| Home | Articles | About | Study
Guide |
|
|
|
 |
"When young adults connect their lives with the truth in God's Word, they can find the living Lord in their lives."
|
|
|
|
Introduction
Have you ever sat on a bench at the mall just to watch and listen to people as they walk by? During a quiet moment of a worship service, have you looked around and considered how God created such a diverse universe of people? If so, you are well aware of how they differ from one another as well as how they are similar. If you have not stopped to observe the young adults around you, take a few moments to do so during your next session with the young adults you teach at church. God has truly blessed you with the opportunity to teach, lead, and minister with young adults during this time in history. You have a tremendous opportunity to let God work through you in their lives. If you are willing to let God minister through you, lives will be transformed and become more Christlike. You can make a difference in our world! Why should you take the time to watch and listen to the young men and women in your group? They are sending you messages and signals that help you understand the way God made them. God created each one of them in His image and to glorify Him. In this sense teaching adults is an act of worship that is pleasing to God. In addition, God is teaching you how to teach young adults. He has given you this opportunity as a gift with the promise to guide you to be the best teacher and leader that you can be for your group. That is what this book is about. It is designed to be a tool for teachers in understanding the needs that God gives all young adults. This book is a collection of articles that provide insights in accepting and helping young adults deal with various life situations. Through prayer God will help you understand each unique young adult and his or her unique situation. With this understanding you can guide young adults to apply the truth of God's Word to meet their needs and solve their problems. When young adults connect their lives with the truth in God's Word, they can find the living Lord in their lives. When you understand young adults individually, the way God created them, you are truly able to let God use you in their lives. For example, when you accept that young adults learn in a variety of ways, you will understand that you need to use a variety of approaches to learning. With this understanding carefully construct your teaching plan to include a variety of approaches instead of one approach. Consequently, effective teaching that leads people to our living Lord is a result of a positive understanding of the way God created men and women who live in today's world. The Authors Dr. Terry Hadaway, multimedia designer, Adult Sunday School Ministry Department, Sunday School Group, LifeWay Church Resources and a member of First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Dr. Jane Hannah, assistant professor of pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, and a member of First Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee. Morlee Maynard, ministry coordination specialist, LifeWay Christian Resources, and a member of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Randy Millwood, associate professor, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, at the time he wrote these articles. He is now a consultant specialist for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and director of the Church Health Center, Maryland/Delaware. Dr. Jim Walter, professor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, at the time he wrote these articles. He is now the minister to median and senior adults at First Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida. Appreciation Many thanks to the group of Southern Baptist leaders of young adults who designed and guided the development of this resource: Alan Corry (LifeWay Christian Resources—Single Adults) Richard Dodge (LifeWay Christian Resources—Sunday School) David Fields (LifeWay Christian Resources—Marketing) Bill Henry (LifeWay Christian Resources—Collegiate Students) Gary Jennings (North American Mission Board—Evangelism) Kirk Kirkland (LifeWay Christian Resources—Music) Laura Savage (Woman's Missionary Union) Sean Taylor (North American Mission Board—Mission Education) Suggestions for Ways to Use This Resource As you read and study each article, consider the young adults in your group. You will not find pictures in this resource because we want to provide you with an inexpensive tool for developing your teaching skills. We also want you to think of the young adults in your group. To enhance your experience with this book, take pictures of the men and women in your group as a group, then individually. Lay the pictures on the table nearby as you read the articles. Or tape them to your computer. As you read an article, apply the discussion to each person. How does the information relate to him or her? Use the discussion to prompt a desire to know more about each person. As you reflect on each article, answer the "Here's a Thought" questions by taking notes on how the information applies to each specific person in your group. The more you understand each person, the more effective you will be in guiding him or her to our living Lord. You have choices as to how you will engage this resource. Download: An Adobe Acrobat version of this resource may be downloaded at no cost. You are welcome to make copies for others in your church or school. Or print out specific articles as you need them. You will need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view/print this version. Text: A text is available for $5.95 plus shipping (ISBN: 0633013811).
Call 1-800-458-2772 to place an order. Please allow three weeks for printing
and shipping. As you use this resource, send us topics you would suggest as additions to this resource. What you have now is a starting point, which will be revised as changes come in the world of young adults. You may send your suggestions to any of the Southern Baptist leaders of young adults listed on pages 5-6. Or contact Alan Corry (email: Alan.Corry@lifeway.com or phone: 615/251-2231). Leadership Development Resource Series This resource is part of a series of resources designed to equip teachers of young adults as they let God use them in the lives of their students. The information you will explore in this resource answers the who and why questions. Whom do we teach? Why do we teach the way we do? The what question will always be answered with the Bible. The Bible guides us in becoming Christlike in all that we do and say. It is our source of information that leads us to our living Lord. If you minister with all adults, you are encouraged to use the companion resource related to middle and senior adults titled Understanding Today's Adults: 25 Years and Older by Jim Walter. In addition, the following resources answer the "how to teach" question. You will also find administration resources that answer the when and where questions. All of these resources are available by calling 1-800-458-2772 or online at www.lifewaystores.com unless noted: Adults on Mission Baptist Men on Mission Collegiate Student Ministry Discipleship Training Family Ministry Men's Ministry Music Ministry Single Adult Ministry Sunday School Women on Mission Women's Enrichment Ministry |
|
 |
|
