Did you know that after a student leaves the safe and fun youth culture of a caring church, even a great one, there is a 70%+ chance they will never come back to any church?
Why is that? There are a multitude of reasons, but from our research (Schaeffer Institute) and experience during over 30 years of doing Youth Ministry, we have found the number one reason to be that most churches and youth pastors spend very little time in mentoring and teaching their youth. Thus, few youth learn to take their faith seriously. (Of course, there are phenomenal exceptions.) Many youth are not being taught to read and study the Bible or how to pray or understand Christian basics, and thus they tend not to develop a firm foundation of faith. So, when they are occupied in college life and in the world, they get clobbered and lose what little faith they have built up!
The Essentials of Discipling Youth
How to Study the Bible Youth Edition
Remember; Jesus calls us first to make disciples! There is perhaps nothing more important in real, effective and effectual Youth Ministry than teaching Youth how to study the Bible. If you want your youth to grow in the faith and remain committed Christians past college and beyond, this is a must! Here is a simple lesson to show us how to do as we have been called, developed from over 30 years of research and practice.
Getting to Know the Bible Better for Youth
Did you know the Bible tells us to eat God’s Word!? Look up Revelation, Chapter 10 and check it out! But, perhaps this may be too much fiber for your diet, so here is a plan to get to know the Book of books, Gods’ most precious Word, which is real and relevant for your life both now and forever!
How to Memorize Scripture for Youth
Nothing in our Christian life is as important or compares to the value of learning God’s Word and then incorporating His precepts into our lives. Thus, memorizing a passage of Scripture is an essential way not only to know His Word, but to know and grow in our Lord and Savior.
How to Pray, Youth Edition Part 1
What if I have never been taught how to personally pray or to talk to God? What if I grew up in a church that never had conversational or personal prayer? What if I offend God? But, if you know how to talk and listen, then you know how to pray!
The Pattern of Prayer, Youth Edition Part 2
First off, there is no “method” or process on how to pray, as there is no specific principle on how to talk to your mom or best friend. We just do it. Yes, there is edict, attitude, and good ways versus bad ways to communicate. Thus, God does give us a pattern as a checklist to make sure our time and attitude are lined up to more of His will and less of ours. We must make sure we use our prayer time with purpose and effectiveness.
The ACTS of Prayer, Youth Edition Part 3
A.C.T.S is an acronym or axiom that points us to the Lord’s Prayer and other Scripture, and gives us precepts so we can divide up our time and purpose to engage in prayer with the correct devotion and attitude. “ACTS” refers to the precepts of prayer-the categories of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
More here:
www.intothyword.org
advancingthetruth 