Tag Archives: teaching

Ministry Idea: 3 Questions

By caryschmidt | August 22, 2010

Are you looking for a good way to get to know your students or those to whom you minister? Here’s a quick and simple way to get a glimpse into the heart and cause someone to think more deeply.
This past week, in our 12th grade Sunday school class and at our Single Life retreat, we [...]

Posted in ministry & outreach | Also tagged biblical living, college and career, counseling, student ministry | 4 Comments

The Precious Pauses of Parenthood…

By caryschmidt | May 6, 2010

Learning to seize the teaching moments that may never return…
On a breakfast date this past week, Haylee asked me, “Why did you choose to like Mommy instead of another girl?”
Wow! What a cool question! And what a wide open door. That’s like someone asking a Christian “Why did you choose Christianity over all the other [...]

Posted in family | Also tagged family, parenting | Leave a comment

Why Use Sunday School Curriculum?

By caryschmidt | May 1, 2010

Are there some really compelling reasons to use Sunday School curriculum? We believe YES! For nearly two and a half decades, God has developed strong Christians at Lancaster Baptist Church, and a huge part of that process is the Adult Bible Class Ministry and curriculum. Several years ago, through Striving Together Publications, we made a [...]

Posted in books and resources | Also tagged book review, books, striving together, sunday school | 4 Comments

Why Young People Stay Faithful

By caryschmidt | April 19, 2010

Have you ever wondered what contributes to young people staying faithful to the things of God, while others wander away? What contributes t0 two kids in the same local church, hearing the same preaching, ultimately going dramatically different directions? Ultimately, it’s free will—everybody makes their own decisions. But what influences those decisions?
One of our youth [...]

Posted in family, student ministry | Also tagged adolescence, biblical living, family, local church, parenting, student ministry, teen life | 1 Comment

The Hidden Values of Preparation

By caryschmidt | April 14, 2010

Have you ever conducted an event that was ill-prepared? Have you ever been disorganized or caught off guard in some ministry environment? There’s nothing worse than being thrown off balance by a lack of preparation.
I could fill the pages of a book with tough lessons learned through a lack of preparation. Even after years of [...]

Posted in leadership, productivity | Also tagged leadership, local church, ministry, organization, productivity | 1 Comment

The Forgotten Side of Submission

By caryschmidt | March 23, 2010

Not long ago, my wife and I were faced with a really difficult decision. We were faced with two very important schedule conflicts and there was no way we could fulfill both. For several days we worked the situation over in our minds and in talking together. No matter what we chose, something very important [...]

Posted in christian life | Also tagged family, leadership, local church, marriage, parenting | 3 Comments

Five Values of Successful Homeschooling

By Cary Schmidt | March 22, 2010

Educating Your Children with a Winning Philosophy
Recently I had the privilege of meeting with a wonderful group of families in our church that homeschool their children. I fully believe in the value of traditional, Christian education and schooling, but I also have respect for Christian parents who, out of necessity or by preference, choose [...]

Posted in family | Also tagged education, family, local church, parenting | 3 Comments

Great Books for Christian Parents

By Cary Schmidt | March 8, 2010

Frequently someone asks what books I would recommend on youth ministry or parenting. They are generally the same books. While there are some good books on youth ministry, the most helpful to youth ministry are those on the family. Whether you are a parent or a youth pastor, I would urge you to read everything [...]

Posted in books and resources, family, student ministry | Also tagged adolescence, biblical living, book review, books, family, parenting, student ministry, teen life | 6 Comments

Andrew Murray on Trials

By caryschmidt | March 6, 2010

This quote about trials from Andrew Murray found its way to me through Dr. Mark Rasmussen. Perhaps it will encourage you!
“First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.”
“Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to [...]

Posted in christian life | Also tagged biblical living, counseling | Leave a comment

New Curriculum—Salt and Light!

By caryschmidt | January 28, 2010

Striving Together Publications is excited to announce the soon availability (Feb. 12) of this new adult curriculum from Dr. Mark Rasmussen! This 13 lesson series was over two years in development, and I’m extremely happy with the finished product. Dr. Rasmussen is one of the greatest Christian educators alive today, and you will find this [...]

Posted in books and resources | Also tagged biblical living, book review, local church, striving together, sunday school | Leave a comment

You Are What You Listen To (Part 1)

By caryschmidt | December 8, 2009

You’ve heard the statement “you are what you eat.” And, physically this is true—your body and health are merely products of what you digest. But rarely do we make the same connection to our spiritual lives. In other words, “you are what you listen to.”
Have you ever considered that your musical listening habits have a [...]

Posted in christian life | Also tagged biblical living, ministry, music | 2 Comments

Making God’s Will Less Confusing

By caryschmidt | October 19, 2009

Life is complex. God’s will isn’t. In fact, at any given moment, there’s a powerful question you can ask to determine if you are in or out of His will. It’s simply this:
“Did I follow God to where I am right now?”
The Holy Spirit will instantly resonate the answer in your heart—you will know it [...]

Posted in christian life | Also tagged biblical living, college and career, counseling, leadership, parenting, sunday school | 1 Comment

Welcome, Guests—Meet Mystery Babylon

By caryschmidt | October 13, 2009

Breaking the church growth rules, the Bible works once again!
How would the seeker-sensitive, church growth experts and the leaders of the emergent church movement answer this question:
What passages would you not preach on when you have the most first time guests at your church?
Certainly, on that short list would be Revelation 17—The Great Whore of [...]

Posted in ministry & outreach | Also tagged local church, ministry, soulwinning | Leave a comment

How to Help a Wounded Person

By Cary Schmidt | October 6, 2009

One of the most difficult circumstances of life and ministry is to try to help someone who has been deeply hurt. These are hard moments. More than anything, you want to take away the hurt, undo the pain, and fix the problem. But it’s just not that easy. Woundedness—regardless of how it occurred—requires time and [...]

Posted in counseling, featured | Also tagged biblical living, college and career, counseling, student ministry | 1 Comment

The Top Questions of Young Christian Singles

By Cary Schmidt | September 10, 2009

Throughout the year, our ministry to College and Career and Singles brings us into counseling, retreats, and venues where young Christian singles are airing really good questions. I have previously shared the details behind our Q&A times (both for teens as well as singles) and also the top 15 questions that teens ask.
Here’s the most [...]