Comments on: 10 Topics for Twentysomethings–What Topics Would You Address?

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 20:03:59 +0000

The biggest stumbling block issue I’ve seen among young adults and singles is dealing with sex… the past and the mistakes as well as the now and the future. The “what about sex” question is huge… and the answer isn’t just yes/no, specific types of sexual actions, or just the sex thoughts running around in your head as you’re bombarded with subtle messages every day. It’s more than just confession of a sin and it’s “fixed”. Some people ache from the sin that the perversion of sex in their life has wrought; whether through their own action, inaction, or the actions of others. Sexual sin is like gaping wound in an individual life and a festering sore in the modern church.
The Roman empire of Paul’s day was overflowing with sexual immorality and versions of religious worship that involved sex. It was tough for these people who “worshiped” at the pagan temple regularly to totally change their life upon acceptance of the Gospel. It’s about abstaining from all sexual immorality… even the very hint of it. It’s all about being cleansed from all unrighteousness. It’s about coming face to face with the holiness of God and transforming into someone who can radiate His holiness. It’s about taking a stand against the spiritual forces of wickedness that attempt to hound you with your past or your thoughts or anything else.
I believe if you chose to wholeheartedly address this issue, the lives of those you lead will change dramatically. There are so many parallel issues that you can teach while addressing the matter – who am I as a creation, who am I in Christ, sin, confession, repentance, holiness, forgiveness, living in the world and not of it, what other religions teach (about sex or related stuff), friendship, dating, marriage, money and sex, the faithfulness of God as we chose to obey, the physical/spiritual/emotional healing that only God can bring, learning contentment, et cetera.
…and a bonus is that many young Christians who wouldn’t be brave enough to ask their friend to church are suddenly brave enough when the church is talking about sex… particularly they’ll tend to ask the friend they know who is hurting as a result of sexual sin.

By: Shari Schussel =)

Shari Schussel =) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 19:46:54 +0000

I am so excited to start 20′s again. I thought of some things I would be interested in hearing/studying/knowing more about then I read most of them when I went through everyone else’s comments. But here they are…
1. Mentorship
2. Growing in faith
3. Being a woman/man of God
4. How to pray
5. Serving our community
6. Living in the world but not being of the world (thanks Joe)
7. Tithing and giving financially

By: Justin Buzzard

Justin Buzzard — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:18:35 +0000

Everyone, thank you. This is very helpful.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:55:33 +0000

Not to be overly sarcastic or a real downer, but the wrath of God is a great topic. You can touch on two important but oft neglected topics: sin and hell. And it leads to some cool Christ stuff like substitutionary atonement.
Our college crew just finished several weeks of God’s Will material and your reading of ‘Guard Us, Guide Us’ might provide some good stuff for that topic; ‘discerning God’s will’ always seems to be hot topic for that life stage. They are currently enjoying a good end times study but that might just be a reflection of the teacher’s passion.
Sexuality and finances are very relevant topics. I agree with others who cast votes for contentment and idolatry. Someone mentioned studying the trinity and that opens the door for a little comparative religions study; another way to do that might be a ‘What Makes Christianity Unique?’ series.
Good luck sorting through your options; listen to the Spirit. Lookin’ forward to seeing what you settle on.

By: ron

ron — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:30:09 +0000

In light of Mark’s message this past Sunday…How about…
Choosing Friends and
Being a Friend.
How to choose a Christian friend and/or mentor?
How to cultivate and preserve mature, intimate Christian relationships?
How can I eventually beocme a mentor and/or disiciple a new believer and be a “True” friend?
How can I ultimately make Christ my best friend?
Can I become a friend to Jesus on this side of heaven? How?

By: Josh Montague

Josh Montague — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:49:19 +0000

Justin, we’re a church of twenty-year olds. I’m in the middle of a series on American Idolatry. I’m using Keller’s/Powlison’s definition of idolatry as turning a good thing into an ultimate thing. Some of the topics we have addressed or will address: power, money/stuff, family/relationships, image, sex, security, escape, education, fame. This is kind of a catch-all series in which we could put anything: politics/politicians, tolerance, etc.

By: The Joe

The Joe — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:05:04 +0000

Also, I, Joe Koski, posted that last comment, not “Nick Fortescue”
(I hit “post” and forgot to add personal info. why it came up “Nick Fortescue” I don’t know)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:02:54 +0000

I like what Claire Callaghan suggested. Also, what Trisha and Lailah suggested as well. Many of those could be found in James or (and I am just wrapping up a series on this myself) Sermon on the Mount…I know that those topics may seem like, “Oh, we already do those a lot” but really, it’s what Jesus chose to preach on, and, those are the topics we really live out day to day.
It seems super simple, and Christians will act like it is “not deep enough” and yet…who actually lives any of it out?

By: Nick Fortescue

Nick Fortescue — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:22:41 +0000

I can’t believe no-one has said “Work” yet. People in their 20s usually spend over half their waking hours at work, but understanding your work in a biblical context is hardly addressed.
From the other suggestions I’d take (in no particular order):
Contentment in Christ,
Singleness (especially the positives),
Guidance/Determining God’s will,
Prayer,
Being a member of a church,
Evangelism,
Living for Christ with non-Christians,
Being made in God’ image,
Love

By: ronnie

ronnie — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:53:44 +0000

1. Is is possible to be content even during times of trials?
2. Is is possible to have joy even during times of suffering?
3. How can I love my enemies even when I find it difficult to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength?
4. How do I remove worry and stress? Do I lack faith?
5. Is impatience a sin?
6. How do I discern God’s will for me in my life?
7. Does prayer benefit me more than it glorifies God?
8. Will stuyding the bible make me a better Christian?
9. How does one walk by the Spirit when my flesh desires to live by the world?

By: Trisha

Trisha — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:54:41 +0000

-contentment
-suffering
-loving our enemies
-worry and stress
-patience
-understanding purpose
-how to pray
-how to study the Bible
-how to apply what we’ve learned from the Bible

By: Lailah

Lailah — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:48:01 +0000

I meant to say “why” they are reliable. :)

By: Lailah

Lailah — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:46:46 +0000

I like the idea of focusing on how to live on the Peninsula in the world but not OF the world. And not just how to live in a materialistic place and only get one ipod and not two, but to go deeper into how our lives are supposed to look different, on every level, than the rest of the world.
There have been some interesting comments about politics, social justice and other religions – I would really like to do a study on how Jesus dealt with all these things. How did Jesus deal with the “religious hearted” (my own made up word) as well as people from other religions? How do we be involved and relevant in our community and society while still doing God’s work.
Another spin on that in light of election season is how we are first citizens of heaven, what that means, and that citizenship in this country or anywhere in the world is secondary to that…
Going back to the other religions issue, I think the first place to start might be with the inerrancy of Scripture, why we have the books in the Bible that we have, how they got there, where they are reliable.
Just some thoughts.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:47:50 +0000

I would like to discuss ways to get closer to jesus.
what it means to be a follower of christ
How to live it and keep living it
Non Christian friends and staying strong in faith
Christian Dating, sexual purity and how to keep yourself pure in a relationship
Getting rid of the idols in your life.
Help in weeding out what really matters in this life of chaos. Simplicity in Christ.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:42:13 +0000

1. Surrender to God in everything, and what that is and what it is not.
2. Being satisfied with God even when He does not give us something that we greatly desire.
3. Repentance
4. How to study The Bible
5. How to prepare yourself to hear God’s voice, how to hear God’s voice, and how to distinguish God from the enemy.
6. Christian dating, relationships, mariage, sexual purity
That’s about all I can think of for now.