Teaching the Young.........

Teaching the young what God means to obey from the "heart" rather than law (flesh). Its a toughie. I can't control them. I can't be like a Pharisee to make sure they don't break the "rules". I can't force against their will to believe what I believe. I believe in "tough love" to teenagers when needed.

Ephesians 6:4, "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Parenting is loving your children so that they're not angry with you and bringing them up to know the Lord.

Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law.

Proverbs 3:12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 5:12 You will say, "How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!

Proverbs 5:23 He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

Proverbs 10:17 He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.

Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 13:18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 15:5 A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Proverbs 15:10 Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.

Proverbs 15:32 He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

Hebews 12: 5-12 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

When we are dealing with "young people", Youth Ministry is probably one of the toughest ministry of all ministries in a local church. When it comes to teenagers, we are to know their culture and their interests in order to spread the Word so the Holy Spirit can convict their hearts to know Christ. The primary reason to become a participating member is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with the characteristics of biblical maturity and commitment to the mission and future of a local church. Young people is our future and they will lead for Christ in the future. Our job is to reach out to them. The ministry's objective is to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the afflicted people in practical ways while at the same time, Glorify God. God has a plan. God has a will. His main goal is to save souls. More are being saved through special minitries that are able to reach out to those who needs to hear that God is with them. We cannot close our minds to everything that is happening around us because if we do that, others are grieved by burdensome legalism. In our Christian fellowship (not individual), we must recognize that the Holy Spirit desires to take us and control us, and use us as instruments through which He can express Himself in the Christian community. Ministry for Young People is different, special and unique. Therefore, we have to be careful how we define sin because the major cause of Christians sinning is the "HEART". Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Sin happens after a "thought" came into my mind, I begin to ponder, contemplate, consider and thinking whatever that my flesh will lead me to sin. Its my heart that took hold of my "thought" that I began to thinking of the pleasurable aspects of my "thought". This where I fail because in Proverbs 4:23, it says "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." This is where Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.