Barna Updates - A Free Source for Information and Analysis

Finding information about current trends in our culture is not difficult in our information laden environment. However, finding trustworthy information and analysis can become a challenge. One trustworthy source is The Barna Group who carefully and strategically tracks the role of faith in America.

Keeping abreast of Barna’s latest studies is easy through The Barna Update, their regular e-mail bulletin. Simply visit their sign up page, submit your email address, and they will add you to their email list. Each update contains a brief description of new research being featured on their website, and provides a web link where you can read a more in-depth article on their findings. A recent e-mail bulletin featured Barna’s finds on how Young Adults and Liberals Struggle with Morality.

The Barna Update is free, and has no strings attached. Subscribed today and stay abreast of timely information relating to issues affecting the spiritual landscape of our nation.

Recipes to Feed a Hungry Group of Teens -- Authentic Mexican Salsa

Snacks, munchies, and hearty appetites are a natural part of the youth ministry landscape. Just ask anyone who has worked with a group of teens. They will testify about how quickly growing teens can scarf down a plate of food and ask for more.

High on the list of youth snack favorites are chips and dips, and my wife’s original Salsa has become a youth group favorite. In this post, I am sharing the first of several recipes my wife has used through the years. Try serving this easy fix ahead dip at your next youth activity.

Salsa

1/2 small onion, chopped
12 slices pickled jalapeno pepper
1/4 tsp minced garlic
2 (16oz) cans tomatoes
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp chopped dried cilantro leaves

In blender, mix onion, peppers, garlic and juice from tomatoes. Blend until all ingredients are finely chopped. Add all remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate 24 to 48 hours before serving to allow seasonings to blend. Makes approx. 4-1/2 cups.

WordAbility: Books of the Bible Word Scramble #3

PowerPoint games can be both fun and a great teaching aid in discipling teens. The "Books of the Bible Word Scramble" series consists of six different PowerPoint games that covers on the books of the Bible. Click on the link below to download the third PowerPoint crowdbreaker in this "word scramble" series. . .

WordAbility: Books of the Bible Word Scramble #3

Please note that clicking on the link above will take you to Apostolic Minister's Resources where you can download this free PowerPoint game. You must log in (registration is free) to download this youth ministry resource. If you are enjoying this series of PowerPoint games, we'd love to hear from you. Post your comments below.

Previously posted WordAbility games can be found here . . .

• WordAbility: Books of the Bible Word Scramble #1
• WordAbility: Books of the Bible Word Scramble #2

and you can access more free PowerPoint games by clicking on the link below . . .

• Scientists & Inventors Trivia

Sermonideas-dot-net: An Online Illustration Source

In spite of having thousands of stories and illustrations, it seems like I'm always challenged to find the ideal story when working on a lesson or sermon. Consequently, I believe every youth worker needs an endless supply of illustrations in their youth ministry resource files. Here's a sample from a free online illustration resource that might prove useful . . .

Tightrope Walker - Faith vs Belief

There was a tightrope walker, who did incredible aerial feats. All over Paris, he would do tightrope acts at tremendously scary heights. Then he had succeeding acts; he would do it blindfolded, then he would go across the tightrope, blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow.

An American promoter read about this in the papers and wrote a letter to the tightrope walker, saying, "Tightrope, I don't believe you can do it, but I'm willing to make you an offer. For a very substantial sum of money, besides all your transportation fees, I would like to challenge you to do your act over Niagara Falls."

Now, Tightrope wrote back, "Sir, although I've never been to America and seen the Falls, I'd love to come."

Well, after a lot of promotion and setting the whole thing up, many people came to see the event. Tightrope was to start on the Canadian side and come to the American side. Drums roll, and he comes across the rope which is suspended over the treacherous part of the falls -- blindfolded!! And he makes it across easily.

The crowds go wild, and he comes to the promoter and says, "Well, Mr. Promoter, now do you believe I can do it?"

"Well of course I do. I mean, I just saw you do it."

"No," said Tightrope, "do you really believe I can do it?"

"Well of course I do, you just did it."

"No, no, no," said Tightrope, "do you believe I can do it?"

"Yes," said Mr. Promoter, "I believe you can do it."

"Good," said Tightrope, "then you get in the wheel barrow."

The word believe, in Greek means "to live by".

This is a nice story...makes you ask, how often do we say that we believe Christ can do it, but refuse to get in the wheelbarrow?

For this and other free illustrations, visit Sermonideas.net.