In a survey of American churchgoers, 49% say their church needs to become more ethnically diverse, including 18% who strongly agree. At the same time, nearly 7 in 10 say their church is doing enough to be ethnically diverse (69%).

Age and gender are also factors in a person’s perception of ethnic diversity in the church. The youngest adult churchgoers—those age 18-34 (63%) and 35-49 (63%)—are more likely than those 50-64 (46%) and over 65 (33%) to agree their church needs to become more ethnically diverse. And females (65%) are less likely than males (73%) to say their church is doing enough to be ethnically diverse.

Younger pastors—18-44 (47%) and 45-54 (47%)—and those in the West (54%) are among the most likely to say that in the last week they’ve had a meal with a small group that included someone of a different ethnicity. Pastors with no college degree (29%) and pastors of churches with attendance fewer than 50 (32%) are the least likely to say they’ve done so in the last week. And pastors of the smallest churches (11%), African American pastors (15%) and mainline pastors (10%) are the most likely to say it’s been more than a year since they’ve had dinner with someone of a different ethnicity in a small group setting.

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• PowerPoint and ProPresenter background slides
• PPT templates (HD/SD)
• HD 1080p videos: 5-min countdown, motion background loops
• PDF exterior shells for church bulletins and worship guides
• Hi-res master logo/graphics for banners, flyers, inserts, and promos

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Summary:

The Bible has many very important ‘buts’ in it. A big ‘but’ can change everything. Here are some of them:

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:8 “BUT God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. BUT perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

1 Peter 3:13-14 “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? BUT even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.”

Psalm 73:26 “My flesh and my heart may fail, BUT God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Proverbs 17:9 “He who covers over an offense promotes love, BUT whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue BUT with actions and in truth.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, BUT God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.”

Matthew 6:33 “BUT seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Galatians 5: 22-23 “BUT the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Genesis 50:20 “You intended to harm me, BUT God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, BUT whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

2 Peter 1:16 “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, BUT we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, BUT be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is… His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Proverbs 18:24 “A man of many companions may come to ruin, BUT there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Matthew 6:19-20 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. BUT store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, will enter the kingdom of heaven, BUT only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, BUT a fool is consumed by his own lips.”

The post Biggest BUTS of the Bible appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.

• PSD and PNG logo file for custom editing
• PDF exterior shell for church bulletins and worship guides
• PowerPoint template and ProPresenter slides
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• Sample teaching outline with message titles/themes (Book of Judges)

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In life it’s easy to get caught up in playing for the approval and the opinions of others, but in the end, it’s not our scoffers or critics by whom we will be judged, only God. This book offers 52 weekly devotions for what it looks like to play for an audience One—to seek first the approval of God over all other voices and influences in our lives.

This doesn’t mean you have no affinity or accountability to your teammates, coaches, family members, or neighbors. Playing for the audience of One means those relationships will be more deeply impacted by the fact that you are playing for a bigger purpose—the chief aim being to please your God and bring Him alone the glory in your life. Playing for an audience of One means you will bring honor to your godly leaders, while ignoring the critics, the haters, and those who are not in your corner. It will even entail overcoming your most difficult opponent: yourself (your fears, your insecurities, your doubts, your lack of confidence). None of these need to get the final word in your performance or the spiritual marathon you are running. By playing for an audience of One, you choose to put God first over all others, including those inner voices that speak contrary to God’s best intentions and His ultimate reign over your life.

Each devo comes with a prayer and questions for personal reflection or group discussion, fitting for athletes, coaches, parents of athletes, and sports ministry leaders who work with athletes. The format of the devos also work well for fostering devotional times and gospel sharing at sports camps/clinics during mission trips.

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Throughout scripture we find God calling out “Playmakers” to make a difference in their world. Nowhere in the Gospels do we see Jesus calling his disciples to partial obedience or halfhearted devotion. Playmakers are those who give everything they have and leave it all on the field to change the game for others.

This graphics kit is fitting for a sports camp theme, sports ministry teaching concept, youth camps, VBS theme, Bible camp theme, young adult Bible study theme, Super Bowl outreach, or church sermon series theme.

Contents:

• PSD and PNG logo file for custom editing

• PDF exterior shell for church bulletins and worship guides

• PowerPoint template and ProPresenter slides

• 4K hi-def graphics for banners, flyers, inserts, and promos

• Cutsom banner for website and/or social media platforms

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Summary: BE THE GAME CHANGER graphics kit is fitting for a sports camp theme, sports ministry teaching concept, youth camps, VBS theme, Bible camp theme, young adult Bible study theme, or church sermon series theme.

Contents:

• PSD and PNG logo files for custom editing
• 4-K PowerPoint template and ProPresenter backgrounds
• Hi-res graphics for banners, flyers, inserts, and promos
• Custom internet graphic for website and/or social media platforms
• 2-color T-shirt template

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VBS Curriculum: KING DAVID “A Different Kind”

This Bible camp theme and VBS curriculum is based on the Old Testament story of David. His story teaches us that when God wants to use someone for a great purpose, He doesn’t choose them based on outward appearances, He looks at their heart. David was a “different kind” of teenager, soldier, musician, friend, servant, and leader. Though he was imperfect and made many mistakes in his life, he sets an example of overcoming evil with good. This curriculum focuses on his early life and how it ultimately points to a “different kind” of love and the new life we find in Jesus. 

This resource was designed as a camp curriculum for children 8-12 years of age but can also serve as a VBS theme, a 5-week Sunday morning children’s ministry teaching series, Sunday School curriculum, Backyard Bible club, or kids’ sports camp curriculum. Each lesson has a “Gospel Connection” connecting David to Jesus and what that means for us.

• (DAY ONE) A Different Kind of Heart
  
• (DAY TWO) A Different Kind of Courage
  
• (DAY THREE) A Different Kind of King
  
• (DAY FOUR) A Different Kind of Love
  
• (DAY FIVE) A Different Kind of Life
  

Includes:

• Lesson Guides (5 Sessions)
• Inductive Bible Study Questions
• Group & Team Building Activities
• Object Lessons & Illustrations
• Craft Ideas & Music Playlist (*Links)
• Printable Handouts (Talk Sheets)
• Logo Files & 4K Media Graphics
• T-Shirt Logo Design

*Contents does not include craft supplies or music audio files, just craft ideas with links to suggested materials as well as a short playlist of ideal songs to go with each daily lesson theme.

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David is one of the Bible’s most powerful characters… flawed, incredibly human, yet called “a man after God’s own heart.”

We can learn a lot from the life of David. In Hebrew, the name David means “beloved.” David was born in 1040 BC, and was the youngest son of Jesse (1 Samuel 16:10-11). He is described as handsome and ruddy with beautiful eyes (1 Samuel 16:12). He was anointed as a boy to be God’s chosen king by the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel. 16:13), and from that day forward, the Holy Spirit remained with him for the rest of his life.

David started life as a shepherd-boy. He quickly grew into a brave teenager who protected his flock from hungry lions. He defeated a giant named Goliath when all the King’s soldiers were too scared to fight. He was very musical, playing a harp, the nearest thing they had in those days to a guitar. His psalms are masterpieces, capturing human guilt, longing, joy, hope and faith.

David was kind and respectful to King Saul, even though Saul was jealous and tried to kill David numerous times. David wasn’t overcome by evil, but overcame evil with good. Like other flawed human beings, David made some big mistakes in his life, but he knew how to say sorry and put things right. He became the most famous King that Israel ever had!

His story teaches us that when God wants to use someone for a great purpose, He doesn’t choose them based on outward appearances, He looks at their heart.

The post KING DAVID: Bible Camp Theme or VBS Curriculum appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.

A Parkour Athlete’s Faith and the Art of Falling Safely

As a child Coach Valley was adopted and gravitated toward crime, gangs, drugs, and violence. He was expelled from school and shipped to a “psych” hospital. After struggling with the meaning of life, he found hope and chased the dream of influencing youth and adults through coaching and the athletic training discipline of Parkour. Learn about Ukemi, and the art of falling safely in Parkour and in life.

Youth Discussion Questions

1. 1. What stands out to you about “Coach Valley’s” story?
   2. Why is it important to have a dream, or inspiration?
   3. Coach Valley shared that when he was growing up, all of his influences were pushing him down the wrong path. He stated that choosing to be around the right people is the most important thing for a person’s success because you become like the people you spend time with. What has been your experience with this?
   4. Can you relate with Coach Valley’s take on feeling like he never fit in anywhere as a child?
   5. Having the understanding that life is like a vapor, Coach Valley pointed to a question that changed the trajectory of his life: “What do I want to be remembered for?” Why do you think that is a worthy question to ask yourself?
   6. Coach Valley had a spiritual experience that shaped his faith as a young person. In what particular ways was that faith challenged?
   7. In Parkour, there is a thing called Ukemi, which is the art of falling safely. How did Coach Valley liken that to falling into the arms of God in our Christian walk?
   8. What might you need to surrender to fall safely into the hands of God today?

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VBS Curriculum: JONAH

This Bible camp theme and VBS curriculum is based on the Old Testament story of Jonah. Jonah’s story as a runaway prophet getting swallowed by a “great fish” resonates with children in many ways. Jonah had to learn the hard way that God loves those we might not like, and calls us to demonstrate mercy in the same manner in which we have received mercy.

Jonah’s story is about someone being rescued by God. Yes, the Ninevites were spared God’s wrath, but the story also shows that God did not give up on Jonah. God gave Jonah a second chance (and more). He didn’t let him run away, and he didn’t let him drown. He could easily have called someone else more faithful to go to Nineveh, someone who had some compassion and mercy toward others. Maybe he used Jonah because Jonah needed God’s rescue―not just from drowning, but from his hard heart.

This resource was designed as a Bible camp curriculum for children 8-12 years of age but can also serve as a VBS theme, a 5-week Sunday morning children’s ministry teaching series, Sunday School lessons, Backyard Bible club, or kids’ sports camp curriculum.

• (DAY ONE) Jonah Runs From God
  
• (DAY TWO) God Rescues Jonah From a Dark Place
  
• (DAY THREE) God Gives Jonah a Second Chance
  
• (DAY FOUR) Jonah Points to a Real Superhero (JESUS)
  
• (DAY FIVE) Jonah Learns About Compassion and Mercy
  

Includes:

• Lesson Guides (5 Sessions)
• Group & Team Building Activities
• Object Lessons & Illustrations
• *Craft Ideas & Music Playlist
• Printable Handouts (Talk Sheets)
• Logo Files & 4K Media Graphics
• HD PowerPoint Template
• T-Shirt Logo Design
• Staff Devotions

*Contents does not include craft materials or music files, only links to craft ideas and short playlists with suggested songs to go with each daily lesson theme.

Download

The post JONAH: Bible Camp Theme or VBS Curriculum appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.