Another important concept that youth need to know and understand is trusting God in all situations. This comes through living life in various situations they face and relying on God's strength in those times. In these times, they need to acknowledge God's presence in these situations.
Trusting in God at all times is an acknowledgement and a look to godly wisdom in our life. Looking to godly wisdom is trusting in God's way not our own. We are to look to God in all good or bad situations.
Solomon describes this type of godly wisdom in Proverbs. Proverbs 3:4-5, says "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him, And will make your paths straight." In these verses, we are to trust God at all times and acknowledge that he is working. Also, verse five is a reminder that God's ways are bigger than our ways. That is a concept that is really hard for us to grasp sometimes.
In verse six, the main concept that is shown here is that when we acknowledge his presence in our life then he will lead us when he wants us to go. It is not saying things will be perfect but it will be a process where God leads us in certain frustrating situations. Also, we have to remember that God is in control of things in our life. God is still working even though we may not see it at the time. Lastly, that God has a plan of us: Jeremiah 29:11.
Youth need to know that trials will help them trust God and rely on him more. Trials and frustrating situations will mature their faith. Lastly, trials and hard situations will help youth to desperately depend on God through these times.
In conclusion, learning to trust God is one of the most important concept for students to know. It is important for students to realize how God puts us through situations to help us trust him more. Lastly, learning to trust God is important as youth mature from high school to college and into adulthood.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Saturday, August 20, 2016
What Youth Need: To Have a Strong Grasp of Prayer
In this next part of my series what Youth need I will be discussing how they need to depend on God through prayer. In this post and the one shortly following I will discuss how students should pray in their daily lives. The main aspect of prayer I will discuss today is abiding and desperately depending on God through prayer.
Youth need to be taught how to daily abide and surrender to Jesus Christ. John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."Jesus calls us to desperately depend on him in all for all of our fears, circumstances, and problems. Jesus also says when we abide him, we prove to Jesus we truly are his disciples. Abiding in Jesus shows our love for one another.
In another aspect of abiding, students need to be taught that abiding is a continual process throughout the day. In 2 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul calls us to "pray without ceasing." This praying without ceasing is merely surrendering to God what is on our hearts throughout the day. God brings to our hearts what he wants to surrender to him and he transforms the situation. Romans 8:28-29 talks about how God causes all things to work together in order to conform us to his image. In this abiding process, God conforms whatever we are going through to make us like his Son, Jesus Christ.
Lastly, abiding can be described like a marriage relationship. When you love someone and desire to be with them, you talk to them throughout the day. In a marriage you are aware of their concerns, problems, and what they are going through. In our relationship with Jesus Christ, we should be walking closely enough that Jesus is aware of everything going on in our life. Jesus is with us throughout the day through the Holy Spirit and our significant other is with us.
Youth need to be taught how to daily abide and surrender to Jesus Christ. John 15:5 says, "I am the vine, you are the branches, he who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."Jesus calls us to desperately depend on him in all for all of our fears, circumstances, and problems. Jesus also says when we abide him, we prove to Jesus we truly are his disciples. Abiding in Jesus shows our love for one another.
In another aspect of abiding, students need to be taught that abiding is a continual process throughout the day. In 2 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul calls us to "pray without ceasing." This praying without ceasing is merely surrendering to God what is on our hearts throughout the day. God brings to our hearts what he wants to surrender to him and he transforms the situation. Romans 8:28-29 talks about how God causes all things to work together in order to conform us to his image. In this abiding process, God conforms whatever we are going through to make us like his Son, Jesus Christ.
Lastly, abiding can be described like a marriage relationship. When you love someone and desire to be with them, you talk to them throughout the day. In a marriage you are aware of their concerns, problems, and what they are going through. In our relationship with Jesus Christ, we should be walking closely enough that Jesus is aware of everything going on in our life. Jesus is with us throughout the day through the Holy Spirit and our significant other is with us.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
What Youth Need:Strong Biblical Teaching
In this second post in a series of posts I will be detailing the second thing that youth need. I think the second God has been revealing to me that youth need is strong Bible teaching.
First, strong biblical teaching in Student Ministry will give youth a strong foundation of which to grow. It will give youth the desire to know Christ more and rely on him. A strong foundation will give youth the ability to rely on God in the hard times. A biblical foundation will also help youth set their minds on Christ so they do not fall into lust. Ultimately, this strong foundation will arm youth with a sense of purpose in their life.
Second, strong biblical teaching in Student Ministry will give Youth the ability mature into adulthood. Youth will be faced with many challenges as they go from High School to College and onto the next stages of their life. It is important in Student Ministry that we give them solid biblical principles that they can apply throughout their life. Colleges will be teaching principles that are against the teachings of the Bible. In our Student Ministry, we have have to be able to give Youth the ability to discern truth from non-truth in life.
Third, strong biblical teaching in the Student Ministry will help Youth be able to share the Gospel. Solid biblical teaching in the Student Ministry will give Youth the tool necessary to share the Word of God to their friends in High School and as they embark on the next step of their life in College. In College, Youth will face people of many different religions and belief systems and they will have to know what words to say in specific circumstances. The Student Ministry needs to give Youth what they need to be a bold witness as they go out into the culture that is against Christianity. Youth will need to know how to speak to these specific types of people about a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, solid biblical teaching will give the youth a strong foundation, help them mature into adulthood, and share the gospel. Through these processes, Youth will be equipped to serve the kingdom of God and impact the world.
First, strong biblical teaching in Student Ministry will give youth a strong foundation of which to grow. It will give youth the desire to know Christ more and rely on him. A strong foundation will give youth the ability to rely on God in the hard times. A biblical foundation will also help youth set their minds on Christ so they do not fall into lust. Ultimately, this strong foundation will arm youth with a sense of purpose in their life.
Second, strong biblical teaching in Student Ministry will give Youth the ability mature into adulthood. Youth will be faced with many challenges as they go from High School to College and onto the next stages of their life. It is important in Student Ministry that we give them solid biblical principles that they can apply throughout their life. Colleges will be teaching principles that are against the teachings of the Bible. In our Student Ministry, we have have to be able to give Youth the ability to discern truth from non-truth in life.
Third, strong biblical teaching in the Student Ministry will help Youth be able to share the Gospel. Solid biblical teaching in the Student Ministry will give Youth the tool necessary to share the Word of God to their friends in High School and as they embark on the next step of their life in College. In College, Youth will face people of many different religions and belief systems and they will have to know what words to say in specific circumstances. The Student Ministry needs to give Youth what they need to be a bold witness as they go out into the culture that is against Christianity. Youth will need to know how to speak to these specific types of people about a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, solid biblical teaching will give the youth a strong foundation, help them mature into adulthood, and share the gospel. Through these processes, Youth will be equipped to serve the kingdom of God and impact the world.
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