No, really--I'm curious.
I've been a co leader for our senior high youth group at Faith Chapel since 2002 and sometimes feel like I'm getting off easy when it comes to helping out in the church. This ministry (though it has ups and downs--I didn't say it was easy) is enjoyable and I think I learn just as much as the teens do!
Something we've been doing the past several years is take our group up to Districts. This is an annual conference for all the youth groups in our district (hence the title--catchy, eh?), which is actually the whole state of Wisconsin. It's huge. It's loud. It has great growth opportunities. It means little sleep. It's a great weekend for bonding. It's a chance to get away.
And it's a time to confront some tough issues. The theme this year was listening to God's heartbeat and our teens began to wonder how do you know you've accepted Christ? How can you get that feeling again, like when you first surrendered to Jesus? Why can't we just see Jesus? These are hard, deep things and we're glad they finally came out in the open. One of the hardest things for me and my co leader is the teens' commitment--to Christ, the church and each other. It hurts to see former (well, and current ones, too) members of our group turn away and give up on Christianity.
Part of the reason teens leave the faith is that 'feeling dilemma': why can't I feel Jesus all the time? I distinctly remember getting the euphoric feeling in college--sometimes chapel services were fabulous and I felt really close to God. It was then I could do anything and was certain that the Holy Spirit was present. But when the music wasn't spectacular or the message was ho-hum, going to church (or any special services) was a lot more along the lines of just going through the motions. Fortunately for me, I didn't get so discouraged that I stopped going to church, Bible studies or vesper services. But if I had decided that no feelings = no Jesus, I really hope I would have had someone to set me straight. I told our group of teens that the feeling is fleeting--don't rely on that to let you know if you're saved or not. Part of faith is the fact that it isn't easy and visible. Sometimes it will feel like a chore to go to church. Sometimes doing devotions will be just something you have to do. For many, it gets easier as you become an adult. We encouraged them to keep talking about this stuff--if not with us, then with their parents or another trusted adult.
Speaking of parents: don't ever give up talking about the hard stuff of walking with Jesus. Don't let your teenagers feel like they're sinning if they have doubts or questions. As the speaker for the weekend said, ask them often how their heart is. Encourage them to have daily devotions. Let them find their own faith--not continue to cling to yours. Be open and willing to talk (especially if they are questioning their faith). And pray for them all the time.
Oh, and if you want to see a small taste of what I'm talkin' about:
2 comments:
This looks fantastic!
Came over here from Gianna's. Thanks for sharing your heart with teens. I have a couple of 'em in my house, and sooooo appreciate other Jesus loving adults who build into them!
Thank you! I do love them, even though sometimes they frustrate me to pieces. I've always wished I had had a good adult (besides my mom) to lean on as a teen and hope that I'm doing that now for other teens.
And, in my profession, if I had to pick between preschool storytime or a teen librarian position, I'd go for the teens there, too (even though storytime can be a LOT of fun). :)
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