Bible Baptist Youth Group
... providing exciting events that are designed to meet the ever-changing needs of teenagers grades seven through twelve.
Such events include ...
ReCharge - a weekly Wednesday Night programs for teens in grades 7 12; 7:15 - 8:30 pm
IMPACT - monthly discussion/Bible study meetings
Teen Visitation
Musical Choir and Ensembles
Retreats & Summer Camp and much more
The objective of a well-organized, effective youth program requires that an understanding of the philosophy and goals of the overall ministry be clear to all who are involved in it, along with the parents of our young people.
Philosophy:
Working with teens, ages 13 through 18, requires an understanding of the needs of those in that season of life. As with any age group ministry, the first requirement is a genuine love for those ministered to. This is especially true with teens. The love factor will be more critical than any other quality needed in achieving the goals of our ministry to youth.
Goals:
The ultimate objective of our youth ministry is to see spiritually mature young adults actively involved in Church life as teachers, workers, and leaders. To accomplish this goal, those working with the youth need to SEE the potential that the teenager has to be involved in serving now. There is a great deal that can be done by the youth. There is an untapped resource of boundless energy and enthusiasm--and it needs to be developed and directed into productive personal ministry by the young person. As the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."--I Timothy 4:12. Youth can be the most dynamic and productive group in our Church.
The goals of the youth ministry can be reached by listing them clearly, then specifying how to achieve them. These are listed below under the headings of "WHAT?" and "HOW?" Please understand that the emphasis here is on teens who are already saved and active members of the Church.
| WHAT? | HOW? |
| Ministry Involvement: Allowing for opportunity to be involved in serving; developing responsibility and leadership skills. |
Leadership Training: Allowing (with limited supervision) idea sharing, planning, delegating, and producing programs. Examples: Youth night, community outreach, Vacation Bible School, youth rally, church property improvement. Note that this aspect is service oriented. |
| Full Surrender: The dedication of one's life to the Lord, and the surrender of the will to His. |
External Encouragement: Surrender is an internal work in the heart over which workers have no control. They can, however, provided every external encouragement possible through: 1) Their own example. Note Paul's words in Philippians 4:9 - "Those things which ye have seen in me do..." 2) Challenges through: Teaching and preaching, Sunday School, Church meetings, camps, conferences, rallies, etc. 3) Involvement in Ministry. Doing can create a desire for more involvement! 4) Prayer. Asking God to use the above to reach the hearts of young people. 5) Praise. The positive reinforcement of recognition for effort put forth. |
| Meaningful Relationships: Providing an appropriate atmosphere for young people to fellowship and build relationships which at the same time safeguards them from improper involvement. Those in the age group of 13 to 18 are too young to be establishing serious relationships between males and females. Dating is for those mature enough to be considering marriage and is unwise until an individual is in a position to assume the full responsibility of marriage. This is not to imply that there is anything improper or immoral or unchristian about young people getting to know one another and establishing friendships that, in the future, could properly lead to marriage. |
Well Planned Activities: 1. Group activities - rather than couples (boy-girl) activities. Dating type activities are not to be planned. 2. Teaching - on proper relationships and Christian courtship - the "why?" as well as the "what?" 3. Parental Support - and agreement with the standards set. Parents must have the same desire in order for it to succeed. |
| Close Teen/Adult
Relationships: To build a loving and warm relationship between the teens and the adults within the Church body. |
Affirmative Action: 1. Involvement of Teens in ministry. 2. Dismantling humanistic thinking. The so-called "generation gap" is a false concept designed to destroy the communication and closeness that is absolutely essential for a teenager to have with adults to make a successfull transition from childhood to an adult. People programmed to expect a "generation gap" or teen rebellion as unavoidable will often produce the environment themselves. Teens who have been told that will experience rebellion will likely plan on it! These humanistic myths have no basis in Scripture. God nowhere tells us to expect such. We must ignore the so-called experts, even thoses with "Christian" before "psychologist" in their title 3. Promoting The Youth Program. Through recognition of teens publicly as the participate in soul winning, service projects, special competition, and Church meetings, there will be an appreciation of the vital part teens play in the life of the Church. 4. Parent-Teen Relationships - can be built by meaningful times of instruction on topics appropriate to building closness & communication. Parent involvement as sponsors provides good opportunity to be together and shows the young person their parents care about them enough to be involved in their activities. |
In conclusion, the ultimate goal of this (and all ministries of the Church) is to see saved people loving and serving God effectively through the Church. If our young people can be led into a loving relationship with the Lord, all else will follow in due season.