This series has been created to help students to make a move away from the fence line of Christian life towards the inner core of abundant life in Christ. So many times young people ask the question: “What can I get away with”? If we rephrase this question to them as, “what can I do at the absolute edge of secular living, and still be ‘in’ as a Christian” we begin to allow them to see the inconsistency of such an argument. Jesus said, “I have come to give you life, and life to the full”. If He had said, “I have come to give you fire insurance against hell” – then maybe the question is…”how little insurance do I need?” Instead, He promised that He had come to give us life to the full.
If that is true, and if we believe it, then the question really becomes: “How must I live to experience all that Jesus has in store for me”? C.S. Lewis said, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
God has such good things in store for us, but as Christian leaders we have often sold our faith as simply a list of “don’ts” for children. Youth need to begin to see that Christianity is about experiencing the fullness of life. Every desire that is pure is from God – creativity, pleasure, sexuality, laughter…etc. But Satan has done such a good job of distorting the truth that we often avoid God given gifts so as to avoid the possible distortion of the gifts.
This series is about seeking what is noble, rather than simply setting up a fence line of “what can I get away with” within the Christian life.
The following introduction can be spoken or revised by the leader to “front-load” the experience for the students.
How many times in youth ministry have you had to discuss sexuality, dating, substance abuse or media? Regardless of how many times you have dealt with these issues, these are the very issues that teens have the most issue with and questions about.
Beyond simple participation, this potentially could be a ground breaking section for your small group/youth group as they break down the walls of an image they have been protecting and seek to gain the accountability of those around them so that they can rise up as men and women of God.
Each of these sessions is self-contained, but use principles that follow between them. It will be most beneficial to this section in the order they are suggested and allow students to reflect back to the previous section each week.
Moreover, this section is designed in such a way that small group leaders follow up with students outside of regular meeting time to address any issues or side struggles that arise from the discussions within each session. Remember, these sessions will be most beneficial for you, your group, and each of your students if you create an environment that is trusting, safe, and respectful.
Please keep in mind that the students will look to you to set the pace in terms of sharing real life stories, and in how you react to what they share.
Contact: Please feel free to email Matt Wilkinson to clarify, brainstorm ideas or provide feedback.