On fire?

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Ecclesiastik

Guest
#61
#61
Callmebadger said:
You shouldn't speak so ill of your peers, guys. We're in an age of babying where grown young adults (teens) are still seen as brats. When you've always been treated as a child, you tend to act like one. I don't think the problem is that they have no interest in God, but more that they're too immature to comprehend what's important the way that you do with your clear sight (God given, mind you). With that said, I emphasize the importance of all of us stepping up to try and show them what's important. If not us, then who?
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Stepping up and showing them the way-- I agree. Could you give us an example of how you have personally done so?

I was growing...irritated with my youth groups a few years ago. College was an even worse time because I was a fallen sinner who was surrounded by youth who did little but entertain themselves and hardly ever talked about Jesus outside of the sermon. I couldn't help them and they couldn't help me. Now that I'm walking with the Lord again, I don't intend to spare out of propriety. I'm gonna be knocking down church doors and proclaiming Christ once I'm back home (I'm out of country right now).
 
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Callmebadger

Guest
#63
#63
Ecclesiastik said:
Stepping up and showing them the way-- I agree. Could you give us an example of how you have personally done so?
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Words are cheap. The best thing one can do is to live a life that shows Christ without needing introduction. I, personally, rebuke my mates (lovingly and politely, of course) when they aren't serious and the situation demands it, or perhaps they've fallen to temptation in some way. I've made it abundantly clear that they can come talk to me whenever need be. Always remember that younger ones are watching. They look to the older ones for guidance, often without asking; they observe. If you see someone down, ask them what's troubling them. If they're sitting all alone, be that person that goes and sits with them. Even the most confident need encouragement constantly. Each situation demands different methods. Our window of opportunity to make a lasting effect on someone at this impressionable age is dwindling by the day. Please don't miss it.
 
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Ecclesiastik

Guest
#64
#64
Callmebadger said:
Words are cheap. The best thing one can do is to live a life that shows Christ without needing introduction. I, personally, rebuke my mates (lovingly and politely, of course) when they aren't serious and the situation demands it, or perhaps they've fallen to temptation in some way. I've made it abundantly clear that they can come talk to me whenever need be. Always remember that younger ones are watching. They look to the older ones for guidance, often without asking; they observe. If you see someone down, ask them what's troubling them. If they're sitting all alone, be that person that goes and sits with them. Even the most confident need encouragement constantly. Each situation demands different methods. Our window of opportunity to make a lasting effect on someone at this impressionable age is dwindling by the day. Please don't miss it.
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"Our window of opportunity to make a lasting effect on someone at this impressionable age is dwindling by the day. Please don't miss it."

Just wanted to copy that in case anyone missed it.

I've been raking my brain on how to best influence the folks around me and to use my youth for the glory of God to the point that I don't look back and have regrets like "If only I wasn't so timid!" "I should have done such and such!"

Amen to that though.
 
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Jda016

Guest
#65
#65
faithonhigh said:
Oh I know! The youth at my church do that too, and since I'm the oldest youth member, my youth pastor will let me do lessons occasionaly, and the last time I did a lesson after everyone got there I told them there wasn't going to be any games today and almost all of them started yelling about it, and part of my lesson was about how one of our former youth members fell away from God and was texting me and told me about how no one from the church ever talked to him anymore or bothered to see how he was doing. So he just stopped coming and eventually fell away and started getting back into drugs, and no one from our church even realized it. So one of my main points was that people we know, love and care about are out in the world, getting caught up in worldly things, and falling away from God, and we didn't even notice but we're concerned that there was no game for that night.. They didn't really enjoy it, but it needed to be said. I just have such a passion for God, and I can't understand why people take it lightly. :(
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Well said! You most often know you are speaking the truth when the crowd finds it unpopular.

This was the case of most all the Old Testament prophets. They didn't goto Israel to play games or just tell them things they wanted to hear. They showed them how to be Godly and they never compromised when it came to speaking the truth.

so must we too today, never compromise the truth.
 
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Pres19

Senior Member
#66
Nov 27, 2013
779
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#66
faithonhigh said:
Like that anyone can join or just for the youth group?
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Well that's really up to the one who starts the group.
We had 3 people in their 30s help with our online bible study because they had more biblical understanding than us so they were there just to help us stay true to the bible and not go outta context. Kinda just there to over see everything and keep an eye one us in case someone tried to troll us and shake our faith.
 
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Pres19

Senior Member
#67
Nov 27, 2013
779
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#67
Callmebadger said:
You shouldn't speak so ill of your peers, guys. We're in an age of babying where grown young adults (teens) are still seen as brats. When you've always been treated as a child, you tend to act like one. I don't think the problem is that they have no interest in God, but more that they're too immature to comprehend what's important the way that you do with your clear sight (God given, mind you). With that said, I emphasize the importance of all of us stepping up to try and show them what's important. If not us, then who?
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With all respect, no one was speaking ill of their peers nor saying they have no interest in God. We are saying we worry about them and we feel because of their immaturity they don't always take the faith seriously. We don't blame them. Personally I feel it's partly because (like you said) people have treated them like children for so long that they act like that. We are really just trying to discuss and find a way to make them more fired up.
Not because we feel they should be but because we love them and want them to have that beautiful relationship with God that everyone should have.
But with that being said I couldn't agree with you more on your comment.
 
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TaylorTG

Guest
#68
#68
Haha.
JustBrandon said:
I know what you mean. I feel that too many teenagers these days just don't care anymore. I've been from church to church and it always seems the teens want to just goof around. Of course, having fun is important but it just seems that many teens aren't serious when it comes to God. Either that or I'm just too mature.
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If parents don't properly educate the kids on the importance of church and such, then the kids will naturally not understand what they're attending.

A teenager who claims that mass is boring isn't properly educated on its significance, so of course he/she won't show much reverence for what he/she is celebrating.
 
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Pres19

Senior Member
#69
Nov 27, 2013
779
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#69
faithonhigh said:
. Sometimes I just feel a bit discouraged!
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Feeling discouraged is hard! But remember this.. if we give up who will fight for them?
I ask myself that every time I get discouraged. I know Jesus fights for our hearts everyday but I also know we as Christians are to be lights to others and help others with their spiritual walk. It can be hard at times but God willing we can do it. :)
 
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faroukfarouk

Banned
#70
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
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#70
faithonhigh said:
I'm in no way speaking ill of them (or at least meaning to). And I agree we should be the ones to show them, and that's exactly what I'm trying to do. Sometimes I just feel a bit discouraged!
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Well, we have to be honest and realistic. (Although always good to be able to pray for people who might cause disappointments; it does moderate one's feelings about them.)
 
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faroukfarouk

Banned
#71
Feb 21, 2014
5,672
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#71
Pres19 said:
Feeling discouraged is hard! But remember this.. if we give up who will fight for them?
I ask myself that every time I get discouraged. I know Jesus fights for our hearts everyday but I also know we as Christians are to be lights to others and help others with their spiritual walk. It can be hard at times but God willing we can do it. :)
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Prestley: Someone said that all the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of one match.

God strengthens us to shine for the Lord Jesus.
 
breno785au

breno785au

Senior Member
#72
Jul 23, 2013
6,002
765
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#72
To the OP,
1Th 5:14
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
(ESV)
Its great that you have a zeal for God and take walking with Him seriously, praise God for that! But also be on guard for high mindedness - this can creep in very quickly, I know this myself. And pray for them, do not be discouraged.
 
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