Welcome to an exciting and inspirational week!
Here’s a preview—and an invitation to try a whole new approach to Christian education for youth as the new school year rolls into full gear!
TODAY—THE DEBUT
OF “BIBLE HERE AND NOW”
FOR CHRISTIAN YOUTH
Here’s a new, free resource for your church’s teens!
Yes, we know that many of our readers are not Christian, but the vast majority of American congregations are part of the diverse Christian family—and that means thousands of youth leaders are searching, right now, for fresh programs to engage and inspire teens.
Starting today, we are working with top Christian educator Beth Miller on www.BibleHereAndNow.com —a provocative, once-a-week, “open letter” to teens that helps young people connect the Bible with global news and culture.
The every-Monday series starts today. We welcome group leaders anywhere to share this material with your groups. You’ll be reading along with the more than 100 teenagers who gather each week for Beth Miller’s innovative classes at her home church.
Here’s how it works: Starting each Monday, we ask young people and group leaders to read the “open letter” for the week, posted on the new Web site. We encourage readers to reflect on the scripture for the week and the thoughtful comments from writers around the world. We want teens to wrestle with the questions for discussion. Then, the following Sunday, groups will meet and discuss that week’s theme.
Yes, we are welcoming you to pass around the Web address, http://www.BibleHereAndNow.com
And, Yes: If you wish, you can print out the articles or send them to your own youth group. That’s OK. We hope you’ll tell others about this resource and will return to add comments to the Web site.
To our readers from other faith traditions: This model can be adapted for your faith tradition and your own scriptures. If you try it—or you’re already doing something like this online—Email us and let us know!
BACK TO SCHOOL JOLT:
SHOULD OUR KIDS JOIN THE ARMY?
All this week, Dr. Wayne Baker also has a hot back-to-school theme at OurValues.org, the Web site that encourages civil conversation about urgent and often controversial issues in American life.
Kids and the military!
That’s right—and, get this: Wayne has a 2nd-grade son and found himself having to fill out forms this year authorizing (or refusing) to allow military recruiters to contact his child.
How about you? Are you aware of this back-to-school issue for families? Join the conversation at OurValues.org
LIFT YOUR CITY
IN PRAYER—And, Pssssst!
A MAJOR TREAT THIS WEEK!
We gathered. We prayed.
On TUESDAY, we’ll tell you about prayer rallies in Detroit and the Chicago area.
On WEDNESDAY, we’ve got Dr. Robert J. Wicks visiting ReadTheSpirit to talk about his uplifting, nuts-and-bolts guide to prayer that can make a real difference in your life! Don’t miss that.
HOLY DAYS COMING …
WE’VE GOT NEWS
And, A GREAT STORY, TOO
Ramadan is ending this week and millions of Muslims are celebrating the gift of the Quran on the Night of Power. Then, all 1 billion Muslims soon will join in the “Eid,” the great holiday that marks the end of the fast. In many communities, the Eid lasts more than one day. Read all about it in Stephanie Fenton’s “Spiritual Season” column.
PLUS, the same lunar cycle brings us to the Jewish New New Year! We’ll be marking the Jewish High Holidays along with our readers.
Starting THURSDAY and FRIDAY this week, we’ve got a marvelous, inspiring—and very human—story by Jewish writer Lynne Meredith Schreiber. Don’t miss it, whatever your faith might be.
Please tell us what you think!
This is a good time to sign up for our Monday-morning ReadTheSpirit Planner by Email—it’s
free and you can cancel it any time you’d like to do so. The Planner
goes out each week to readers who want more of an “inside track” on
what we’re seeing on the horizon, plus it’s got a popular “holidays”
section.
Not only do we welcome your notes—but our readers enjoy them as well. You can do this
anytime by clicking on the “Comment” links at the end of each story.
You also can Email ReadTheSpirit Editor David Crumm. We’re also reachable on Twitter, Facebook, Amazon, YouTube and other social-networking sites as well.
(Originally published at https://readthespirit.com/)
