Voice of Truth - Youth
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Now that I have begun to work with the youth group, I have looked at some youth related statistics. The first thing I looked at was the fact that 70% will leave the church between 18 and 22. How do we reverse that trend?
2 Timothy 2:22 - Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
We need to be teaching the truth of this verse. The church reaches out to them in worldly terms to make a connection. But too many times we fail to turn that connection into an opportunity to teach the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love and peace. Many youth just can't see how the Bible is applicable to them. They must be taught how to apply the Scriptures to their lives. Discipleship needs to happen before they leave home. When they leave home they need to know how to find answers in the Bible and to be able to defend their faith. Most college campuses are not Christian friendly. If not equipped with the proper tools to defend their faith, they will quickly abandon it. Unfortunately many adults can't defend what they believe in. How many churches actually provide teaching on how to defend the faith? Not many that I am aware of. This is crucial with the number of false teachers prowling around today. The second part of the verse says with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. The key here is the with those part. Young adults are not making connections with other Christians when they leave home. As parents and leaders, we must make sure that connection is being made. No Christian can survive long without the fellowship of other believers.
As I looked at some survey statistics by Lifeway Research, I found some encouraging news. 39% of them will return if gently nudged by their parents or other family members. Another 21% will do so at the gracious urging of friends or acquaintances. If you have a child in that 70%, find encouragement in these numbers. Be patient and faithful in calling them back to the faith. Don't give up God is faithful in all things. Pray that glory be to God in their return.
2 Timothy 2:22 - Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
We need to be teaching the truth of this verse. The church reaches out to them in worldly terms to make a connection. But too many times we fail to turn that connection into an opportunity to teach the pursuit of righteousness, faith, love and peace. Many youth just can't see how the Bible is applicable to them. They must be taught how to apply the Scriptures to their lives. Discipleship needs to happen before they leave home. When they leave home they need to know how to find answers in the Bible and to be able to defend their faith. Most college campuses are not Christian friendly. If not equipped with the proper tools to defend their faith, they will quickly abandon it. Unfortunately many adults can't defend what they believe in. How many churches actually provide teaching on how to defend the faith? Not many that I am aware of. This is crucial with the number of false teachers prowling around today. The second part of the verse says with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. The key here is the with those part. Young adults are not making connections with other Christians when they leave home. As parents and leaders, we must make sure that connection is being made. No Christian can survive long without the fellowship of other believers.
As I looked at some survey statistics by Lifeway Research, I found some encouraging news. 39% of them will return if gently nudged by their parents or other family members. Another 21% will do so at the gracious urging of friends or acquaintances. If you have a child in that 70%, find encouragement in these numbers. Be patient and faithful in calling them back to the faith. Don't give up God is faithful in all things. Pray that glory be to God in their return.
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