The Purpose of Youth Ministry

Scripture reading

Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Why do we gather for our own services? All of us attend the Lord’s day service, and many of us attend the Wednesday service. So why do we gather for youth service as well?

I’d like to ask you a question. How many of us think that our youth service is important?

Ok, another question. And please feel free to say your answer. Why is it important?

Fill in the gaps not covered by main worship services.

Bible tuition.

Bonding together as young people in the faith.

Spiritual friendship.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 says that the best time for us to learn about God is during our youth. It says to remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Remember in Hebrew is zakar, which means to take something and make it a member of you. The opposite of remember is dismember. To cut something off. So our goal is to make God a member of us while we are young.

And the Bible gives some reasons as to why we young people should give extra attention to studying God’s Word.

Youths have the most energy

our youth is a time when we have the most energy and strength, but it’s also the time when our minds are the most shapable. Now, what do you think is going to happen to a teenager whose mind is preoccupied with worldly things? What about someone whose mind is focused on the spiritual things?

Now’s the time that we have the most energy. And what we choose to do with that energy is important for setting the foundation for the rest of our lives.

Proverbs 20:29 (ESV)

The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.

1 John 2:14 (ESV)

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Youths have the most health

Our health during our youth is generally much greater than in the rest of our lives. When you guys fall down, you can just brush it off and get going. You’re durable. And you can recover quicker than anyone else, even if it’s a serious injury.

But that also means that youths are generally the most likely to do careless or silly things. True or not? You guys are so hardy and durable, so of course you’re going to be more willing to engage in risky behaviors. I used to do all sorts of crazy things when I was sec 3.

But your durability and good health can actually work against you. It can actually be to your disadvantage. Can anyone take a guess as to how?

Good health gives us the illusion that death is far away, and so we can become focused on the physical things rather than the spiritual things.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Psalm 119:9 (ESV)

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Titus 2:6 ESV

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

Youths give the most hope

The Bible says that the youths should set an example for the other members of the church.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

So just because you’re young, it doesn’t mean that you’re irrelevant. In fact, you guys give us hope for the future of our church, especially when you set us a good example.

Jeremiah 1:7 (ESV)

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Lamentations 3:27 (ESV)

It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

Our youth teachers have had a meeting with pastor in order to discuss the future direction of our youth ministry. And I’d like to share some points that were raised.

It would be good if we treat the youth worship service as a proper worship service, rather than a casual gathering.

It would be good if our youths could bond more over activities, food, and prayer.

It would be good if our youth bible studies were more tailored specifically for youths and what youths care about.

It would be good if our youths teachers could focus on developing the talents and leadership of every youth.