Stream OS Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:35:54 +0000 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 03:35:54 +0000 www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com missionedu@namb.net missionedu@namb.net Relevant four-week mission Bible studies for college guys designed to prepare you for the greatest adventure of your life—telling others about the kingdom of God and inviting people into it. North American Mission Board, SBC Relevant four-week mission Bible studies for college guys designed to prepare you for the greatest adventure of your life—telling others about the kingdom of God and inviting people into it. Small-Group Mission Bible Studies for College Guys no no Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys missionedu@namb.net North American Mission Board, SBC http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:22:53 +0000 00:07:46 North American Mission Board, SBC Caring for Godâs Creation Sin has distorted the planet where we live. The distortion affects billions across the globe. When we do our part to care for creation, we're showing God's love to those who might not see it any other way. Romans 8:20-22, creation care, taking care of environment, green, Jonathan Merritt, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:22:28 +0000 00:06:14 North American Mission Board, SBC Care and Protect All of us share a common job description--To care for and protect the world God created. When we do that we'll better fulfill another God-given task--to be witnesses to those who need Christ. Genesis 2:15-17, creation care, taking care of environment, green, Jonathan Merritt, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:22:28 +0000 00:06:06 North American Mission Board, SBC We honor God when we honor what He made. Just as you have been created with an inherent value and purpose, so this Earth is meaningful, purposeful, and valuable. It naturally follows that we should do our best to protect and preserve what our Creator has declared is good. There is no better way to honor both the Artist and His amazing masterpiece. Genesis 1:29-31, creation care, taking care of environment, green, Jonathan Merritt, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:22:28 +0000 00:06:44 North American Mission Board, SBC God Reveals Himself Through His Creation Did you know that we can tell a lot about God just from looking at the natural world around us? You are faced with God's revelation everyday. Perhaps this semester as you are on mission for Him, you could find more ways to share the gospel by simply looking around you and building bridges from the thing we all have in common: planet earth. Romans 1:18-20, creation care, taking care of environment, green, Jonathan Merritt, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:55:52 +0000 00:07:44 North American Mission Board, SBC Family Leadership Guys, we’ve been called to lead our families to fulfill the Great Commission, and it’s never too early to prepare to do that. Nehemiah gave us a great biblical example of a leader who moved people to accomplish a big task. We’ll learn his leadership principles. Nehemiah 1, leadership, Spiritual Leadership, Family Leadership, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:55:46 +0000 00:08:27 North American Mission Board, SBC Defining successful leadership Success as a leader doesn’t come in just what happens tomorrow but in the years to come as well. The choices you make today, in the midst of your college years, will impact your family for generations. But the question is—how will it impact them? Galatians 5:22-23, spiritual leadership, Defining successful leadership, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:55:22 +0000 00:09:10 North American Mission Board, SBC Roles of Husbands and Wives, part 2 If you get married someday, then you were created to be a servant leader. What could God do through a generation of men who lead their families with strength and humility? The world, literally, can’t wait to find out. Ephesians 5:22-28, leadership, Biblical roles of Husbands and Wives, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:54:58 +0000 00:07:35 North American Mission Board, SBC Roles of Husbands and Wives, part 1 Men and women were created for unique roles in the family. Instead of holding us back, they help us become what we were made to be. God’s plan includes husbands and wives who are emotionally healthy, spiritually encouraging, and physically respectful. His plan is also to have clearly defined roles for both spouses. When our marriages are defined by these truths and these roles, we’ll point others to Jesus. Colossians 3:18-21, spiritual leadership, Biblical roles of Husbands and Wives, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:54:34 +0000 00:07:55 North American Mission Board, SBC Finances: Few actions shed as bright of a light on our relationship with Christ as how we spend our money. God is just as concerned with our spending as He is with every other part of our finances. A core teaching of Jesus was that how we spend our money demonstrates where our priorities are and is a testimony to our faith in Him. While we donât need to be legalistic and unnecessarily rigid in our finances, there are some important spending practices we can learn while weâre in college. 1 Timothy 6:9-10, finances, money, stewardship, tithing, saving money, spending money, money in marriage, greed, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, small-group Bible studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, college-age guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:54:30 +0000 00:07:51 North American Mission Board, SBC Finances: Discover one of the most important keys to your financial futureâthe lost of art of saving. Did you know that there are more than 3,000 Bible verses dealing with money? During Jesusâ time on earth, the topic of money and how it affects us was a core issue addressed in His teaching. Jesus understood that so much of our concentration and efforts in life can hinge on how we deal with money. Money has a deep impact on our lives and can be either a supporter or enemy of a joy-filled life. In all of the financial messages in the Bible, one point is communicated clearly: wise managers of their finances are those who make, give, save, and spend their money through God-given principles and personal sacrifice. Proverbs 6:6-8, finances, money, stewardship, tithing, saving money, balanced life, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, small-group Bible studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, college-age guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:54:06 +0000 00:08:58 North American Mission Board, SBC Finances: It's never too early to build the discipline of giving into your life. Giving is one of the most difficult disciplines we can learn in our life. Yet the Bible teaches that it is an essential mark of a growing and vibrant relationship with God. We often use the word "stewardship" in our churches today. The term definitely reflects the heart of God. It applies to much more than money though; it applies to our entire life. God's purpose for giving is that it becomes a key to growing in our relationship with Him and a great testimony to those outside of Christianity. 2 Corinthians 8:1-14, finances, money, stewardship, tithing, Cooperative Program, balanced life, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, small-group Bible studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, college-age guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:53:42 +0000 00:08:08 North American Mission Board, SBC Finances: Jesus wants to be Lord over your whole life--even how you use your money. "Money is what makes the world go around!" This is a popular saying in our culture today. Everything we see is about money, the lack of it, the need for it, the power that comes through it, and how it will positively impact our lives. In our society there is a distinct attachment between what you make, who you are, and what your value is. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast. For the follower of Jesus Christ, our spiritual portfolio matters more than our financial one. Ecclesiates 5:10-12, finances, money, love of money, balanced life, career goals, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Garet Robinson, God, small-group Bible studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, college-age guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:21:02 +0000 00:07:54 North American Mission Board, SBC Social Justice: With lots of injustices plaguing our world, where do we dig in first? Start at the center of it all--poverty. You might not think of poverty as a justice issue. We often conclude that people who are poverty-stricken, unemployed, and homeless are there because of their poor decisions. When we pass a beggar on a city street or find ourselves trying not to make eye contact with a panhandler, how many of us think to ourselves, "I'm not giving that guy any money because he will probably spend it on drugs and alcohol"? So poverty, to us, often seems like an exclusively social issue. Even if we don't think of poverty as a justice issue, God does. Psalm 140:12, poverty, social justice, God's definition of justice, caring for the poor, concern for the environment, loving the foreigner, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:20:59 +0000 00:08:42 North American Mission Board, SBC Social Justice: It's one thing to say you believe in justice, but what are you doing about it? Is it enough just to believe the right thing, or do we have to act on those beliefs? In other words, do our beliefs need to translate into action in order to become real? The Bible says yes. Translating our right beliefs into right practice is critical, but how does this relate to justice? Most of us would say that we believe in justice. We believe that wrongs should be righted and those who are oppressed should be advocated. Yet most of us don't really do anything about the injustices we see in this world. In this area, our right belief never makes the jump to right practice. Justice is important to God, and He wants to make sure that it becomes a part of our witness as we go on mission for Him. World Changers, Micah 6:8, social justice, God's definition of justice, caring for the poor, concern for the environment, loving the foreigner, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:20:57 +0000 00:07:38 North American Mission Board, SBC Social Justice: How actively you pursue justice says a lot about who your Lord is. When on mission for God, particularly on campus, we must make sure that our actions magnify rather than undermine our message. People notice how we respond to the critical justice issues of our day. By recognizing that what we do makes a difference when advocating for justice, our gospel witness will penetrate more deeply into a world riddled with injustice. Matthew 25:34-36, Sheep and the goats, social justice, God's definition of justice, caring for the poor, concern for the environment, loving the foreigner, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:20:27 +0000 00:06:31 North American Mission Board, SBC Social Justice: We hear people talk about justice all the time these days. But what does God say justice is? Often what we think constitutes justice really isn't all that just. Our logic doesn't always lead us to a correct conclusion. God is the author and source of justice. So, if we want to know what justice really looks like, we don't look to logic, popular trends, experience, or even the world's experts. We start by asking what God thinks is just. Proverbs 29:26, social justice, God's definition of justice, caring for the poor, concern for the environment, loving the foreigner, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Sun, 24 Aug 2008 21:56:28 +0000 00:10:02 North American Mission Board, SBC Pornography vs. Purity: Don't let lust own you. Break the bonds of sexual slavery. As guys in a college environment, we should constantly remind ourselves that sexual fantasizing makes us more susceptible to sexual failure, which often leads to sexual addiction. As Christians, we are to be filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, not mastered by anything else. There may be someone out there who feels the burn -- you are already enslaved. You just dabbled in a flicker of pornography, and now the fire of lust consumes you. It happened so quickly that you didn't even have time to reconsider. Now your school work, friendships, and relationship with God are getting hit hard. How did you get caught up in this stuff, and what can you do to get out of this muddy mire and get back on mission for Christ? help for pornography addiction, sexual addiction, pornography, porn, lust, inward purity, Internet porn, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:27:08 +0000 00:13:32 North American Mission Board, SBC Pornography vs. Purity: Honor yourself, the women in your life, and God by striving for sexual purity. To be on mission with God, we must do the will of God. And Paul tells us that it is God’s will that we stay away from sexual immorality. Rather than use our bodies in any way as long as it brings us pleasure, we must weigh everything we do against two criteria: holiness and honor. These are the two watermarks by which we can determine whether our sexual conduct is a part of God’s will. What is the solution for dishonorable sexual habits? A commitment to honorable and holy sexual habits. Starting today, practice control over your body and use it only for holy, honorable acts. If we honor our bodies, honor our future mates, and honor God with our actions, the one who invented pleasure and fun will satisfy us with unbelievable, eternal joy. honor, holiness, chivalry, sex, sex before marriage, pornography, porn, lust, inward purity, Internet porn, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:33:18 +0000 00:10:04 North American Mission Board, SBC Pornography vs. Purity: Combat the deception of pornography with the truth of Jesus. In Philippians 4:8, Paul teaches that following Christ means more than transforming our actions. It means transforming our minds. We have to fill our minds with things that are honorable, lovely, commendable, and pure. People who get tangled up in a web of sexual perversion are unhappy and not at peace. Their minds are flooded with untrue, unlovely, and impure thoughts that steal God’s ideal life from us. If you want peace in your life and joy in your heart, you must have true and right thoughts in your mind. Maybe you have already had sex. You can begin waiting today for practicing sex according to God’s plan. Perhaps your mind is filled with lustful thoughts, you can purify your mind as well as your actions. The God of truth is willing and able to make straight your twisted version of truthiness and set you on the path of personal purification. Like the Philippians, your very missional effectiveness depends on it. truthiness, sex, sex before marriage, pornography, porn, lust, inward purity, Internet porn, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:57:37 +0000 00:08:31 North American Mission Board, SBC Pornography vs. Purity: The battle for sexual purity is an inside-out job. It starts with asking Jesus to renew your mind. Sexual temptations have been kicking butts and taking names since the days of Noah (Genesis 6). Today, they are as daunting as ever because of their accessibility, acceptability, and glamorization. A man no longer needs to worry about being seen purchasing a pornographic magazine at the local gas station. With only the click of a mouse, you can access much harder pornography at any time of day and without ever leaving your bedroom. Is looking at pornography wrong? Is it a sin to lust in your heart? Jesus gets to the heart of the matter, which is the matter of a pure heart (Matthew 5:8). Without inward purity, the outward life matters little. If we resist both the outward transformation and inner renewal that come with conversion, God cannot use us to our fullest capacity. pornography, porn, lust, inward purity, Internet porn, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:12:12 +0000 00:07:06 North American Mission Board, SBC "Ends of the earth" adventures on campus Our look at Acts 1:8 concludes. In order to be effective witnesses, Jesus says, we have to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Just because you go to college doesn't mean you get a get-out-of-missions-free card. If you can make it work, take a short-term trip with a local church or missions agency. Not all of us will have the funds or free time to serve God internationally. Luckily, we live in a global society and a country that has become known as the melting pot because of its rich stew of ethnicities in nearly every community. You likely have neighbors on your campus from Mexico, Japan, Canada, Korea, Kenya and virtually every other developed country on earth. You can accept God's invitation to a divine adventure right where you are. Acts 1:8, ends of the earth, missions trip, mission trip, share your faith, Judea, Samaria, witnessing, how to witness, where to witness, courage to witness, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:38:33 +0000 00:08:28 North American Mission Board, SBC Get out of your comfort zone Our look at Acts 1:8 continues. Today we'll focus on Jesus' command to reach Judea and Samaria or in today's society -- people who aren't like us. On a college campus, a math major may not relate well to a communications major or a New Englander may not naturally connect with a student from the Deep South. But does that mean their need for the gospel is diminished? Certainly not. Therefore, Jesus says, we need to make sure that we venture out of our comfort zone so that the gospel can saturate all places. When we get outside of our comfort zone, we give God a chance to mold us, mature us, and change us into who He wants us to be. But more importantly, we fulfill our call to be witnesses for Him in places we might not otherwise venture. Acts 1:8, comfort zone, Judea, Samaria, witnessing, how to witness, where to witness, courage to witness, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education, missions learning no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:37:25 +0000 00:08:10 North American Mission Board, SBC How and where do I begin to share Christ on my campus? Acts 1:8 tells us that we are Spirit-empowered and Spirit-enabled to be missionaries in our communities and on our campuses. So now what? How do we start? Where do we begin? Jesus told the early church to take the gospel message to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. These were actual destinations, but for us they illustrate a method to spread the gospel. Jesus told His followers to be witnesses in Jerusalem -- right where they lived. That means we don't have to wait for the summer to come around so that we can travel to a far off place with a missions team. We must be on mission right now where we live. Acts 1:8, witnessing, how to witness, where to witness, courage to witness, gospel of Jesus Christ, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education no no http://www.alertoncampus.blogspot.com North American Mission Board, SBC Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:44:27 +0000 00:08:44 North American Mission Board, SBC Rock your college campus for Christ Acts 1:8 is our first glimpse into what it means to evangelize, make disciples, and live missionally. What are you doing related to God's mission on your campus or in your fraternity? When have you felt a God-nudge to step out and express the gospel on campus but were paralyzed by fear or uncertainty? There are many students -- and you may be one of them -- who naturally feel they're not gifted, trained, or equipped to spread the gospel as a witness. But Acts 1:8 tells us we can. Having received the Holy Spirit through salvation, you are filled with a TNT-like power that could rock your university, your church, and your circle of friends! All you need to do is plug in. Holy Spirit, Acts 1:8, witnessing, Christian, College, Males, Men, Jonathan Merritt, God, Bible, Studies, Alert, Alert On Campus, Guys, North American Mission Board, missions, mission education no no