Happy Summer!
Welcome!
As promised in an email on July 15 introducing Thriving Parents (attached below), this is the first email for the upcoming school year. I hope you find something here helpful in your walk with God and/or for your journey with your teens.
The Big Four Questions
We all need to answer four huge and deep questions that are a catalyst for Spiritual Formation. We would love for you and your family to consider and discuss how you answer these questions as we journey together at LuHi.
Who am I? On what do I base our identity? (See resources 1, 2, 7, 8, 10 below.)
Why am I here? Where do I find meaning and purpose? (Resources 5, 6, 7, 13.)
Is there hope? How do I find hope in the world? (Resources 2, 4, 5, 7, 11.)
What is truth? Is truth relative/what I think it is or what God says it is? (Resources 6 and 7.)
*Each resource below is listed with title, originator, and my description of it.
Thoughts on Spiritual Formation for You and Your Teen
On our journey through life, we are being formed, whether we realize it or not. There are no small number of influences that form us. I would like to ask you to be aware of what those things are that are forming us. Romans 12: 1-2 talks about not being conformed … but being transformed. God makes it clear we are being formed. The question is who or what is forming us.
Throughout my life I have wanted to grow in my relationship with Jesus (Spiritual Formation) but often struggled, a lot. I read books by Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and others on the topic, but always felt like a failure. Most books center around reading God’s Word, meditation on it and prayer. Recently, my friend and Campus Pastor at LuHi, Daniel Vanderhyde, suggested a book to me (Grace Upon Grace: Spirituality for Today by John Kleinig). In it was one of the most helpful insights I have received on the topic of Spiritual Formation. The book spelled out what I think is an incredibly freeing understanding of faith development. It is Prayer, Meditation, and Temptation (soul struggle).
Summarized quickly, the point is talking to God, digesting God’s Word on your own and in community (like chapel, church, Bible Study) and then realizing you are going to fail. You will fall flat on your face, but because the Holy Spirit wastes nothing, He uses those temptations, failures, and suffering to bring us even deeper into relationship with God. GRACE. Jesus loves you and He expects more failure from you than you expect from yourself (Brennen Manning). But He doesn’t give up (Resource 11). He calls you back. He might be calling you back right now as you read this. He has forgiven you by His innocent suffering and death on the cross. Talk to Him about it. Tell Him about your struggles, He is listening. Look to Him!
Fixing our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2 which is our theme verse for this year),
Marty Kohlwey
Director of Campus Ministry
Resources
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Ruthless Elimination of Hurry | John Mark Comer (A Christian response to “Anxious Generation” and thoughtful look at being discipled by Jesus and Spiritual Formation)
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Delighting in the Trinity | Michael Reeves (Excellent look at the key uniqueness of Christianity)
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Anxious Generation | Jonathan Haidt (Best Seller and Non-Christian research on what our teens are facing)
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Spirituality of the Cross | Gene Veith (Understanding the beauty of the Gospel)
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Upside-Down Spirituality | Chad Bird (Excellent and thought provoking look at Jesus’ unique view of the life we live. Very freeing)
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Making Sense of God | Tim Keller (Intellectual look at why Christians believe in Jesus, a favorite of mine)
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The Reason for God | Tim Keller (Excellent book, top 5 of books I have read, answering tough questions we all deal with and helps you share truth with those who are looking for truth)
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Prayer | Tim Keller (Great book on prayer … surprise:)
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Psalms | Dietrich Bonhoeffer (A dive into God’s prayer book)
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(Article) Biblical Truths About Your Kids Identity | Summit Ministries
https://www.summit.org/resources/articles/biblical-truths-about-your-kids-identity-how-to-help-them-thrive/ (Answering one of our 4 questions: Who Am I?)
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(Video) God Wrote Himself In | Timothy Keller Explains The Incarnation
https://youtu.be/-DADx_okCWw?si=nCCcgEeX4XsHWz8y (Short but incredibly beautiful video)
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(Video) Harsh Instagram Parenting Advice
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGEEn40Sais/?igsh=YXJ3NmcyM3pmNW93 (Some quick, solid parenting advice)
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(Article) Scottie Scheffler’s (Christian) Take on Success: “What’s The Point?” | ESPN
https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/45745697/scottie-scheffler-take-success-golf-point (... I know this is ESPN but please share this with your teens. This indirectly answers one of our 4 questions: Why Am I Here?)
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(Video) The Loneliness Epidemic: The Nintendo Switch Was Meant to Unite Us. It Didn't. | The Cultural Translator
https://youtu.be/refPuVnibZY?si=6JUkoybNACT5rrH0 (Thoughts about culture relating to your teen)
Thriving Parents meet on Monday nights from 7:00 – 8:00 PM. Here are the dates for this year:
August 18
September 15
October 20
November 17
January 12
February 23
March 23
April 20
May 11