The Failed System of Traditional Student Ministry

A few weeks ago I copied a blog on Student Ministry and then wrote my thoughts on the articles. I came across this blog a few weeks ago and felt that it was well worth posting. I believe it summarizes what I spent several weeks highlighting. Let me say I thank the Lord for our mentors and Bro. Bubba that “get it” when it comes to our students. You will find the blog below or on this link: http://nateedmondson.com/2012/06/25/just-teach-em-the-good-book/

On Deck by Nate Edmondson

Ideas and insights for current church leaders from the on deck circle.

Just teach em the good book

Posted on June 25, 2012    14

I’ve been to a lot of youth groups. Like a million or something. The reason there are so many youth group stereotypes is because they’re all about the same.

Now, recently everybody has caught onto the whole “millennials are leaving the church” thing. A bunch of people are proposing a bunch of different reasons for why, and offering a bunch of different strategies to fix it.

I thought I’d share my opinion.

• The problem: nobody knows the Bible anymore.
• The solution: teach people the Bible.

“Nah, that won’t work.” Yea, because dodgeball, stupid intro games, stupid videos, and stupid stories from the youth pastor have been working so well.

Even the “serious” part of youth groups is pretty stupid these days. Here’s how a typical youth group message goes:

• Stupid intro story about when the youth pastor was in high school
• Reading of one verse
• No explanation of the verse
• Application of the verse: “Guys, God loves us… and we can change the world. We just need big faith that He can do it. Here, read this book Sun Stand Still.

(The Sun Stand Still thing is just a joke.)

Now, please hear me. I don’t mean to disrespect you if you’re a youth pastor. I especially don’t mean to belittle your desire to help students encounter God. But here’s the thing: the reason students are leaving the church when they get to college is because they don’t believe anything significant enough about Christianity to keep them once they get there.

Here are the core things we teach:

• God and Jesus love you no matter what
• You should be a good person
• You should change the world

The problem is, all of that is sexy in the world right now without the church.

• God and Jesus love you no matter what… because for God to refuse to accept someone would be intolerant… so of course God loves us no matter what
• You should be a good person… exactly. We should all be nice so we can live peacefully and in harmony
• You should change the world… totally! Look at Tom’s shoes, he’s really making a difference! Oh, and we should stop human trafficking!

Please hear me. People desperately need Jesus Christ. Jesus is only found one place. All the Scripture leads back to Him. So let’s just teach it. Let’s make our primary strategy to teach God’s Word. We have to help students see that the Bible addresses the issues they’re dealing with, and that it’s the voice they need to obey, because it’s the only voice that’s true 100% of the time.

As long as we boil Christianity down to a few core ethical principles, people won’t be sticking around. They get those everywhere.

What Great Marriage Advice

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago in a blog that I have had such joy in doing premarital counseling recently – that the couples the Lord has brought together to be married, have been such a blessing. When I come across biblical advice in regard to marriage I try to save it and use it at different times as I teach. The advice below is among the best I have ever seen and it would be a wonderful gift for any parent to give their daughter on her wedding day.

http://www.raisinggodlychildren.org/2011/07/15-marriage-tips_15.html?m=1

15 Marriage Tips

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNg6flDWcC1akbfECF7laalWSn1tna0pT0oAC2kBoJFy3TI1RAAAX0uUCSw-bgPLW0ymjUQV8y2CvqMutrX47jMkSQx4MpwaWnA87VCoC2UTHKQFD_Wmxt1ZXoEEceiN8yaEYfMgktnwA/s1600/15+marraige+1+.jpghttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNg6flDWcC1akbfECF7laalWSn1tna0pT0oAC2kBoJFy3TI1RAAAX0uUCSw-bgPLW0ymjUQV8y2CvqMutrX47jMkSQx4MpwaWnA87VCoC2UTHKQFD_Wmxt1ZXoEEceiN8yaEYfMgktnwA/s1600/15+marraige+1+.jpg

Throughout my life, I have ever been on the lookout for wise advice. How blessed the young woman who received the following gift of love which is n'er too late to take to heart:

(Prior to his daughter's marriage, Mr. Richmond put into her hands a paper of directions for her future conduct, which, for simplicity, affection, and sound practical wisdom—may be considered one of the best dowries that a Christian parent could bestow on his child.)


My much-loved daughter,
When your sister Mary left her paternal roof, I gave her a paper of admonitions, which I requested her to read often. I do the same for you, in the form of a friendly string of maxims, to regulate your conduct in your new and very responsible situation.


1. Aim at keeping a devoted heart for God in the least and most common transactions of every hour—as well as in those events which may seem to call the loudest for manifestations of Christian prudence and principle.


2. Pray regularly and frequently, not seldom and occasionally—for grace to live by.


3. Remember the Christian principles and examples of your father's house, and everywhere endeavor to preserve its character, by consistency in conduct, conversation, and temper. Keep in constant recollection—the wise, prudent, and conscientious example of your dear mother.


4. Form no hasty friendship; and none whatever, but such as may promote seriousness of heart, tongue and life.


5. Beware of cheerfulness degenerating into levity. Let no natural vivacity of temper, no occasionally indulged sallies of humor and jocularity—throw a shadow over the exercise of solid principle. Little foolish things give a color to character, and are more easily imitated, than serious and good sentiments.


6. Guard against hasty judgments of character, and above all against uttering hasty opinions, and making remarks to the disparagement of others. Particularly avoid making the errors, failings, faults, or follies of others—the subject of rash and unguarded remarks. Be known for charity, forbearance, and kindness. Be slow to judge—rather than swift to speak.


7. Wherever you are, in the first place, remember that God's eye is upon you; and then imagine also that your husband and father are present. It may be a fanciful—but it is a profitable supposition.


8. Keep Christ's golden rule, "Do unto to others—as you would have them do unto you" in perpetual remembrance. It is the panacea for most of the social evils of life.


9. Be conscientious towards all; friendly with few; confidential with fewer still; strictly intimate with fewest of all.


10. When you think of your father, bear with his infirmities and pardon his faults—but remember his principlesand instructions, so far as they have been agreeable to the Word of God.


11. Do not be content with anything short of deep, sincere, diligent, and decided piety.


12. If you and your husband happen to differ in opinion or feeling on any point—remember whom you have promised to love, honor, and obey—and this will settle all things.


13. Of your husband's warm affections towards you, I entertain no doubt—strive to preserve them by daily elevation of character; and not so much by fondness—as by prudence and dignity. May you both learn to raise a home of marital happiness—by mutual wisdom and love.


14. Observe great simplicity and plainness in dress. You should be a pattern to others in this respect. There is a just complaint made of many females who profess to be pious—that they are far too showy and mirthful in their outward apparel. Remember the apostle Peter's injunction, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."


15. Christ has been made known to you fully and freely; let Christ be your all in all, both now and forever.
 

Receive my parting advice in love, and be assured, my beloved child, that it comes from the affectionate heart of your dear father."

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 

Proverbs 31:10-12

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