Posts by Ephraim Costilow
Stepping Into The Light
It’s been a long winter, and I think I speak for most of you when I say WE ARE SICK OF IT! We are ready for it to leave for good. Unfortunately we all know it will be back again next year. Stay with me before you step into a dark and dismal depression; next winter may not be as bad, but It will be back nonetheless. Just like winter, we will experience various highs and lows along our spiritual walk How COVID has affected us
Using Your Gifts and Supporting the Next Gen
Most of us know the parable of the talents and that it teaches us to use our gifts for the kingdom and the glory of God (Matthew 25:14-30). You may also be familiar with the passages where Paul talks about the different spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gives us and how we should use them wisely and use them to serve others (1 Corinthians 12 & Romans 12). I wanted to bring these passages to your mind ahead of something really fun How COVID has affected us
Why Snacks?
The Bible outlines the early church modeling deep community through shared meals. Time after time the table became a place where God was present with His people, and His people were present with each other. This is what we strive for each week during our Wednesday night youth group. On the surface a “snack time” doesn’t seem profound, but I believe we are impressing something deeper upon these youth. Each week they know they are going to have 15 mins to How COVID has affected us
Questions of Christmas
December has arrived, and that means the Christmas Season is upon us! If any of you are like me, you’ve been keeping your wife at bay until after Thanksgiving. If she had her way, it would be Christmas in our house all year long. There is something special about preserving the holiday for this specific time each year. We anticipate it. We plan for it. We don’t take it for granted. During the Christmas season, several characteristics of Christ readily shine How COVID has affected us
Using Your Gifts
I Peter 4:10-11 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” This verse along with many others such as Romans 12: 3-8, I Corinthians 12:7, and I Timothy 4:14, teaches us How COVID has affected us
D-GROUPS (Discipleship Groups)
This Sunday night we’re taking the youth ministry to the next level by kicking off D-Groups! D-Groups is a weekly discipleship group where our High Schoolers will be circling up and reading the scriptures aloud, then openly discussing what they’ve read. I will have pointed questions prepared to help steer them in the right direction, but I am so excited to see where God steers them through their conversation. This is not a night where they’re coming to hear an adult give a How COVID has affected us
Even the Smallest Person
One of my favorite movie phrases comes from The Lord of the Rings: “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” This resonates with me because Freya was born at less than 4 lbs, she has changed the future of myself, Molly, and many others as well. This is one of the many reasons I love God’s word. It’s filled with stories of ordinary people doing crazy things for God. God can use anybody. God can use YOU. How COVID has affected us
Summertime
The sun is shining, warmth is in the air! We all know what that means; summertime is here! For many youth ministers across the country, that means camp is just around the corner. I am in full camp mode getting every detail locked in and ready to go for a fun week with high schoolers this July. The camp theme this summer is “You Be the Judge”. I will be challenging the campers to make good Godly choices in their How COVID has affected us
The Next Gen
“He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:5-7 These verses teach us the importance of making sure the next generation knows God, His laws, and How COVID has affected us
Did You Know?
Bible Trivia! Some cringe when they hear this game is up next, while others pump their fists in excitement. Maybe you’re the person everyone wants to be on their team, or maybe you’re the one no one wants on their team. There are so many fascinating things in the Bible, many of which most people didn’t even know were there! So, I’d like to take this moment to share some of my obscure, but cool, facts that will help you How COVID has affected us