(from a youth leader couple)
How can we move our youth to "want" a
close and intimate relationship with the Lord?
Unfortunately, I know of no magic
formula to move young people to desire a more intimate relationship with the
Lord. The Scriptures do, however teach much on the subject. I share just a few
verses with you:
Jesus said: "No one can come
to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him...No one can come to Me unless it
has been granted to him by My Father" (John 6:44,65). St. Paul also writes: "So then it is not of
him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy" (Romans 9:16). Therefore, the first thing to do is pray
that our gracious heavenly Father will show mercy upon the souls of these young
people and draw them to Himself. Sad to say, we often neglect this most
important step. We must remember that we cannot instill faith in any heart, nor
cause anyone to love the Lord or want to follow Him. This is God's gracious
work from beginning to end (cf. Philippians 1:6).
Secondly, Jesus says, "It is
the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to
you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). St. Paul writes: "For I am not ashamed of the
gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes...." (Romans 1:16); "So then faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17; cf. 2 Timothy 3:14-17). St. Peter too writes: "Having
been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of
God which lives and abides forever" (1 Peter 1:23). Therefore, your job is to teach these
young people the Word of God, for it is that Word which the Holy Spirit uses to
create and strengthen faith in the heart. Other "fun" activities are
OK, but don't ever neglect teaching them the Word. In so doing, you will
probably have to begin with small bites, or as Peter writes, "the pure
milk of the word" (1 Peter 2:2). The Word can be shared and taught through
Bible studies, devotions, personal testimony, etc. Sometimes, just talking
about one or two verses of the Bible can reach home better than trying to cover
several chapters.
Thirdly, Paul wrote to Timothy:
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in
word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). Live the faith and be an example to
these young people so that they might see and know what the Christian life--a
life in fellowship and intimacy with the Lord--is.
Though I'm now 47, I still
remember the couple who took the time to be youth leaders in the church that I
used to attend in my teenage years. They taught the Word on Sundays and at a
weekly Bible study and prayer meeting in their home. The loved us, prayed for
and with us, taught us the Scriptures, and lived in close communion with the
Lord Jesus. Through their (volunteer) ministry, the Lord touched my life and
the lives of many others. I'll never forget them.
I hope this helps. God bless you
in this most important work.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the
New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1994 by Thomas
Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
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