Pastors often serve as support people when those in their church are hurting. Each teen has a primary love language one that will speak more deeply to him or her emotionally, be it words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts, quality time or physical touch. The truth of God's word anchors us during the changing tides of the teenage years. everyone into His service, I believe that all of us should present our bodies One I like is to write out the letters which spell JESUS CHRIST and to ask them to come up with words for each letter, where the words must be all to do with Jesus eg. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 148:12, 13. But most of the time, no matter what, they stick with us. Looking back its easier to see how I could have been serving God during the hustle and bustle of high school life (hindsight is 20/20, right?). Then encourage them to read the four Gospel accounts of the life of Christ: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. A common question many teenagers have is why serve God instead of living however they want. Such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive (Romans 16:18). Brad M. Griffin is the Senior Director of Content for the Fuller Youth Institute, where he develops research-based training for youth workers and parents. They help youth grow from children into adults, from dependents into those ready to live independently. Show them by your own example what true faith, authentic Christianity, and discipleship look like as empowered by the Holy Spirit. The mercies of God call out: "Don't be lazy, but be diligent in serving the Lord" (12:11a). LeeAnn is a retired Navy veteran and single mom who has a passion for getting more Jesus on the Internet and Social Media. "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.". Encourage the group to look at what God is doing and to take time to observe whats around them and to use their five senses as they walk. There was a kid in our group who had some kind of developmental delay, and he did really socially awkward things. There have been rare You can serve God in your youth by accepting Gods will for you even when you dont understand it. If you have teenagers in your life who are grappling with understanding Gods plan, offer them this reflection taken from our new teen devotional, 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future: Gods plan, purpose, vision, and future for you will unfold. This year I have a daughter whos a senior, and I see the same tiring cycle. Method 1 Serving God Through Faith 1 Develop a relationship with God. Is it preaching? He also doesnt overlook or excuse sin, but confronts, forgives, and restores from the same love with which he affirms. Lilly shared that her middle school pastor really emphasized knowing Gods vision for us. I came to realise that youth are not just the future church, or the next generation waiting in the wings to join the church sometime when they are older. And it matters for their own personal and spiritual growth. By serving from an early age, we are teaching our youth about the reward that awaits them in Heaven. Ever since then, Ive been tripped up about different paths Im interested in, wondering which is Gods vision for me. must be willing for Him to do anything He wants with our lives. When you serve God in your youth, youre preparing yourself to live righteously as an adult as well. God showed up and acted. She created, Free Printable Bible Reading Plans for Beginners, Giving it to God: 5 Ways to Let Go and Let God. The joy of serving God is not something easily explained, but when you live your life for God He gives you a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Earn your bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from WCBC Online. 2 Corinthians 9:7. Helping youth prepare, lead and evaluate their contribution. Truth. Someone I used to work with once described nature as Gods picture book. I didn't grow up in the church. They learn to serve with love and to perform the smallest details beautifully. He was training them to endure by hope in him. We each need this kind of honest, hopeful, Godward encouragement, week in and week out, as we follow Jesus (Hebrews 3:13; 10:2425). Or is He someone you communicate with every day? As a teenager, and even into adulthood, you have no way of knowing or even comprehending what is best for your life. The third way you can serve God in your youth is by loving.
Sticky faith: What keeps kids connected to church? Bake cookies, bread, or pies to give to first-time visitors at your church.
Why should we encourage our children to be altar servers? If they are musically inclined, get them involved with the worship team. God had plans to use them in life-giving ways for countless kids that others find it hard to care for. Privacy Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV. He told them the truth: I am about to die and leave you. Marshall Segal is a writer and managing editor at desiringGod.org. Gods calling in their lives. Here With you. This will help him or her to carry on in the day-to-day fluctuations of student ministry work. The missionary who applies himself or herself and works hard is happy and productive. Plans to prosper and not harm, to give hope and a future. What can you do? God gives us a crown of life. Toll Free: 1-877-247-2426. Be strong and courageous. are young people who grew up in our church, attended our Christian school, and As they read, have them look for ways that Jesus expressed love. I was surprised that she came up with many of the same things that I did!
How Can We Equip Our People for God's Work in the World? They are now providing an example for their non-believer friends to see. Why Should Teolology Matter to Christians? 7. For better or worse, youths lives are always changing. (John 16:3233). They want to be available no matter what, just like a family member would. When asking what can I do for God? what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Matthew 20:28 Spouses may come to a new marriage with emotional baggage. These words will speak deeply to them. 10. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.. The Lord is near to everyone who calls on Him in truth. And Gods desire isnt to trick anyone or lead us the wrong way or shame us for choosing badly. Kids need to remember that God created them in his image and has a divineand eternalpurpose for them. We want your marriage to be thriving and healthy. What are some of the ideas and phrases youve heard about Gods plan or purpose for you? Is your relationship with God something you fall back on in your time of need? I do wish for The fourth way you serve God in your youth is by showing faith! The first reason you should serve God in your youth is presented in Proverbs 22:6 (CSB). BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. God wants to comfort, encourage, and strengthen people. Do you want to test the encouragement you give and receive in your relationships? To learn how to get closer to God, have your teen consider these passages: For those who delight in receiving quality time, God has all the time in the world for them. Lights and candles Have you been wondering how to serve God in your youth? Read: Ecclesiastes 12:1 2. Thankfully, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us exactly how to love others. The more time our youth spend surrounded by others who speak life into each other, the more that becomes the norm for their own speech. Ask if it consistently tells the truth, even the hard truths; if it invites and inspires a rigorous and joyful obedience; if it strengthens hope in God and not in self. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; You can rescue a couple from the brink of divorce and restore a family! . It is important because it puts Jesus at the centre of the meeting. Permissions If we are building with cheap materials (like being cool and looking the part), those things will be burned up. Getting creative is a great way to worship and connect with God. Then give them space to reflect alone on these questions and maybe get into pairs after to share their ideas. No matter what struggles you and your spouse face or how deep your pain goes, there's still hope. ( Rev. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. prerequisites to challenging those over whom we have influence to consider What does it mean to cherish your spouse? 1. 6. For instance, if theyre feeling socially awkward because they aresocially awkward, they may complain about how the youth leader makes them feel awkward. You will be there, and God will be there. Relationships with children change, and the stepparent-stepchild relationship adds another dynamic. Joy, Everlasting, Saviour etc. I am sure you can think of others. .
Sermon on Youth -- In The Days of Thy Youth - GEWatkins.net Brad M. Griffin | Dec 7, 2022 I have a career in mind that I want to do, but I don't know if that's what God wants for me. This may be identified as pins on a map, or a photo board, or a PowerPoint presentation of people at work, or a booklet listing people's jobs and interests. (Most youth leaders dont need more coffee mugs)Great times to do this: Word gets around. But ministry made out of the right materials will last forever. Couples who cherish each other understand that God created everyone different, and as a result, they treasure the unique characteristics in their spouse. Paul gives us insights into reaching them for Jesus Christ. Serving God in your youth doesnt have to be difficult. And the slice of time that I was in their youth group was a building block that has lasted in my relationship with God. person must go into full-time Christian service in order to be a success in This means no talking back or arguing, no disobeying their rules, and even no rolling your eyes when you think their back is turned (because trust me, they always know). or rulers or authorities,
We can certainly see God's love in any of the five love languages since He speaks each language fluently. TABLE OF CONTENTS. These churches give the people of God a sense that they have been strategically placed by God in their working worlds to make a difference there. And in the face of a bleak outlook, promising to be with them wherever they went, he called them to obey. With that knowledge, we can better guide them into experiencing Gods love. Whether it be words spoken in anger, gossip, or even speaking poorly about myself, I struggled with speaking only uplifting and encouraging words. Thats why I try as far as I can to offer worship times which a teenager can replicate at home, day to day. You did a great job on that project. Youre a very good mother. Everythings going to be okay. But biblical encouragement, though often rich with affirmation, offers something far stronger and more invigorating. The flatterer uses other peoples insecurities to serve his own cravings for approval, for power and influence, and in some cases for financial gain or illicit sex. True encouragement is not about making others feel better about themselves, but preparing them to know, obey, and enjoy more of God.
Ive often used this in youth services where you set up a wall with lining paper on and people are encouraged to write down things to thank God for or prayers they may have. The second way you can serve God in your youth through your conduct is by respecting others, whether or not they return that respect to you. Have I not commanded you? Those who work with middle- and high-schoolers are some of the greatest unsung heroes around.
What Does It Mean to Serve God? The word blessed means to verbally affirm. *Adapted with permission from Kara Powell, Kristel Acevedo, and Brad M. Griffin, 3 Big Questions That Shape Your Future: A 60-Day Exploration of Who You Were Made to Be, released by Baker Books December 2022. From the first chapter in the Bible to the last, God gives because God loves. A gentle smile, a kind word, an opportunity to visitGod can use these to assure them of His love. doing more for the cause of Christ than many pastors I know. What Does Nehemiah's Life Teach Us about Following God? Double your gift for struggling couples and expand efforts like Hope Restored marriage intensives! We are often good at teaching about God, helping young people understand more about our faith but how do we help them to develop this relationship with him, to learn what it means to worship? It includes scripture and questions to discuss with someone close to you, who can support you in conquering your bad habits. You can serve God by speaking words of life. who offer a one-time complimentary consultation from a Christian perspective. The second way you can serve God in your youth is through your behavior; you can reflect your faith with how you treat others! Take steps to win their approval. And how did he encourage them? If theyve made it to their fifth year in one church, theyve outlasted many of their peers. doing the work of God, and will have a great reward from God when they get to This article first appeared in the October/November 2021 issue of Focus on the Family magazine as How Does Your Teen Feel Close to God? Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. I probably asked myself that very question a million times during my teen years. These teens often raise their hands when singing worship songs. teachers, principals, bus drivers, etc.). September 8, 2017 Their eternal impact is not usually obvious in the moment, so they need you to believe with them that God will see these kids through to the end. Brad and his family live in Southern California, where he serves as Pastor of Youth and Family Ministries at Mountainside Communion. So, does our encouragement bear the fruit of difficult obedience in every good work and word? For them, this is when they most deeply feel loved by God. But most importantly, as parents we can instill within our children the realization that they dont have to experience Gods love the same way others do. It models reliance on God to the young people. Because real encouragement fuels real obedience. Learn how you can rebuild your marriage through a personalized, faith-based program called Hope Restored. There are lots of different word games where you have to think of words which relate to a topic. Serving God in your youth is loving others, having faith, and living in a way that is evidence of Gods goodness and mercy. If he or she is often touching you, its likely because your child wants to be touched. A light that can hopefully rub off on others and get them interested in joining her.
How Can I Serve God When I'm Old? I Feel Useless. Ive turned to scripture to answer this and there are also some benefits of serving God that are worth being mentioned. Used by permission. I put them in a nice motel. In their groups, ask them to pray for each other in turn, and each time ask God what he wants to say to the person being prayed for. Do the teenagers in your ministry ever worry about the future like Lilly? You could allow people to use design programs on a computer or tablet (which is great for those who dont feel naturally arty). I felt too young, unqualified, and completely clueless on how to serve God. 9:22,23) Young people struggle with loneliness, feelings of worthlessness, relativistic confusions, anger, hurt, meaninglessness, indifference, and unmet needs. And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. Here are some examples of how to get closer to God by recognizing His gifts: God expresses His love by offering acts of service to His people. Kingdom Bloggers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. eyes as you talk about another missionary coming to the church, if they hear sending church for a particular individual, etc. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.' They may like to draw or write down anything that strikes them as important. Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? For teenagers, growing closer to God depends on their personality, interests, and relationship with God. Jesus touched a man with leprosy, willing to touch even the untouchables of His day.
Someone Needs Your Encouragement | Desiring God We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 3.
What they will experience, however, is an increased responsiveness from those theyre ministering to. Have some time of quiet while people listen, then share with the person what they think God might have said. This will mitigate your attempts at in-person encouragement. Our church has been blessed with This book will help you to engage with your teens and teach them to be safe in a digital world! Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. 18 In the future, faithful young people will be counted among those who will survive into God's promised new world. That means someone we know probably needs that kind of encouragement too, even today. But Im Not a Youth Leader What Does a Youth Leader Really Look Like? What could be more affirming than these words? critical of us. You can help your youth leaders remember the big picture by sharing the win with them when an alum of the ministry is doing well. Give your youth appropriate responsibility. God doesn't care about their age or stage of life. When you think about the future, what makes you most uneasy? Do they lead worship with passion and excellence? I do believe, however, that far more young people ought Instead of fear, God gave us the gift of power, love and self-discipline. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Focus on the Family has created a free five-part video course called "Cherish Your Spouse" featuring best-selling author Gary Thomas. They will most likely feel Gods love as they have their daily devotions and quiet time with God. First, we must discover and understand our teens primary love language. Customize your library of parenting resources: 8605 Explorer Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051, Teens get closer to God through their specific love languages, We can certainly see Gods love in any of the five love languages since He speaks each language fluently, Teenagers, like adults, may sometimes wonder why they dont experience God in the same way as other Christians. I didnt have a lot of personal interaction with Clark and Sharrie after I graduated, but when we reconnected years later, I learned that they were both teaching at a special needs school, and later they adopted several special needs kids. Cultivating a habit or culture of true encouragement may begin with taking more seriously the severity of Gods warnings about flattery. Bible Study, Prayer, & Spiritual Growth Online. If you want your youth leaders to stick with it through the years, affirm the things that will remain or even grow in them as they mature. Here are 11 specific benefits of serving God in your youth that my daughter and I came up with: Responsibility and Accountability - When youth serve at church, they are learning responsibility. Required fields are marked *. Somewhere along the way I picked up this little trick: before saying something take a moment to consider these three things: If your answer to any of these three questions is no then it doesnt need to leave your lips. And when the youth group kids are acting wild, remind your youth leaders that this is not the end of the story. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left. This kind of encouragement is not merely about standing up to opposition or overcoming fears, but about trusting and obeying all that God says. For example, those who have physical touch as their love language might naturally raise their hands while singing worship songs. Okay, maybe not, but it wasnt a stretch to believe, right? Even better serve God by sharing Jesus with others. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have been at work since before time, and we can rest knowing Jesus holds everything togetherso that job isnt up to us!
What Does the Bible Say About Serving God? trip if God did not call them to full-time Christian service. It is a great way of getting people interacting with God and allowing their prayers to inspire others. Thats because God answers prayer, so you can know that the time and attention you give to pray for your youth leaders will be a true source of encouragement for them. Be strong and courageous. These words are well-intentioned, but can easily puff up rather than build up. I can see the difference serving at church has already made in her life (compared to her friends that aren't involved in their church). of an unhappy, negative, discouraged person. 1 Timothy 4:12 says this, Dont let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct,, in love, in faith, and in purity.. to go into the work of the Lord than do. Local: 704-401-2432 Its effect is not loving, but ruinous. As I said, "lagging behind" translates a Greek word that means "lazy.". If they dont feel Gods love as you or their siblings or kids in their youth group do, thats OK. Equipping Kids to Defend the Bible: Answers to Common Questions, Teaching Empathy: The Power of Service in Your Family. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "kfox1973-20"; While there are several examples of good stewardship and service to others in the Old Testament, Christ is the ultimate servant and should be viewed as the model for encouraging the congregation to participate in the community: Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Gods plan is to be with you, and Jesus will be holding all things together the entire way.*. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Ironically, flattery can deceive and ruin the flatterer by making even him believe himself loving. If they dont feel Gods love as you or their siblings or kids in their youth group do, thats OK. God created your teen to love Him in a way that is unique to your teen. She began serving in the children's ministry that year and has continued serving all through middle school and now high school.
Jesus showed His love by dying for us while we were still rebellious toward Him. No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.. occasions when we have had to withdraw support from a missionary, stop being a You can read my full affiliate disclosure here. While poor encouragement . Startchildren off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.. 2 days of "and the lord heard me - i have my answers" || nsppd || 6th july 2023 Learning how to get closer to God is a lifelong journey. This article is in Encouraging Teenagers to Serve God By Dr. R. B. Ouellette, Wednesday, January 16, 2013 Some of the finest members of our church are young people who grew up in our church, attended our Christian school, and are serving as laymen and women in our ministry. Ten Keys to Reaching Youth (I Cor. Or they complain because he cant keep up with which worship songs are in vogue. They do not yet possess the brain circuitry to understand cause and effect at some levels. Stay in ministry. Word games The Five Best Ways to Engage Your Youth Group. Both families may have different traditions and ways of doing life. Volunteer to help the church secretary with some of her duties at church. These particular verses really drive home the importance of kids serving God in their youth and how it impacts them in so many ways. The first way you can serve God in your youth is by zipping your lips. Art doesn't just have to be paper and pens either.
10 ways you can help young people worship God - Thrive Youth Ministries When theyve reached milestones in their ministry. Video meditations Daily we work, clean, love, support, listen to, teach, and endlessly give of ourselves to the members of our family. Listen to and obey those who have authority over you (i.e. To discover your teens love language, answer the following questions: After Jesus death and resurrection, when He was returning to the Father, He said: When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me (John 15:26).
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