First-Century Youth Ministry

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, mirr...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed&quot...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  J...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group: https://www.faceb...

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...

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...

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...

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-Yo...

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 g...

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 a...

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 share...

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthministry Like our fan page! https://www.facebook.com/FirstCenturyYouthMin

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthministry Like...

Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthministry Like our fan page! https://www.facebook.com/FirstCenturyYouthMin

Heather and Jonathan take a look at the things that often divide us within the body of Messiah by comparing the religious sects of the first century with those of today. We look at groups like the Essenes, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. We also ask ourselves how we can do better to bring unity among the church today. Not focusing on our small differences but being wiling, instead to stay focus...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become pa...

Heather welcomes back Ron and Matt from the Jewish Road Podcast. Today they equip you to share the gospel with a Jewish person using only the Hebrew Scriptures! To get connected with Matt and Ron go to www.thejewishroad.com Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firstcenturyouthm...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join...

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 slav...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group:...

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? ...

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...

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.  Join us at www.firstcenturyyouthministry.com Become part of our growing Facebook community  Join our "closed" group: https://w...

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. O...

Spanning nearly 80 years, Jerusalem was ruled by a number of priests who desperately needed to grow their character. This period in Jewish history, lasting from 142 BC-63 BC, was characterized by poor leadership, murder, and a desire for power.  This drive for power and prestige amongst the priesthood would eventually lead to a great collapse within Judaism as the Romans take over in 63 BC.  Liste...