorify” God. Audio is from the a video on this subject.

These seem like churchy words, and they kinda are. But that doesn't mean we can find meaning to this language as we explore scripture. We look into Ezekiel 1:22-28 and Ezekiel's encounter with God’s glory. What we learn is that experiencing God’s glory is one thing, and trying to describe it is another. The best thing I can say is that when the people of God do the works of God in love and harmony with each other and their community, we catch a glimpse of that glory. Where have you seen God’s glory?

How and Why Did God Create Us? God created us male and female in his image to glorify him. This is the fourth question in the New City Catechism and we are going to answer this question over two videos.How we answer this question of origin will direct how we sort through a whole host of other questions relating to our biology, our identity and our sense of self. Because of how important this question is, we want to give ample time to discuss the answer in our youth ministry. This comes from Genesis 1:27 “God created humankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.” (NET) This is the memory for this question if you would like to memorize it. But you can also explore a more full picture of creation by reading Genesis 1 and 2. Particularly for students it is important to know that the Bible helps us to navigate questions that pertain to biology and gender. The Biblical worldview sees the whole person (biology included) as sacred. Understanding our identity as being children of God, created in his image, helps us to navigate some very challenging questions. Here is the website for The New City Catechism. http://newcitycatechism.com/new-city-catechism/#4

In this episode I am helping our students understand the Christian belief in a triune God. Exploring the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to grow in our faith and in our relationship with God. It is also not an easy idea to navigate. But thankfully we have the Word of God to guide us and some amazing people who have thought long and hard on these topics.

Bible Verses to Explore: Genesis 1:1 The word used for God here is (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim) and is plural. But the word created indicates a singularity. We do something similar when we refer to a bunch of bananas. There is one and many at the same time. Similarly we have the God being talked about in both singular and plural ways. In Genesis 1:26 God refers to himself in a way that is more than one. At the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:13-17 We see the Spirit of God descending and anointing the Son, We have God the father speaking with authority from the heavens, and we have the Son being baptized in obedience. The Trinity is seen in the resurrection of Jesus. If we compare several verses we realize that all three members of the Trinity are credited with the resurrection: The Father (Acts 2:32,33), the Son ( John 2:18,19; John 10:18), The Spirit (Romans 8:11). Blue Letter Bible has a more comprehensive list here https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_1350.cfm

In the memory verse for this question also see the Trinity. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. Two people who I found to speak on the Trinity with a great deal of clarity are, Ravi Zacharias and Nabeel Qureshi. If you search either of these teachers and their teaching on the Trinity I think you will find it very helpful. We find this question also in the Westminster Shorter Catechism question 6. If you would like to do a web search for that, or check it out here

http://www.shortercatechism.com/resources/wsc/wsc_006.html

Asking meaningful questions of life is so important for young people today. I am so thankful that I get to work alongside some amazing students and families and be a part of helping students explore their faith. In this video we look at the question, what is God? This is the second video we have done inspired by The New City Catechism and this is the second question of that catechism. You can learn more at The New City Catechism Website at http://newcitycatechism.com (this video is not affiliated or sponsored by The New City Catechism). Memory verse for this question: Psalm 86: 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God...15But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (ESV). You can also explore this question further by reading the Westminster Shorter Catechism question 4. I am not familiar with Faith Presbyterian Church but I found their catechism page to be helpful if you want to check it out. http://faithparispca.org/Confessions/WestminsterSC.aspx?QuestionID=235&pageid=0&confession=true&q=Question%204%20-%20What%20is%20God

In this podcast we explore the topic of hope and how this leads us to find our identity in God alone. This is the first question of the New City Catechism which is a good resource for students exploring the Christian faith. If you are a student in our youth ministry this will help us in our group discussions. If you are just looking for good resources related to the Christian faith and youth ministry I am glad you found this podcast. I origonally made this as a video for my YouTube channel Pete Koenen - Speaking Up https://youtu.be/A22zAay8dAc

You can find the New City Catechism on their website. http://newcitycatechism.com/

This is not affiliated with NCC in any way, just me, trying to teach through some really cool topics and sharing what I have learned. I use the kids version of the catechism! You may also want to read a more expansive version of this question in the Heidelberg Catechism. 

Verse used in this lesson: Romans 14:8 “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (NIV) Ephesians 2:10 “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (ESV) Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (NIV) Thank you for being a part of this community, and as always feel free to check out the other videos I have made related to youth ministry.

The original video for this podcast was made for my youtube channel. In this episode we take a look at The New City Catechism and why it can be a good fit for a youth ministry. A catechism is a learning process that emphasizes the memorization of a series of questions and answers. I think you will find a lot of great questions within The New City Catechism as well as the much older catechisms that come to us through history. The New City Catechism is a return to some of the older ways of learning but with apps and resources that make it fit for today's world. You can learn more about the New City Catechism on their website. http://newcitycatechism.com/

This is not a sponsored podcast. Check out my channel Pete Koenen - Speaking Up if you are interested. Thank you for being a part of the community as I continue to make more content related to youth ministry. You are awesome!