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DAY 6: ONE REASON WHY YOUTH TURN FROM GOD
Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
Do you ever wonder why many kids turn away from their faith during adolescence?
Some would say it’s just a normal stage of life, but I don’t buy it. I know too many youth who are passionate about God and the purpose he has for their lives. So why do so many others lose interest?
Well, one reason youth may distance themselves from God is if they feel like the church makes no effort to understand them.
Kids won’t necessarily conform to our traditions and styles of doing things just because we say they should. But if we make an effort to get into their world, we become sensitive to their needs. We begin to meet them where they are and adapt ourselves to motivate and teach them effectively.
Sometimes the only effort we seem to make to reach our youth involves preaching against the dangers of sin. They do struggle with temptation; it’s true. We can, and we should, teach them what not to do. But it is even more powerful to teach them what to do.
What if we focused on finding ways to help them to want to get to know God? What if we taught them the truth…that God loves them and has awesome things in store for them? What if we painted them a vivid picture of how fulfilling and rewarding life is when you live all-out for God? What if they discovered great self-worth in what the Bible says about them instead of comparing themselves to the unachievable perfection found in current culture?
I’ll tell you what would happen. Our kids would be saying, “I want what you have!” I see it all the time, and I can tell you that there’s nothing more moving than watching hundreds of youth praising God together. Kids don’t need more judgment or rules. They need to know that we’re cheering them on to do great things, and they need to be equipped to live up to the incredible potential God has placed within each one.
Never give up on the next generation. With a little guidance and encouragement, they can accomplish incredible things. If we take the time to get into their world, they will never cease to amaze us.
Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
Do you ever wonder why many kids turn away from their faith during adolescence?
Some would say it’s just a normal stage of life, but I don’t buy it. I know too many youth who are passionate about God and the purpose he has for their lives. So why do so many others lose interest?
Well, one reason youth may distance themselves from God is if they feel like the church makes no effort to understand them.
Kids won’t necessarily conform to our traditions and styles of doing things just because we say they should. But if we make an effort to get into their world, we become sensitive to their needs. We begin to meet them where they are and adapt ourselves to motivate and teach them effectively.
Sometimes the only effort we seem to make to reach our youth involves preaching against the dangers of sin. They do struggle with temptation; it’s true. We can, and we should, teach them what not to do. But it is even more powerful to teach them what to do.
What if we focused on finding ways to help them to want to get to know God? What if we taught them the truth…that God loves them and has awesome things in store for them? What if we painted them a vivid picture of how fulfilling and rewarding life is when you live all-out for God? What if they discovered great self-worth in what the Bible says about them instead of comparing themselves to the unachievable perfection found in current culture?
I’ll tell you what would happen. Our kids would be saying, “I want what you have!” I see it all the time, and I can tell you that there’s nothing more moving than watching hundreds of youth praising God together. Kids don’t need more judgment or rules. They need to know that we’re cheering them on to do great things, and they need to be equipped to live up to the incredible potential God has placed within each one.
Never give up on the next generation. With a little guidance and encouragement, they can accomplish incredible things. If we take the time to get into their world, they will never cease to amaze us.
Scripture
About this Plan
How would your world change if you regularly experienced the miraculous everywhere you went—in a way that attracted people to Jesus? It wouldn’t just make a difference in your world...it would make the world different. That’s the Spirit Contemporary life! This 7-day reading plan reveals the key to living an empowered life—one that connects your day-to-day with God’s supernatural power.
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