Theology of Youth Ministry

GCC Theology of Youth Ministry

A.  Purpose

 1.  Assist Parents in Ministry to their Children

The church is not to assume the role of the parent or to compete with them, but to assist parents in bringing up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Deut. 6:4-8, Eph. 6:4).

a)  Help evangelize unbelieving youth of church members
b)  Help disciple believing youth of church members
c)  Support and encourage biblical parental authority
d)  Involve parents in all levels of leadership
e)  Provide resources to parents

2.  Fulfill the Ministry of the Church

The church’s mandate is to equip all saints for the works of service, this includes children.  The family unit was not designed to be the sole source of instruction for children or their parents (Heb 10:24-25, 1 Tim 3:15,16, Eph 4:11-16).

a)  Equip youth for the works of service
b)  Present every youth complete in Christ
c)  Protect youth from false doctrine
d)  Prepare the next generation of faithful believers

B.  Uth Ministry Goals

 1.   Exaltation of Christ

Teens are in desperate need of a clear, compelling view of Christ so that they can understand the reason that they are being called to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow after Him.  It is our passion to teach the love, grace, truth, and power of Christ so that our teens will find their satisfaction, joy, and fulfillment in the Lord Jesus alone.  Only when our young people are satisfied in Christ will they be able to resist the pleasures of the world which constantly clamor for their attention.

2.  Powerful Bible Teaching

We are convinced that the powerful, accurate, compelling applicational, and consistent teaching of the Word of God is to be the foundation of every ministry in the church, including ministry to youth.  Only as our teens hear the Word of God can they come to faith in Christ and be conformed to the image of Christ.  To this end the teaching of God’s Word is the focal point of our youth ministry.

3.  Parental Involvement

We rely heavily on parent involvement in all aspects of youth ministry, and in no way encourage youth to disassociate, or distance themselves from parental involvement in any area of their lives.

4.  Church Integration

Additionally we see our young people as a vital part of the church as a whole, not a separate entity pursuing a different spiritual agenda.  To this end we encourage and provide opportunities for ministry and involvement within the church as well as in partnership with other church ministries.

5.  Christ-Honoring/Mature Environment

We desire to provide a youth environment in which the fear and love of God, obedience to parents, passion for ministry to believers, and intentional evangelism for the lost are promoted.  Although we understand that our teens will include a mix of believers and unbelievers, we in no way desire to pander to the popular culture in order to entertain those who have no interest in Christ.  We are convinced that the powerful teaching of the Word of God and an atmosphere of true love for Christ and love for others are the most powerful ways to reach unbelievers and encourage believers.  When a joyful, sincere, Biblical love is exhibited by both young people and leaders then the character of Christ will be powerfully present.

C.  Message

 1.  A Right Relationship with God – Fear/Love of the Lord

Je 10:7  Who would not fear You, O King of the nations?  Indeed it is Your due!  For among all the wise men of the nations And in all their kingdoms.  There is none like You.

Mk 12:29-31  Jesus answered, “The foremost is, “HEAR, O ISRAEL!  THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.”  “The second is this, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”  There is no other commandment greater than these.”

2.  Right Relationship to Parents – Honor, Respect, Obedience

Eph 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.

3.  Right Relationship to Others – Love in Truth

Eph 4:14-15  As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

4.  Right Relationship to the World – Holy, Evangelistic Separation

1 Jn 2:15-17  Do not love the world nor the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.  The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

D.  Method

 1.  Teaching – Psalm 119:9-11

a)  Expository teaching – verse by verse and topical
b)  Applicational teaching – students know how to grow

2.  Prayer – Eph 6:18

a)  Consistent prayer for teens/parents
b)  Awareness of joys/needs/struggles for informed prayer

3.  Leadership v 1 Timothy 4:12-16

a)  Spiritually mature leaders with a love for teens
b)  Godly role models who will draw the teens towards maturity in all areas
c)  Well-trained, well shepherded leaders who love accountability

4.  Discipleship Relationships – 1 John 4:20, Col 3:12-17

a)  Personal contact
b)  Personal care and concern
c)  Personal accountability

5.  Ministries – 1 Timothy 3:15

a)  Sunday School
b)  Wednesday Night
c)  Monthly Activities

(1)  Fellowship
(2)  Ministry
(3)  Evangelism

d)  Yearly Camps and Retreats
e)  Music Ministry
f)  Bible Quizzing
g)  Evangelism
h)  Student Leadership