Investing in the youth : Investing in the youth Checkpoint #11
To commit in order to gain a return : To commit in order to gain a return
To spend or devote for future advantage or benefit : To spend or devote for future advantage or benefit for
To devote morally or psychologically, as to a purpose; commit : To devote morally or psychologically, as to a purpose; commit Men tend to be invested in what they do, women in what we are
To cover completely, envelop : To cover completely, envelop
What is ‘covering’ our youth? What are they wrapped up in? : What is ‘covering’ our youth? What are they wrapped up in? Sexuality on television and in music
Peers
Experiences
School
Idle time
Video games
Self-centeredness
Popularity
How do we ‘cover’ the youth? : How do we ‘cover’ the youth?
What do we cover the youth with? : What do we cover the youth with? The word of God broken down in a RELEVANT way!! Why is the bible presented to children in such an irrelevant way?
Prayer, prayer, prayer—playing softball with a child is not as effective as praying with and for them
Get outside of the building! Investing in the youth is not about creating programs for Sunday evenings so we can feel like we care.
Possible struggles of youth : Possible struggles of youth No sense of self—no idea of talents, no real hobbies
Struggles with education
Struggles with family
Materialism
Inadequacy
Being misunderstood
Being bullied
Lying, cheating, stealing, sex, drugs
Roadblocks or struggles we may have in investing in the youth : Roadblocks or struggles we may have in investing in the youth Family values conflicting
Personal relationship boundaries with parents
Not seeing the value or immediate reward
Children are like empty glasses. Something is going to fill them. : Children are like empty glasses. Something is going to fill them.
Our children need to be covered! : Our children need to be covered!
What filled your life when you were left uncovered? : What filled your life when you were left uncovered?
To be an infectious church that gains and wins souls by investing in the youth : To be an infectious church that gains and wins souls by investing in the youth There is nothing we can do to stop the aging process. Youth will get older but we can invest in who/what they become now.
What is the alternative? : What is the alternative? Ignore the youth and hope for the best
Deal with them after the world has it’s way with them
Wall between the church and youth, connection between the world and youth
Silently stand by as youth are ravaged by wolves and obscenity
Complain about how disrespectful youth are
Wouldn’t this be nice? : Wouldn’t this be nice?
The goal : The goal Bring children to their Father so they are not living life alienated from his love, his word, his blessing, and his commands