Investing in today’s youth is necessary in growing the body of Christ. Teaching young people in the church to grow in their relationship with the Lord prepares them to serve Christ in all they do. As a result, this nurtures the congregation and allows the church to flourish.
Serving young people cannot only prepare them to become future leaders, but also allow them to contribute to the church. This is seen many times in the Bible, as God often used young people to do great things. For example, God used Timothy to pastor and lead the Ephesian church when he was a teenager. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Who are the church’s youth? Young people have traditionally been thought of as being in a state of flux between childhood and adulthood. When referring to youth, most people refer to them as “teenagers,” even though there are no set age limits. Anyone who desires to be a child or adolescent can become one.
There are no limits for the potential of church youth. Others go to a youth ministry so they can learn, communicate, and grow in a faith-filled environment.
Yet other religious leaders manage young people’s ministries and other youth-focused organizations, giving back to their communities’ young people.
The role of youth in the church today
As previously stated, youth are free to serve in any capacity they see fit within the church. The roles that young people play in the church are listed below.
- First and foremost, they can be the consumers. Young minds are perfect vessels for information. There is no better time to teach them about God, religion and spirituality other than in their younger years. If they are encouraged enough to participate in the church’s life when they are young, they will continue to do that in their adulthood.
- The youth in the church also plays an essential role in bringing a fresh perspective on things. Some older people might be too stuck on outdated ideals. The purpose of the youth is to provide their perspective on the situation/topic, which will benefit everyone.
- Young people often have more energy than adults, making them the perfect choice for various organisational jobs. Moreover, many teenagers are great at organising and holding various celebrations and events, as they usually have lots of amazing ideas.
Young people should not only take charge of issues like planning, but also lend a helping hand to others. Several things could be gleaned from this:
- Young people can take on the cleaning duties.
- They can help the oldest members of the church.
- They can also help other youngsters in their search for God and spirituality.
Youth are a church’s most important resource for the future. If they continue preaching what their predecessors have preached or introduce something new and fresh, they are the ones who make the call.”
When young people aren’t interested in going to church, the whole religious establishment is at risk of failing. Encouragement of youth involvement in the church is therefore critical.
Role of the church for the Christian youth
It’s important to think about what the church can do for the youths as well as what the youths can do for the church.
- The most important thing any church can do for youth is providing guidance and knowledge. While many young people are blessed with wonderful parents/guardians/teachers, some do not have that luxury. To save them from themselves or from the situations they might be in, the church has to show them the righteous path that involves faith in Our Lord.
- The church can be a great way for many young people to find some meaning in their lives. With help from other church members (pastors, priests, other believers), the youth can find a place for God in their hearts and lives. In addition, they can learn from other people’s experiences, share their own and hear feedback from others.
- Churches should offer educational programmes for young people to teach them how to be good, faithful people in the future. These programs should also provide information that children cannot find at school or home.
- Church’s role in youth development should not end with just providing important knowledge and guidance. It should also provide the youth with all forms of support. The support can come from anyone within the church and take on any form. It can be spiritual, financial, moral, social, or any other form of help that the youth might need. As young people are quite a vulnerable transitional group, they should have all the support they can get in their complicated journey towards adulthood.
To help young people learn about Christ and life in general, churches can start youth ministries. In what way does youth ministry serve a greater good? To see why youth ministry is so critical, read on. It:
- helps the church focus on Jesus, which goes beyond tradition, dogma, and ritual;
- resists the status quo, helping a church stay relevant in a changing culture;
- reminds the church that teens are not marginalised members of the body but are co-creators and conspirators in the divine work of the church, restoring life on earth as it is in heaven;
- helps the teens to integrate into the larger intergenerational community of the church;
- focuses on inviting those not already part of the church into God’s plan for humankind into the deeper narrative.
How to make a difference as a Christian youth
If you want to make a difference as a young person, you must always set an example by getting involved in your community and with your people. As a Christian teen, there are numerous ways to give back and make a difference.
- Be a good example for other youths. This includes being a leader who participates in both church and community activities, not involving yourself in habits like drinking, smoking, gossips and cheating.
- Be patient and kind to everyone irrespective of their age.
- Love others and be willing to help them at no cost.
- Be respectful when engaging with other non-Christian members.
- Reach out to people who feel like the community neglects them. Help them by encouraging them, praying for them and spending the most of their time with them. This will make them feel loved and appreciated.
- Be able to take rejection or loss with grace. When confronted about your belief, always stand firm on what you believe in.
- Keep studying your faith through group discussions with your fellow youths.
- Always read the bible to learn more about Christian life. Then, ask questions from older religious teachers such as pastors and priests.
- Pray as often as you can and go to church. It is through prayers that God answers our needs. In addition, praying is a close way of building your relationship with Christ as a Christian.
- Always give back to others. Be willing to assist those in need and giving out what you do not need or use. You can also help by joining or helping a cause that revolves around helping people know about God and his Word.
Why is youth group important?
Here are some benefits youth groups provide teens and their communities with:
- Being in a Christian group can give a person direction, help to choose what is right and provide friends who will support them.
- It can provide encouragement to look for solutions to common community issues.
- In a youth group, a person has others with whom they can pray and share their concerns.
- It can help teens to develop critical thinking and other personal and interpersonal skills.
- Youth group helps young people interact with each other freely sharing ideas about life, and God.
- It offers a safe space for teens to express themselves without being judged.
The church should be a beacon of hope for young people, an answer to the myriad of questions they have. For those who are lost, confused, scared, or hurt, it should be a place to call home.