how to encourage youth to serve godhow to encourage youth to serve god

Here are 11 specific benefits of serving God in your youth that my daughter and I came up with: The Bible speaks often about the importance of serving God and serving others before ourselves. *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. Scripture is clear that we should serve God but why serve God is a more complicated question. Hes the author of. Heres what Ive found in my studies. Home Do you want to test the encouragement you give and receive in your relationships? He'll offer you practical guidance for developing a deeper level of intimacy and connection with your spouse. LeeAnn is a retired Navy veteran and single mom who has a passion for getting more Jesus on the Internet and Social Media. comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word (2 Thessalonians 2:1617). When teens reflect on the life of Jesus, the Holy Spirit opens their heart to all the ways that God loves them. Encouragement knows it can only be as fruitful as it is faithful. Joy, Everlasting, Saviour etc. occasions when we have had to withdraw support from a missionary, stop being a If you have objective evidence of wrongdoing or inappropriate behavior, it is not showing dishonor to your youth leaders to bring up your concerns. Gods plan is to be with you, and Jesus will be holding all things together the entire way.*. Bible Study, Prayer, & Spiritual Growth Online. Your youth leaders may or may not look the part. Lesson 82: How to Serve the Lord (Romans 12:11) | Bible.org They help people to focus as well as to consider how they are doing when it comes to walking in the light (1 John 1:7). Yet, it is so easy to tense up, to get nervous, to get so concerned with wanting to say the right thing that you end up saying nothing at all. Marshall Segal is a writer and managing editor at desiringGod.org. Do the teenagers in your ministry ever worry about the future like Lilly? And in the face of a bleak outlook, promising to be with them wherever they went, he called them to obey. So another one of the benefits of serving God is with God on your side theres no need to worry; you can simply find joy in each and every day. Buy Now! But you can help. They learn to serve with love and to perform the smallest details beautifully. Communicate the Way Young Members Want You to Communicate. Serving God in your youth does not guarantee you a life without trouble. All around youeven in your churchare people who are lonely or hurting, and God can use you to encourage them and let them know they are not alone. Five Ways to Encourage Your Pastor (Without Exalting Him) 6. God heals broken hearts and can restore what's been lost. "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.". 8. In fact, it might just be flattery in sheeps clothes. We cooperate with the Holy Spirit in exposing our children to the things Jesus said and did while He was on earth. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. They can also refer you to counselors in your area for ongoing assistance. Give your youth appropriate responsibility. Encouraging Words for Youth From the Bible: Uplift Teens With Scripture 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. This influence can be either positive or negative depending on how youre living now. There are some particularly where they take a worship song and put images to it. Focus on the Family has created a free five-part video course called "Cherish Your Spouse" featuring best-selling author Gary Thomas. Top 5 Ways to Engage the Youth in Your Church | SimpleTexting To start serving God, you have to discover who God is to you. Great news -- we have the tools to help you do just that. Serving God in your youth is about the small things you do each day to point others to God. If he or she is often touching you, its likely because your child wants to be touched. He also doesnt overlook or excuse sin, but confronts, forgives, and restores from the same love with which he affirms. 2021 Dr. Gary Chapman. You can serve God in your youth by accepting Gods will for you even when you dont understand it. (John 16:3233). Have your teen consider these verses to continue growing closer to God: Jesus never hesitated to touch those who needed Him. Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church of Bridgeport. What can you do? Spouses may come to a new marriage with emotional baggage. As caring leaders, we often need to take it down a notch or two. There's a time for our children to be right . So, when we encourage, do we resist the temptation to hide what might hurt or to say more than is really true? 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. How often do we accentuate what we have done or can do, rather than taking refuge in what God has promised to do for and through us because of Christ? While poor encouragement might justify passivity, real encouragement inspires fresh vigilance and faithfulness. How to Help Your Teen Get Closer to God - Focus on the Family For example, those who have physical touch as their love language might naturally raise their hands while singing worship songs. 2) This sets the whole "tone" for our entire life. 11 Benefits of Serving God in Your Youth - Kingdom Bloggers We sometimes just give up and let them be, because changing them feels impossible. See Matthew 18 for a guide. It demonstrates that we know we need Jesus more than anyone or anything else. One of His tools is the Bible, the Word of God, which gives us a record of what Jesus taught and did: The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26). Even if you are in the heart of a city, get outside and look for where Gods creation naturally lies. There is no need to worry about whether things will work out, whether you're making the right decision, etc. Are you an advocate for the unborn? Here And they are more grounded in their faith! There are also some good ones which focus on a particular Bible passage. If youre not sure how to pray, check out this brief list of needs that apply to any pastor. We can love others by being kind, patient, not envying or boasting. It is a great way of getting people interacting with God and allowing their prayers to inspire others. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. It needs to be okay for them to step away, turn off their cell phone, and spend extended time with God and their nuclear family. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Of course, Im not saying you cannot take on the roles mentioned above while a teenager but what if I told you serving God in your youth doesnt have to be complicated? 7:9, 14) There, they will experience untold blessings as they continue to grow in appreciation for Jehovah, and they will be able to praise him to time indefinite. One way you can serve God in your youth with your behavior is by honoring your parents. Many of us may be able to quickly call to mind a conversation, maybe even from the past week. Perhaps its through volunteering at a soup kitchen or an animal shelter, sponsoring a disadvantaged child, taking nature walks or any number of different ways God has created for us to experience Him and His love more fully. Young People Strengthen Your Desire to Serve Jehovah They might feel closest to God and loved by Him when they read the Bible and talk with God about what they have read. I remember feeling this exhaustion. The fourth way you serve God in your youth is by showing faith! These particular verses really drive home the importance of kids serving God in their youth and how it impacts them in so many ways. Parents can create opportunities for their kids to serve and teach them to be aware of the people around them. Ten Keys to Reaching Youth (I Cor. The truth of God's word anchors us during the changing tides of the teenage years. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Take someone to and from their doctor appointment or their chemo treatment. 5. But ministry made out of the right materials will last forever. I'd love even more to hear of real-life transformations that have happened as a result of a child faithfully serving God. God not only gives us instructions and examples of good encouragement in Scripture, but he also stoops down himself to show us how to encourage a human heart. both in the heavens and on the earth, How a church in Western Sydney encourages youth to serve Its something I struggled with greatly, especially since I encountered many older adults who had a similar mindset and didnt take my desire to learn how to serve God seriously. pick up items people don't notice they have dropped and hand them to them - even if you have to run to catch them. I do wish for 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. Local: 704-401-2432 the attitude those around us have about God and His work. To help you with this, weve developed a free five-part video series just for you called, "Expressing Pro-Life Views in Winsome Ways". Copyright 2020 Thrive Youth Ministries | Registered Charity Number 1145794 | Website by Edge House Solutions. I have always been told that our purpose as humans is to advance Gods kingdom, and I want to do that. And it matters for their own personal and spiritual growth. 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. Tell them how much you love them and let your mom kiss your forehead in front of your friends without complaining. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. Understand young persons as participants in ministry, not objects of ministry. amzn_assoc_title = "More Reading on Raising Godly Children"; This book will help teens embrace the 3 big questions underneath the rest, then take next steps in their journey toward faith-filled answers. We all have them. You can serve God by serving others; do something kind for someone without expecting anything in return. 1. b. sacrifice, their service, and their devotion. If your teens primary love language is words of affirmation, have him or her look up the following verses so they learn how to get closer to God: To show His love, God gives good gifts. On the other hand, if youre speaking well of your youth leaders when no one is around, theyre less likely to hear about it directly. Pastors often serve as support people when those in their church are hurting. are young people who grew up in our church, attended our Christian school, and Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. you refer to a missionary as a moochinary, if they hear you comment on how But biblical encouragement, though often rich with affirmation, offers something far stronger and more invigorating. 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. 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). For better or worse, youths lives are always changing. 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. They will sometimes say, God touched me. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Granted, misconduct should never be covered up, even for a respected leader. God had plans to use them in life-giving ways for countless kids that others find it hard to care for. Lilly was one of the teenagers we interviewed for our 3 Big Questions research about identity, belonging, and purpose; many others in our study felt the same pressure to have a clear sense about their future. We need more youth who are willing to be bold in their faith so their lost friends will have the opportunity to know Jesus! He was not content to send encouragement into the world through inspired messengers, but came to embody encouragement in flesh and blood. Study online. It is extremely hard, though not impossible, to get a bunch of teenagers singing, especially if there are only five or six people there. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Volunteer to help the church secretary with some of her duties at church. Weve created a free five-part video series called Recognizing Your Sons Need for Respect that will help you understand how showing respect, rather than shaming and badgering, will serve to motivate and guide your son. He is the same today. Privacy (I can personally attest to this!) Far beyond boring Christian fiction, these books will thrill, entertain, and inspire your teen to grow in their walk with Jesus. And real obedience proves we live in the love of Christ. There was a kid in our group who had some kind of developmental delay, and he did really socially awkward things. Kids need to remember that God created them in his image and has a divineand eternalpurpose for them. To get closer to God, your teen can reflect on these passages: Today, those whose primary love language is physical touch will often experience Gods love through a spiritual touch that stimulates emotions, bringing tears or chill bumps. 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. honor is due.. The term sticky faith is defined by researchers at FYI as faith that is "part of a student's inner thoughts and emotions and is also externalized in choices and actions that reflect this faith commitment." It is important because it puts Jesus at the centre of the meeting. But Im stressed because I dont know how Im supposed to do that.. Or maybe some other lofty and complicated role for a teenager? The first reason you should serve God in your youth is presented in Proverbs 22:6 (CSB). As such, my daughter didn't get plugged into the church until the year she started 6th grade. Finally, you can serve God in your youth by living in purity which may be one of the most difficult things to accomplish in a society that promotes sexual promiscuity at every turn. If we are building with cheap materials (like being cool and looking the part), those things will be burned up. This book will help you to engage with your teens and teach them to be safe in a digital world! 1. Encourage Youth in Total Member Involvement | Revival & Reformation This could be getting people to draw things that they are thankful for, or to take a Bible verse and to draw what it means to them. If you want to read more about living in purity, be sure to check out Pure in Heart by Susan Rohrer. If a son says to his mom, I cant ever please Dad, his love language is likely words of affirmation. Jesus touched a man with leprosy, willing to touch even the untouchables of His day. By Billy Graham I probably asked myself that very question a million times during my teen years. I encourage you to refer back to this passage of scripture whenever you struggle with loving others. 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. Honor the spirituality of youth Appreciate and validate youth as persons of sacred worth with legitimate spiritual needs and responses. Our church has been blessed with 15 Ways to Serve God Through Serving Others God tells us how loving and kind He is and how He longs to comfort us. Word games This year I have a daughter whos a senior, and I see the same tiring cycle. But what does it mean to have faith? I do believe, however, that far more young people ought With that knowledge, we can better guide them into experiencing Gods love. When you get your kids connected to and engaged by serving at church, you are laying the foundation for them to understand the importance of serving God so they won't be so easily swayed away from their faith as they grow older and are exposed to more temptation. or rulers or authorities, **We use verses from different Bible translations. This holiday season, take a journey to Galilee and discover what it was like to walk with Jesus! 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. Be bold and speak aloud what you see God doing through them. I didn't grow up in the church. And when the youth group kids are acting wild, remind your youth leaders that this is not the end of the story. Anything you can do to minimize your criticisms, especially about nonessential matters, will be much appreciated. This mindset will carry over into the time they have here on Earth and create a strong work ethic for them which is so important as they transition into adulthood. What are some of the ideas and phrases youve heard about Gods plan or purpose for you? We choose what we emphasize in our Lesson 19: Preparing and Encouraging Missionaries are serving as laymen and women in our ministry. Teaching teens to find their stories in God's story, 5 ways to cultivate trust with teens in your youth ministry, The power of pause: Why youth pastors need retreats, Planning summer youth activities that nurture spiritual growth, Creating connection with young adults in your church, Instagram Feed for Fuller Youth Institute, YouTube Channel for Fuller Youth Institute, Logo Icon Only for Fuller Youth Institute. All rights reserved. I have seen my daughter and her friends grow in so many ways over the last few years through their serving. Share your time. September 8, 2017 Most kids in foster care are forced to use trash bags to move. And He took the children in His arms and blessed them. How to Motivate Church Members to Serve | CU Online For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.. Finding youth to serve in particular roles. A man who flatters his neighbor, says Proverbs 29:5, spreads a net for his feet. Or even more severely, A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin (Proverbs 26:28). What does your teen request most often? Even on the eve of his betrayal, preparing to brave the mob, the cross, and the grave, Jesus stopped to encourage the fragile and fearful men following him. 3. "How can a young man cleanse his way? amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "kfox1973-20";