First-Century Youth Ministry: Recent Episodes

Heather Quiroz and Mark Shaffer

We're taking a look back into the Jewish roots of our faith, for the way forward in youth ministry discipleship. Hosted by Heather Quiroz, author of First-Century Youth Ministry, and Mark Shaffer, a PhD student in Hebrew Bible and the Greco-Roman Period at Hebrew Union College. Find us on social media on Facebook or Twitter or join us www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Our podcast is part of the Youth Cartel podcast network- https://theyouthcartel.com/podcast-network/

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Heather and Jonathan sit down with Dr. Payne to talk about importance passages in the pastoral epistles that seem to be limiting the ministry of women. Dr Payne helps us understand these passages in the original language and how they actually do not exclude women from eldership in the local church.

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Jonathan and Heather have another great conversation with Dr. Phillip Payne about headship in the Bible. They also discuss what is meant by Paul's words in Ephesians 5 when it says the husband is the head of the wife. Dr. Payne offers a different translation based on his research that the husband is the source, not the head of the life and submission is not a wife to her husband only but what's actually being taught is mutual submission between men and women.

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Heather and Jonathan sit down with Dr. Phillip Payne to discuss his book The Bible Vs. Biblical Womanhood

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What are the true qualifications for church leadership, and how can we interpret biblical texts to support women's roles within the church? Join us on this episode of the First Century Youth Ministry Podcast, where we sit down with the insightful Tyler Don Rosenquist. Tyler kicks things off by sharing her passion for Bavarian cream donuts, leading into a deeper discussion about 1 Timothy, Chapter 3. We reveal how the original Greek text employs gender-neutral language and explore the broader cultural and linguistic contexts that can bolster arguments for women in leadership roles.

Our conversation journeys through the ancient concepts of Episcopos and Diakonos, uncovering how elders in early communities were valued for their wisdom and experience rather than formal titles. Drawing from the expertise of Dr. Dwight Pryor, we compare these historical roles with modern church functions, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in lived experience and the ability to guide others. . And, of course, we couldn't resist one last shout-out to the delicious Bavarian cream donuts that started our episode on such a sweet note.

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In this fascinating follow-up episode, Heather and Jonathan once again welcome Tyler Dawn Rosenquist to continue their exploration of 1 Timothy 2. This time, they delve into the critical context of Artemus worship in ancient Ephesus and its influence on Paul’s instructions about women’s roles in the church.

Tyler sheds light on how the pervasive worship of Artemis shaped the cultural and religious landscape of Ephesus, providing crucial background for understanding Paul’s guidance to Timothy regarding women’s conduct in the church. They also dive into the original Greek terms used in the passage, offering a clearer picture of the text’s meanings and implications.

To further enrich your understanding, Tyler and the hosts recommend several valuable resources for those eager to study this topic in more depth. Whether you’re a scholar or simply curious about the intersection of ancient culture and biblical texts, this episode offers enlightening perspectives and practical tools for your journey.

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Join Heather and Jonathan in this thought-provoking episode as they welcome special guest Tyler Dawn Rosenquist to dive deep into the complexities of 1 Timothy 2 and its implications for women's roles in the church.

In this enlightening discussion, Tyler helps unravel what this often-debated passage isn't saying and emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of Ephesus to grasp Paul’s message to Timothy fully. Together, they explore the nuances of interpreting scripture with an informed perspective, challenging conventional readings and uncovering a more nuanced understanding of women’s contributions within the church.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your biblical knowledge or seeking clarity on contemporary church practices, this episode offers valuable insights and fresh perspectives. Don’t miss this engaging conversation.

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In this episode, Jonathan and Heather sit down with Dr. Lynn Cohick to tackle the challenge of guiding teenagers through complex Bible passages, specifically 1 Corinthians 11. Dr. Cohick shares insightful strategies and practical advice for helping young people navigate and understand this often perplexing scripture. Tune in for expert tips on making tough biblical texts more accessible and meaningful for teens.

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Continuing the discussion with Dr. Lynn Cohick, in this episode Jonathan and Heather delve into 1 Cor 11, and the seemingly odd statements Paul seems to make about women and hairstyles.

Does Paul expect Christian women to always have long hair? Does Paul state that men are to be “heads” over women, meaning to have authority over them?

In this episode, we take an alternative - and rhetorically fascinating - approach to one of the most perplexing chapters in all of 1 Corinthians.

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In this episode, Jonathan and Heather dive deeper into the fascinating world of early Christian history with special guest Dr. Lynn Cohick. Join us as Dr. Cohick sheds light on the crucial roles of female ministry partners of the Apostle Paul. Discover the remarkable contributions of Phoebe, who served as a key benefactor for Paul, and learn about Junia, an apostle whose influence was deeply significant. Dr. Cohick also explores the lives of other influential women who led and served alongside Paul, revealing their vital impact on the early Church. Tune in for an enlightening discussion that celebrates the unsung heroines of early Christianity!

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Heather and Jonathan have one more conversation with Mike Davis about the importance of understanding the Bible from within its cultural context. Mike gives us some practical ways to start studying the Bible for ourselves that would help us know how to address this topic of women in the Bible.

Mike challenges the concept of the "plain reading of the text" and offers a better interpretation for some of those harder passages pertaining to women.

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Kicking off our new series on women in life and leadership, Heather and Jonathan discuss a little of their own personal journeys in studying through these topics.

The issue is one that isn't going away, nor should it! Join us in this new series as we discuss, week after week, with numerous Biblical scholars and pastors, how God sees women, how Yeshua values women, and what it really means to be an Image-bearer of God!

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Heather pops in to give you a quick update on what to expect with this brand new series launching Monday, July 8th!

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What did it mean that Jesus was a Jewish rabbi? Dr. Young and Heather have a fun and informative discussion on the words of Jesus and how important it is to understand Jesus as a Jewish rabbi.

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The Newer Testament is an English translation of the New Testament. “Newer” is used to highlight the interconnectedness and coherence of the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew heritage of the “Older” Bible is the essential platform for New Testament studies. It must guide the cultural, historical, linguistic, and textual foundations of careful translation work. The Newer Testament properly unites Jesus with the faith tradition of the Jewish people and deepens the witness of the early believers. The Newer Testament builds faith in Jesus by correctly understanding the faith of Jesus.

To purchase your own copy visit, https://hebrewheritagebible.com/

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Have you ever heard the Covenant at Sinai compared to a wedding? The marriage of YHWH to Israel?

In this episode, Jonathan walks through how the covenant at Sinai parallels and uses marriage imagery. Further, how the prophets refer to marriage imagery, as well as the breaking of that covenant with the idolatry and rebellion that led Israel ultimately into captivity.

One thing for sure is emphasized in this episode: the Old Testament is far from boring!

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Join us for an intriguing exploration of the biblical narrative featuring Judah and Tamar, as hosts Heather and Jonathan dissect the ethical complexities of ancient marriage customs. Dive deep into Genesis 38 as they analyze the actions of these characters against the backdrop of societal norms and moral obligations.

Heather and Jonathan unpack the story's nuances, from Judah's failures in fulfilling his responsibilities to Tamar's unconventional tactics to secure her rights. Delve into the moral implications of Judah's actions and Tamar's daring scheme, shedding light on the blurred lines between right and wrong in the ancient world.

Through thought-provoking discussions, discover the underlying lessons for today's society regarding integrity, self-control, and ethical conduct.

Whether you're a biblical scholar, an ethics enthusiast, or simply curious about the moral intricacies of ancient narratives, this episode promises to stimulate your intellect and challenge your perceptions. Tune in as we unravel the threads of biblical ethics and uncover timeless wisdom for contemporary life.

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In this episode, Heather and Jonathan delve into the intriguing concept of "levirate marriage" or kinsman redeemer, as outlined in the Bible, particularly in Deuteronomy 25. This ancient practice served as a safety net for widows and ensured the preservation of family names and property.

Heather shares a personal touch, reminiscing about her wedding and a rap her sister performed, cleverly titled the "Pregnant Lady Rap," tying it humorously to the theme of levirate marriage.

The hosts explore the biblical roots of this practice, emphasizing its cultural significance in an era where marriage was more about survival and familial continuity than romantic love. They navigate through the text, discussing the responsibilities of the husband's brother, who, if of marriageable age, would step in to marry the widow and secure the family lineage.

The hosts highlight the biblical accounts of Ruth and Boaz, showcasing a positive example of this practice, as well as providing a teaser for the upcoming episode featuring the story of Tamar and Judah, where the practice goes awry.

To conclude, Heather adds a unique and lighthearted touch to the episode by wrapping up with her original rap on levirate marriage. The hosts express the importance of understanding this concept within its cultural context and its relevance to biblical narratives. The episode provides valuable insights for teaching this complex topic to a modern audience, offering a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and scholarly exploration.

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Join us in a thought-provoking exploration of biblical complexities as Jonathan leads a captivating discussion on the tangled web of Jacob, Leah, Rachel, and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah.

🕊️ Deception and Measure for Measure: Delve into the intriguing story of Jacob's deception and witness the poetic justice that unfolds in his own life through the deceptive actions of his sons, mirroring the principle of measure for measure.

💪 Breaking Generational Sin: Discover the importance of helping youth break free from generational sin, as we dissect the impact of Jacob's choices on his descendants and explore the possibilities of breaking the cycle.

✝️ God's Purpose in Imperfection: Explore the complexities of God working through imperfect individuals to fulfill divine purposes, highlighting how the Messiah emerges from a seemingly messed-up marriage.

🔄 Deceptive Dance Between Jacob and Laban: Unravel the intricate dance of deception between Jacob and Laban, shedding light on the twists and turns that shape their tumultuous relationship.

👫 Concubines, Naming Significance, and Rueben's Choices: Gain insights into the significance of having a concubine, the symbolism behind the names of Jacob's sons, and the repercussions of Rueben's unfortunate choices with Bilhah.

🍎 Mandrakes: Ancient Love Apples: Explore the curious world of mandrakes, referred to as ancient love apples, adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.

🎧 Tune in now to this enlightening episode as we navigate through the complexities of biblical marriages, unveiling profound lessons and timeless truths. [Insert Podcast Link] #BiblicalInsights #PodcastEpisode #ThoughtLeadership #MustListen 🚀

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In this episode Jonathan and Heather discuss the parable of the 10 virgins. Jonathan shares some really insightful truths about this passage while also challenging us to make sure the teenagers who we love and care for make certain they too are ready for our Master's return.

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Heather and Jonathan discuss the final stage in the Jewish wedding process-consummation. They discuss how this journey through the different stages of the Jewish wedding process parallel with Jesus' return and offer a practical conversation on how to talk with teens in your youth ministry about sex.

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Heather and Jonathan continue their series on Ancient Jewish wedding customs. This week Jonathan leads our discussion on, "What is betrothal?" This conversation will help you get grounded in the next stage of the ancient Jewish wedding process.

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Heather and Jonathan are launching a brand new series on ancient Jewish marriage customs in the Bible. This week they tackle the first step in the Jewish wedding process which is "mutual commitment." We discuss how marriages were arranged. What the purpose of marriage was during ancient times and what this all means fr us today. You'll learn some really fun things you can take back to teach to your teenagers who want to know more about the Bible!

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Have you ever heard someone tell youths that their place in the Church is limited? Maybe they haven't been told that in words, but perhaps the programs are relegated to 45 minutes of games and babysitting instead of learning Scripture, digging in, and being involved in real-world ministry.

In this episode, Heather and Jonathan interview pastors Brad and Erica Brons about what we as believers can glean from Paul's letters to Timothy, and how they relate to being engaged with your local Church, regardless of age.

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Heather sits down with Fuller Youth Institute's Content Director and long time youth ministry veteran Jen Bradbury to discuss their latest book, "Faith Beyond Youth Group." The two discuss some important key concepts for developing character in young people by combining the wisdom of the first century with today's 21st century research.

To pick up the book follow these helpful links,

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Beyond-Youth-Group-Discipleship/dp/1540903516/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701348166&sr=8-1-spons

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/516450

Fuller Youth Institute: https://shop.fulleryouthinstitute.org/products/faith-beyond-youth-group-5-ways-to-form-character-and-cultivate-lifelong-discipleship?_gl=1b6oc9k_gaMTIwNTIxNDc4Ni4xNzAxMzQ4MjYw_ga_YV0Y2KH2YL*MTcwMTM0ODI2MC4xLjAuMTcwMTM0ODI2MC4wLjAuMA..

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Heather sits down with Jen Bradbury. Jen is part of the team of researchers at the Fuller Youth Institute who are constantly putting out great resources for youth ministry leaders. Heather and Jen discuss some insights from their newest book, "Faith Beyond Youth Group."

To purchase your own copy of the book follow one of these helpful links!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Beyond-Youth-Group-Discipleship/dp/1540903516/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1701348166&sr=8-1-spons

Baker Book House: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/516450

Fuller Youth Institute: https://shop.fulleryouthinstitute.org/products/faith-beyond-youth-group-5-ways-to-form-character-and-cultivate-lifelong-discipleship?_gl=1b6oc9k_gaMTIwNTIxNDc4Ni4xNzAxMzQ4MjYw_ga_YV0Y2KH2YL*MTcwMTM0ODI2MC4xLjAuMTcwMTM0ODI2MC4wLjAuMA..

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Author and Podcaster Tyler Dawn Rosenquist join Heather and Jonathan once more to unpack the biblical story of Hagar, Ishmael, Abram and Sarai. Tyler offers great insight for any teacher of the Bible and specifically for those teaching teens who are asking hard questions of the Bible. This conversation will help you understand how to teach this challenging context to the teens in your midst.

To get connected to Tyler's work go to https://theancientbridge.com/

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Did you know that honor and shame cultures still exist today? Do you know how they impacted the Biblical world, and even still today?

Many people think of Middle Eastern or Southeast Asian regions as having honor and shame cultures - and they do - but what about the Western world? What about North America, and our very own home in the US of A?

In this episode, Heather and Jonathan discuss what an honor and shame culture looked like in the Biblical era, and how that continues to impact us today.

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Heather shares why she and Jonathan decided to take down the current episode that aired today. Thanks to gathering some wise council they decided it wasn't the right time to talk about the topics that were being addressed. Instead, Heather takes this opportunity to share the extreme value of being a leader who listens, gathers wise council and applies their words to your life.

She also shares a quick story about a time when she totally failed at listening to wise council which created one of her biggest flops in ministry.

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Heather welcomes two friends of hers who joined her in Israel this past August for the experience of a lifetime. Her friends, Marty and Terrina share their experiences of what it was like to follow the rabbi.

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Sign-up for the cohort by following this link. We look forward to seeing you there!

https://firstcenturyyouthministry.com/cohort

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Sign-up for the cohort by following this link. We look forward to seeing you there!

https://firstcenturyyouthministry.com/cohort

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In ancient times the Jewish people held a belief that the soul of a persons body hovered over them for the first three days after their death. In Jewish teaching in departed from that persons body after the third day. 

Jonathan and Heather discuss this practice and the implications it has in the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. 

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Heather welcomes back Ron and Matt from the Jewish Road Podcast. Today they equip you to share the gospel with a Jewish person by using only the Hebrew Scriptures!

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Heather sits down with Matt and Ron from the Jewish Road Podcast. These guys are doing great work equipping gentiles with the tools they need to share the gospel with Jewish people by using  only the Old Testament. Ron tells the story of where it all began for them at the Jewish Road in this episode. 

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John Farwell joins us once again to discuss the power struggle in First Century Judea. 

Herod enjoyed calling himself king, and taking the glory and honor and power of said role for himself. However, Yeshua (Jesus) did the opposite: as Philippians 2:5-11 demonstrates, even though He already possessed all things, Christ emptied Himself and came in the likeness of the lowest of civil classes: a slave. While Herod was a man filled with pride and puffed up, Jesus was humble, even to the point of death on the cross. 

Join us in this discussion as we contrast the earthly kingship of Herod vs. the eternal Kingship of Jesus Christ! 

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Why does it seem like Herod is dead one moment and alive the next? It's because there's more than one Herod who lived and reigned during the time of Jesus. Jonathan and Heather help you get to know who's who among all the Herod's you see in Scripture. 

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Have you ever wondered about the awful, gory way in which Herod the Great died? Probably not, but now that we're on the subject, let's address that! 

But more than just a description of the rather awful passing of a - let's be honest - rather awful man, this episode also discusses a little bit about legacy. Herod's legacy was filled with blood and betrayal. What will yours be? 

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Herod the (Not-So) Great was known for more than just being the bad guy at the beginning of the Gospel of Matthew. During the Second Temple era, he was also known for having expensive tastes, and having a great interior designer! 

In this episode, Heather and Jonathan look at Herod's building projects. The Herodium, the Temple, the Fortress of Masada, and Caesarea. Join us as we dive into the wonders of the cultural background of the New Testament era! 

P.S. I (Jonathan) mixed up my notes for this episode; we had intended to cover Caesarea (Maritima), but I ended up covering Caesarea Philippi. While Caesarea Philippi did belong to Herod the Great as a gift from Augustus (and Herod did construct a white marble temple there in dedication to Augustus), this is not to be confused with Caesarea, which Herod the Great built at the end of the first century BCE. 

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Josephus writes extensively about the interpersonal relationships of Herod the Great. Jonathan and Heather riveting discussion the passion filled relationship between Herod the Great and a Hasmonean Princess named Mariamne. His favorite wife who he had executed. 

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While the Maccabees were able to fight back and return the rule of Judea to the Jewish people, the Hasmonean dynasty they established was not without problems of its own. Politics, paranoia, and pagan influence all around, how would a Jewish rule be sustained? Enter: Herod the Great. The son of an Idumean politician, Herod was able to forge the perfect alliance with the Jews and with the Romans. Or at least, perfect for his own purposes. 

In this episode, Jonathan describes Herod's rise to power and prominence. More than just a simple intellectual exercise, this information is important to understand in order to make more sense out of the New Testament world in which Jesus lived and ministered. So buckle up, and get ready to learn about Herod the (not so?) Great. 

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The apocrypha can be an intimidating book for many Christians. How should we understand it? How did it come about?  Why wasn't it included in the Biblical canon? Should we even be reading it as followers of Jesus? What benefit can reading the apocrypha have for our lives?

Heather and Jonathan discuss all of those questions in this episode. 

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In this episode, Jonathan brings the hammer on more of the material we're covering in our study of Between the Testaments. 

Maccabees, hammers, and zeal for the Torah, oh my! Here we look at the priestly family of Mattathias and his sons, the family that came to be known as the Maccabees. This material is covered extensively in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are part of the Apocrypha, but the brief overview offered in this episode hits on the highlights of what believers should understand to gain a better grasp of the political climate into which Jesus and the Disciples were born. 

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Here it is, Season 3, kicking off a new series on Between the Testaments! 

Have you ever paused and asked: what happened during the time between the end of Old Testament writings, but before the Gospels? During this era known as the Intertestamental period, many fascinating and important events transpired. Part of this story begins with the Hasmonean Dynasty, which finds its eventual culmination in the rule and reign of Herod (and the "other" Herods that come later). 

In this episode Heather introduces this new series with a brief historical overview of the time of the Hasmoneans, and what led into the time of the Hellenization of the ancient world, and how much pressure the Jewish people were under to conform to the Greek way of life. 

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Heather and Jonathan keep talking about the importance of the festivals. Why should we practice them? What's the purpose of them? You'll be blessed by this conversation! 

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Heather sits down with Jonathan Brown to have a discussion about the festivals. Are they just for the gentiles or are they for everyone?  Jonathan holds a wealth of knowledge on this subject and you are going to really love learning from him. 

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Jesus loved the vulnerable. Many of the religious leaders of Jesus' day created a wall of separation between the vulnerable and God. Heather and Dr. Clark have a great discussion on how we can break down those walls and truly love people. 

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The Jewish community places an extremely high value on community. Heather and Dr. Clark discuss bringing some of those first century values into todays world to help you grow in community as a 21st century youth leader. 

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Heather sits down once more with youth ministry veteran and champion, Dr. Chap Clark to have an important discussion on creating community. Together, their conversation seeks to answer your 21st century questions by looking back into the Jewish idea of community. 

To get connected with Dr. Clark go to www.chapclark.com

To get signed up for the conference and join him for the session he'll be leading on discipleship please go to https://gordonconwell.store/products/youth-conference

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During Jesus' time of ministry he spent quite a bit of time seeing people who others ignored. He passionately made a way for every individual to be part of God's Kingdom. 

In this 4 part series on Disciple-making Heather and Chap sit down to have a conversation about how disciple-makers, just like Jesus, see people. 

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What Dr. Clark has to say in this episode can truly change the landscape of your youth ministry. Taking it from a place where students come to a place where they are truly loved and cared for at their deepest need. 

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Heather welcomes back Dr. Chap Clark. Dr. Clark offers some great insight and wisdom on how to help teenagers navigate the mosaic self. Tune in. You'll be happy you did. 

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Heather has a great discussion with youth ministry champion, Dr. Chap Clark. Dr. Clark has so much wisdom to help you understand today's teenager. The focus of there conversation pulls us into understanding the virtual life of a. teenager. 

To get connected to Dr. Clark go to www.chapclark.com 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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Heather welcomes Brent Glossinger back once again to have another really great and practical conversation about discipleship. Brent offers some great first steps for every youth leader who wants to make disciples. 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather has a great conversation with Brent Glossinger. Brent has done exactly what all of us want to see happen in our youth ministries. He's created a discipleship community that has grown people's faith. Similar to what we saw alive an active in the first century. 

Brent's words are dripping with wisdom. You'll want to make sure you take notes! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather welcomes back fellow Bears fan, Bill Allison to the First-Century Youth Ministry podcast. On this episode, Bill and Heather have a practical conversation about how you can start applying some Jesus's secret sauce methods of friendship discipleship to your ministry. 

To connect with Bill, buy his book or support his ministry go to www.cadremissionaries.org

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

Join us for a FREE Zoom Roundtable Q and A with James Whitman on Maleness and Femaleness in the Hebrew Bible on Nov. 8th at 8 PM CST. 

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Bill Allison, founder and director of Cadre Missionaries joins Heather for a super practical, simple and applicable conversation about the disciple-making friendships of Jesus. 

Listen in because Bill drops so many good truths here that will challenge and inspire you in your faith journey as you love teens for the glory of God. These methods are deeply rooted in the first century way of life that produced our Messiah Jesus. 

To buy Bill's book or donate to his ministry go to, https://www.cadremissionaries.com

Join us for a FREE Zoom Roundtable Q and A with James Whitman on Maleness and Femaleness in the Hebrew Bible on Nov. 8th at 8 PM CST. 

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The Fuller Youth Institute put out a new book a year ago called, 3 Big Questions. Heather discuss some valuable insights from this book in this episode with Dr. Kara Powell.

To get connected to Dr. Powell and the work at FYI, please go here.

To sign up for the FREE Zoom Roundtable with James Whitman please follow this link- https://firstcenturyyouthministry.com/free-zoom-session

You can also access the ZOOM link here.

First-Century Youth Ministry is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Zoom Roundtable with James Whitman
Time: Nov 8, 2022 08:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

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Join us for a FREE Zoom Roundtable Q and A with James Whitman on Maleness and Femaleness in the Hebrew Bible on Nov. 8th at 8 PM CST.

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Heather sits down with Dr. Kara Powell from the Fuller Youth Institute. Dr. Powell was a tremendous guest, offering excellent insight on how to grow a deeper community within our youth ministries. 

To get all of the great resources, including Growing Young, along with many of their other great books, go to https://fulleryouthinstitute.org

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Heather sits down with Dr. Ron Herms for another great discussion on apocalyptic literature. Ron is very passionate about this topic and offers some great helpful tips for any youth leader hoping to teach their students this kind of content like a pro! 

Here's a link to one of Ron's books. 

https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/6669/early-jewish-literature.aspx

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Dr. Ron Herms joins the First-Century Youth Ministry podcast to unpack for us a deeper understanding of, "What is Apocalyptic Literature" in the Bible. 

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Heather sits down once more with James Whitman from the Center for Judeo-Christian Studies. Heather and James have an insightful and meaningful conversation about maleness and femaleness in the Bible. 

Go to www.jcstudies.org to keep learning from James and his community. 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather sits down with Dr. James Whitman. President of the Center for Judaic Christian Studies Institute. James offers some truly amazing insight on the creation account, and how we are made in the image of God. 

To get connected with the Center for Judaic Christian Studies Institute please go to www.jcstudies.org 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather has another conversation with youth ministry guru and leader, Mark Oestreicher. They discuss some practical ways that your teens can be God's image by bringing beauty, justice and peace into the world. 

To learn more about the amazing cohorts The Youth Cartel does, please go to, www.theyouthcartel.com/coaching

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather has a super fun conversation with Marko from the Youth Cartel! This conversation can help you ground your kids in using creativity to be God's image bearers. Mark shares a super fun story about some teens of his who created something really valuable for the Kingdom of God. Be inspired and tune in! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather has another great conversation with a previous guest on our show- author, Lois Tverberg. Lois just recently wrote an article on how we may have misunderstood the Pharisees in Premiere Christianity. 

To read the full article go here- https://ourrabbijesus.com/articles/have-we-misunderstood-the-pharisees/?fbclid=IwAR2qQi_VZsagmh3hZV-vrtbnNwoWIZ0mQz7tKC0nm3gjztqi2fbkAf5FSIs

To get connected to Lois' work go to www.ourrabbijesus.com 

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Heather gives a quick update on some recent changes here at First-Century Youth Ministry. 

Due to some recent changes things are going to look a little different here at First-Century Youth Ministry, but don't worry, we're still going to be bringing you amazing content to help you bridge the gap between discipleship in the first century to discipleship in your ministry context. 

You'll be hearing from some amazing people in the upcoming weeks and months who will help you grow as a teacher and learner. That's our goal here at FCYM is to help you become the very best disciple-maker as we look back together at Jesus in His Jewish context. 

To send Heather a message, please email her at heather@firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Let's flood Mark with some SUPER encouraging messages. 

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Heather has a great conversation with a previous guest on our show, author, Lois Tverberg. Lois just recently wrote an article on how we may have misunderstood the Pharisees in Premiere Christianity. 

To read the full article go here- https://ourrabbijesus.com/articles/have-we-misunderstood-the-pharisees/?fbclid=IwAR2qQi_VZsagmh3hZV-vrtbnNwoWIZ0mQz7tKC0nm3gjztqi2fbkAf5FSIs

To get connected to Lois' work go to www.ourrabbijesus.com 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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We know you're short on time in the summer and so are we, so we're keeping things short with episodes about 10 minute in length just for you! We're unpacking a different Hebrew word for you each week to help you learn on the go! 

This week we're unpacking the Hebrew word Tzitzit! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com to sign up for our discipleship experience in Israel!

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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We know you're short on time in the summer and so are we, so we're keeping things short with episodes about 10 minute in length just for you! We're unpacking a different Hebrew word for you each week to help you learn on the go! 

This week we're unpacking the Hebrew word Corban! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com to sign up for our discipleship experience in Israel!

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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We know you're short on time in the summer and so are we, so we're keeping things short with episodes about 10 minute in length just for you! We're unpacking a different Hebrew word for you each week to help you learn on the go! 

This week we're unpacking the Hebrew word Shalom! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com to sign up for our discipleship experience in Israel!

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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We know you're short on time in the summer and so are we, so we're keeping things short with episodes about 10 minute in length just for you! We're unpacking a different Hebrew word for you each week to help you learn on the go! 

This week we're unpacking the Hebrew word Berit! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com to sign up for our discipleship experience in Israel!

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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We know you're short on time in the summer and so are we, so we're keeping things short with episodes about 10 minute in length just for you! We're unpacking a different Hebrew word for you each week to help you learn on the go! 

This week we're unpacking the Hebrew word Nephesh! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com to find a sweet deal on our parables curriculum! 

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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We know you're busy in the summer, so we've got you covered with our 10 min episodes that will help you learn some key Hebrew words found in the Scriptures. This is stuff you can take on the go and teach to your students that will make you sound like a total biblical scholar. We got ya covered! 

To sign up for our Israel trip or get more information email us at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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Mark and Heather wrap up a quick two week series on demons. They explore the context of the ancient world o help us better understand Jesus' encounter with the demoniac who lived in the tombs in the Decapolis. 

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To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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Mark and Heather start a two week discussion on demons and how demons were understood in the life of the first century. 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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Mark and Heather have a super fun, practical and grounding conversation about leadership. Any and every youth leader will benefit from this conversation. 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthminisry.com

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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Mark and Heather talk about 5 key components that were alive in well in first-century discipleship. Join us for a great conversation! 

Come check out our work at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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Want to up your teaching game? Ever wondered how Jesus and His contemporaries taught? Check out this episode for a practical and fun conversation on how to teach a little bit more like a first-century rabbi. 

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To purchase our parables curriculum please follow this link!

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Mark and Heather sit down with author, speaker and professor, Dr. Carmen Imes to have an extremely meaningful and encouraging conversation on a new book Dr. Imes is working on called, "Bearing God's Image." This conversation focuses on women reflecting God's image as kingdom workers. How should the church handle gifted women? What kind of role or support should they give them? We answer all of these questions and more!

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

Get connected to Dr. Imes on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenJoyImesPhD

Go and buy her books!
https://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Joy-Imes/e/B07BNPY56Q/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

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This is part two of our conversation as Mark and Heather sit down with author, speaker and professor, Dr. Carmen Imes to have an extremely meaningful and encouraging conversation on a new book Dr. Imes is working on called, "Bearing God's Image." This conversation focuses on women reflecting God's image as kingdom workers. How should the church handle gifted women? What kind of role or support should they give them? We answer all of these questions and more!

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

Get connected to Dr. Imes on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenJoyImesPhD

Go and buy her books!
https://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Joy-Imes/e/B07BNPY56Q/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

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Mark and Heather sit down with author, speaker and professor, Dr. Carmen Imes to have a riveting discussion on understanding the law given at Mt. Sinai. Dr. Imes has written a great book, "Bearing God's Name," that discusses all of this conversation in greater detail. We'd encourage you to pick it up and get connected to her work.

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

Get connected to Dr. Imes on her YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenJoyImesPhD

Go and buy her books!
https://www.amazon.com/Carmen-Joy-Imes/e/B07BNPY56Q/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

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David Wilber, author, speaker and ministry leader helps us see where the gospel is revealed in the Sabbath. This is another beautiful and grounding conversation with David!

To get connect with David, read his books, watch his videos, go to www.davidwilber.com

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark and Heather interview author, speaker and ministry leader, David Wilber. David shares some great insight on the Sabbath and a very enriching conversation about the need for rest with God takes place. 

Every Christian needs to take to heart what this episode speaks about. 

To connect with David, buy his books, read or watch all of his amazing resources go to www.davidwilber.com 

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The very last of God's appointed times on the calendar is Sukkot and it is an all out party!  Join Mark and Heather for a great discussion on it to see where Jesus shows up in this feast.  

www.firstcenturyouthministry.com

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Mark and Heather talk about the festival of Yom Kippur and how Jesus fulfills this festival with His life!

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The feasts of Israel all point to Jesus.  Join us for a great discussion on the feast of Pentecost!

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The life of Jesus and the Jewish feast of first fruits is so amazing!  The connections are astounding.  Join us for a great discussion.  

www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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The festival of unleavened bread has so much spiritual imagery and connections to the life of Jesus is amazing!  Join us for this great conversation! 

To join our parables cohort that starts THIS Wednesday, April 6th, go to https://firstcenturyyouthministry.com/parables-registration

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Mark and Heather kick-off a new series on the feasts of Israel.  Understanding these feasts helps us have a great awareness and understanding of the life of Jesus!  You'll be so glad you joined us for this 7-week series! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyouthministry.com to sign up for the parables cohort! 

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Mark and Heather finish up their last week on Midrash.  Mark tells us about a beautiful Midrash Haggadah that will leave you loving God all the more. 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark and Heather keep the conversation going about the poetic use of Midrash Halakah.  This is such a fun episode that has lots of practical application.  

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Midrash is a beautiful poetic element used in Jewish literature.  It is a tool used by the sages to help pull different parts of the Hebrew Bible together that makes it all the more beautiful.  Join Heather and Mark for a fun discussion on it! 

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Mark and Heather have a very real and honest conversation about liminal spaces that change us.  They are the seasons we must often don't want to be in.  Yet they are unavoidable and have the opportunity to change us, just as they did for Israel.  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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Mark and Heather have another fascinating discussion on Jewish interpretation in the New Testament.  They look at a common teaching tool used by the writer's of the Bible called stringing peals.  

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Mark and Heather rehash some of the conversation from last weeks episode on Jewish interpretation in Scripture.  Heather shares some of her frustration, but by the end of it some really practical and helpful tips emerge! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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We're back after a three week break! And we're feeling energized and renewed to keep bringing you great episodes.  

This week, Mark and Heather start a discussion on the importance of understanding Jewish interpretation in Scripture.  Get ready, it's a deep dive in under 20 minutes! 

Don't forget to send us a message at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com with a screen shot of a review of our podcast.  If you're the first person, Heather will send you a free First-Century Youth Ministry book! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark and Heather have a super fun and practical discussion with Paul Turner about the importance of. inviting a mentor into your life! 

To get plugged in with Paul go to www.thediscipleproject.net 

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Heather and Mark sit down with podcaster, coach and youth ministry leader, Paul Turner.  Paul has a wealth of knowledge that he so graciously shares with us on this episode.  To connect with Paul, go to www.thediscipleproject.net

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Heather and Mark have a great and super practical discussion on the Hebrew word, haver.  They discuss the importance of having friends in our lives who call us to our very best.  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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Heather and Mark take investigate the date of Jesus' birth.  It's a fascinating discussion using a number of things going on in the Jewish world around the time of the first century!

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Join Mark and Heather as they discuss the floating motif weaved throughout the book of Matthew dealing with the birth narrative of Jesus!

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Heather discusses some super practical ways any youth worker can start today to make room for more special needs families in their ministry.  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com or send us an email at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com to ask us or Andrea a question.  

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Heather's twin sister, Andrea, a minister and special needs mom joins Heather for a needed and insightful conversation on special needs ministry.  EVERY youth worker needs to tune into this episode.  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com or send us a message at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com if you'd like to ask Andrea a question.  

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Dan and Jordan, our friends from the Flyover Ministry podcast joined us for a great discussion on small church youth ministry.  Dan and Jordan live this context and have some super helpful and insightful things to share!

Join their group, Flyover Ministry on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/677235549790850

You can find their podcast, Flyover Ministry on anchor- https://anchor.fm/flyoverministry/episodes/Episode-000---Introducing-the-podcast-eimqjg

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Heather and Mark conclude their super fun series on the Torah in the gospels as Mark unpacks the transfiguration in the gospel of Mark!

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark and Heather continue their series called the Torah in the gospels!  This week they discuss Jesus' words on comparing Himself to the Cornerstone of the Temple.  There are so many tie in's to the Hebrew Scriptures on this one!  It's so fun! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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We're continuing our conversation when Jesus pulls the Old Testament scriptures forward.  This week we take a look at John Farwell's conversation with us a few weeks ago during our ZOOM conversation and we're bringing you some of the best highlights from that time together where Jesus pulls the Hebrew Scriptures forward! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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Jesus was a master teacher who was always pulling the Hebrew Scriptures forward when He taught in the New Testament.  Mark and Heather continue their series taking you into the many accounts in the gospels when Jesus taught His listeners something from the Hebrew Scriptures to communicate something He was saying in that present moment.  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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Heather and Mark are taking you on a journey of connecting the testaments via the words of Jesus!  This week they're discussing something called biblical allusion, which shows up so much in Scripture!  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark and Heather continue the conversation about influential first-century teachers, Hillel and Shammai.  This week we discuss Shammai!  

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark and Heather start a two week series on first-century teachers, Hillel and Shammai!

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com! 

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Heather and Mark have a discussion Jesus' fulfillment of the suffering servant in Isaiah and discuss some practical ways we can apply the same type of life of sacrifice and service to our youth ministries! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mishpachah in the Hebrew simply means family! Heather and Mark sit down with veteran youth worker Mel Walker to discuss best practices for family ministry.  

Mel is an author, speaker, and the co-founder of Vision for Youth.  To see what Mel is up to go to www.youthministryquestions.com

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Heather and Mark meet up again with Jewish roots scholar, author and speaker, Lois Tverberg!  

To check out more of Lois' work go to www.ourrabbijesus.com 

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Heather and Mark interview author, speaker and scholar Lois Tverberg as we discuss the importance of understanding the way the eastern world thinks.  This conversation will help you become a better teacher to your students! 

To learn more about Lois' work go to www.ourrabbijesus.com 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

send us an email at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com for the ZOOM link to get access to our FREE roundtable discussion with John Farwell at 2PM EST on Sept 30th.  

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Heather interviews John Farwell, once again as we discuss the importance of understanding the Bible as we see it take place within its context in the land of Israel.  To keep the conversation going and to sharpen your understanding of the Hebrew Mindset we've got a free roundtable discussion taking you deeper into this topic on Thursday, Sept 16th at 2PM EST. 

UPDATE: JOHN WAS JUST GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO WALK THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL.  THEREFORE, WE WILL BE POSTPONING OUR ZOOM CONVERSATION.  OUR NEW DATE AND TIME IS THURSDAY, SEPT 30TH at 2PM EST.

Email us at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com to request the ZOOM link.  

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Mark and Heather discuss part two of the parable of the lost son! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com!

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Mark and Heather discuss the parable of the lost son from a first-century perspective!  You'll learn about how Jesus felt about the poor, people of the land, 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com

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Jesus told such awesome parables, filled with lots of great hacks to keep us all on our toes.  ON this episode we discuss some of those insider hacks! 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Parables were some of the main ways Jesus used to teach people how to follow God.  But what on earth is a parable?  What do we know about them and what was their significance in the first century?  Join us for the conversation! 

To learn more about what we do join us at www.firstcenturyyouthminstry.com 

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Mark and Heather dive into a great conversation about the Sadducees.  This one will really encourage you if you've been through hard times.  

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Mark and Heather continue the discussion on the major religious sects at play in the first century.  This week we tackle the Zealots! 

Join as at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com! 

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Mark and Heather discuss the Essenes in week TWO of our FOUR weeks series on the different religious sects in Judaism. 

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Mark and Heather kick off a 4 week series on the four main religious sects at play in the first century.  They start off the series with a conversation about the Pharisee. 

To learn more about youth workers only trip to Israel or find out more about all the work we're doing email us at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com

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Heather and Mark have a conversation with youth ministry veteran, author, and founder of Ministry Architects, Mark Devries.  Mark is a brilliant, forward thinker.  You'll be blessed by our conversation! 

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James Whitman, the president of the Center for Judaic-Christian Studies, joins Heather and Mark for week two of a fascinating conversation on how the testaments connect.   James is brilliant and brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to the conversation! 
To learn more about the courses and resources offered at JCStudies go to https://www.jcstudies.com.  Contact Heather and Mark at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com to receive a discount code for the course, "Behold the Man." 

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James Whitman, the president of the Center for Judaic-Christian Studies, joins Heather and Mark for a fascinating conversation on how the testaments connect.   James is brilliant and brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to the conversation! 
To learn more about the courses and resources offered at JCStudies go to https://www.jcstudies.com.  Contact Heather and Mark at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com to receive a discount code for the course, "Behold the Man." 

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Part two of our conversation with Dr. Olshine.  This is a great discussion on what it means to be covered in the dust of the rabbi.  

Dr. Olshine has a number of great books and speaks to youth workers, churches and camps around the country.  To get in touch with him, send us an email at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com 

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Part one of our discussion with Dr. Olshine!  Hear his story about how he came to faith in Christ as Messiah as a young Jewish man.  

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Heather leads our discussion this week on our final week on the Kingdom of Heaven.  She brings in a first-century understanding of one of the most famous Bible verses known to help us better understand our role in the Kingdom.  

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Heather leads our discussion today on week two of our series on the Kingdom of Heaven.  Get ready to grab a shovel and join with Jesus in His messianic kingdom to help bring about the divine reversal of things. 

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Mark leads us in a great discussion in the first week of our three week series through the kingdom of heaven.  This conversation is a must if you want to understand Jesus' mission on earth so you can pass along that mission to your students!  

Also, here's the contact information for Lucas Smith to have a super sweet logo made- LCS Creative on Facebook.  

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The rabbis sought to place their whole life inside of their young disciples.  

Heather interviews her friend, Billy, and a former student of his, Collin.  Billy shares about how he placed his whole life inside of Collin as a young man.  Now because of it Collin is in full-time ministry and thriving as a young adult.  

Every youth worker would benefit from tuning into this episode.  

To learn more head over to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com 

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Heather hosts and Mark leads our discussion on what it meant for a first-century rabbi to place their whole life inside of a growing disciple.  

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Mark and Heather talk about how going to Israel changed their lives, how they understand the Bible and how they Shepherd students.  

Join us for the conversation! 

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Heather and Mark interview John Farwell, the founder of "Walk the Story," as we discuss St. Jerome's idea that Israel is like the 5th gospel.  We discuss with John our upcoming youth workers' only trip with him to Israel and talk about why EVERY youth worker needs to join us!

Shoot us an email at firstcenturyyouthministry@gmail.com to learn more about our upcoming Israel trip! Also, check out www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com!

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Mark leads our discussion today as we take a look into the Scriptures about some hot topics of discussion in the first century surrounding rabbinic halakhah.  Mark doesn't back down from a tough topic that had been a hot button issue in the first century.  Join us, learn something new and grow as a master teacher to your students! 

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What does the word halakhah have to do with the life and words of Jesus in the first century?  Join us as Heather shares a fun analogy about basketball officiating to bring this important concept to life in the twenty first century.  

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Heather asks Mark how the concept of oral law can help you understand every single discussion Jesus has in the New Testament better. To go farther faster in reclaiming the ancient context of being a disciple and making them, head to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Much love, Heather and Mark

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Mark chats about what we mean by the word torah and how you can shift from thinking about the Bible as a book to thinking about it as a path. To go farther faster in reclaiming the ancient context of being a disciple and making them, head to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Much love, Heather and Mark

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Heather unpacks what a talmid was in ancient Judaism and how it carried a sense of devotion and discipline so that faith became practice and you became the teacher.To go farther faster in reclaiming the ancient context of being a disciple and making them, head to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Much love, Heather and Mark

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Heather unpacks what it took to follow a rabbi in the first century, and how to be this kind of learner OUT AHEAD of your students as a youth pastor. To go farther faster in reclaiming the ancient context of being a disciple and making them, head to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Much love, Heather and Mark

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Heather asks Mark if Jesus was the first youth pastor, and together they challenge you to understand yourself like an ancient rabbi to your students. To go farther faster in reclaiming the ancient context of being a disciple and making them, head to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Much love, Heather and Mark

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Heather talks about the value of looking back to the Jewish roots of our Christian faith so the we can look forward to how to best disciple students. To go farther faster in reclaiming the ancient context of being a disciple and making them, head to www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com. Much love, Heather and Mark