Man has made a start on the meaning of life when he plants shade trees under which he knows he will never sit.
– Trueblood
Monthly Archives: September 2006
Paradoxical Commandments of Teaching
- Youth are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Develop a trusting, caring relationship anyway.
- If you develop an unconditional philosophy in loving your youth, you may be accused of selfish motives. Love without hooks anyway.
- If you are sucessful in your teaching, you may generate jealousy and envy from some people. Succeed anyway.
- The little things you do for your youth will be forgotten tomorrow. Do the little things anyway.
- Having uncompromizeable convictions and beliefs make you old fashioned. Have them anyway.
- Prophets of gloom and doom are eager to let you know there is no hope. Have hope anyway.
- People center on negatives and few positives. Develop a positive mental attitude anyway.
- The energies you expend in being successful can be destroyed overnight. Be energetic anyway.
- Your youth really need guidance, but may reject you. Give guidance anyway.
- Give your youth the best you have and you will experience mixed gratitude. Give them the best you have anyway.
Adapted from Gene A. Bedley, Former USA National educator of the year
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Appearances
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
God warned Samuel against judging by appearance alone. When we judge by externals, we easily overlook outstanding people who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Outward appearance doesn’t reflect what people are really like or their true worth.
When the time came to anoint a successor to Saul as king of Israel, Samuel was confident he knew a king when he saw one. Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, was the clear choice.
To God, and hopefully to our church, there is a complete acceptance of people regardless of these outward things, and a love that turns that insecurity into peace. Samuel should have remembered that God judges by faith and character, not appearances. Since only God can look within the human heart, only he can accurately judge people. Many people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; we should all do more to develop our inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (1 Peter 3:3-4)
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
The 5 C’s of Building Strong Families
Center on God
Make all of life God-saturated. Make the Bible the most important book in your home and something the family reads everyday together. Pray with them and for them daily. Youth need to see the Word of God “fleshed out” in your life.
Care
This is “agape” love “that is unconditional, sacrificial, and unshakable.” We all need to be appreciated. Compliment your youth daily. Make it genuine and specific. Praise is the greatest motivation in the world for learning.
Connect
You must spend time with your youth. You can not buy your their affection. Youth are quite happy to exchange the luxury of “things” for their parents physical presence. You must be in physical proximity with your youth. Take them with you to the office or on an errand. If you travel spend as much of your “home time” with your youth as possible. Show your youth appropriate physical affection. A pat on the shoulder, a hug, a kiss, a hand held are means of touch that powerfully convey your approval. Discipline is also important but guard against abuse of any kind. Help them apply the principles that you have learned from God’s word.
Communicate
The less time spent in front of the TV the stronger the family. When the TV is off there is greater chance for conversation. Be spontaneous, be a good listener, be positive in your communication. Deut. 6:4-9 reminds all parents to teach God’s Commandments.
Commit
“Commitment is our resolve to always keep our families centered on God, to always love, to always build bridges to our children, and to always communicate to the best of our ability. It is a commitment to be a family no matter what circumstances or situations arise” (pp.16-29).
Source: Dr. William Mitchell and Michael Mitchell in “Building Strong Families”
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Creative Sermon Ideas
This 100 Page e-Book Includes All The Help You Need To Prepare Powerful, Life-Changing Youth Sermons That Will Turn Your Preaching Around And Make Your Youth Sit Up And Listen! Includes 7 Complete Sermons.
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Handling Concerns Regarding Salvation
Now is not time.
Don’t brag about what will happen tomorrow. You don’t really know what will happen then. (Prov 27:1)
I tried to be a Christian before, but then I failed.
God is strong and can help you not to fall. He can bring you before His glory without any wrong and give you great joy. He is the only God. He is the One who saves us. (Jude 24,25)
l am not good enough.
God did not send His Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through Him. He who believes in God’s Son is not judged guilty. He who does not believe has already been judged guilty. (John 3:17,18)
I’m not so bad.
There is no one without sin. None! There is no one who looks to God for help. All have turned away … All people have sinned and are not good enough for God’s glory. (Rom 3:10,11,23)
I don’t want be Christian because being a Christian means no more freedom. I cannot do what I want.
Young people, enjoy yourselves while you are young. Be happy while you are young. Do whatever your heart desires. Do whatever you want to do. But remember that God will judge you for everything you do. (Eccle 11:9)
All religions are the same.
Jesus answered, “I am the way. And I am the truth and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” (John 14:6)
It doesn’t really matter what I believe?
… those who do not know God … and those who do not obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ … will be punished with a destruction that continues forever. They will not be allowed to be with the Lord, and they will be kept away from His great power. (2 Thess 1:8,9)
I don’t need God
It is worth nothing for a person to have the whole world, if he loses his soul? (Mark 8 :36)
Life is quite meaningless.
I came to give life, life in all its fullness. (John 10:10)
MORE IDEAS? See “Creative Object Lessons”
200 page e-book that explains everything you need to know when planning your very own object lessons. It contains 90 fully developed object lesson ideas and another 200 object lesson starter ideas based on Biblical idioms and Names / Descriptions of God.
Carving
Carve your name upon hearts, not upon marble.
Tips from Youth for Youth Leaders
- Be yourself and don’t try to impress me with your education.
- TIME ….I can’t know you without spending time with you.
- Return phone calls! And return them promptly
- Give me honest answers, even if neither of us like what you have to say.
- Realize that I wouldn’t be talking to you about my problem if I thought I could handle it myself. I’m depending on you for direction.
- Be honest with me about your own life and struggles.
- Don’t try to be a youth; we have enough of those around.
- If you are old enough to have a teenager of your own, approach me as a fellow struggler. If you don’t have a teen of your own, then approach me as one who is genuinely trying to understand.
- Stay current with resources you can recommend to me. I may need to read more about a subject and will expect you to know where to send me for help.
- Ask my opinion and allow others to help you develop the programs, trips, and so on.
Get Help on Your Youth Sermons
Creative Sermon Ideas
This 100 Page e-Book Includes All The Help You Need To Prepare Powerful, Life-Changing Youth Sermons That Will Turn Your Preaching Around And Make Your Youth Sit Up And Listen! Includes 7 Complete Sermons.
–> I want More Youth Sermon Ideas…
Mark 17
A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.”
The following Sunday, the minister asked for a show of hands from those who read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled and said, “Mark has only sixteen chapters. I will now proceed with my sermon on the sin of lying.”
Tips from Parents for Youth Leaders
- Don’t try to do it all yourself. Learn the fine art of delegation.
- Remember that we were here before you and may be here after you.
- Don’t throw me or my opinions out just because I represent leadership from the former youth minister. Help me help you grow a successful youth ministry in our church.
- We may need to change, but gently help us change instead of forcing change on us without understanding.
- Don’t wait for a crisis to occur before we meet. My family needs to know you care even when life is going smoothly.
- Help me be a better worker by being organized and prepared.
- Don’t be afraid of my experience as a youth worker. I may know as much or more than you do about working with teenagers, but I still want YOU to be their leader. Allow me to help you.
- Just listen sometimes instead of always having the “right” answer to my problem. I may just need to know somebody cares enough to listen to me.
- You teach me about the importance of prayer, so actually pray with me one-on-one.
- Praise me for the good things I’ve done.
Get Help on Your Youth Sermons
Creative Sermon Ideas
This 100 Page e-Book Includes All The Help You Need To Prepare Powerful, Life-Changing Youth Sermons That Will Turn Your Preaching Around And Make Your Youth Sit Up And Listen! Includes 7 Complete Sermons.
–> I want More Youth Sermon Ideas…
More Important than basketball
A reporter once asked legendary U.C.L.A. basketball coach John Wooden who led his team to 7 consecutive national Championships he was able to remain so calm admidst all the pressure of the game?
Coach Wooden with a grin on face replied, “Well I carry a cross in my pocket. And when things get difficult and crazy in a game I reach into my pocket and feel that cross, and it reminds me that there is something much more important than basketball…”