1. Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

2. Should Churches Have A Youth Group?
What is a “youth group”?
1. What is a youth group?
In our society “Youth group” means more than a group of youth—right?
Our youth meet as a group to study the Bible twice a week...but that is not usually what “y.g.” means, is it?
Usually = a group of young ppl who meet for instruction and recreation sponsored and overseen by a church.
Examples: weekend retreats, summer camps, fun social activities, spiritually-based camping trip
Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

3. Should Churches Have A Youth Group?
Christ never commanded the church to offer, sponsor, or oversee recreational activities
What they DID DO Acts 13:1-3; 14:1, 21-22; Cor. 16:1
3. Christ never commanded the church to offer, sponsor, or oversee recreational activities
A. Acts 13:1-3; 14:1, They did participate in teaching the lost and strengthening the saved (are we doing our best, the bare minimum, less than we are able?)
B. 1 Cor. 16:1 They participated in providing the needs of saints among them and in other places who could not provide for themselves (did you view that as greater than receiving, Acts 20:35?)
C. I know of nothing in Scripture that churches sponsored or oversaw that differs from these—do you?
D. What has the Holy Spirit told us that involves the church in pizza night or summer camps?
Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

4. Should Churches Have A Youth Group?
There is a difference between what God wants a church and a family to offer and oversee
What God expects from governments Romans 13:3, 4, 6 What God expects from families Eph. 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:9 God expects the church not to be burdened with these things 1 Tim. 5:16
4. Because there is a difference between what God wants a church and a family to offer and oversee
A. Romans 13, teaches that God approves of governments ensuring order and justice in society (v3), capital punishment (v4), and collecting taxes (v6)
-- Is it God’s will for the churches to do these? There is a difference in what God expects.
B. It is also good to raise children in the Lord’s admonition and nurture (Eph. 6:4), to train children with skills they will need as adults (1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 6:4), to decide how much a family will give to the church and to others in need (Eph. 4:28; 1 Cor. 16:2), and to provide hospitality (1 Pet. 4:9).
-- Is it the will of the Lord that His churches offer and oversee these things? There is a difference. . .
C. Many of the things that modern “youth groups” do are the duty of parents and family (routine food, housing, clothing, recreation) 1 Tim. 5:8
-- God’s plan is that the church not be burdened with duties that families are able to provide 1 Tim. 5:16
Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

5. What is the fruit of youth groups?
Taught several generations that the church may oversee recreation Contributed to acceptance of “youth minister” “Look at the good they have done. . .” Rom. 3:8
4. Because there is a difference between what God wants a church and a family to offer and oversee
A. Romans 13, teaches that God approves of governments ensuring order and justice in society (v3), capital punishment (v4), and collecting taxes (v6)
-- Is it God’s will for the churches to do these? There is a difference in what God expects.
B. It is also good to raise children in the Lord’s admonition and nurture (Eph. 6:4), to train children with skills they will need as adults (1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 6:4), to decide how much a family will give to the church and to others in need (Eph. 4:28; 1 Cor. 16:2), and to provide hospitality (1 Pet. 4:9).
-- Is it the will of the Lord that His churches offer and oversee these things? There is a difference. . .
C. Many of the things that modern “youth groups” do are the duty of parents and family (routine food, housing, clothing, recreation) 1 Tim. 5:8
-- God’s plan is that the church not be burdened with duties that families are able to provide 1 Tim. 5:16
Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

6. God has a plan for all youth
Eccl. 11:9-12:1, Rom. 16:16; 1 Thess. 2:14; Eph. 4:16 1 Cor. 11:18; Acts 20:7; 2:46 Acts 2:46; 1 Pet. 4:9
(Mt. 18:15-17; Ti. 2:3-5; Js. 1:27; 1 Thess. 5:14-15; Mt. 25:35-36)
5. God has a plan for the youth (and for all age groups)
A. Become a Christian Eccl. 11:9-12:1, 13-14
1. at some point, “I’m too young” no longer applies to you and at that point, you will answer to God.
2. You really want to miss hell and really do not want to miss heaven.
B. That you make the commitment to be among one of the churches belonging to Christ
1. Rom. 16:16; 1 Th. 2:14 why did the Spirit identify them this way, if the local church doesn’t matter?
2. This church needs you and you need this church for deeper reasons than your parents presence Eph. 4:16
C. That the church meet and edify itself
1. 1 Cor. 11:18
a. when we come together as a church, song-prayers-LS-teaching-giving meet the sp needs of all ages
b. think of our assemblies as a spiritual “family meal” at God’s throne---the menu is selected by God for our nourishment and good.
2. Acts 20:7; 2:46
a. every fdow and on other occasions, as each church decides---such as this upcoming weekend’s lessons which is a direct parallel to Acts 2:46 (daily together and from house to house).
b. I am thankful for this church staying focused through the years on edifying young people, not on entertaining them (I’m glad there’s no volleyball or pizza on the flyer, which sends a confusing message).
i. How effective have “youth groups” been?
(A) They have taught generations of young ppl that the church may provide common meals and games
(B) They have helped created “youth ministers”---church-supported teacher/social activity directors
(C) All statistics say most young people are leaving the rel group they grew up in---could one reason be because entertainment does not draw them closer to Jesus?
ii. I am also thankful for saints who are hospitable (in various ways) this weekend.
d. Don’t let the word “youth” make you think it is not for all of us
i. the ideas for the topics started with our younger ones but who would not benefit from these topics?
ii. often, the unmarried hear lessons and classes on marriage—should they not come to those?
iii. how do men benefit from lessons on women, wives, mothers?
iv. if we all participate, will it be a success? Yes,
3. This excludes (God has revealed no plan for)
a. “wee church, children’s church,” which removes the saints who lead those groups from the assembly (think seriously before you leave the assembly before the throne of God)
b. not “traditional and contemporary” or “early and late” assembly where members choose the assembly that is convenient for them
c. if we don’t assemble (according to our ability), why are we called a church? a congregation must congregate!
d. if we have separate assemblies, we are, in practice, separate churches
D. That saints be together from house to house (Acts 2:46; 1 Pet. 4:9)
1. Some of the things God expects us to do require time together outside the assembly (Mt. 18:15-17 address sin; Ti. 2:3-5 teach; Js. 1:27 visit to meet needs; 1 Thess. 5:14 warn, comfort, uphold; 1 Thess. 5:15 pursue...; Mt. 25:35-36 meet needs)
2. This requires someone willing to invite, prepare (if this is a struggle for you—find someone to help you!)
3. This requires someone willing to accept an invitation (if this is a struggle for you—learn the benefits!)
4. The hard part is God did not say how often we must do it---He simply told us to do it! Are you?
5. Another hard part is that this requires that we not be so busy that we do not have time for each other.
Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

7. NOT Forbidden Because---
A. We don’t like young people B. We can’t afford it C. Attention-getting strategy D. It never accomplished anything good Rom. 3:8; 6:1
2. “Why not?” It is not because
A. We don’t like young people
B. We can’t afford it
C. Just to be different so people will notice us (attention-getting strategy)
D. It never accomplished anything good- friendships, teach truth (Rom. 13:4 + Prov. 13:24)
Should Churches Have A Youth Group?

8. Should Churches Have A Youth Group?