November 15, 2010

  • youth seminar possibities for 11 21 10

    Associate Minister’s Meeting 11 15 10 Youth Seminar Planning:    Youth Seminar, Sunday, 11 21 10:  Learning to confidently face, sort through, and discuss challenging topics. 

    We will have coffee/roll there in am; All leaders present at 10 AM;  10:15 to 11: 45 is first session (with 10 minute break at  11).;  11:45 to 1:00: Lunch;1:00 to 2:00 2nd session; 2:15 to 3:30 PM  3rd session

    Goals of this seminar:

    --Learning truth is more important than being right or winning an argument

    --To learn to  freely express one’s own  “opinion” based on knowledge/wisdom accumulated thus far.

    -- To be able to be challenged in one’s own opinion and to receive the challenge as a gift advancing one to further study and, therefore, further enlightment.

    -- To be able to be shown to be right or wrong with no manifestation of wrongful pride in either case.

    -- To be able to “argue” one’s point without relying on one’s own charisma, popularity, intimidation techniques, joke attempts, or anything that would cloud the straight forward “speaking the truth in love”.

    -- To be able to understand how complicated some issues are and to realize that to dismiss a topic because it is too “busy, deep, involved, etc.” is ignorant. To know that some issues may take a very long time to study out and obtain a wise, knowledgeable response.

    --  be willing to learn to take the risk of speaking out knowing the vulnerability one then sits in because now others can tell us what we said “wrong” . To be willing to admit if we are one of those who consistently is comfortable with criticizing the “they” who do take a stab at learning truth as opposed to being one of  the truth seekers ourselves.

    -- To learn that the “popular”, “mainstream”  thinking does not always coincide with truth. To dare to stand with truth rather than with people when the people are wrong.

    Rosemary’s Ideas concerning some methods to use to realize these goals:     Before I share my ideas, you , associate ministers need to know that the GOALS are what I am aiming for here , not to use each and every idea (exercise) have here to reach the goals.

    You can freely add your own ideas for exercises before a final decision is made; however, be aware that if ONE particular exercise results in huge brain electricity being generated all around, that exercise could “take over” (just as we experienced in that exercise at the hotel when we pretended all the leadership was gone and the kids had to run the church, remember? All other plans fell by the wayside that day….)

    Having said that, here are some of my brilliant ideas J for exercises to reach our goal:

    Questions in a jar:   Whoever draws the question gives the first answer…if that person has “no clue”,  they pass that question  to the next person.  After someone gives their  answer, then that answer  can be questioned/developed by others. We will move unto a new question after a couple of minutes.  The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate that there are many questions that challenge us to some hard, continual studying, thinking, and praying! I want (also for ) the kids to DISCUSS :WHAT WOULD I HAVE TO STUDY TO FIND OUT WISE , TRUTHFUL ANSWERS TO EACH TOPIC?  WHAT QUESTIONS DOES THE QUESTION BRING UP?

    DISCUSS somewhere in connection with this exercise:  WE ARE A “KEEP IT SIMPLE” ,” GIVE ME JUST THE HEADLINES “ SOCIETY IN A COMPLICATED WORLD. 

    E.G., QUESTION ON OUR BALLOT THIS YEAR: SHOULD SOMEONE WHO COMMITTED A FELONY (I THINK IT  20 YEARS AGO) BE ALLOWED TO WORK IN A PUBLIC PAYING JOB?  That is NOT a simple “yes” or “no”!

     

    In some of the questions below , we will list the questions you could ask in order to get an answer. Some questions are VERY complicated!!!!!

    It is easy to get other folks to grapple with those questions, wait for their answer, and then say why their answer is stupid. It is much harder to be the one working on answers!

     

    The following are a list of “controversial” questions I found on a website.  50 Argument Essay Topics  For Your Essay, Speech, or Debate By Grace Fleming  (I did not use all 50; and you leaders can add some of your own – what you see in caps by some of them are some of the questions I think of in connection with the questions given by the Grace lady.)

    5. Is torture ever acceptable?

    6. Should men get paternity leave from work?

    9. Do curfews keep teens out of trouble?   WHAT AGE? WHAT TIME?  ACCOUNTABLITY TO PARENTS? HOW MUCH? SHOULD THEY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHO WITH? DIFFERENT FOR BOYS THAN GIRLS?

    11. Are we too dependent on computers?   

    14. Should cigarette smoking be banned?    21. Should the government have a say in our diets? 43. Should the government provide health care? IF I MUST ULTIMATELY PAY FOR YOUR CARE WITH MY TAX DOLLAR, SHOULD I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT HOW WELL YOU EXERCISE GOOD HEALTH HABITS?

    16. Are law enforcement cameras an invasion of privacy?  WHERE SOULD THEY EXIST? WHERE NOT? DOES A HIGHER LEVEL OF ENFORCEMENT MEAN A HIGHER LEVEL OF CRIME? E.G., IF I SEND 80% OF MY COPS TO FRANKLIN AND EASTERN AND 1 % TO GASLIGHT VILLIAGE, WHICH PLACE WILL HAVE A RATHER LOPSIDED VIEW OF CRIME STATISTICS?

    20. Should companies market to children?  SHOULD PARENTS SHOP FOR TOYS AND CLOTHING AND MOVIES FOR THEIR KIDS OR SHOULD KIDS HAVE FIRST HAND ACCESS TO THESE THINGS AND BEG PARENTS FOR WHAT THEY WANT.  AGES?

    24. Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?  ARE SPORTS FIGURES ELEVATED TO “ABOVE THE LAW” STATUS?  IS THERE SUCH A THING AS SPORTS HAVING BECOME THE RELIGION OF THE WORLD? CHECK OUT THE OLYMPICS: THE CEREMONY, THE ORIGINS….

    27. Should creationism be taught in public schools?  SHOULD PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALLOW ALL RELIGIONS TO USE THE PROPERTY FREELY AFTER SCHOOL OFFICIAL HOURS TO HOLD THEIR OWN MEETINGS?  SHOULD MUSLIMS BE ALLOWED TO SAY THEIR PRAYERS COMPLETE WITH GETTING ON THE FLOOR AT THE EXACT, PRESCRIBED HOURS? WHOSE HOLIDAYS SHOULD AND SHOULD WE NOT CELBRATE?  IF IT IS THE MAJORITY IN A REGION, THEN SHOULD THAT PLACE, E.G., DEARBORN, BECOME AN OFFICIALLY MUSLIM PLACE COMPLETE WITH SHARIA LAW?

    28. Are beauty pageants exploitive?  SHOULD A CHRISTIAN WOMAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SWIMSUIT PART? SHOULD A CHRISTIAN WOMAN BE A CHEERLEADEER WHEN THE COSTUMES RESEMBLE BATHSUITS OR THE SKIRTS ARE SO SHORT THEY HAVE THE SAME EFFECT?

    29. Should English be the official language in the United States?

    31. When should parents let teens make their own decisions? MAKE A LIST OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO DECIDE – WHAT IS YOURS AND WHAT IS THEIRS AND WHAT IS BOTH?  AT WHAT AGE WOULD THAT CHANGE? OR, IS IT ABOUT YOUR STILL BEING SUPPORTED BY THEM?

    IF YOU ARE 25 AND STILL LIVING AT HOME, SHOULD YOUR MOM AND/OR DAD STILL BE ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT YOU MAY AND MAY NOT HAVE IN YOUR MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT CHOICES IN THEIR HOME?

    35. Does age matter in relationships?  AT WHAT AGE AT ROL SHOULD WE BEGIN TO ENJOY SEEING OUR YOUTH BEGIN TO PRAY FOR A MATE?  UNTIL WHAT AGE SHOULD WE “LEAVE THEM ALONE” CONCERNING THAT TOPIC?  

    37. Should gay couples be able to marry?  “LEGISLATING MORALITY” IS THE ISSUE HERE. IF we  THINK IT IS OK TO “LEGISLATE MORALITY”, WHERE DO WE GET THE STANDARDS FROM?  DO WE TAKE A VOTE OF THE CURRENT POPULATION AND GO WITH WHATEVER THE MAJORITY CURRENTLY BELIEVES IN?

    41. Is competition good?  EG, ALL HONOR ROLL STUDENTS GET ONE DAY OFF A YEAR FROM SCHOOL IN THE LAST MONTH OR THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE AT SCHOOL WHERE THEY ALONE ARE ALLOWED TO STUDY EACH MONTH THEY ARE ON THE HONOR ROLL

    44. Should girls ask boys out?   SHOULD A GIRL “CHASE AFTER” A BOY? SHOULD A GIRL MAKE SURE A BOY KNOWS SHE REALLY LIKES HIM? SHOULD A GIRL SAY “YES” TO A GUY FOR A SOCIAL TIME IF SHE KNOWS HER GIRLFRIEND “SECRETLY” LIKES THAT GUY?

    45. Is fashion important?   

    48. Should students be allowed to grade their teachers?   WHAT WOULD QUALIFY A STUDENT (AND AT WHAT AGE) TO KNOW WHAT CRITEREA TO USE TO GRADE A TEACHER? 

    Panel discussion in front of the entire group  : We leaders could choose participants and topics and put a time limit on each discussion

    Discussion suggestions:

    SOCIAL NETWORKING VS IN PERSON ACTIVITIES for the cultivation of relationships….does the social networking enhance or retard our closeness? How could it do some of both?  IS IT APPROPRIATE TO PUT AMBIGUOUS STUFF ON THERE? TO PLAGIARIZE?

    Sabbath: What to do and not to do?  

    Describe elements of secularism in our mainstream holidays that are unacceptable for a Christian to be a part of. What do we do when invited into those things and/or our grandma introduces them at a family gathering .

    Note: We could stage a “demonstration of dialogue” within the panel discussion

    Debate:  This debate will have as its “proof texts” the Bible , plus applications of Bible truths

    Format:   Four youth involved; 2 pro; 2 con

    4 initial speeches:  pro/con/pro/con …..2 minutes apiece;  4 1 minute conclusion speeches again pro/con/pro/con

    There will be a statement for them to debate and they must back up their opinion with scripture:

    E.G., “If a Christian chooses to start a business in equal partnership with another person, that person must also be a Christian.”

    Or:   “If I am living under my single mom’s home,  she has the right  to forbid certain media in our home no matter how old I am”.

    Or:   “No matter how attracted I am to a fellow single, if that person is not a Christian, I must crucify that attraction.”

    Or:  “If a girl has an abortion, she is a murderer and is going to Hell.”

    Other topics that occur to me right now: “Civil disobedience” …when right; when not

    Qualifications for being and remaining in a five fold ministry role

    Was Joseph wrong to share his dream with his brothers?

    When should someone be asked to leave a church?

    Currently the debate about immigrants is raging: Do Christians have answers? Could we use God’s examples of incorporating the strangers into the Jewish nation as some good principles to follow?

    At rol: Sabbath, divorce, can you be a five fold minister without caring about reading the entire bible with some depth

    What we should all be doing during worship

    How to dress coming to church

    Do we have a choice as to whether or not to go to church – should we ever take a job (or join a sport or a club) that keeps us from church most all of the time?

    Abortion – is it ever all right? Incest? Rape?

    Devotions: how often?  Can you survive the attacks of the enemy without prayer and bible reading on your own?

    Should Christians have anything at all to do with Halloween?

    These things were off the top of my head…I have a feeling we could do even better with some statements to sink our teeth into……

    Ph and kyf leaders could decide a topic and discuss on Wednesday night the pro’s and con’s  -- prepare kids for the debate --Then the youth are to find scripture to substantiate the pro or con of the statement.

      Actually, we could have several debates  going on simultaneously with different leaders in different rooms. We could come together in a group later to discuss the principles we learned about debate/truth…etc….

    Remember: The important thing is not the topic; the important thing is fulfilling the goals of the seminar!

    To further share some of Grace Fleming’s words: What Is a Debate? Grace Fleming, About.com Guide, calls it ,” Basically, a debate is an argument with rules.  “ Grace says:   A typical debate includes:

    1.   Students hear the topic and take positions (pro and con)

    2.   Teams discuss their topics and come up with statements

    3.   Teams deliver their statements and offer main points

    4.   Students discuss the opposition's argument and come up with rebuttals

    5.   Rebuttals delivered

    6.   Closing statements made  End of quoting Grace here

    7.       I, Rosemary,  AM ADDING IN HERE SOME DEFINITIONS OF THE WORD “ARGUMENT” – WHEN IS IT OK TO “ARGUE”; WHEN IS IT NOT OK?  I have heard some people say of me that I “like to argue” as if that is a BAD thing. I DO like to argue IF it is  a debate searching for truth .  Argument: an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation: a violent argument. 2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate: They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation. 3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons: I couldn't follow his argument. 4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point: This is a strong argument in favor of her theory. 5. an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse. Obsolete . a.  evidence or proof. b. a matter of contention. —Synonyms :1. Argument, controversy, dispute  imply the expression of opinions for and against some idea. An argument  usually arises from a disagreement between two persons, each of whom advances facts supporting his or her own point of view. A controversy  or a dispute  may involve two or more persons. A dispute  is an oral contention, usually brief, and often of a heated, angry, or undignified character: a violent dispute over a purchase. A controversy  is an oral or written expression of contrary opinions, and may be dignified and of some duration: a political controversy.

    Interview:   One on one. In front of group.

    Speech: A person gives a 2 minute Speech on a rather controversial topic and then gets questions from audience  -- OR, FOR FUN, one of us could do a deliberately ignorant speech and then let them tell us where we went wrong.

    Game:  Create a game called "challenge"  like  “Ungame”  only it has  a challenge feature....