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Written by  Keith Haney for “THE LIGHT BREAKS THROUGH” @ https://alightbreaksthrough.org

Original post @ https://alightbreaksthrough.org/reaching-disengaged-young-people/

Reaching Disengaged Young People

ByKeith Haney

JUL 8, 2021

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

In a survey conducted by Bruce Wilkinson about teens, some shocking details became known.

65% of all H.S. Christian students are sexually active.
75% of all H.S. students cheat regularly.
30% of all H.S. students have shoplifted in the past 30 days.
45-50% of all teen pregnancies are aborted.
3.3 million teens are alcoholics.
1,000 teens try to commit suicide daily.
10% of H.S. students have experimented with or are involved in a homosexual lifestyle.

One of the things I hear often is that churches are seeking ways to get more with more young adults in their church. Are our churches today positioned to handle the issues listed above? Are we ready for some extreme evangelism? I often shared with my church members that real missions are messy. Here are seven key things to keep in mind when seeking to reach out to young people today.

1. Go to them.

The unchurched especially those living a lifestyle outside the church have a vastly different mindset than churched people. We need to be patient with these new guests in our midst.  Their lifestyle and choice can be quite different from our belief systems.     Maybe over time to watch the Gospel will transform their minds. The kind of spirit-altering transformation and Paul talks about in Romans, just give it. time. Be patient!

1. Be relaxed and accepting.

Do not be put off if they reject you at first. They are expecting you to have a judgmental attitude. If they hear that from you, you have lost them. Remember Jesus with the woman at the well. In John 4:17-18 Jesus models evangelism in his interaction with the   Samaritan woman at the well past. He does not judge her based on her checkered past but offers her a new pathway forward.

‘“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”’  Jesus sees her past and realizes her need for a savior.

Like the woman at the well, we must look under the rough exterior, and we will see young people seeking acceptance, a listening ear, and a place to belong.

1. Be yourself.

Authenticity is key, so you do not try to relate to young people by being like them. They can spot a fake a mile away. Be who God created you to be. Share your authentic walk with God. The ups and the downs and how God was with you every step of the way.

1. Make them feel welcome.

You do not need a huge budget to get started; begin with some snacks and a welcoming atmosphere that says, “You belong, and we want you here.”

1. Set some ground rules.

Do not make mountains out of molehills. Keep the rules simple and enforce only major infractions (no drugs, damage to property, and fighting). Remember, this may be messy at first, but give God time to shape them.

1. Keep it simple.

Spend more time building relationships. Keep your messages brief and to the point. This is a TikTok, YouTube generation.

1. Lead with confidence and faith.

Remember the words of Isaiah 55:11: “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth: it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and    shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Be patient and do not get easily discouraged. The outcomes of any evangelism effort are not your own. The outcome is in God’s hands. We simply plant the seeds. We may not even see the results of our efforts this side of heaven, but the seeds we plant could have a kingdom impact.

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P.S. (from bruce) When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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