Jack Wyrtzen often made this statement when he preached. Growing up in Word of Life, I always assumed ministering to young people was normal — everyone did that, didn’t they? That seemed to be part of the core DNA of any ministry: the next generation.
But as I’ve grown and become actively involved in different ministries, I can’t help but notice an absence of young people — not only sitting in our pews but also involved in life-changing discipleship in our churches. It begs the question: Have we, as believers, lost sight of this goal? Does ministering to this next generation seem like a lost cause because young people’s hearts are so hard from the world’s influence? Or, maybe, have we forgotten how to minister to them?
What does it look like to reach this next generation for Christ? Here are some specific ways we should approach today’s young people if we want to be effective in sharing truth in their everyday lives.
1. Talk to them! Don’t assume that young Christians are immune to the influence of the world.
This next generation is being exposed to adult content at a younger age than ever before, and it’s not just in public schools. This is the world in which this generation has to live, and we must prepare them to do so successfully. We can’t assume they’re OK because they seem like “good Christian kids.” We must help them by actively building relationships and talking with them about real issues. We need to put the iPhones and iPads down, get off Facebook, and interact with the next generation. This way, they won’t choose to reveal their secrets to a stranger but rather to a trusted guide.
2. Show them the difference between acceptance and approval.
There is a big difference between acceptance and approval, but so often our world confuses the two. In their minds, if you don’t approve of their choices, you’re rejecting them because their identity is wrapped up in the decisions they make. But we must teach this generation that God alone has the right to define them (Genesis 2; Ephesians 1). Acceptance and approval are very different — though we accept people because we love and care for them, we do not approve of some of their actions. When young people admit to doing something, remind them that you are there for them, you want them to be successful in life, and you accept them always. But also tell them that you cannot approve of the choices they are making because there is a difference between acceptance and approval.
3. Give them love with leadership.
No one made this point better than Jesus Christ! When dealing with the woman caught in adultery, first Jesus loved her, and then He led her (John 8:1-11). Titus 2 talks about how the older generation should protect, love, and lead this next generation by example for the sake of the Gospel. What are we doing to fulfill this?
4. Don’t give up on them.
Tenacity is key when working with this next generation. We must be more stubborn about their growth than they are about their own way. Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9 not to give up! This next generation needs us to be persistent. We must teach them and guide them, but most importantly, we need to pray for them. We can’t afford to give up.
The young people of the next generation may seem like they’re chock full of challenges, and they are. But they aren’t without hope, because they aren’t without an older generation to teach them.
How are you reaching the next generation for Christ?
Sarah Bubar, Class of 1995, is the dean of women at the Bible Institute’s Florida campus. She recently graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Texas, where she received her masters of divinity in women’s studies. While there, Sarah and her friends started an online resource ministry called UnlockingFemininity.com and co-authored a book called Radical Dating: When God Takes Control of Your Love Life. Her passion includes discipleship and teaching the Word of God to women.
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