Youth Afire!
http://iphc.org/discipleship/ministries/
I'm not an expert in childhood development but what I remember of my own youth tells me that the adolescent years are the most dangerous for young Christians.
Between the raging hormones, the natural striving for independence, and the societal pressure to question all things teenagers have a difficult time keeping their feet under themselves. That's why it's so important to have a great program of discipleship for the youth of your church.
To just have an occasional Christian Rock band come in or to take a yearly road trip to the "same ol' youth convention" falls so far short of a "youth program" it isn't worth considering. Teens need more than Rock music, lockins, and convocations to learn how to negotiate their new emotions, needs, and doubts without throwing in the towel and giving in to the things they see and hear every day.
Take my word for it, it is a rare 40-year-old who can lead a youth group with credibility. Young people need to feel that their leaders know the temptations they face every day that we older adults never encountered. Drugs and alcohol are in every school from the inner city to wealthy suburban school districts; children are being sexualized at younger and younger ages thanks to the ever-present TV, video, and advertising media; violence oozes from every pore of our society and our youth are exposed to it daily. What do we older adults know about any of that? How can we advise our youth?
The link above will take you to an excellent source for discipleship courses for all ages. Go for a visit and pick up some leadership ability!
I'm not an expert in childhood development but what I remember of my own youth tells me that the adolescent years are the most dangerous for young Christians.
Between the raging hormones, the natural striving for independence, and the societal pressure to question all things teenagers have a difficult time keeping their feet under themselves. That's why it's so important to have a great program of discipleship for the youth of your church.
To just have an occasional Christian Rock band come in or to take a yearly road trip to the "same ol' youth convention" falls so far short of a "youth program" it isn't worth considering. Teens need more than Rock music, lockins, and convocations to learn how to negotiate their new emotions, needs, and doubts without throwing in the towel and giving in to the things they see and hear every day.
Take my word for it, it is a rare 40-year-old who can lead a youth group with credibility. Young people need to feel that their leaders know the temptations they face every day that we older adults never encountered. Drugs and alcohol are in every school from the inner city to wealthy suburban school districts; children are being sexualized at younger and younger ages thanks to the ever-present TV, video, and advertising media; violence oozes from every pore of our society and our youth are exposed to it daily. What do we older adults know about any of that? How can we advise our youth?
The link above will take you to an excellent source for discipleship courses for all ages. Go for a visit and pick up some leadership ability!