Comments on: “Rebelize” Your Youth Group http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/ reb•e•lu•tion (reb’el lu shen) n. a teenage rebellion against low expectations Sun, 08 Nov 2009 04:07:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Hadassah (age 13) http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-510666 Hadassah (age 13) Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:45 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-510666 My youth pastor made it very clear at the first meeting that parents shouldn't send their kids to youth group expecting the youth leaders to raise the parent's kids. He made it clear that that is not the perpous. The perpous of youth group is for kids grade 7-12 to learn about God and meet some kids their own age that love God and His Word. There is the occational kid who just goes for something to do, but I have noticed that 9 out of 10 of them go because they love God. I wish all youth groups could be like mine. I told my friend Bethany from youth group about he book Do Hard Things, and she said it sounded cool. I also told my other friend about he website, and her dad said it had some interesting ideas. I am going to take Do Hard Things to my next youth group so my youth pastor to read it. My youth pastor made it very clear at the first meeting that parents shouldn’t send their kids to youth group expecting the youth leaders to raise the parent’s kids. He made it clear that that is not the perpous. The perpous of youth group is for kids grade 7-12 to learn about God and meet some kids their own age that love God and His Word. There is the occational kid who just goes for something to do, but I have noticed that 9 out of 10 of them go because they love God. I wish all youth groups could be like mine.

I told my friend Bethany from youth group about he book Do Hard Things, and she said it sounded cool. I also told my other friend about he website, and her dad said it had some interesting ideas. I am going to take Do Hard Things to my next youth group so my youth pastor to read it.

]]> By: Kara http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-510218 Kara Fri, 09 Oct 2009 22:54:04 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-510218 The youth go and hear the Word. But they don't really hear. They go for the hanging part it seems. Their family goes so they must go along as well. They grew up in church so it is like they are immune to it. They look more to the youth group to entertain them than for it to be a place to learn about the Lord and find a way to plug into the church. I am now away at college, but maybe through letters to those in charge of the youth sharing things the Lord is showing me and books such as ya'll's that I find helpful. And LOTS of prayer. May we use stuff from the book to create things for the youth to think upon? The youth go and hear the Word. But they don’t really hear. They go for the hanging part it seems. Their family goes so they must go along as well. They grew up in church so it is like they are immune to it. They look more to the youth group to entertain them than for it to be a place to learn about the Lord and find a way to plug into the church.
I am now away at college, but maybe through letters to those in charge of the youth sharing things the Lord is showing me and books such as ya’ll’s that I find helpful. And LOTS of prayer.
May we use stuff from the book to create things for the youth to think upon?

]]> By: Jessica http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-506281 Jessica Sun, 13 Sep 2009 03:13:29 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-506281 I have a question.... is it okay to use your book to do a series at my youth group?? A lot of what my youth group does is a constant out reach to new students (duh) but its hard then for those that have finally made the commitment to Christ to grow in a good way. When we're set up to reach unbelievers...its like we're feeding them the milk of the Bible, like you feed a child before they can eat solid food. Then though, the students that make the decision to follow Christ never really get the opportunity to move on to the solid food. My youth pastor is leaving to the next place God has called him, and he has made such an impact on our youth group, but he's leaving us with the challenge to step up and in a way he's challenging us to do hard things. What i would like to know is if i can use the ideas from this book...actually use the book to create a sermon series at my youth group. Have different students who have taken the initiative (sp?) to do hard things stand up and give the sermons in the absense of a youth pastor (with guidance to the sermons). I have a question…. is it okay to use your book to do a series at my youth group?? A lot of what my youth group does is a constant out reach to new students (duh) but its hard then for those that have finally made the commitment to Christ to grow in a good way. When we’re set up to reach unbelievers…its like we’re feeding them the milk of the Bible, like you feed a child before they can eat solid food. Then though, the students that make the decision to follow Christ never really get the opportunity to move on to the solid food.
My youth pastor is leaving to the next place God has called him, and he has made such an impact on our youth group, but he’s leaving us with the challenge to step up and in a way he’s challenging us to do hard things.
What i would like to know is if i can use the ideas from this book…actually use the book to create a sermon series at my youth group. Have different students who have taken the initiative (sp?) to do hard things stand up and give the sermons in the absense of a youth pastor (with guidance to the sermons).

]]> By: Christine http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-503675 Christine Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:35:44 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-503675 I've gone to my church my entire life and although I love my church and everyone in it, I agree that there are things in my church that could use some work, youth group included. Currently the youth group cooks a youth breakfast once a month for our church and also goes to a youth conference in Florida. But that's pretty much it. I'd like to see our youth group doing more bible studies and reading Christian books together, including Do Hard Things. I'd also like to see the youth doing more in our community, whether it's a food drive or raising money for a local cause or even helping the seniors in our community with yard work or things around the house. I plan on contacting our youth group leader to see if he'd be willing to help me implement some of these changes. thank you and God Bless I’ve gone to my church my entire life and although I love my church and everyone in it, I agree that there are things in my church that could use some work, youth group included. Currently the youth group cooks a youth breakfast once a month for our church and also goes to a youth conference in Florida. But that’s pretty much it. I’d like to see our youth group doing more bible studies and reading Christian books together, including Do Hard Things. I’d also like to see the youth doing more in our community, whether it’s a food drive or raising money for a local cause or even helping the seniors in our community with yard work or things around the house. I plan on contacting our youth group leader to see if he’d be willing to help me implement some of these changes.
thank you and God Bless

]]> By: Jessica http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-500319 Jessica Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:49:06 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-500319 My youth group is torn. There are some very strong christians there, but most of them embrace the world in reality. During group, everyone seems so strong, and if you see them in their lives at school and at home, they are weak. They give into temptation. I've always been shy about sharing my faith, but i think its a nessesscity in this case. I started to your book Do Hard Things, and I've been inspired. My youth group is torn. There are some very strong christians there, but most of them embrace the world in reality. During group, everyone seems so strong, and if you see them in their lives at school and at home, they are weak. They give into temptation. I’ve always been shy about sharing my faith, but i think its a nessesscity in this case. I started to your book Do Hard Things, and I’ve been inspired.

]]> By: Jacob http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-499248 Jacob Sun, 09 Aug 2009 00:23:12 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-499248 I've found that my youth group(and some others) seems to have a humor factor. What I mean is that when someone says a profound thing, or almost anything, several kids will make a joke about it, before any serious discussion takes place, if it does happen. It's like we don't take anything serious. I believe we've got to get more serious(humor can exist, but less of it). 1.) What is the current state of the youth culture in your church? Does it embrace or resist our society’s expectations? I believe it embraces somewhat. Many "teen" jokes are told among most of the church. I'm not quite sure about how many if any are against the world's ideas. 2.) Who do you need collaborate with within your church in order to bring about change? I need to talk to my pastor, and actively work myself, by my conduct with the other youths, and by doing hard things myself, as I encourage them to do hard things. I've also noticed that just talking about God in conversation at church with other youths is rarely done(as far as I have seen, and experienced(of course, I haven't been able to get to church since I've read "Do Hard Things", and I'm thinking this is going to be one of my hard things)). I’ve found that my youth group(and some others) seems to have a humor factor. What I mean is that when someone says a profound thing, or almost anything, several kids will make a joke about it, before any serious discussion takes place, if it does happen. It’s like we don’t take anything serious. I believe we’ve got to get more serious(humor can exist, but less of it).

1.) What is the current state of the youth culture in your church? Does it embrace or resist our society’s expectations?
I believe it embraces somewhat. Many “teen” jokes are told among most of the church.
I’m not quite sure about how many if any are against the world’s ideas.

2.) Who do you need collaborate with within your church in order to bring about change?
I need to talk to my pastor, and actively work myself, by my conduct with the other youths, and by doing hard things myself, as I encourage them to do hard things.

I’ve also noticed that just talking about God in conversation at church with other youths is rarely done(as far as I have seen, and experienced(of course, I haven’t been able to get to church since I’ve read “Do Hard Things”, and I’m thinking this is going to be one of my hard things)).

]]> By: Random http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-498064 Random Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:42:41 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-498064 Hey Erik, I was reading in Corinthians chapter 2 and I got to verse 13, It says, "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in Spiritualy words." Keep preachin the Bible Hey Erik, I was reading in Corinthians chapter 2 and I got to verse 13, It says, “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in Spiritualy words.” Keep preachin the Bible

]]> By: Erik Van Volkinburg http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-497741 Erik Van Volkinburg Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:21:06 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-497741 I am a youth pastor in Enterprise, Oregon. We live in a rural town. Like, tiny. And the dynamic we have is that a lot of kids come to youth group because they have nothing better to do. But when you challenge them with the truths of scripture, they get mad and think that you are judging them. My advice - Don't waste your time entertaining kids. Even if it means that "numbers are down". Preach the truth. Use scripture. And don't shy away from it. You have no power to change lives. God does. Scripture does. So use it. Tell people about Jesus, not about youth group. Getting kids to come to youth group is not the end result. Having them know Jesus is, and if you never tell them about Him, then they will never know Him. I am a youth pastor in Enterprise, Oregon. We live in a rural town. Like, tiny. And the dynamic we have is that a lot of kids come to youth group because they have nothing better to do. But when you challenge them with the truths of scripture, they get mad and think that you are judging them.

My advice - Don’t waste your time entertaining kids. Even if it means that “numbers are down”. Preach the truth. Use scripture. And don’t shy away from it. You have no power to change lives. God does. Scripture does. So use it. Tell people about Jesus, not about youth group. Getting kids to come to youth group is not the end result. Having them know Jesus is, and if you never tell them about Him, then they will never know Him.

]]> By: C. End http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-497191 C. End Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:28:35 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-497191 I'm a New Englander. For those of you who do not know, New England is not only like a mission field, it IS a mission field. the youth in my Lutheran Church Missori Synod (LCMS) congregation are very clicky, happily my freshman year has ended so maybe they will look me in the eye now! Most of the youth sit around and wait for their parents do stuff for them. The adults there people think i'm in college, it could be because i'm homeschooled but i also believe it is do to the fact that I am active in my church. after I attended a meeting at church about how to become a 21st century congregation, a friend of my mother came up to me and said "you should invite the other youth to come!" this to me, indecates that adult want to hear what we have to say. Something that most youth (including non-Christians) don't realize this fact. The youth in my congregation (if not my Synod) NEED a wake-up call! I'm praying over what to do about this but please pray for me too. I’m a New Englander. For those of you who do not know, New England is not only like a mission field, it IS a mission field. the youth in my Lutheran Church Missori Synod (LCMS) congregation are very clicky, happily my freshman year has ended so maybe they will look me in the eye now! Most of the youth sit around and wait for their parents do stuff for them. The adults there people think i’m in college, it could be because i’m homeschooled but i also believe it is do to the fact that I am active in my church. after I attended a meeting at church about how to become a 21st century congregation, a friend of my mother came up to me and said “you should invite the other youth to come!” this to me, indecates that adult want to hear what we have to say. Something that most youth (including non-Christians) don’t realize this fact.

The youth in my congregation (if not my Synod) NEED a wake-up call!

I’m praying over what to do about this but please pray for me too.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/09/rebelize-your-youth-group/#comment-497070 Jamie Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:45:41 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/?p=58#comment-497070 To answer your 2 questions, I will say that the state of my youth group is in shambles, but it always has somone ther attempting to pick up the mess. The only problem is that they try for a little while, get discouraged and give up. I am currently trying to bring awareness to modesty among the girls of our youth group(oh, by the way we have a HUGE youth group). But we need to work on other things as well, I know we need to work on getting people motivated for Christ and to acctually desire to serve Him for the right reasons. Thats one of the main issues with our church, we do so much, and it's become expected to go(your a heathen otherwise), and the teens go only to make a good impression, earn brownie points, or to hit on the cute guy/girls instead of working to serve others, for the joy of serving others. I have a group of my most god-like fiends I'm currently working with so thats working out well, but we are currently focusing on modesty. But I believe God wants us (my friends and I) to speak with the entire youth group, and that's a lot of people! I'm also not the best public speaker, (I completely forget what I need to say) and my friends say I need to speak for us because I'm the one with the vision, and I'm the only one who has the current train of thought we need. I will be talking to my pastors soon and pray that God will help me find my voice. Thank you guys for encouraging me...again.:) To answer your 2 questions, I will say that the state of my youth group is in shambles, but it always has somone ther attempting to pick up the mess. The only problem is that they try for a little while, get discouraged and give up. I am currently trying to bring awareness to modesty among the girls of our youth group(oh, by the way we have a HUGE youth group). But we need to work on other things as well, I know we need to work on getting people motivated for Christ and to acctually desire to serve Him for the right reasons. Thats one of the main issues with our church, we do so much, and it’s become expected to go(your a heathen otherwise), and the teens go only to make a good impression, earn brownie points, or to hit on the cute guy/girls instead of working to serve others, for the joy of serving others.
I have a group of my most god-like fiends I’m currently working with so thats working out well, but we are currently focusing on modesty. But I believe God wants us (my friends and I) to speak with the entire youth group, and that’s a lot of people! I’m also not the best public speaker, (I completely forget what I need to say) and my friends say I need to speak for us because I’m the one with the vision, and I’m the only one who has the current train of thought we need. I will be talking to my pastors soon and pray that God will help me find my voice. Thank you guys for encouraging me…again.:)

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