Hey teens

[kodischild]

Hi out there all you teenagers! I'm looking for some advice. I know, what a turn around, usually adults are busy giving advice.

I know several young people who do not come from Christian families. There is nobody to encourage them to read their Bible or to pray. They see church as completely optional. I need resources that are entertaining enough that they will want to use them, but things that will help them want to know God better.

Everything I think is great they think is boring and preachy. Everything they like I think has no Christian value at all.

Suggestions anyone?

[DaniJ87]

Has the gospel been shared with them at all? What about it has been shared? Maybe they need to be told more about what being a Christian means. Just have a conversation with them. Show them what the Bible says, and help them to understand that truely being a Christian means that you have to actually follow God's Word- not just use the title for yourself.

Also, is there a good bible-camp near you? Most bible-camps have fall/winter/spring retreats for teens. Some of those can have dynamic speakers, that can really get through the "I'm so cool" exterior that teenagers exude sometimes.

[Iryssa]

Hmmm...been a couple years since I've done work with youth. The best place I remember was www.zjam.com This site is all about reaching youth! Their main focus is youth-geared Christian music, but they also are linked with Teen Hope Line, and they promote many other ministries (such as See You At the Pole, Fuel International, etc.). If you go to that website and click on their "web links" link, then click on "Youth Ministries," it'll give you some links to ministries and Bible Studies and the like.

Also, I would recommend that you take your youth to a Sonlife conference if you ever get the chance! I went to SEMP (Students Equipped to Minister to Peers) when I was in youth group, and it was amazing! It focused on both deepening one's personal relationship with God, and on ministering to peers (obviously). It was incredible! Anyway, here's the link to their site

[irishcowboy]

look into the "7 Project"

"Campus Life, YFC"

for a couple....

mike

[kodischild]

Thanks for the advice.

They know how to be saved and why, they just don't care much. I can explain the theory, but I can't help them want to have the relationship, or make them want to do the right things. I'm sure they would be thrilled to be Christians if Jesus were just a good luck charm, but they don't want to have to walk the walk or put themselves out in any way.

I personally read a lot of Christian fiction. It is entertaining, but opens up my heart because I can see where I have had the same struggles as the characters in the book. I'm looking for a way to open them up like that. Mostly I want them to want to learn about God. I have to be careful not to push too much, because if I push then they stop wanting to see me. I can't do any good if they won't see me or talk to me at all.

For awhile they were reading the Left Behind Kids series, but that got a bit long. While they were reading it they were motivated to study their Bible and go to church with me. I'm looking for ideas for things like that so they will want to learn more, but they won't feel like I am forcing them.

It is very hard for a child whose parent claims to be a Christian, but puts God as the last priority. For those kids they know what they see. They don't realize that there is a better way.

I would like to send them to a retreat or camp, but they wouldn't want to go and I can't make them because I have no authority in their lives. I'm just the drive them to church lady. Besides, there are 6 of them I'm working on and that would run into some money very quickly.

[irishcowboy]

youth retreats..... where they can fellowship with others from other places as well.... the men have retreats, the women have retreats.... and the youth have youth camp during the summer, but nothing much during the school year.....

this can be a time of healing and seeking and just time with God...

mike

[yomotalking]

I know I have been blessed through these.

[hippo's hope is HIM]

Hi, coming from a non christian family, and being a teen.....even I don't exactly know how to help you.

My aunt would come get me, take me to Vacation Bible School, and to church on Sunday mornings. Church was seen as a fun time....as who is the Jesus guy everyone is talking about?

Now that I am older, I have a desire to learn. Maybe it's just that these kids in particular have lost their desire to learn more. The place I am at now is not a very happy one. I want to learn more but the church itself is not being that any more. (Of course I can fellowship with Christians, and praise God there, etc, but it's still weird when you aren't learning anything any more) The problem is, not all teens are like me and my twin lol. They really dont care, dont want to learn, and come to church to either take a nap, eat food, or snuggle with their boy/girl friends. SOME seeds of course are being planted, but it's very frustrating to work with kids like that. Have you tried asking them what you can do to make them want to be there? sometimes it just takes asking them. Maybe they'd like more worship and singing, or more praying than what they are now doing. Maybe they would like more games. Or HATE games (like me) and would rather have Bible study type stuff.

what exactly is your schedule like? Do you meet during the week? Have a lot of kids? play games? lay it out for me so I can see it in my head. It may not be the material itself, but the pace, or the lack of energy in teaching it, or even that they are restless during teaching time. (jr.high, get games after the study, sr.high does the games, or discussion before the Bible study or you have different days set for each. one to be strictly fellowship and games, and hanging out, while the other for study) My brain is rolling around Give me some more info and I can direct my thoughts more fluently.

[kodischild]

Hi, coming from a non christian family, and being a teen.....even I don't exactly know how to help you.

My aunt would come get me, take me to Vacation Bible School, and to church on Sunday mornings. Church was seen as a fun time....as who is the Jesus guy everyone is talking about?

Now that I am older, I have a desire to learn. Maybe it's just that these kids in particular have lost their desire to learn more. The place I am at now is not a very happy one. I want to learn more but the church itself is not being that any more. (Of course I can fellowship with Christians, and praise God there, etc, but it's still weird when you aren't learning anything any more) The problem is, not all teens are like me and my twin lol. They really dont care, dont want to learn, and come to church to either take a nap, eat food, or snuggle with their boy/girl friends. SOME seeds of course are being planted, but it's very frustrating to work with kids like that. Have you tried asking them what you can do to make them want to be there? sometimes it just takes asking them. Maybe they'd like more worship and singing, or more praying than what they are now doing. Maybe they would like more games. Or HATE games (like me) and would rather have Bible study type stuff.

what exactly is your schedule like? Do you meet during the week? Have a lot of kids? play games? lay it out for me so I can see it in my head. It may not be the material itself, but the pace, or the lack of energy in teaching it, or even that they are restless during teaching time. (jr.high, get games after the study, sr.high does the games, or discussion before the Bible study or you have different days set for each. one to be strictly fellowship and games, and hanging out, while the other for study) My brain is rolling around Give me some more info and I can direct my thoughts more fluently.

I drive. That is my whole part of their lives, and that is only if I can talk them into getting in the car. I tried several churches. They didn't like them. If they don't like them then they don't go so we are now going to the church they like. In the church they like they are about the only youth. Sometimes a few more might show up, but not often. I thought they would like active, vibrant youth groups with lots of kids, but they aren't interested.

I don't know what they want. I ask them if there is a church they would rather go to, but they like this one with lots of older people and only them for youth. I ask them if they would rather skip Sunday school and we could do our own little Bible activity, but they aren't interested. I have bought them every type of Bible, but they lose them because those aren't important to them.

I'm more worried about day to day things than church day. I want to offer them other options. Instead of sitting around watching R rated movies, I want them to have the option to watch something that at least has some moral value. Instead of listening to music that is all about sex and drugs, i want to offer them spiritual music that they will enjoy. Instead of going to playing games where they kill people and steal cars, I want to offer them something that will encourage.....well, anything would be better than some of those games.

[hippo's hope is HIM]

WOw, how completely ironic. My church is primarily older white woman, where there has been no more than 10 youth the entire time I've been there. (I have been to several churches though, and visit a few of them because my church doesn't have youth services)

Why do I like that place better than say St.James with over 40 youth? I don't like youth. They are immature, mean and quite often we get into arguments rather than anything productive. Are these kids mature? Maybe it's just they feel WAY OUT of place when they are around teenagers. Also, if they are made fun of alot, then they find comfort in older people who are more supportive and accepting than younger people.

Have you tried playing some christian music in the car? There are some amazing Christian Rock, Rap, country, contemprary, ANY style you can think of , they have it in a Christian text pretty much. If you need some ideas, let me know and I can list some really good groups.

As for movies, games, and all the other things they are exposed to...they won't want to change that, until they understand that what they are watching and doing is polluting not only their minds, but their hearts. I didn't care about watching scary things, or cursing, or playing violent games until I realized that I reap what I sow. Nightmares, fear, prone to violent urges, was not because of me, but because of the things I was putting into my brain, and that were constantly replaying so to speak while I was not aware. When they understand that garbage in=garbage out and that whole concept then they will themselves make the change. Right now they are thinking christianity is boring, nothing but rules, it holds you in, etc. They dont understand that within christianity there is a whole other realm of things to do. The music alone is awesome. I think what someone said about a youth trip would be great. You are the driver...make it a game, that you are taking them on a surprise, and go for something bold. What area are you all in? There are free concerts, Aquire the Fire (amazing event that costs money but is worth every penny) This will allow you to get the kids together, and show them there is something more to this life than sitting in a pew. It will also open their eyes to the advantages of being with other teens (we have a lot to offer each other whether they realize it or not) and what other styles of preaching and learning are like.

When you are driving them.......what do you act like? Do you talk enthusiastically about things Jesus is doing in your life? Maybe something you learned while doing a devotion, or having a quiet time. Maybe even approach sad topics..like death, drug abuse, etc. Use your testimony and your stories, to spark an interest in them. I LOVE hearing stories, I don't always show it, but for someone to tell me a story...share an experience, just whatever, it makes me really excited. They too need the chance to talk to each other. It took me a long time and I mean LONG time to open up to people, to feel comfortable enough to share , to even talk with other youth lol. So if they are silent....don't hound them about talking, but just know they have the opportunity and freedom to do so. The aunt that used to drive me to church changed my life forever. I encourage you to not give up, because you could be the exact person these kids need.