January 2009 2009 New Town UMC Youth Ministry
Youth Newsletter Jesus and the Mythbusters By: Lane Palmer
Have you checked MythBusters out? If not, MythBusters is a show on Discovery Channel that basically tackles urban legends, internet rumors, movie scenes and the like with the scientific method to test their validity. One of my favorites was Shark Week, when they answered critical questions like:
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Can sharks detect a struggling fish?
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Does chili powder repel sharks?
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Will a pack of sharks ignore you if you play dead?
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Could you reach a shark's eye while inside its mouth?
These are questions that go through my mind pretty much every time I stick more than a toe in the ocean. Then there are other key questions in life that they examine. For example,
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Can you cut down a tree with a machine gun?
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Can you hold a conversation with someone while falling at terminal velocity?
And of course, many many myths are 'busted' - even though at face value that seemed to make sense. In other words, you definitely shouldn't believe everything you see or hear. Now, I'm for sure no Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, who use their great special effects training and common sense to help keep the story straight, but I have one myth that I would like to 'bust' for you right now. Here is the question for the week: Is Jesus Christ a mythical figure? Important question - wouldn't you say? If Jesus is just a made up figure designed to impose control and power over weak-minded fools, then I would like to know. By the same token, if Jesus Christ is a real historical figure, then based on what He claimed it would be sheer madness to simply dismiss Him as "another religious dude." Those that believe Jesus is a myth on par with Bigfoot, unicorns, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster base their perspective largely on the concept that Jesus Christ is a copycat Sun god who shares key elements from dozens of 'gods' before Him. For example, they point to themes like virgin birth, star in the east, 12 disciples, death on the Cross, resurrection etc. as the same storylines that have been attributed to many so called 'gods' before Jesus' time. So there never really was a flesh and blood person in the 1st Century that walked on water, healed the sick and resurrected from the dead. OK, so now we have our myth. But let's look at the evidence. The fact of the matter is that we have four eyewitness accounts of Jesus' existence that were written within a generation of His time on earth. The New Testament books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are considered some of the most reliable historical documents in the world. And here are a few other things to consider:
The Encyclopedia Britannica uses over 20,000 words to describe Jesus, which is more than Aristotle, Cicero, Alexander, Julius Caesar, Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed, or Napoleon. Sorry, but the pretty doggone smart folks at the Britannica generally do their homework before they use 20,000 words about someone who 'might be' a myth. Eleven of Jesus' disciples were tortured and murdered for spreading the message of Jesus. Wait - they would all die for something they knew to be a lie? The gospel message of Jesus spread from a band of 12 men in a tiny region of Israel to thousands of people across thousands of miles to Rome in just 30 years. Wait, an entire civilization being duped by an obvious copycat religion? Plus we have non-Biblical references to Jesus coming from Roman historians, government officials, and even the Jewish literature of that time. Wait one more time, the people that wished Jesus was a myth write about Him? Not a great way to get rid of a copycat Sun god - wouldn't you say? Finally:
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There are over 5000 historical source documents to support the validity of the New Testament, much more than any other ancient book. All the Gospels were published within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses, and yet there's no record of anyone ever proving them false.
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The Romans tried for 250 years to stamp out Christianity before accepting it as their state religion. By that time the books of the New Testament had been a published fact for two centuries.
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The Bible recounts a 6000 year history of God first saying He'll do something and then doing it. You know them as prophecies, and non-Christian history books document their fulfillment all over the place.
Why? Because the idea of Jesus being a myth is a myth that in my opinion is more easily busted than proving that a jet engine really can't fly a Chevy. The biggest question you should ask is: Is Jesus Christ really who He claimed to be - which is God in the flesh and the Savior of the world? This is a question that has already been confirmed - now all you need to do is confirm your place in heaven by trusting in Jesus alone as your only hope of salvation
Head: What you need to know about about this truth The Jesus Christ who is described n the Bible is definitely not a myth. He is God in the flesh and the Savior of the world. Heart: What you need to feel about this truth Feel confident that your faith in Jesus Christ is not a leap into the dark, it is a step into the light. There is more proof of His existence than any other ancient figure. Hands: What you need to do about this truth Bring up a conversation with friends who don't have a relationship with Jesus using the facts from this week's Soul Fuel. It's a great way to share your faith!
What expectations do youth have about attending church?
PRAY THAT: 1. You will be open to listening to God's voice in giving direction in your life. 2. God will clearly reveal to you the priorities He wants for you
45% - To worship or make a connection with God. 42% - To better understand what I believe 34% - To spend time with close friends 34% - To get encouraged or inspired 30% - To volunteer to help others.
3. God would put people in your life to “connect” with at church and to influence you and encourage you to want to be involved in church.
What do youth learn from their experiences in church? (top four answers)
4. You will model what it means to be "connected" in the body of Christ.
65% 62% 55% 50%
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Moral and ethical standards Relationships Faith traditions Personal evangelism
(barna.org)
MusicReview
T.I. – Paper Trail
Lyrics tell fans to be thankful for what they have ("Live Your Life"), and warn that fame can warp our sense of right and wrong ("My Life Your Entertainment"). "No Matter What" preaches perseverance and trust in God during trials, noting "[The] worst thing you can do is panic."
The album is full of profanity, sexual references, and drug references. It clearly deserves the Explicit Content sticker on the front of it.
Having pled guilty to federal weapons charges, Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. (aka T.I.) will begin a year-long jail sentence in 2009. Will it simply provide added street cred and fresh material for another raunchy, profane CD? Time will tell. For now, it's enough to discourage teens from following his Paper Trail.
Movie: Paul Blart: Mall Cop (releases January 16th) Rating: PG for some violence, mild crude and suggestive humor, and language. Starring: Kevin James Genre: Comedy Synopsis: A single, suburban dad tries to make ends meet as a security officer at a New Jersey mall. It's a job he takes very seriously, though no one else does. When Santa's helpers at the mall stage a coup, shutting down the megaplex and taking hostages (Paul's daughter and sweetheart among them), Jersey's most formidable mall cop will have to become a real cop to save the day. Discussion Questions: Do you ever feel like your just not good enough – sports, music, school? If we look at ourselves through the eyes of the world will we ever be good enough? Does God think you’re good enough? What gifts and talents has God given you to do His work on earth? New Town UMC Youth Ministry does not endorse any music or movies mentioned in the YouthLink. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what you watch and listen to.
January2009 January2009 1
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4 JP Deposits Due for Mission’s Trip
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* 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
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10 Adventure Team Trip
* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
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* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
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14 * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
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21 * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
* 5-6th Youth Group * 7-8th Bible Study * 9-12th Adventure Team
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to talk to me. I can be reached at matt@newtownumc.org or (757) 258-1072
28 * 5-6th Bible Study * 7-8th Youth Group * 9-12th Youth Group
New Town United Methodist Church 5209 Monticello Ave. Williamsburg, VA 23188 (757) 258-1072 www.newtownumc.org