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Q: Hey BG, I’m wanting to lead our youth group deeper into St. Paul’s writings for this special year. We are using the Life Teen Retreat and the book you co-wrote for our Life Teen Program’s fall retreat, but I was wondering, can you tell me more about the town of Ephesus and Paul’s letter to the Ephesians?
I’m glad you’re using the Unstoppable retreat – that was team effort and I know I speak for everyone on the team when I say it was our pleasure to create it. Let us know how it worked!Also, in terms of your Ephesus question, be sure to check out the appendix of Sword of the Spirit, particularly pages 123-133 and page 142 for more information.That being said, there are several quick things I’d love to share with you about Ephesus:Ephesus had an enormous temple...dedicated to the Greek goddess...Artemis.• Ephesus was the third largest city in the entire Roman Empire, it’s found in modern day Turkey.• Ephesus was a seaport town, incredibly busy with travelers and traders from Rome, Egypt and Greece.• The outdoor theatre in Ephesus could hold up to 25,000 people.• Ephesus had an enormous temple, on par with the wonders of the world (like the pyramids). The temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess of hunting, Artemis.• Paul spent two years in Ephesus (longer than he did in any other city), starting the Christian Church there. Soon Artemis’ followers began to become angry at St. Paul’s success at converting Ephesians to Christ. • You can read more about how St. Paul's work destroyed the "Artemis statue making, knick knack" sales in Ephesus - Acts 19:23-20:1 - to a point that the people peddling the statues actually ran St. Paul out of town!• Paul placed his understudy, traveling companion and best friend, Timothy, in charge of the Church in Ephesus, as its Bishop and pastor.• St. John Zebedee, one of the twelve apostles and gospel writer, moved to Ephesus following Pentecost. The Blessed Virgin Mary moved there, too, after she was placed in St. John’s care, by Jesus from the cross (Jn 19:27).When St. Paul wrote his Letter to the Ephesians, he was writing to a community – a Church – which he had helped start and with whom he already had a relationship. His letter was crafted years after he had been there. He wanted to be sure, through the truths he shared in his letter, that people knew:• The Christian message is simple but still mysterious.• Christ is the key to our salvation.• He came to reconcile everyone, including sinners, not just “good people”.• Christ’s presence remains with the Church (the believers) through His Church. Christ is the Head of the Church and He unites all in the Church into one Church.• We needs God’s grace to live, now and eternally.• We need to lean into Christ and realize that it is only through Christ that we will win the battle for souls.• Through the mystery of marriage and family, Christ’s presence is revealed.I hope this helped!Be God’s.
Youth Ministers, did you know you can plan your 2010-2011 youth ministry programming in less than a week? Join us at Covecrest
Join the ladies of Life Teen for the third annual women’s retreat. Women of all ages from all over the country will gather at beautiful Camp Covecrest for an inspiring and rejuvenating weekend of Catholic prayer and community. Will you join us?
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