Zach Zehnder's Blog, page 9

October 23, 2023

053: Jimn Kyles On Raising Teens, Praying for Generation Z, and What He’s Learned from Quitting All Social Media

Nothing is more devastating than a pastor having success in the pulpit but losing at home. Jimn Kyles always thought those two went together until a crisis forced him to drop everything and return home to minister to the people he loves most: his family. As a father of four teens, Jimn Kyles’ passion for Gen Z will hit home to anyone struggling to maintain faithfulness in ministry and at home.

   

Grow in prayer. Learn why to pray, what to pray, and how to pray in the powerful (and FREE) 21 Days of Prayer Challenge

Also to go along with the guide are daily videos right here.

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Unstuck and Unstoppable by Jimn Kyles

www.PrayforGenZ.com

Pastor Jimn Kyles

21 Days of Prayer on YouVersion Bible App

Key insights from the episode: 

Jimn Kyles’ quote on The Red Letter Disciple

One thing I never want to stop is prayer. – Jimn Kyles

I realized how selfish I had been as a Dad and pastor and chose to break that chain. I want to show up for something that has nothing to do with me. – Jimn Kyles

Spiritual warfare is prayer. – Jimn Kyles

Gen Z is lost because we have been focused on ourselves. – Jimn Kyles

I want to lead from a place of weakness. – Jimn Kyles

I wonder if Gen Z is lost because we were focused on other things besides the heart of God. – Jimn Kyles

80% of our thoughts are negative, 90% are repetitive. – Jimn Kyles

Jimn Kyles’ Challenge: Pray for Gen Z: Download 21 Days of Prayer on the YouVersion Bible App. 

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here. 

 Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 053: Jimn Kyles On Raising Teens, Praying for Generation Z, and What He’s Learned from Quitting All Social Media appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 23, 2023 21:01

053: Jimm Kyles On Raising Teens, Praying for Generation Z, and What He’s Learned from Quitting All Social Media

Nothing is more devastating than a pastor having success in the pulpit but losing at home. Jimn Kyles always thought those two went together until a crisis forced him to drop everything and return home to minister to the people he loves most: his family. As a father of four teens, Jimn Kyles’ passion for Gen Z will hit home to anyone struggling to maintain faithfulness in ministry and at home.

   

Grow in prayer. Learn why to pray, what to pray, and how to pray in the powerful (and FREE) 21 Days of Prayer Challenge

Also to go along with the guide are daily videos right here.

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Unstuck and Unstoppable by Jimn Kyles

www.PrayforGenZ.com

Pastor Jimn Kyles

21 Days of Prayer on YouVersion Bible App

Key insights from the episode: 

Jimn Kyles’ quote on The Red Letter Disciple

One thing I never want to stop is prayer. – Jimn Kyles

I realized how selfish I had been as a Dad and pastor and chose to break that chain. I want to show up for something that has nothing to do with me. – Jimn Kyles

Spiritual warfare is prayer. – Jimn Kyles

Gen Z is lost because we have been focused on ourselves. – Jimn Kyles

I want to lead from a place of weakness. – Jimn Kyles

I wonder if Gen Z is lost because we were focused on other things besides the heart of God. – Jimn Kyles

80% of our thoughts are negative, 90% are repetitive. – Jimn Kyles

Jimn Kyles’ Challenge: Pray for Gen Z: Download 21 Days of Prayer on the YouVersion Bible App. 

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here. 

 Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 053: Jimm Kyles On Raising Teens, Praying for Generation Z, and What He’s Learned from Quitting All Social Media appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 23, 2023 21:01

October 16, 2023

052: Steven Robertson Technology’s Impact on Gen Z, How We Get the 8-Second Attention Span Wrong, and How Aliens Can Help Us Understand Gen Z

Steven Robertson has learned through working with youth for decades what it is that makes our youth today unique and what the church needs to do to reach them. He insists that mentoring Gen Z is easier than ever; they already have the information they want. They just crave your experience and application in a mentoring relationship. Based on his book Aliens Among Us, Robertson breaks down the ten surprising truths about Gen Z today.

   

https://youtu.be/3jH1hGcFiss

 

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here. 

 

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Ender’s Game movie

Aliens Among Us: Ten Surprising Truths about Gen Z by Steven Robertson

https://stevenjrobertson.com

 Key insights from the episode: 

What has fueled my life is making a young person’s life better. – Steven Roberston

Technology is the reason that many generations flip. – Steven Robertson

 Generations and the Technologies That Flipped ThemGreatest Generation (age 120-97) – Radio and telephoneSilent generation (age 96-77) – ElectricityBoomers (age 76-58)  – MicrowaveGen X  (age 57-43) – Personal computerMillennials (age 42-28) – InternetGen Z (age 27-12) – SmartphoneGen Alpha (0-12) – AI

.

There’s so much content vying for Gen Zers attention. They’ve learned how to filter whether something is worth their time or not within a few seconds. – Steven Robertson

When the kingdom lands, this is a generation that goes after it completely. – Steven Robertson

52% of the world’s population are under 30. – Steven Robertson

Gen Z wants to be the CEO of their life. – Steven Robertson

Gratitude is a muscle that is underdeveloped in Gen Z. – Steven Robertson

Gen Z is the only generation that is mentored by their peers. – Steven Robertson

Gen Z needs application brought to the knowledge that they are inundated with. – Steven Robertson

Information is no longer the important commodity. – Steven Robertson

A G.P.S. (Guide Position by the Side), or mentoring, is the way that produces the most fruit.  – Steven Robertson

We live in a subscription model world: access over ownership.  – Steven Robertson

Gen Z has information, but they lack understanding. – Steven

Steven Robertson’s Challenge: Get into a mentoring relationship.

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 052: Steven Robertson Technology’s Impact on Gen Z, How We Get the 8-Second Attention Span Wrong, and How Aliens Can Help Us Understand Gen Z appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 16, 2023 21:30

October 9, 2023

051: Aaron and Hannah Barnett on What Gen Z Wants Most, Why Gen Z is Valuable to Ministry, and How Millennials Can Mentor Gen Z

Aaron and Hannah are one dynamic duo determined to change the world. They don’t just talk the talk; they walk the walk. The Barnett’s are walking that walk alongside anyone who has a passion for Jesus. With a heart for Gen Z, they are committed to showing others how to discover the wrong they were meant to make right.

   

https://youtu.be/uzt6UEJEKjg

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. We create resources that challenge all people to be greater followers of Jesus. Part of being a great disciple of Jesus is knowing how you are gifted AND putting that gift to work. So, how are you gifted? 

Spend 15 minutes taking our brand-new FREE spiritual gift test at www.spiritualgifts.me. After taking the test, email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com and let us know what your top spiritual gift is and how you will put that gift into practice this week!

Take Spiritual Gift Test

 Resources mentioned in the episode: 

www.generationdistinct.com

Hannah G. Barnett Instagram page

Aaron R. Barnett Instagram page

 Key insights from the episode: 

Aaron & Hannah Barnett Quote on The Red letter Disciple

God uses the most unlikely people to bring his kingdom. – Hannah Barnett

Every generation has a strength and a shadow side. – Hannah Barnett

Gen Z is extremely action-oriented. – Hannah Barnett

Gen Z needs permission from the local church to create. – Aaron Barnett

We want to build bridges between generations. – Aaron Barnett 

Gen Z is dealing with a new world: a fast pace of life, gender confusion, racial tension, and school shootings are new for this generation. How can we be empathetic? – Zach Zehnder

There is something so powerful about being in relationship with young people. – Hannah Barnett

I’ve been deeply marked by people being authentic. – Aaron Barnett

Aaron and Hannah Barnett’s Challenge:  Invite a young leader to the table and implement one of their ideas.

 Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 051: Aaron and Hannah Barnett on What Gen Z Wants Most, Why Gen Z is Valuable to Ministry, and How Millennials Can Mentor Gen Z appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 09, 2023 21:01

October 3, 2023

050: Jemar Tisby on the History of Racism, How Race, Religion, and Politics Are All Tied Together, and Developing a Plan to Fight Racism

When it comes to racial injustice, people often get caught up in the tangle of the diagnosis when what we need to pursue collectively is an antidote. Jemar Tisby is after a plan for racial reconciliation that goes beyond who did what. When the work becomes about people, everybody wins.

   

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. Pastors and church leaders, we create 40-day challenges that have helped more than 1000 churches produce greater disciples. Not only this, but our resources grow small groups by more than 40%. If you are a pastor or church leader, not only can you find out more at this link, but you can also request a FREE 40-day challenge mailed to your door there.

As you plan for the end of this Fall or even the start of the New Year, we’d love to partner with you and we have some amazing deals with our ready-to-go church packs. But, first, if you’re a pastor, get a FREE copy on us.

All 40-day challenge booksResources mentioned in the episode: 

Jemartisby.com

The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby

How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby

Pass the Mic Podcast

 Key insights from the episode: 

Jemar Tisby Quote The Red Letter Disciple

Race is a big part of history, no matter what you study. – Jemar Tisby

The applications, stories, and references in sermons were out of my cultural context. – Jemar Tisby

When studying racism, the root determines the fruit. – Jemar Tisby

Racism, religion, and politics are all tied together. You can study them separately, but they are mutually constitutive. – Jemar Tisby

At the heart of all this justice work is people. – Jemar Tisby

The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan. – Jemar Tisby

Jemar Tisby’s challenge: Go back and read the I Have a Dream speech.

 Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 050: Jemar Tisby on the History of Racism, How Race, Religion, and Politics Are All Tied Together, and Developing a Plan to Fight Racism appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on October 03, 2023 06:49

September 25, 2023

 049: Clayton Greene on the Importance of Advent, What Habits Disciples Practice, and Why Turkey Must be Served on Thanksgiving

Clayton Greene is passionate about helping people develop good habits and holiday celebrations that foster a relationship with Jesus. With the use of products like Advent Blocks, GratiKube, and the Sabbath Box, he is offering practical tools that help churches and individuals in their discipleship.

   

https://youtu.be/yf1Sm-dMfCg

 

 

Every pastor knows small groups are important, yet a lot aren’t too happy with where their small groups are right now. You can grow your small groups right now. That’s right. We have helped more than 800 churches grow their small groups, and it’s not as hard as you think. Our super-simple, easily-doable 5-step guide to grow your small group strategy is found by clicking on this link. 

church small group ideas super simpleResources mentioned in the episode: 

Advent Blocks

Sabbath Box

The GoodKind Podcast 

www.GoodKind.shop

Episode 47 Jay Kim Red Letter Disciple Podcast

 Key insights from the episode: 

 

Clayton Greene The Red Letter Disciple Quote

 

There’s a cultural Christmas, and then there’s a Christian Christmas. – Clayton Greene

Through Advent blocks, children will learn the whole story of the Bible. – Clayton Greene

Stopping to mark holidays is really important. – Clayton Greene

It’s necessary to incorporate into the family something analog, something that has a physical dimension to it. – Clayton Greene

A Sabbath box cues spiritual practice. – Clayton Greene

The location where you put your Bible will affect how much you read it. – Clayton Greene

Prepare for Christmas ahead of time so you are intentionally celebrating. – Clayton Greene

Clayton Greene’s challenge: Prepare for Christmas now. 

 Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post  049: Clayton Greene on the Importance of Advent, What Habits Disciples Practice, and Why Turkey Must be Served on Thanksgiving appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 25, 2023 22:46

September 18, 2023

048: Flame on Writing a Book vs. Writing a Rap Song, How Extra Nos Changed His Life, and Why Deconstruction Can’t Have the Last Word

Flame is back with a brand new book on an age-old truth. His new book, Extra Nos, tells the story of how that phrase, meaning outside of us, changed him from the inside out. His mission is to share that message of grace through the written word or song.

   

https://youtu.be/dofSIfPvE3g


Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. Pastors and church leaders, we create 40-day challenges that have helped more than 1000 churches produce greater disciples. Not only this, but our resources grow small groups by more than 40%. If you are a pastor or church leader, not only can you find out more at this link, but you can also request a FREE 40-day challenge mailed to your door there.

As you plan for the end of this Fall or even the start of the New Year, we’d love to partner with you and we have some amazing deals with our ready-to-go church packs. But, first, get a FREE copy on us.

 

All 40-day challenge books

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Episode 13 of Red Letter Disciple with Flame 

Concordia Publishing House

Extra Nos by FLAME

Audiobook of Extra Nos by FLAME

 Key insights from the episode:  

Flame on The Red Letter Disciple

Everyone is doing theology, whether they know it or not. – FLAME

At various points in life, we all wonder, what’s up, God? Are we good? Did I do something wrong? – FLAME

At seminary, I found an expression of Christianity rooted in the ancient church. – FLAME

God adds layers of grace, peace and assurance through the sacraments. – FLAME

We’re secure in what Jesus has accomplished for us. – FLAME

We can go to the church and receive a gift each and every week. – Pastor Chris 

I get comfort from the phrase “I don’t know.” – FLAME

When I was a kid, everything was black and white. The older I get, the more gray I see. – FLAME

God has hidden himself in our hands and feet. – FLAME

You can deconstruct in a healthy way, revisiting the early saints and church. – FLAME

Flame’s Challenge of the week: Practice resting.

 Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.  

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 048: Flame on Writing a Book vs. Writing a Rap Song, How Extra Nos Changed His Life, and Why Deconstruction Can’t Have the Last Word appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 18, 2023 22:18

September 7, 2023

Bible vs. Barbie: Where to Find Answers to Hard Questions

The summer has turned pink. 

Barbie, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, has captured the nation this summer. After I began to wonder if going to the movie theater would be lumped into the same category of long-lost nostalgic memory as Blockbuster video, Barbie has broken multiple box office records and people are talking about it. There have been nearly 7 million social media posts about Barbie this year, translating to hundreds of millions of post views. You don’t have to see it to know what I am talking about. It’s hard to escape it. Even if you haven’t (and won’t) seen it, you know people who have, especially if you are under 40. In fact, the most prominent demographic is Gen Z.

Barbie Movie Audience

So far, 47% of those seeing the movie are between 13 and 22 years old. Even with a PG-13 rating, many are even younger than that. Of that, 66% are female. Statistics show that many Christian parents are going with their kids to see Barbie. 

Barbie brings up important conversations. It asks questions that should be discussed as a family. And like good Christians should do when confronted with tricky questions, parents are rushing to their Bible or Bible app and doing a keyword search on things like beauty, women’s roles, marriage, parenting, and men’s roles. Here is where I get concerned. If this is how you search for truth, you will not find it. 

The reason is, the Bible doesn’t have a lovely verse you can share on Instagram that will detail everything we need to understand about God’s design for gender roles, identity, and feminism. At best, you will be left scratching your head in confusion at the verses that do show up. At worst, you will feel that Biblical teachings are outdated, irrelevant, or flat-out wrong about our modern issues. That doesn’t mean the truth is not there.

But you will find the wrong answers if you ask the wrong questions. 

It won’t be the first time. 

 A History

In the 1800s, church-going, faithful Christian people in the United States got very confused on an issue we have no problem answering now as a nation. Part of the problem was that they were asking the wrong question. 

Christians were asking, “What verses in the Bible say slavery is bad?” Pastors couldn’t pinpoint an exact, clear, definitive verse about slavery. They looked for a specific message that spelled out precisely what people should do about slavery, and they couldn’t find any. Things went from bad to worse quickly because people wanted a black-and-white statement that was so clear, no one could misinterpret it. But they only looked at particular verses instead of the Biblical message as a whole. No one found the wording that fit their liking.

Make no mistake, it is the clear message of the Bible that all people should be treated with value and respect. But because some verses detailed how to treat slaves, many pastors even made a case FOR slavery based on those verses. As a nation, we are still recovering from that confusion. The problem all started with the wrong question. When we face complicated situations, let’s ask the right questions. 

Rather than asking, “What verses in the Bible say slavery is bad?” a better question would have been, “What does the Bible teach about full humanity of all people, regardless of race?” When we stop reading the Bible as a whole and cannot understand its overarching message, we will miss the answers we so desperately seek. We can’t blame Barbie for presenting Mattel’s version of female empowerment. Barbie is just asking questions. 

I’m right there with you in this confusion. I want to open the Bible and have it detailed out (preferably in bullet points) precisely what it means for me to be a woman. What is expected of me, what career I should be doing, how I divide up responsibility with my spouse, an exact budget for me to follow, and how I parent my kids. Oh, and by the way, I also want it to be a five to ten-minute read I can do with my coffee in my PJs before I go on to something else. 

But my life is not a five-minute read, and neither is yours. The story of humanity on Earth and the Savior of that world is a life-long study. It needs to be taken seriously because, like it or not, we have been put here on this Earth with billions of other human beings, and God doesn’t want to keep us in a little pink bubble. (No pun intended!)

I’m not advocating for seeing or not seeing a movie. I am advocating for humble Christian engagement in a culture that’s desperate for answers. We ought to interact with the world: enjoy it, improve it, build cities, and help each other. God made that mandate clear to Adam and Eve; He continued to make it clear throughout the Old Testament. He loves this world so much that He came down and lived among us and then reinforced it when He sent us out into the world. The picture of heaven in Revelation is a city! And guess what is in cities??? People! 

 The Truth

Our culture is crying out for answers. It asks good, challenging questions, and Christians fail to answer them well. But they are all right there, in the Bible. We need to ask the right questions to get a foundation to stand on. I like to start with this: What does the Bible teach about the full humanity of all people?

Here is what I found.

There is a Grand Designer of this world, meaning there was a grand design. There is an absolute, concrete place we can land on for what should be and what shouldn’t be. (Genesis 1:1)You were made in God’s image. (Genesis 1:26-27)God is the ultimate authority. We will never fully understand His ways, so there will be things about God I don’t understand. (Psalm 8:4-8)All of us have messed it up. There is not one perfect person. (Romans 3:23)You are the object of the love of God. (John 3:16)Jesus is the sacrifice for the whole world. (1 John 2:2)People have different backgrounds, gifts, talents, roles, and responsibilities. It is God who determines these things. (Daniel 4:17)Christians need to take a stand and support marginalized people. Like Jesus and the prophets, we need to stand against greed, the love of money, and all forms of prejudice. The prophets and Jesus condemned those who oppressed the poor, orphans, and widows. (Amos 5:12; Mark 12:40)

We can be upset at brokenness. When problems like generational trauma get passed down, crises upset our world, and suffering goes ignored, we can be justifiably upset. God makes it OK for us to cry “No!” to the crappy stuff in our lives because we know how things ought to be.

The reason that many Christians in the 1800s got off the rails concerning slavery was that they weren’t looking at the message of the entire Bible FIRST. When we start asking specific questions regarding what people should and shouldn’t do without considering the Bible’s message, we will get just as divided and lost as the churches of the Civil War.

The overarching message of the Bible is that God made things right, but everything went terribly wrong. Jesus came and set it right again. Sin is a debt that was paid for by Jesus. You are freely forgiven because of that. There is nothing else you can do to earn that salvation. 

 So What Does This Mean For Me?

Our response is to love people by supporting the marginalized and offering biblical truth for those who are struggling. I will do what I can to show every person that they are worthy human beings and have essential roles to play. 

Maybe you aren’t going to dress up in pink and grab your popcorn. Fine! Or perhaps you grew up playing with Barbies and bought advanced tickets to relive your childhood. Either way, you don’t need a movie to tell you that things have changed in our world. People are wrestling with some big questions. Director Greta Gerwig references Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as a comparison to Barbie and Ken. I can’t help but think that if she’s searching the Bible for truth, is anyone there to explain it to her? Our culture is asking some challenging questions.  Are we, as a church, ready to answer them?

The post Bible vs. Barbie: Where to Find Answers to Hard Questions appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 07, 2023 04:26

August 22, 2023

047: Jay Kim On How to Stay Analog in a Digital World, What it’s Like Being a Disciple in Silicon Valley, and The Number One Antidote to Discontentment

Located smack dab in the middle of Silicon Valley, Jay Kim remains convinced that what people need is not just innovation but a restoration of analog. In an age where we all want to control our experiences, Kim stands firmly on the need for church, uncurated gatherings, and authentic relationships.

 

https://youtu.be/cFySlJqqFbs

 

Go deeper into leading yourself (and your church) to building the habits of Jesus, we’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Being Challenge.

Many Christians today aren’t great at maintaining the habits of Jesus. 

Even the most “mature” Christians struggle with opening up in community, prioritizing prayer, and seeking regular solitude. But that doesn’t have to be your story. 

The Being Challenge guides you through 40 days of practical, simple-to-understand challenges to help you learn, develop, and grow in the five keystone habits of Jesus.

You can learn more about the challenge here!

 

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age by Jay Kim

Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age by Jay Kim

The Social Dilemma Documentary

Your Undivided Attention Podcast by Tristan Harris 

jaykimthinks.com

 Key insights from the episode:  

The church is not primarily content; it’s a people to whom you belong. – Jay Kim

The wonderful thing about in-person gatherings is you cannot curate the experience. – Jay Kim

Every moment of boredom, calm, or idleness was fair game for the smartphone. – Jay Kim

Our addictions overcome and overwhelm our knowledge. – Jay Kim

The pursuit of pleasure is like running on a hedonic treadmill. – Jay Kim

If life is centered on pursuing more, you will always be empty. – Jay Kim

 Love, joy, and peace are the antidotes to discontentment. – Jay Kim

Most people think social media is free; if it’s free to you, then you are the product. – Jay Kim

Jay Kim’s Challenge: Live a listening life. 

 

Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We did an extensive study of everything that Jesus commanded of us and located 5 key targets into which Jesus invites His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! Not only will you get results back immediately, but you will also be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.  

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 047: Jay Kim On How to Stay Analog in a Digital World, What it’s Like Being a Disciple in Silicon Valley, and The Number One Antidote to Discontentment appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 22, 2023 03:00

August 15, 2023

046: Brad Lomenick on His Role Leading Catalyst Conference, How Humility, Hunger, and Hustle Drive Young Leaders, and the Sure Fire Way to Add to Your Influence

Brad Lomenick has a heart for the next generation of leaders and is excited about what they will do. But the lack of drive concerns him as he shoulders the responsibility of figuring out how to motivate the next generation. From leading the Catalyst Conference to pioneering influence among young leaders, Lomenick believes true leadership consists of humility, hunger, and hustling.

 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. One of our integral FREE resources is a Red Letter Challenge Assessment. It only takes 7-10 minutes to complete. 

 Are you following Jesus? 

Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. So we extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.

In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the following steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.

You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.

 Resources mentioned in the episode: 

The Catalyst Leader: 8 Essentials For Becoming a Change Maker by Brad Lomenick 

H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. By Brad Lomenick 

H3 Leadership Podcast

 Key insights from the episode:  

Brad Lomenick Quote

The average 20-year-old will have 15-20 assignments in your lifetime. – Brad Lomenick

Callings can change; assignments WILL change. – Brad Lomenick

A hungry leader has a constant posture of learning. – Brad Lomenick

“Be yourself” is a good thought but a dangerous lifestyle. – Brad Lomenick

I’m concerned about the hustle factor among young leaders. – Brad Lomenick

Those leading the next generation must figure out how to motivate and inspire young leaders.  – Brad Lomenick

If you are a ‘value-adder,’ you’ll create influence. – Brad Lomenick

A networker is transactional, but a connector is a value-adder. – Brad Lomenick

Trust is the greatest currency. – Brad Lomenick

Brad Lomenick’s Challenge: When God prompts, act. 

 Lead yourself (and your church) to be more like Jesus. 

40-day Challenges | 40-Day Discipleship Challenges | Red Letter Living 

For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.

They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus. 

We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.

When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.

You can learn more about the challenge here!

 

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here

The post 046: Brad Lomenick on His Role Leading Catalyst Conference, How Humility, Hunger, and Hustle Drive Young Leaders, and the Sure Fire Way to Add to Your Influence appeared first on Red Letter Living.

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on August 15, 2023 07:59