I think one thing that is missing in our message to the youth is hope. With so much violence and sexual impurity in the schools, youth are freaking out. We need to make sure we are not condemning the people who are being saturated with the world’s devices, and not showing them the way they can cope and find victory. Instead, we have to show them the cross with all of its mercy, grace and hope.
The last thing our youth need is to walk into an environment where someone tells them they that if they don’t change they are going to hell! (MAYBE that’s one of the reasons why youth are people are dropping out of church like crazy!)
I say don’t “give ‘em hell” –but GIVE THEM HOPE! (I heard someone last week say last week that Hope is on the endangered species list…that people NEED hope, but they aren’t turning to the church for it!)
The life of Jesus gives us HOPE that God actually wants us in a relationship with Him.
The cross gives us HOPE that there is no condemnation for those in Christ.
The empty tomb gives us HOPE that He can conquer anything that we face.
Our youth need HOPE!
Don’t misunderstand…I’m not saying, “go easy and don’t call out sin!” The problem is that many youth workers want to call out the sin but not point to the Savior who paid for that sin and in whom is COMPLETE forgiveness and RESTORATION to a God that is desperate to reach people!
The message should be a message of HOPE…and with the world being as dark as it is the church should be shining brighter than EVER before!
We don’t shatter darkness by condemning people…but by pointing them to Christ, the One who shatters condemnation!
Give ‘em hope!
