Guiding Youth: Nurturing Faith in a Digital World

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to discuss the vital role we play in the lives of our high school students. Pastor Ashley and I, as high school pastors, are deeply involved in the lives of your ninth through twelfth graders. We are committed to guiding them through the complexities of adolescence, from identity crises to preparing for their future careers and relationships. We shared a humorous story about Miss Wanda and corporal punishment to illustrate the importance of discipline and guidance in shaping young lives.

Our primary focus is to combat the spirit of the world and nurture the spirit of God within our students. We recognize that today's youth are exposed to adult content and challenges at a very young age, often through social media and other digital platforms. Therefore, we must not shy away from having mature conversations with them and guiding them towards spiritual maturity. We are here to support you as parents, offering various avenues of involvement and communication to ensure your children are growing in a healthy, God-centered environment.

We also highlighted the importance of setting boundaries, such as limiting phone usage after 10 PM, to protect our children from harmful influences. Our youth group is not just a social experience; it is a place where real, meaningful connections are made, and spiritual battles are fought and won. We are available to your children and to you, offering our contact information and support whenever needed.

Our Wednesday night services are designed to engage students through pre-games, worship, and the Word, creating an environment where they can experience God's presence and develop a deep conviction to live a life of freedom and purity. We believe that the level of freedom our students experience is directly related to the level of conviction they hold within themselves.

In conclusion, we are here to partner with you in raising a generation that loves God, lives right, and is prepared to make a positive impact on the world. We are committed to being available, supportive, and proactive in addressing the challenges our students face, ensuring they grow into mature, responsible, and spiritually grounded individuals.

### Key Takeaways

1. Combating the Spirit of the World: Our children are exposed to adult content and challenges at a very young age, often through social media. We must not shy away from having mature conversations with them and guiding them towards spiritual maturity. This involves setting boundaries and being proactive in addressing the influences of the world. [30:22]

2. The Importance of Discipline and Guidance: Discipline, like the humorous story of Miss Wanda, plays a crucial role in shaping young lives. It is essential to guide our children through their identity crises, attitudes, and future planning, ensuring they grow into responsible and spiritually grounded individuals. [27:19]

3. Availability and Support: We are committed to being available to your children and to you. Our contact information is readily accessible, and we are here to support you in any way possible, whether through phone calls, meetings, or text messages. This availability is crucial in building meaningful connections and providing the necessary guidance. [45:50]

4. Creating a God-Centered Environment: Our Wednesday night services and other activities are designed to engage students in a God-centered environment. Through worship, the Word, and meaningful interactions, we aim to nurture their spiritual growth and conviction, leading them to live a life of freedom and purity. [39:23]

5. Partnership with Parents: We are here to partner with you in raising a generation that loves God and lives right. Together, we can address the challenges our students face, ensuring they grow into mature, responsible, and spiritually grounded individuals. This partnership is essential in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for our children. [55:04]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[25:37] - Introduction and Humor
[27:19] - Importance of Discipline
[28:07] - Addressing Modern Challenges
[29:23] - Battling Two Worlds
[30:22] - Mature Conversations
[31:19] - Encouraging Parental Involvement
[32:34] - Practical Guidance
[33:06] - Identifying Harmful Influences
[34:13] - Authority and Choices
[35:40] - Growing Up
[37:33] - Lessons from Peter Pan
[38:30] - Freedom and Conviction
[41:11] - Setting Boundaries
[45:50] - Availability and Support
[55:04] - Partnership with Parents

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:4 (NIV): "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
2. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV): "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
3. 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV): "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."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the challenges that today's youth face according to the sermon? ([28:07])
2. How did Pastor Ryan describe the role of discipline in shaping young lives, using the story of Miss Wanda? ([27:19])
3. What specific boundaries did Pastor Ryan suggest to protect children from harmful influences? ([41:11])
4. How are the Wednesday night services designed to engage students and nurture their spiritual growth? ([50:33])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Ephesians 6:4 relate to the sermon’s emphasis on guiding children through their identity crises and future planning? ([29:23])
2. In what ways does Proverbs 22:6 support the idea of setting boundaries and being proactive in addressing the influences of the world? ([41:11])
3. How does 1 Timothy 4:12 reflect the sermon’s message about the importance of spiritual maturity and setting an example for others? ([39:23])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between spiritual conviction and freedom in the lives of young people? ([38:30])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Ephesians 6:4, how can you as a parent or mentor avoid exasperating your children while still providing necessary discipline and guidance? ([27:19])
2. Considering Proverbs 22:6, what specific boundaries can you set in your household to protect your children from harmful influences, especially related to social media and digital content? ([41:11])
3. How can you encourage your children to participate in church activities, such as Wednesday night services, to help them grow spiritually and develop a strong conviction? ([50:33])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to be more available and supportive to your children, as suggested in the sermon? ([45:50])
5. How can you partner with your church’s youth pastors to ensure your children are growing in a healthy, God-centered environment? ([55:04])
6. Reflect on a time when you had to have a mature conversation with your child about a difficult topic. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to better guide them towards spiritual maturity? ([30:22])
7. How can you help your children understand that their life is not their own but given by God to live for Him, as Pastor Ashley mentioned? ([52:19])

Devotional

Day 1: Combating the Spirit of the World
In today's digital age, our children are exposed to adult content and challenges at a very young age, often through social media and other digital platforms. This exposure can lead to confusion and a distorted understanding of identity and values. As parents and mentors, it is crucial to engage in mature conversations with our children, guiding them towards spiritual maturity. Setting boundaries, such as limiting phone usage after 10 PM, can help protect them from harmful influences and create a safe environment for their growth. By being proactive and addressing these influences, we can help our children develop a strong foundation in their faith and navigate the complexities of the world with wisdom and discernment. [30:22]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: What specific boundaries can you set in your household to protect your children from harmful digital influences, and how can you initiate a conversation with them about the importance of these boundaries today?

Day 2: The Importance of Discipline and Guidance
Discipline plays a crucial role in shaping young lives, helping them navigate identity crises, attitudes, and future planning. The humorous story of Miss Wanda and corporal punishment serves as a reminder that discipline, when done with love and wisdom, can have a lasting positive impact. It is essential to guide our children through their formative years, providing them with the tools and support they need to grow into responsible and spiritually grounded individuals. By addressing their challenges and offering consistent guidance, we can help them develop a strong sense of self and a deep connection to their faith. [27:19]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."

Reflection: Think of a recent situation where your child needed guidance. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently next time to ensure your guidance is both loving and effective?

Day 3: Availability and Support
Being available and supportive to our children is crucial in building meaningful connections and providing the necessary guidance. As parents and mentors, our contact information should be readily accessible, and we should be open to phone calls, meetings, or text messages. This availability fosters trust and ensures that our children feel supported in their journey. By being present and engaged, we can help them navigate their challenges and celebrate their successes, creating a strong foundation for their spiritual and personal growth. [45:50]

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Reflection: How can you make yourself more available to your children this week, and what specific steps can you take to show them that you are there to support them in their journey?

Day 4: Creating a God-Centered Environment
Our Wednesday night services and other activities are designed to engage students in a God-centered environment. Through worship, the Word, and meaningful interactions, we aim to nurture their spiritual growth and conviction, leading them to live a life of freedom and purity. The level of freedom our students experience is directly related to the level of conviction they hold within themselves. By creating an environment where they can experience God's presence, we help them develop a deep and lasting connection to their faith, empowering them to make positive choices and impact the world around them. [39:23]

Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

Reflection: What steps can you take to create a more God-centered environment in your home, and how can you encourage your children to engage in activities that nurture their spiritual growth?

Day 5: Partnership with Parents
We are here to partner with you in raising a generation that loves God and lives right. Together, we can address the challenges our students face, ensuring they grow into mature, responsible, and spiritually grounded individuals. This partnership is essential in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for our children. By working together, we can provide consistent guidance, support, and encouragement, helping our children develop a strong foundation in their faith and a deep connection to their community. [55:04]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "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!"

Reflection: How can you strengthen your partnership with other parents and mentors in your community to create a more supportive environment for your children, and what specific actions can you take to foster this collaboration?

Quotes

1. "We are. We are here to fight them all. We are here to fight every one of them from identity crisis to lying from an attitude problem. That's going to keep you from getting a job one day to figuring out who you're going to be for the rest of your life and what you're going to marry and where you're going to go. We're here for all of that." [29:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We want kids to grow up. We want kids to mature physically. We want them to mature naturally. We want to move them out. What I've learned is, is that sometimes we are afraid to push the envelope of growing up. And so we won't hand them things that seems above their level level. But what I have to tell you is social media is. Handing them adult content and they are more curious about it than anything else going on in their life." [30:22] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If your kids are in our youth groups, it is because they have this deep desire for the more of God. I promise you a lot of people that come to our church, they say this man, we were just looking for more. And this is where we feel like we found it. And I tell you, whether your kid knows it or not, they have this sense of wanting the more of God." [31:19] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I turn around and I told him because there is a spirit of the world that's out to have you and take you and control you and kill you. But there is a spirit of God. And when something like this happens that makes space for it. You are finding freedom and this is why we're here to help you explain and tell them why we want them to grow up." [34:13] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Peter Pan ended up in the same cycle because he refused to grow up. He refused to face the facts. He refused to do anything. So he remained Peter Pan, the ungrown up leader of the Lost Boys instead of winning the battle, gaining maturity and then getting authority over Neverland. He could have been Peter Pan of Neverland and dismissed the enemy. And instead he played with the enemy for years and years and years because he wanted to remain ignorant and not grow up and not mature." [37:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "We are praying for your students. We are praying for your kids. We are leading them into encounters in worship in this room. And then taking them over there and letting them encounter something just in their age group, just, just between us and them, just between them and God. And then we are leading them to pray." [39:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Your life is not your own. It was given to you by God to live for them and to do, do what he would have you to do. It's not a burden. It's a privilege. And the kids, the kids on the other, on the other end, we're going, oh, pastor Ashley, what a word. What are you talking about? That's incredible. And I'm like, man, they want this so bad." [52:19] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "We are with you and for you in leading and raising this next generation up to live right and love God and not just live right and just love God, but do that. And as a product of that, be a husband in an unbroken home or be a wife in a whole home, raise good kids, raise the next generation, be successful in your marriage, be successful in just fatherhood." [51:25] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Together, we can absolutely do it. You believe it? Together, these kids are going to make it. They're going to be the best we've ever seen. In Jesus' name." [55:04] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?