News Item: : The Seasons of Youth Ministry (Part 2 of 2)
(Category: New Youth Ministry Articles!)
Posted by uthleader
Sunday 15 February 2009 - 14:52:23
III. Remember God during the Season of Rebellion
If you minister long enough in the same place you will eventually deal with a youth group or class that is just rebellious. They are defiant in their sin and wickedness and there is nothing that anyone can do to stop them. They have already determined that the moment they graduate from high school will be the moment that they bid farewell to God and His church. They are counting down the days. It has become more difficult to determine rebellion in teenagers. They have become very good at putting on a good “show” in front of those who are in authority. There are some who are defiant in their rebellion. They want the adults and those in authority to see their rebellious attitude, but most teens in Bible-believing churches have become good at masking their true self. The Bible’s stance on rebellion is a strong one. I Samuel 15:23 states, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected thee from being king.” God goes so far as to compare rebellion with witchcraft or the occult. It’s that wicked in the eyes of God. When we reject God’s word and the principles clearly stated therein, God will reject us.
Because of the severity of rebellion there is only one option when you encounter a young person or a whole youth group with this attitude. The only way to turn, during this season, is to God. This should be a season where you spend a great deal of time in prayer. Your personal prayer life should intensify. You should pray with your pastor. You should pray with the parents of the teens who have chosen this rebellious route. You should pray with your youth ministry team. Every moment you get should be a moment of prayer. Only God can break a stone cold heart that is entrenched in rebellion. Remember your dealing with an attitude that is as serious as witchcraft. This is spiritual warfare and we ourselves are not able to defeat it alone. During moments like this, you also need to examine your life. Many times we’re guilty of seeing the obvious sin in the lives of others, but somehow missing it in our own lives. Are you completely right with God? Are there areas of your life that are in rebellion with the clear commands of God’s word? There must be a tough love that is displayed and demonstrated in the youth group. Teenagers need to know that they are loved unconditionally, but that their sin and rebellion will not be tolerated. Sometimes we’re really good at not tolerating certain things, but we don’t do a great job of loving. When you care about someone they know it. They may not admit it outwardly, but they know that they are cared for and loved.
IV. Rejoice during the Season of Revival
Rejoice, you’ve labored and worked hard for it! You’ve prayed diligently, you’ve loved unconditionally, you’ve preached your heart out, and now the fruit of your effort has arrived. When you see the first teen get right with God, and then the next one and before long the whole youth group is following the lead of a few, the rejoicing can begin. Tears will be shed and hearts will rejoice. There is nothing like a revival amongst teenagers. The transparency is so evident and real. Teenagers are such followers that it doesn’t take much to turn the tide, and once it is turned, the effects can be felt for months. Let us be reminded, that during moments like this, while we are free to rejoice, we are not free to quit. I believe that there is a vigilance that is required during this season. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;” During moments like this, he is more determined than ever to ruin lives and to destroy revival. I don’t know what season you are in right now. I am not familiar with what season your youth group is in right now, but I do know that wherever you are God’s Word has the answers. If you and your teens are struggling, the answer is found in the Bible, but may you find encouragements to know that not only are there answers, but there is hope as well. Those of us who live in northeast Ohio can hardly wait for summer to arrive. May we all pray and work for the season of revival in the lives of our teens, and may God reward our efforts.
This news item is from UthLeader.com
( http://www.uthleader.com/news.php?extend.41 )
(Category: New Youth Ministry Articles!)
Posted by uthleader
Sunday 15 February 2009 - 14:52:23
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1
The Seasons of Youth Ministry (Part II)
By Pete Folger
By Pete Folger
III. Remember God during the Season of Rebellion
If you minister long enough in the same place you will eventually deal with a youth group or class that is just rebellious. They are defiant in their sin and wickedness and there is nothing that anyone can do to stop them. They have already determined that the moment they graduate from high school will be the moment that they bid farewell to God and His church. They are counting down the days. It has become more difficult to determine rebellion in teenagers. They have become very good at putting on a good “show” in front of those who are in authority. There are some who are defiant in their rebellion. They want the adults and those in authority to see their rebellious attitude, but most teens in Bible-believing churches have become good at masking their true self. The Bible’s stance on rebellion is a strong one. I Samuel 15:23 states, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected thee from being king.” God goes so far as to compare rebellion with witchcraft or the occult. It’s that wicked in the eyes of God. When we reject God’s word and the principles clearly stated therein, God will reject us.
Pete Folger is the Assistant Pastor at Cleveland Baptist Church.
Because of the severity of rebellion there is only one option when you encounter a young person or a whole youth group with this attitude. The only way to turn, during this season, is to God. This should be a season where you spend a great deal of time in prayer. Your personal prayer life should intensify. You should pray with your pastor. You should pray with the parents of the teens who have chosen this rebellious route. You should pray with your youth ministry team. Every moment you get should be a moment of prayer. Only God can break a stone cold heart that is entrenched in rebellion. Remember your dealing with an attitude that is as serious as witchcraft. This is spiritual warfare and we ourselves are not able to defeat it alone. During moments like this, you also need to examine your life. Many times we’re guilty of seeing the obvious sin in the lives of others, but somehow missing it in our own lives. Are you completely right with God? Are there areas of your life that are in rebellion with the clear commands of God’s word? There must be a tough love that is displayed and demonstrated in the youth group. Teenagers need to know that they are loved unconditionally, but that their sin and rebellion will not be tolerated. Sometimes we’re really good at not tolerating certain things, but we don’t do a great job of loving. When you care about someone they know it. They may not admit it outwardly, but they know that they are cared for and loved.
IV. Rejoice during the Season of Revival
Rejoice, you’ve labored and worked hard for it! You’ve prayed diligently, you’ve loved unconditionally, you’ve preached your heart out, and now the fruit of your effort has arrived. When you see the first teen get right with God, and then the next one and before long the whole youth group is following the lead of a few, the rejoicing can begin. Tears will be shed and hearts will rejoice. There is nothing like a revival amongst teenagers. The transparency is so evident and real. Teenagers are such followers that it doesn’t take much to turn the tide, and once it is turned, the effects can be felt for months. Let us be reminded, that during moments like this, while we are free to rejoice, we are not free to quit. I believe that there is a vigilance that is required during this season. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour;” During moments like this, he is more determined than ever to ruin lives and to destroy revival. I don’t know what season you are in right now. I am not familiar with what season your youth group is in right now, but I do know that wherever you are God’s Word has the answers. If you and your teens are struggling, the answer is found in the Bible, but may you find encouragements to know that not only are there answers, but there is hope as well. Those of us who live in northeast Ohio can hardly wait for summer to arrive. May we all pray and work for the season of revival in the lives of our teens, and may God reward our efforts.
This news item is from UthLeader.com
( http://www.uthleader.com/news.php?extend.41 )