What are we teaching the youth of the world today? Are we teaching them that they are a sinner and in need of a Savior? Are we teaching them that Jesus is the only Savior and that for one to be saved they must accept Him by faith? Are we teaching them the importance of baptism and church membership after salvation? Are we teaching them that the religions of the world do not believe as the Lord's churches, even if it seems as if they do?
What do we teach the youth by our actions? Are we confusing them with our actions? Are we leading them into falsehoods by our actions?
The Bible teaches that the Lord's New Testament church is a teaching institution, the pillar and ground of the truth. Jesus commissioned His church to preach, baptize and teach. This is the work that the Lord sent His church into the world to do.
Over the years I have heard the phrase "we need to find a way to reach the youth of the world". I agree, we need to reach the entire world, including the youth. The Bible teaches us how to reach the people of the world, by the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. Romans 10:17 teaches us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. According to the Bible we have the way God intended to reach lost sinners, including the youth of the world.
Why is it that we are so eager to find another way? Why does the preaching and teaching of God's Word not work anymore? The Bible fact is it does. God does not change. His way of leading mankind to Jesus is the same. People need the gospel: youth need the gospel.
I find it alarming that when I talk to young people about the Lord and church, how many tell me how fun their church is. Sadly, when asked about what they learn, they cannot tell you. All they remember, the ones whom I have talked to, is how much fun they have.
I love fun. I love to have fun. But according to the Bible fun will not save. Have we, the Lord's New Testament churches, exchanged our commission for entertainment and excitement? What is our goal in reaching the youth of the world? Do we want to see them saved, baptized, unite with a New Testament church and serve the Lord or do we want to make sure they have fun when they come to church?
What is our focus? What is your focus?Are we entertaining young people to hell?
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I believe this is a huge problem with youth ministry in today's time. The goal should never leave our focus, winning souls, seeing them baptized, and seeing them come to know the ALL THINGS whatsoever Christ commanded. What many youth ministers do put such a bad reputation on youth ministry, and I'd like to hopefully clarify something concerning that.
ReplyDeleteWe at Calvary do not let the focus become on "fun". If the children have a "fun" time before or after services fellow-shipping with their friends, that's wonderful. But we at Calvary focus strongly on God's Word, and those teachings. Guess what?!? We are still growing! I've presented the gospel the same way at a church where we didn't grow, and this one where we do. The GOD of the Bible has not changed, the GOSPEL of the Bible has not changed, and the GOOD METHOD of bringing people to Him has not changed.
If a church is not growing a large youth program, it is possible they are not willing to reach out to them. It is also possible, however, they are doing EVERYTHING right, and the youth in that area aren't responding like in some areas (like I believe has happened in the past at Maplevale.)
If a church does have a large youth group, it is possible they are presenting the gospel just the way the Bible teaches, and training them right (like I believe is taking place here at Calvary). It is possible, however, a large youth group signals too much entertainment and a loss of true vision.
With ALL that said, I'd like to briefly address another issue not concerning youth. What about adults? They can tell you all the gossip going on at their church, and all the decisions the church has made that they agree with or not. They can tell you who the new preacher is and how long the sermon was. But they cannot tell you what was preached? Just because teens cannot tell you what they learned the week before doesn't mean they were taught any less than the adults in a church who cannot tell you what you preached last Sunday. I once heard an old preacher tell a story of a man who answered the issue this way. I don't remember what meals I've eaten for the past 50 years, but I'm sure glad I did eat them, or else I'd be dead.
One more thing.
ReplyDeleteIf we allow the goal of winning souls, seeing them join the church, and then teaching them the all things be the REASON for almost EVERY THING we do, we will probably have a great youth ministry no matter what.
If your goal is your focus, it won't matter which book you preach from (Matthew or Malachi), nor which series you preach about (dating or drugs), nor which literature (the ABA's or a self-designed one), nor which introductory object lessons you use (skits or stories), nor which community outreach methods you use (whether witnessing at a football game or door knocking). Let your goal be that of God, and let it govern all your church choices concerning the youth, the adults, the finances, etc. This has always been and always will be the key.