Subject: How can we assist our youth? |
Bible Note: Dear prayon, Great answer! This one is going up on the church bulletin board, but I have to translate it into Japanese first. If I may, without giving offense, I would like to add a few comments. The church, for all age groups, must teach respect and responsibility as key elements of fellowship among the saints. (This is, of course, after our spiritual attitude toward the Lord) If these are taught to all, it would include the youth, and they would partake of the benefits. If there is an unhealthy division anywhere along the line in a church, young people will see it in a moment, and call it rightly, hypocrisy. In every area, and to all who come, the church must portray the love, truth, and reality of our Lord Jesus. This would mean, though, that we cannot favor the youth, either. They must participate in this 'universal' respect and responsibility. After all, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him." Proverbs 22:15 NASB. We must recognize a natural tendency to rebel and be foolish, and try to deal with it beforehand, if at all possible. (This would make us a little wiser than them, I hope :-) After the fact (sin or 'unwise decisions'), we must accept them, and try to 'minimize the damage,' and teach them the importance of ongoing repentance. I do not believe we should accept their foolishness and allow it to continue in the church, for that would be hypocrisy. We must be wise and gentle, as Jesus is, but firm and determined, as He also is. I discern that one of the greatest problem areas in dealing with young people is the correct wielding of discipline. There seems to be a 'pendulum effect' working that either is too strict and demanding, or too forgiving, allowing sin to escalate. This would be an off-center balance-weight. Worse would be the absence of a balance-weight, causing wild swings of love and wrath, leniency and unreasonable strictness. Jesus is our balance-weight, and He always points to perfect center. When He walked the earth, He always shocked those who heard Him. The Pharisees were shocked at His authority concerning the Word of God, the sinners were shocked at His love and grace. He was always righteous and kind, in a simple, straightforward manner. This is what we must show forth in the church, and our youth will be ministered to as a matter of course. As another saint observed, we should not be focused on the youth, on missions, on worship, on healing, on study, on the pastor, on the denomination or 'covering,' or on anything but Jesus. If we find Him, every area will be covered. Blessings to you in Christ Jesus, charis |