“My work with teenagers has convinced me that one of the main reasons teenagers are not excited by the gospel is that they do not think they need it. Many parents have successfully raised self-righteous little Pharisees. When they look at themselves, they do not see a sinner in desperate need, so they are not grateful for a Savior. Sadly, the same is true of many of their parents.”
Lane and Tripp – How People Change
[ht: Joe Martino]
I’m sure that’s true of some young people we know, but we need to be careful of generalisations. It’s a valid comment, but it’s also from a ‘western’ viewpoint and we need to remember out in the ‘big’ world of global Christianity things can be a little different.
I read lots of quotes and comments about the state of youth ministry and the problem of young people in church today. Good comments. Brilliant quotes. Often excellent analysis. But, what are we going to DO about it? Read the quote again. If that’s you and me – how are we going to change the situation? What can we do (or be) to be an answer and not just another commentator? If it’s bad, how can we transform attitudes and lifestyles? I’d love to hear more of ‘work in progress’ and personal experience, to give guidance to everyone who read the quote and thought, ‘Yeah, I’m living that with my group!’ Sermon over
Sorry Stuart, got a bit carried away. I’m all right now
Excellent point! Pharesees also suffer from a lack of fear of God. Of course not the guilt or condemnation kind. Holy fear. That if i properly understood…i would not be repeating Eli’s mistakes or Samuel’s. Alas, in His Mercy He is teaching me. Now comes the tricky part for me…transferring this holy fear to my sons (13,10)with love, patience, forgiveness since they have a bountiful supply of gray matter, and more unconditional love.
How i pray for my sons to know Godly young men like Stuart and those who read Stuart’s blog. And not only that they may know men such as yourselves but to become men like you… who long for the Lord, to have the courage to do His Will, relentless in your pursuit of Him.
You give a mother much hope.
Get carried away all you want man. It’s a good point (and this is a very western argument – you’re right).
How to fix things? Oh it’s not hopeless.
Christianity is a choice to follow Christ. It’s a decision and that is proceeded by a journey. Corporate Christianity has lost this. Christ never forced the disciples, he simply called to them. It was voluntary and I don’t think we treat our kids that Christianity is a voluntary movement. There’s free will.
But that is too scary for most parents, so we force it. We turn it into a manageable thing. Memorize the verses, etc. But our God is not a manageable God. We won’t figure him our or put him in a box.
So how do we do it? Well as parents we need to live authentically and honestly in front of our kids. Christ was the model for the disciples, as we should be Christlike towards our kids. He taught them, but was mainly taught through intentional circumstances. For us it’s easier to lecture than it is to live with them.
As parents (and youth leaders) we are so worried about fixing kids or forcing them (through guilt or other means) to conform to a “Christian ideal.” We are more concerned by actions than the condition of the heart.
The kids go with their parents to 1 or 2 hours of church a week but go home and don’t really see much difference in them from those who don’t go. How can you convince someone that following Christ is the right way if they see so many troubles and contrary livestyles from their parents? We have to be honest with these kids and tell them there is more than “Corporate Christianity” and basically that their parents just don’t have it right, ouch. I do feel the number 1 thing to do is to be a Christlike model for our kids as Stuart has spoken but I also agree with “Me” in that the U.S. has totally lost it’s fear of God in all aspects. We live as those there are no consequences for our actions and the pulpits preach a grace message without any judgement. The kids are taught in school and at home to tolerate the very things that God says he will come against with wrath. So many don’t really know what the bible says and think getting their spiritual food 1 hour a week save them. So what do we do? We don’t force the Word or “7 steps” to this or that but we must convey the truths of the Word to these young people. The bible tells the story from beginning to end and that makes it so much easier to teach. These kids want the truth from their parents and mentors and the bible is one way to show them a Word was spoken and then fulfilled, a word was spoken and then fulfilled… Perhaps once they see it not by coincidence but in truth, maybe they will think there is more to this God than I thought. But first they have to trust you and see that you do in fact live differently from the world.
Here’s one way to fix it: Do away with Youth Ministry as it exists in North America. Stop building gods called buildings. Stop allowing a minority of Pharisees and Religious leaders to control things. Practice a little deconstructionism as Jesus did. “You have heard it said, but I tell you…”