The teenager years are a time for learning what life is really about and finding purpose and direction for the a long time. But it is also a time filled with questions. Is obtaining the latest gadget or following American Idol where life is at? Many teens discover the affluence of yankee life not big enough challenging. “What else is out there that I can sink my teeth into,” teens wonder.
Short Term Missions, especially international missions, is one tool that can pry teens out of their safe place and alter the path of their life.
Listed here are five things to integrate into the Short Term Mission plans for the youth group.
1. Discipleship around the front lines. Has got the faith of the youth group been tested? Do these young people fully realize the things they believe and why? Do you know what you believe? Faith is tested in unfamiliar territory, whether geographical, emotional or spiritual. The unfamiliar is how faith either grows or fades. Embedding your youth group in challenging situations gives them a chance to be stretched.
American churches have too often become comfortable havens away from the front lines. Dont misunderstand me. We need safe havens to return to from the front lines. But you cant just stay there insulated in the world. At least true disciples of Christ cant. If you need to make sure from your younger years become disciples of Christ, demonstrate to them the front lines and also have them exercise a few spiritual muscles. Give them suggestions for what they can perform, ready them, and then launch them.
2. A perspective around the big picture. The number of Christians fully realize what God is doing in the world? If you think maybe CNN – or most media – Gods not doing a thing. That is a lie, of course. But how are you finding the truth? The easiest way would be to see it first hand.
The large picture includes a lot more than what God is doing. Main issue stuff teaches about life “out there,” about how exactly not to sweat the little stuff and how to care for the really big stuff. For instance, dont squeal at every bug. But do breathe deeply whenever you find out how many people malaria kills each year. Do shake your head in alarm when you learn top notch how AIDS ravages families. Learn exactly what it means to be poor. Teens can learn more about another culture in a single week than they could learn each year of studying textbooks.
3. An awareness of Gods Power. So, lets be honest, whens the final time God did something amazing in your church as an honest to goodness miracle? Miracles arent common in most American churches, the charismatic ones. We simply dont have much need for them or feel we do not. On the front lines, there are occasions that if God is unseen up someone gets hurt…literally. Should you havent seen God work miracles due to you, without a doubt theres nothing greater. The glitz and glam around the globe dont match up against Gods power. When your teens have experienced it in action, they will start to view it more, in mundane places, where they might least expect it. Theyll still seek it because it will fire their passions above all else.
4. Training regarding how to make a difference. Do the people in your church have the tools to make a difference wherever they live? Sure, they might know how to swing a hammer, but a construction mission needs more than that. Im not saying its difficult to make a difference, but no mater what type of mission your group goes on, theyll need training.
The Dream Center in Los Angeles includes an approach to training people steps to make a difference in simple but profound ways. Theyre so great at it, actually, they routinely train other youth groups in their methods. They have also started an international training camp in Belize. Young people I understand came back from that training ready to change their city. Theyve even tied to it for more than a year.
5. Learning the need for self sacrifice. American culture breeds superstars and encourages superstar gazing. We love to watch them perform. When superstars enter into messes, everybody knows about this because the media makes sure they are doing. Truly, when superstars spend time and cash to assist others, little gets written about that. When they are “found out” they become true American heroes. Talk with your youth concerning the joy of giving. Inform them, out of your own example, how much you got while you gave. You can pull on their own heart strings and induce guilt by giving them statistics of all of the bad stuff on the planet. But its better if they learn to give simply because they wish to have the joy of giving, again and again. And also the easy do that would be to tell them your stories!
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