Empowering Youth: Choices, Hope, and Faith in Action
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound impact of choices and the pivotal role of young people in the church and the world. Our journey began with a reflection on the trajectory of our lives, emphasizing that where we are today is a result of past choices, and where we will be tomorrow hinges on the decisions we make today. This understanding is crucial as we consider our responsibility towards the younger generation, particularly teenagers, who are at a critical juncture in their lives.
We delved into the mission of Youth for Christ, a global organization dedicated to reaching teenagers with the message of God's love. With over two billion teenagers worldwide, the task is immense, but the call is clear: to engage in redemptive advocacy for this generation. We are reminded that God loves every teenager and desires for them to experience His hope and life-transforming power.
The concept of hope was redefined, moving beyond trivial desires to a profound trust in God's sovereignty and capability. This hope is akin to trusting the one who ties our bungee cords or packs our parachutes, knowing that God is in control and capable of miraculous feats, such as raising Lazarus from the dead.
We examined 1 Timothy 4:12, where Paul encourages young Timothy not to be looked down upon because of his youth but to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. This passage challenges both young people and the church. Young people are called to be exemplary, while the church is urged to recognize them as co-heirs and co-owners of the faith community.
Our role as a church is to be a nurturing environment, a greenhouse for the spiritual growth of young people. We must empower them, helping them discover and develop their gifts, and release them into the world as ambassadors of Christ. Teen-to-teen evangelism is highlighted as a powerful strategy for reaching this generation, as young people are often the most effective witnesses to their peers.
In conclusion, we are called to pray for and with our young people, to support them in their journey, and to release them into the world with God's blessing. Let us be a church that not only retains its youth but also propels them into their God-given mission.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Choices: Our current position is a result of past choices, and our future depends on today's decisions. This understanding is crucial as we guide the younger generation, emphasizing the importance of intentional and godly decision-making. [40:49]
2. Redefining Hope: True hope is not wishful thinking but a deep trust in God's sovereignty and power. It is the assurance that God, who performs miracles, is in control of our lives and the lives of the young people we mentor. [42:51]
3. Empowering Young People: 1 Timothy 4:12 challenges young people to be exemplary and the church to recognize them as co-heirs. Our role is to nurture and empower them, helping them discover their gifts and release them into their mission field. [45:01]
4. Teen-to-Teen Evangelism: The most effective way to reach teenagers is through their peers. By empowering young people to share their faith, we can significantly impact their generation and beyond. [49:52]
5. Prayer and Support: We are called to pray for and with our young people, turning our anxieties into prayers. By supporting them in their journey, we can help them become the leaders and influencers God has called them to be. [52:16]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [31:29] - Introduction and Personal Stories
- [40:49] - The Importance of Choices
- [42:01] - Youth for Christ Mission
- [42:51] - Redefining Hope
- [45:01] - 1 Timothy 4:12 and Young People
- [46:17] - Role of the Church
- [47:40] - Empowering Young Witnesses
- [48:49] - Teen-to-Teen Evangelism
- [49:52] - Expanding Youth Ministry
- [51:18] - The Power of Prayer
- [52:16] - Turning Anxiety into Prayer
- [53:28] - Teenagers as Assets
- [54:33] - Leveraging Technology
- [55:31] - Teenagers as Energy Sources
- [56:44] - Personal Testimonies and Encouragement
- [57:50] - The Importance of Margin
- [58:31] - Biblical Examples of Young Leaders
- [01:01:29] - The Call to Pray for Leaders
- [01:03:03] - Sending Out the Next Generation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 1 Timothy 4:12-16
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Timothy 4:12 say about the role of young people in the church? How are they encouraged to set an example? [45:01]
2. According to the sermon, what is the mission of Youth for Christ, and how does it relate to the church's responsibility towards teenagers? [40:49]
3. How does the sermon redefine the concept of hope, and what examples are used to illustrate this new understanding? [42:51]
4. What role does the church play in nurturing and empowering young people, according to the sermon? [47:40]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How might the church's perception of young people as co-heirs and co-owners of the faith community change the way they are involved in church activities? [46:17]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that young people can be exemplary in their faith, and how does this challenge the traditional view of youth in the church? [45:01]
3. How does the concept of "teen-to-teen evangelism" serve as an effective strategy for reaching the younger generation, and what implications does this have for youth ministry? [49:52]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of prayer in supporting young people, and how can this practice be integrated into the church's approach to youth ministry? [52:16]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a decision you made in the past that significantly impacted your life. How can this understanding of the power of choices influence the way you guide young people in their decision-making? [40:49]
2. How can you personally contribute to creating a nurturing environment for young people in your church, helping them discover and develop their gifts? [47:40]
3. In what ways can you support and encourage teen-to-teen evangelism within your church community? Consider practical steps you can take to empower young people to share their faith. [49:52]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of turning anxieties into prayers in your daily life, especially concerning the younger generation? Share a specific situation where this approach could be beneficial. [52:16]
5. Identify a young person in your church or community who could benefit from mentorship. What steps can you take to become a supportive figure in their spiritual journey? [45:01]
6. How can you redefine hope in your own life, moving from wishful thinking to a deep trust in God's sovereignty? Share an area of your life where you need to apply this redefined hope. [42:51]
7. Consider the role of technology in the lives of young people today. How can you leverage this tool to positively influence and engage with the younger generation in your church? [54:33]
Devotional
Day 1: The Weight of Our Choices
Our lives are a tapestry woven from the choices we make each day. The sermon emphasized that our current position is a direct result of past decisions, and our future will be shaped by the choices we make today. This understanding is crucial, especially when guiding the younger generation. Teenagers, in particular, are at a pivotal point in their lives where their decisions can have long-lasting impacts. As mentors and leaders, it is our responsibility to help them understand the importance of intentional and godly decision-making. By doing so, we can guide them towards a path that aligns with their values and God's purpose for their lives. [40:49]
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a recent decision you made. How did it align with your values and God's purpose for your life? What can you learn from this experience to guide future choices?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
Hope is often misunderstood as mere wishful thinking, but true hope is a profound trust in God's sovereignty and power. The sermon redefined hope as the assurance that God, who performs miracles, is in control of our lives and the lives of the young people we mentor. This hope is akin to trusting the one who ties our bungee cords or packs our parachutes, knowing that God is capable of miraculous feats. By placing our trust in Him, we can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and peace. [42:51]
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to deepen your trust in God's sovereignty? How can you actively place your hope in Him today?
Day 3: Empowering the Next Generation
1 Timothy 4:12 challenges young people to be exemplary and the church to recognize them as co-heirs. The sermon highlighted the importance of nurturing and empowering young people, helping them discover their gifts and release them into their mission field. As a church, we are called to be a nurturing environment, a greenhouse for the spiritual growth of young people. By empowering them, we can help them become the leaders and influencers God has called them to be. [45:01]
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively support and empower a young person in your community today? What steps can you take to help them discover and develop their gifts?
Day 4: The Power of Peer Influence
The sermon emphasized the effectiveness of teen-to-teen evangelism, highlighting that young people are often the most effective witnesses to their peers. By empowering young people to share their faith, we can significantly impact their generation and beyond. This approach recognizes the unique influence that peers have on each other and leverages it for the advancement of God's kingdom. As a church, we must equip and encourage young people to be bold in sharing their faith with their peers. [49:52]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: Who is a peer in your life that you can share your faith with? How can you encourage and support them in their spiritual journey?
Day 5: The Call to Prayer and Support
The sermon concluded with a call to pray for and with our young people, turning our anxieties into prayers. By supporting them in their journey, we can help them become the leaders and influencers God has called them to be. Prayer is a powerful tool that can transform lives and situations. As a church, we are called to be a community that prays fervently for the next generation, supporting them in their journey and releasing them into the world with God's blessing. [52:16]
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12, ESV)
Reflection: What specific prayer can you offer for a young person in your life today? How can you support them in their journey and encourage them to become the leader God has called them to be?
Quotes
"It is an honor to be with you at Saanich. Just, this place is so near and dear to our hearts. Our choices matter. Anybody agree with that? God, for whatever crazy reason, has given us free will. Our choices matter. And where we are today is a result of our choices, maybe yesterday's choices and decisions. And where we will be tomorrow is a result of today's choices. So today, I want us to stand with teenagers. After all, we work for Youth for Christ." [00:40:16] (34 seconds)
"Indecisiveness about caring for teenagers, about praying for teenagers, about loving teenagers can lead to the loss of a generation." [00:40:49] (9 seconds)
"This kind of hope that we're talking about is, I hope the guy who tied my bungee cord knots is good at knots and math. I hope the guy who packed my parachute knows what he's doing." [00:42:41] (16 seconds)
"That's the kind of hope we're talking about, because our God knows what he's doing. He floats arcs. He shuts the mouths of lions in dens, and he empties tombs. He walks into a cemetery and says, Lazarus, come forth." [00:42:56] (17 seconds)
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching, and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy, when the body of elders laid their hands, on you. Be diligent in these matters. Give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." [00:43:58] (33 seconds)
"Our role as the church is to be a greenhouse for growing the witness of our young people. Let me say that again. Our role as the church is to be a greenhouse for growing the witness of our young people." [00:47:31] (14 seconds)
"Young people are extraordinary witnesses when set free, when released, because they're not tainted by naysayers or troubled by budgetary restraints or we've never done that before. They just go and do what God has called them to do." [00:47:46] (13 seconds)
"But my message here today is, what's the best strategy for reaching this generation? It's teen-to-teen evangelism. I speak at youth gatherings all over the world. I was just in Eastern Europe two weeks ago speaking to 500 teenagers in four cities in a war zone, and we had dozens and dozens of kids come to the Lord. And I can be effective at that, but the most powerful, statistically proven method of reaching teens is in one teen, reaching another." [00:49:20] (28 seconds)
"And in front of all those pastors, I knelt and I said, this is where it starts. And let me ask Saanich Baptist a question. How often are we praying for our kids? Sometimes we say, well, I don't know what to do. It can start with prayer, that's simply." [00:51:18] (16 seconds)
"But we turn those anxious thoughts into prayers. Why do I tell you this? Because when we are anxious or stressed about this generation, we can pray. We raised our four teenagers prayerfully. And though each of them is still working through their own challenges, they know that mom and dad are praying." [00:52:16] (17 seconds)
"Are we raising up a generation of Christian young people who are willing to sacrifice for their Savior? My experience with teenagers is that they will often rise to wherever we put the bar of our expectations. If our youth ministry expectations are, I hope they do their homework and make their bed, that's where they're going to rise to. But we're setting the bar way too low. We as a church and God himself is calling them to be salt and light in their schools, through their social media accounts, to be kingdom influencers, to stop taking gospel selfies and instead take time to get out of their own comfort zones and get into their sphere of influence." [01:00:53] (36 seconds)
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