Wasting Time

So much time is wasted on the trivial aspects of life.

It is reported that teens spend an average of 50 hours a week in front of some kind of screen.

Whether gaming, watching tv, catching a movie, or playing on the computer, this time equates to a full-time job plus 10 hours of overtime.

We cannot continue to let this be a reality if we want to see these teens transition into healthy, active, powerful young adults.
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I remember going through school.  I can honestly say that, leading up to college,
I do not even remember the last time that I read a book all the way through.
Through school, I would always find shortcuts.
And the thing about shortcuts is that while they get you by for now,
your future will perish because of them.

In other words- it's just not worth it.  
  
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The reason why I used these shortcuts was because when it came to school- and other aspects of life that were actually important- I would put them off until the last possible second.
Because my priority was in other things:
Things like spending 50 hours a week in front of a screen.
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Kids are kids and teens are teens.
My point is not that we should rob them of their youth.
This is the one time where they actually have the opportunity to waste some time on things that don't make any type of difference in real life.
And while many people will probably disagree with me,
I think that's ok.
As long as it doesn't consume them entirely;
and as long as it isn't a top priority.

Kid's like movies.
Kid's like television.
Kid's like video games.
And that is not a problem in itself.

We should not strip them of these small joys that make being a teenager fun.  
Instead, we should simply make responsibility more of a priority.

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There are a few ways we can do this:
1. Place more important things higher on the to-do list than screen time.  
We can do this by making sure that our kids do things such as- chores, homework, and studying- before they have the chance to spend some time in front of a screen.

Today's teens are often rebellious and disobedient.
And to me, if they show these characteristics, they have no right to waste away their time locked up in a bedroom with a controller in their hand.

2. Make family more of a priority.  
The American family does not look the same is it did in the past.
Our idea of family today might be more accurately described if we substitute the word roommate in.
Because in many homes, that is the extent to which the relationships go.

If we make family more of a priority,
this will mean a few things.

A) It means that your kids will be more likely to respond to, listen to, and obey you.

B)  It means that your kids will spend more time with you and your family,
and less time on video games.
Instead of letting them eat in their room,
why not enjoy supper around a table and talk about your day?

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I do not see this problem as one without cure.
Because to me, the cure is up to the parents, guardians, and role models.

Set the stage for success.
And make responsibility a priority.
Because if you do this,
everything will be ok.  





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resource: http://www.livescience.com/22281-teens-video-games-health-risks.html

One Day

Kids are coming into churches from messy situations. 

Many of them- even ones involved in the church- have lives of drinking, drugs, sex, and partying outside of the church.

And we, as the church, need to be cautious not to push them away. 

Church should be friendly.

Church should be welcoming.

And because the church is not a building- but a group of people.

And because you are a part of the church.

That means that it is up to you to accept these people coming from these messy situations. 

No matter how unnatural and uncomfortable that might seem.

Jesus ate at the dinner table with sinners. 

And that model is a forgotten one in today’s church. 

I am guilty of this myself. 

I do not have nearly enough unsaved friends.

And this is a sad reality.

Because the church should not be a bubble;

It should be an open door. 

Let me encourage you. 

Keep planting seeds.

Because even though they may be going through some things right now.

If you show them the right way to do things;

And set an example of integrity.

They will come around.

Growing up, I was the guy who would go to church every week;

 And “recommit” my life to Jesus just about every week.

And then-one day- it stuck with me.

I got it.

I understood.

And it has stuck with me for years since. 

All because people stood by my side.

And didn’t give up on me.   

Regardless of the lifestyles that your friends live.

Regardless of the lifestyles that your family lives. 

Keep praying.

And keep setting an example.

And one day… they will come around…

….one day.

Just a Face

We see strangers every single day.
We pass them by on the streets.
We run into them at the checkout register.
To us, they are nothing more than... just a face.
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One thing that amazes me is the fact that these people; some of them so seemingly average and insignificant- could be future world changers.
Some of them could be the faces on the television of tomorrow.
Others could be names on a ballot in a forthcoming election.

The problem with being human is the fact that we do not see anything besides... just a face.

We aren't able to go deeper.
To take a peek into their brilliant minds.
To understand the immense creativity within.

I think that every person has the potential for greatness.
Every person has brilliance inside of them.. somewhere... somehow.
But for us, they are still.. just a face.

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And behind these faces there is pain.
There is hurt.
There are shattered dreams and broken hearts.
But to us; they are nothing more than... just a face.

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Let me encourage you today with this thought:
Today- let's see these people as more than... just a face.
And instead, let's see them as actual human beings.
Real people.
Unique individuals.
With incredibly vast situations.
From different backgrounds.
Living out today's page in their story.

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This is my prayer today for each and every one of us:
God, break our heart for those that we come across today.
And help us not to neglect the needs, the cries, and the hurts of others.

And that is all-
I'm not going to give you a challenge.
I'm not going to give you practical advice.
I just want you to be open and aware of that fact that these people
are more than.. just a face.

Get Out

One thing that I wish I would been more involved with while I was younger is sports.  Many positive things can occur as a result of being active in sports while you are young.

1.      It forces you to get out- while many teens come home, retreat to their room, and turn on the tv and the gaming system, it is much healthier (literally) for that person to get out and get active. 

2.      It teaches you to work with a team- working on a team is hard.  So is leadership.  By playing sports, you learn both.

3.      It builds relationships- I have had many strong relationships form as a result of sports in the past. 

4.      It teaches you discipline- discipline is one key trait that helps determine how far you will go in life.  if you live an undisciplined life, it will catch up to you. 

There are just a few of the benefits that can occur as a result of being involved in sports.  However, even with all of these positives, you need to be cautious:

Here’s why

1.      Sports add stress- people have expectations.  Parents, coaches, and friends will all expect you to live up to a certain standard.  Don’t let any unrealistic or negative standards get you down.  And parents; you need to support your son and daughter when it comes to them and sports. 

2.      Sports add peer pressure- even if sports help you to be a part of the in crowd, you need to be cautious.  Being involved in sports can connect you to parties, sex, drugs, and drinking; just to name a few.  Sports add peer pressure.  

Sports are great.  Some of the things that go with it- not so much.  But if you are careful and participate for the positives-while avoiding the negatives- then there is much good that can come from it.  

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Clark, Chap. Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers (youth, Family, and Culture). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.

Strange Places to Meet God (Vol. 1)

God is everywhere.

We just usually limit the amount of effect He has on our lives.

Some of the greatest encounters with God happen when we are willing to let him intervene and meet us in the strangest of places.  

When we are open to these divine interventions, God shows up.  

It's as simple as that.  

One strange, yet powerful occasion where you can meet God is: 

1. When You Wake Up In The Middle Of The Night:
Last night, I woke up around 5:00 A.M.
When this happens, typically, my first response isn't: "Thank you Jesus for waking me up 2 and a half hours earlier than I planned!".

However, I have found that times like these are some amazing times to just talk to God until I fall asleep.
Call me weird; call me spiritual; but the way I see it is this:
I'm already awake- so what can I learn from this moment?

In fact, I even believe, that sometimes God wakes us up on purpose.  Sometimes God has something to tell us.
Sometimes He wants to reveal something to us.

So here is what I want you to try next time this happens.

1. Talk to God.
The reason why talking to God is so easy at these times is because our brains are in such a simple state of mind.

These are times when it is easiest for me to just literally talk to God.  

When it is 5 A.M., our prayers are simple, innocent, gentle, and almost child-like.  
And those are some of the most powerful prayers we can pray.

2. Write Stuff Down:
Typically, when this happens, I end up with great new ideas.
Sure, sometimes, I wake up in the morning, read my note in my phone, and wonder: "What in the world was I thinking?"
But other times; I read it, and know that it was from God. 
Last night, God gave me insight on a discipleship program that I'm going to implement one day.
And this is just one example of the things that I know God wants to speak into my; and your life.

God wants to reveal stuff to us.  In fact, God wants to reveal stuff to YOU.
And most of the times, our days are so busy and hectic that it's easy for us to miss what He has to say.
But you NEED to make sure to remember to write it down.
Otherwise, you WILL forget.
And that thought may escape you forever.
 
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The craziest part of it all is the next day, after I am interrupted in my sleep, I typically feel great.
My biggest fear and concern when I wake in the middle of the night usually transpires with me thinking about how I am going to be tired throughout the next day.
But God gets me through it.
And I know that even if He didn't. 
Even if I was exhausted. 
It'd be worth it.
Because you can never spend time in prayer and lose.  

At War.

The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak. (Matthew 26:41)

Young people are at war. 

They are at war with the world.

They are at war with the enemy. 

But worst of all- they are at war with themselves. 

The greatest battle we will face is the battle between spirit and flesh. 

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David is one of the greatest men of God to ever live

And when we think of David, there are two events that we remember him by in particular.

The first of these events is:

1.       We remember the time that David killed Goliath.  
       This is the time that David slew the giant. 

This battle occurred in the physical.

But it was a spiritual thing that determined the fate of Goliath. 

David won because he trusted in a God who was bigger, stronger, and greater than himself.

David was not fighting for his own name.  He was fighting for God’s name. 

The battle was won by his faith.  His trust in God helped him to defeat the giant. 

When David killed Goliath, it revealed his humility. 

When David killed Goliath, it proved he was a man of faith. 

   

Goliath was his greatest victory. 

The other event we remember David for is:

2.       We remember the time that he committed adultery with Bathsheba.
      This is the time that the giant slew David.

This battle occurred in the physical.

But it was a lack of spiritual strength that determined the fate of David. 

David lost this battle because he trusted in himself. 
He looked to himself for strength; and in his weakness, he failed to reach out to a God who was bigger, stronger, and greater than himself. 

David was not fighting for God’s name.  He was fighting for his own name. 

The battle was lost because of the weakness in his flesh. 
The weakness in the flesh was the giant that slew David. 

When David slipped morally with Bathsheba, it revealed his humanity. 

When David slipped morally with Bathsheba, it proved he was a man of flesh. 

Bathsheba was David’s greatest defeat.
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Young people today are desensitized. 

They are not growing up in a culture that teaches them morals.

Instead, many are morally ignorant; at least by the standards of the Bible. 

Because of this, when it comes to temptations that they face- they give in.

This happens because the flesh is weak. 

We as Christians need to always remember to keep feeding ourselves spiritually. 

When the spirit is strong, the flesh is strong.
When the spirit is weak, the flesh is weak. 

I remember when Jesus is praying in the garden.

In Matthew 26:41, He tells the disciples, “"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

The secret to avoiding temptation and staying strong morally is this:

1. Keeping watch-
This means that we need to be aware of our surroundings.

This means that if we are in a situation where temptation can potentially overcome us, we must exercise strength and choose to walk away.

This means that if we discern something that is not right, we need to take action and do something about it.

This means that we need to make sure that we are not setting ourselves up for failure.  When David was standing on the roof looking around at his kingdom, he noticed Bathsheba.  The thing that he should have done was walked away and moved on. 

Instead, he allowed himself to keep feeding his flesh- and eventually, his flesh caved in.  By doing this he set himself up for failure. 

When we keep watch, it means that we do not allow ourselves to be in situations where we continuously feed the flesh and neglect the spirit.

Instead, we need to continuously strengthen the spirit. 

This means that we must:

2.       Pray-

The greatest way to strengthen the Spirit is by praying. 

Prayer moves mountains.

Prayer covers us with the armor of God. 

Prayer strengthens the flesh. 

The more we pray, the more we find God.
The more we find God, the less we want to act out immorally.

If we can learn to keep watch and pray, the sky is the limit. 

Resource: http://www.sermonnotebook.org/old%20testament/2%20Samuel%2011_1-27.htm

Things I Wish I Would Have Learned in School

School: Just the word alone brings up negative thoughts and feelings for many people. 

School is tough.  School is difficult.  School takes discipline.

Many teenagers today struggle with school. 

This may seem like common sense; but there is more to it than that. 

Our young people are failing at the one area where we really wanted them to succeed.

During the industrial revolution, our young people would often work long, stressful, dangerous hours; having adult roles and adult responsibilities in society. 

This created issues. 

Many people decided that it was time to get these young children away from these adult responsibilities.

So they created child labor laws. 

And this created a lot of free time for these young people. 

Many people did not like this free time. 

Because they did not trust the teens to have that much empty time on their hands. 

And they wanted to fill this empty time with something more productive. 

So they made a huge push for education.

Education was going to be the answer that they have been looking for. 

Western Culture began to emphasize the importance of education, and really push for a generation of young people who would begin to succeed academically. 

Education was the one major thing that they wanted the young people to do right.

Unfortunately, things did not turn out as planned. 

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I try not to live with regrets.

But that does not mean that I do not have any. 

One of my few regrets that still bothers me to this day is the fact that I did not take my education seriously as a young person. 

If I could go back, I would do so many things differently. 

I really hope that future generations can succeed where I failed.

If there were three things that I could tell every young person… three values that I could help instill… I firmly believe that these three things would change the trajectory of their life. 

3 things that I would tell every young person:

1.       Your education is important-

I wish that I would have realized this when I was younger.  When we are in high school, we feel like- A) we do not need to know any of the stuff we learn and- B) we already know all that we need to know.  It isn’t until we get out of high school that we realize how much we actually don’t know. 

2.       If you don’t build good habits now, it will be very hard to break them later-

There are many, many, MANY very poor habits that I built in high school. 

And I am still struggling to change many of them. 

And it is HARD to change bad habits. 

Very, very hard. 

It is possible- but it does not come easy.

Don’t wait until you’re old to grow up. 

Learn responsibility.

Learn discipline. 

Discipline yourself to read.

Discipline yourself to be good with money. 

It isn’t fun; but it is worth it. 

3.       Your willingness to learn will help determine your future-

Being a student does not end after high school. 

In high school, people tell you what you need to learn. 

When you get out into the real world; it isn’t always that simple. 

The people who are most successful in life are lifelong students. 

And some of them didn’t even go to college.

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Life is hard- but you can help make it easier. 

Get ahead in life now, so that you will not be behind in life later.  





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resources: OMG Youth Ministry by Kenda Dean
Hurt 2.0 by Chap Clark
Wrecked by Jeff Goins 

Pressure to Be:

Living in the shadow of greatness often creates unrealistic, unattainable expectations. 

Unrealistic- not in a sense of a merit too high to be reached- but instead, in a sense of the unique calling and skill set that God gives each and every individual. 

Many young adults and teenagers have parents who are very successful, well-respected, hard-working, and accomplished in their respective fields of work. 

This alone is not a problem.

The problem arises when the parent wants their direct legacy to live on through their children.

I know many very successful parents who have young sons and daughters struggling to find their identity and find success in life. 

For some of them, it’s the academic expectations that are simply too lofty for their children to obtain. 

For others, it’s the prestige of a position that is far out of their reach. 

In the church world, we see it all of the time when it comes to the children of Pastors; or “P.K.’s” as they are often referred to.

PK’s get a bad reputation. 

Many of them are raised under a microscope, and face a certain amount of expectations that creates a very uncomfortable childhood. 

While other people their age are allowed to go through the journey of life discovering things on their own, PK’s often inherit the moral values and life-decisions of their parents.  They are told what to do, how to act, and what to think, but they don’t have a clear grasp of why they are supposed to be that way, act that way, or think that way. 

In the secular world, we see it all of the time in situations with successful parents having standards too high for their children to reach. 

While the older generation has high standards; and even high expectations for this coming generation, a few obstacles stand in the way of our young people growing up into successful and impactful men and woman. 

1.       Laziness-

One of the greatest threats to this current generation of teenagers is laziness.  Teens aren’t being raised in homes where hard-work is a high moral value.

2.       Lack of positive role models-

Teens are coming from broken homes, going to broken schools, and hanging out with broken people.

3.       Western culture-

The values of the society that we live in are far from Godly. 

As Christians, we need to do a better job;

We need to step up and be a light in this darkness.

And for each and every person out there who feels like they can’t live up to an expectation that others have for you….

And in case you don’t hear it from anybody else, I wanted you to hear it from me. .

You are a big deal.

You can amount to huge things.

God has huge plans for your life.

You just have to believe…

Believe in the YOU that He sees.    

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Resource: Putting a positive spin on the pressure that you feel http://www.churchleaders.com/worship/worship-articles/152909-pressure-makes-us.html

Commitment:

One of the first and most important signs in one’s life pointing towards responsibility is a person’s ability to make and keep a commitment.  Unfortunately, this is a skill that very few people choose to learn.  This is a skill that takes discipline. 

Because of this we have a bunch of men and women, who, when it come to commitment choose to act instead like young boys and girls. 

Commitment is hard. 

Ideally, when a person begins the transition to adulthood, they should begin to learn the discipline of commitment; unfortunately in today’s society, that is not the case at all. 

Some of the signs of transitioning to adulthood are responsibility, independence, and discovering ones identity. 

Unfortunately, many times commitment isn’t something learned until much later in life. 

A fear of commitment is more than just wanderlust. 

A fear of commitment has deeper roots and issues. 

A fear of commitment is a problem that has nothing to do with age, gender, race, and ethnicity; instead, commitment has to do with simply making choices- choices to stick things out. 

When things get uncomfortable the natural tendency is to try something else. 

That is why the divorce rate is so high. 

That is why we have so many single parents. 

That is why we have so many drop outs. 

And whether we are aware of it or not, society is giving kids the impression that commitment is overrated. 

 A lack of commitment is a bigger issue than just committing. 
Commitment is a root problem, and every root produces fruit.

(Mat. 7:18)

And a lack of commitment can produce many bad fruits. 

The first of these is this:

1.      When you have problems committing, you will have a difficult time finding true happiness in life. 

Chuck Colson communicates this truth brilliantly:

“By abandoning commitment, our narcissistic culture has lost the one thing it desperately seeks: happiness. Without commitment, our individual lives will be barren and sterile. Without commitment, our lives will lack meaning and purpose. After all, if nothing is worth dying for, then nothing is worth living for. But with commitment comes the flourishing of society—of calling, of marriage, of the church—and of our hearts. It’s the paradox Jesus so often shared when he bid us to come and die that we might truly live.”

Which brings me to point two:

2.      When you have problems committing, you will have problems finding meaning and purpose for our life. 

Often, the moments that make life worth living for come only after pains, trials, adversity, and plenty of time.  And those life-defining moments often come after making tough decisions.

And the thing about a lack of commitment is this: a lack of commitment is not just simply waiting, or holding out for the potential of something better to come along. Instead, it is stalling.

Stalling on responsibility

Stalling on a tough choice.

And delaying the pain of making a decision and living with the consequences. 

I have heard this truth best explained like this:

“There are milestones in life that we only reach by making a tough choice, one that involves forsaking all other options. Like how to really love someone or the beauty of a long-term relationship—these are the lessons we need to learn. And the way we learn them is through commitment.” 

If you do not learn how to commit, finding your purpose in life may be a lifelong struggle. 

3.      When you have problems committing, you have no chance of leaving a legacy. 

It isn’t single moments that define a legacy. 

It is repetition.

It is consistency. 

It is commitment. 

Without commitment, the most you will experience is 15 minutes of fame; if you’re lucky. 

With commitment, you can change history. 

Why to Commit:

1.      Commitments reveal our identity.

2.      Commitments produce fruit. 

3.      Commitments help us become better people

“There is profound spiritual value in making commitments. By moving to a more committed lifestyle, you learn how to be a friend, meet a deadline, follow through on a task, and push through a challenge. Commitments help us become better people.”

4.      Commitment leads to contentment.

Commitment helps you to be comfortable with choosing your own destiny and being happy with the results. 

 Commitment will help you get over the fear and anxiety of making the wrong decision; and instead, be thankful with whatever choice you do make. 

Commitment isn’t easy, but it is worth it. 

Choose to commit; and don’t look back. 

And witness the places life will take you, and the experiences that will overcome you. 

All quotes taken from:  Goins, Jeff. Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams Into Your Comfortable Life. New Edition ed: Moody Publishers, 2012.

  

Pursuing Purity: Helping teens overcome the temptations of sexual activity

Sex is everywhere. 

Even where it isn’t, symbols of it are. 

Ads. 

Billboards.

Commercials.

It is almost unavoidable; everywhere we look, it exists. 

And teenagers are being raised thinking that is ok.   

If you talk to teens about sex, it isn’t necessarily that they want to be promiscuous. 

Instead, it is simply that they don’t see it as an issue. 

Many are unaware of the ramifications of their actions.

And for the first time in American history, many have not been raised in Christian homes with Christian morals.

Because of this, it is our responsibility to educate them on the importance of pursuing purity. 

Parents have the biggest responsibility to inform them to do so. 

The conversation may be awkward but it can have life changing affects. 

If the parents choose not to educate their children, then the world will. 

And the world will not do so in a righteous, Godly way. 

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As Christians in general, we need to help others to see Christ. 

We need to help young adults rediscover Jesus, and rediscover what a righteous life looks like. 

Not only because their soul is in effect.

But because their life; their innocence; their future; their bodies; their happiness; and their emotions are in effect as well. 

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For us to help make a difference in the lives of these teenagers, there are things that we need to do. 

1.       Educate what a pure life looks like. 

If we don’t, somebody else will.

And that somebody probably won’t be a good role model. 

2.       Model what a pure life looks like. 

(Mat 7:3-5)

Many times, we are quick to jump on others for their faults; while we fail to demonstrate what a righteous lifestyle looks like ourselves. 

The greatest thing that we can do is help model what a pure life looks like. 

Actions speak louder than words. 

3.       Stand by them-

They will fail.  Many already have. 

They do not need someone to condemn them.

They need someone to love them and support them. 

Show them grace when they messed up.  Because we ALL mess up. 

And God has worked in us in mighty ways…

They want somebody who is transparent.

So be real.

Be honest.

Use your life as a testimony. 

(1 Tim. 13-14)

4.       Set boundaries

(James 1:14-15)

Prevent the slip-ups before they happen. 

Many times, they don’t go into a relationship expecting sex.

Or expecting a pregnancy.

But many times it starts as kiss.

And that kiss turns into more…and more…and more..

And eventually…..______________________.

Let’s be an influence. 

Let’s help impact lives before they make mistakes and have to live with the regrets. 

Let’s help change the way that things are.

And let’s pursue purity with our young people. 

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http://www.churchleaders.com/youth/youth-culture-trends/147171-Culture%E2%80%99s-Confusion-Over-Sex.html

(Anti)Social Media

According to a recent post in the Chicago tribune, young people are spending an average of 53 hours a week on media. 

That’s more than a full time job.

That’s more than school.

No wonder there is such a disconnect in the home in families; with 53 hours of texting, calling, video games, television, facebook, and more, this is little time for anything else. 

Parents need to realize that every minute they spend with their children is incredibly important!

Because we need Godly Christian parents to take a stand and win back their children. 

And that will not come easily; but with hard work, focus, determination, and tons of prayer, it is more than possible. 

……and while parents will be the most influential role model in the lives of their children,

Youth pastors can also play a huge role in their lives as well.

I remember how much youth ministry changed my life growing up.

And I hope that each and every youth pastor, volunteer, worker, or leader realizes the importance of their job. 

I hope that they realize the level of responsibility and influence that they have….

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Now- youth pastors…

Many youth pastors see their students once a week, for maybe 2 or 3 hours. 

2 or 3 compared to 53. 

Youth pastors; I urge you to pursue your students with all that you have to give.  

The 2 to 3 hours that you get a week may be the most important, instrumental hours that they spend all week; or, they may just as easily be time wasted. 

Please, please, please.. don’t just do youth group, do youth ministry. 

Many people in culture would describe a youth pastor to be no more than a baby sitter, a game coordinator, or simply a buddy; and this is sad. 

Because if that is all that you are, you honestly need to find a new profession. 

We need people who are passionate, hungry disciplers of teens; who have vision and ambition. 

And when it comes to social media, we have two choices.

1.       We can do nothing and hope that these trends go away. (spoiler: they won’t)

Or

2.       Adapt to the times.

And one way that we can really influence these teens is by influencing them through one of our greatest obstacles- social media. 

If you are a youth leader and you don’t have a facebook or a twitter, you need to change that. 

That is one of the greatest ways to connect with this generation of teens. 

They will judge you by your content online. 

And if you show that you are someone with good, Godly character, they will notice. 

So let me just encourage you.

Take that which is used to hurt our young people, and use it for good.

http://www.statisticbrain.com/social-networking-statistics/

http://www.teachersatrisk.com/2010/01/20/the-53-hours-a-week-teens-spend-on-media-use-is-way-too-much-of-a-good-thing/

Not Giving In: Overcoming The Crisis of Peer Pressure

Jesus was a fascinating person. 

He was a radical man with views on the world and life that differed from the views that were typical in the first century. 

He was the Messiah, yet he was not what most people expected the Messiah to be. 

I love learning about the Messiah. 

The Messiah was somebody that the Jews had studied and looked for over hundreds and hundreds of years.

They had this specific picture of what he was going to look like, who he was going to be, and what he was going to do. 

Yet when His time came, they did not recognize Him. 

The Messiah, according to the Jewish people preceding the lifetime of Jesus’, was going to be a King, like David.  He was going to be a political ruler who would help the Israelites to conquer their oppressors. 

They were expecting a figure like Alexander the Great.

 Instead, what they got was a lunatic according to societies’ standards. 

Jesus was what we would call different.  Jesus was not a part of the religious in crowd. 

And He often opposed and clashed with those who were. 

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Jesus was not religious. 

He fulfilled religion, yet he did not like the people that represented it. 

In fact, he did not speak with religious authority.

Instead, he spoke in Godly authority. 

He would teach in revolutionary ways, saying things like. 

"You have heard it said ________, but I say, __________."  

And while the religious leaders would teach based on tradition; and on the teachings of past rabbis and leaders; Jesus would bring new things to the table. 

He wouldn’t teach what was normal. 

He would teach words directly from the Father. 

And these words would upset a lot of people; because they would break tradition. 

Jesus did not fit the status quo. 

He did not fit the picture of what the world wanted Him to be.

Everyone had expectations for him that he did not meet. 

Even his own disciples had a picture of who they wanted him to be that was far from the real Jesus. 

And when Jesus died, many of the disciples lost hope. 

They were shocked. 

Many told themselves that He wasn’t actually the Messiah. 

Some went back to their old jobs and old ways. 

Why?

Because He didn’t fit the picture that they were expecting.  

And then…

The greatest event in His(-s)tory occurred. 

He rose. 

He came back. 

He finished what He started. 

After that, the disciples, who were once just twelve average men

Went on to turn the world upside down. 

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There is a profound difference between normal and radical.

Today’s teenage culture is all about fitting in. 

More and more young men and women are going to extremes simply to attempt to be normal. 

I remember being in high school. 

I changed so many times to try and be who everybody else wanted me to be, that I didn’t even know who I was. 

I didn’t want to be the weirdo. 

And that is how many young people see Christians; or at least, so I thought. 

So I would push my morals aside for the sake of feeling accepted. 

Of course, chasing acceptance is like chasing after the wind. 

And I was never happy with who I was. 

Nowadays, Peer pressure shapes teenagers more than the church does. 

Peer pressure shapes teenagers more than the Bible does. 

Peer pressure is a factory, producing hurt, broken, empty, confused people who lack identity and purpose. 

Things like drugs, sex, alcohol, and violence are the norm. 

Many young people consider themselves Christians.

Yet, when you ask them their opinions on these matters, they lack anything in their conscience telling them that it is wrong. 
Their moral compass is broken.   

They see no problem with weed.

They see no problem with sex. 
They see no problem with partying. 

And the church needs to step be part of the solution. 
(when I say the church, I mean the people of the church.. so if you're reading this blog, that more than likely includes you!) 

And we need to hit this problem hard. 

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When Jesus was resurrected and revealed Himself to the disciples it started a movement. 

These twelve ordinary men would completely sell out and devote their lives to seeking the lost. 

They would devote their lives to being an outsider, to follow The Way and turn their backs on the pressures of who the world would tell them to be. 

And when it comes to today’s youth, we do not see that same passion that the disciples had. 

Instead, we see people trying to serve two masters:

People and God.

In fact, many fear man more than they fear God. 

And they have this twisted idea that they can live to please the world while living to please God. 

All that it took was twelve people- who decided that they would turn their back on the desires of their flesh- to change the world 2000 years ago. 

Twelve who decided that a life without Christ was no life worth living at all. 

Twelve people who decided that they would not listen to the pressure of who the world wanted them to be; but instead, find their identity in Christ. 

If we had twelve teenagers from any given school, decide to wholeheartedly commit to a life of following Christ over chasing popularity, acceptance, and peer pressure… that whole culture would change. 

So what can we do as a church to help combat the very dangerous threat that is peer pressure?

1.       Be there.

Just simply be there for your children, your students, and your friends. 

Be an ear to listen (and don’t always throw in your opinion about everything).

If you win their heart, then you will win their trust. 

And teens now have more questions than ever. 

Unfortunately, many don’t have a person to go to with these questions. 

Simply be there for them. 

Be a shoulder to lean on.

Be a shoulder to cry on.

Everything in life is an investment. 

And everyone is busy. 

Not just you.

Everyone. 

But some investments are too important to pass up. 

This is one of them.

Invest in their future; because their future is the future.

And when I say be there, I don't just mean figuratively.  I also mean literally. 

If your son has a game, try to make it once in a while.

Show him that you care and that he’s worth something to you.

Because if you don’t, he will spend his life trying to find worth in worthless things;

And that will only heighten his desire to seek acceptance and give in to the pressures surrounding him.   

2.       Get to know them.

There is a difference between a shallow acquaintance and a friend.  

We may think that we know people on the surface, but often there is often much more than meets the eye. 
I see this All The Time at work, and it is heartbreaking;
A father and his daughter come in, share a meal, and stare blankly into space while sitting across from each other.
-If you don't have anything to talk about; it's time to invest a bit more into that relationship.

There are teens that you see every week that have a life that you know nothing about.
They struggle with things.  Internally and externally.  And you may be completely in the dark.  

There are teens all around you experimenting with drugs, sex, alcohol, cutting; and many of these teens literally have not even one person reaching out to them. 

Get to KNOW them.

This means actually forming and investing in a relationship. 

If it’s your children, this means going deeper than shallow conversations at the dinner table or routine questions while dropping them off at school.

It means asking the hard questions, and shutting off your phone and putting away your work and listening attentively to what they have to say. 

For youth leaders; myself included; it means going outside of our comfort zones and pursuing those around us. 

Whether that means bringing somebody to McDonalds or bringing somebody to a basketball court; to form a real relationship you will need to go above and beyond; and that can literally have life-saving and life-changing ramifications. 

Also, this means knowing who they spend time with.

This does not mean be smothering.

But don’t be naïve. 

Because who they spend time with now will reflect who they grow up to be in the future. 

3.       Demonstrate Jesus to them.  

When Jesus demonstrated Himself to the disciples after His resurrection; it was game over.

Their lives could never be the same again.

They couldn’t go back to the way things were. 

And one of the best ways that we can help teens overcome the threat of peer-pressure is by demonstrating Jesus to them in the way we live. 

Not a fake, watered-down, imaginary, twisted version of Jesus; but the real, authentic, revolutionary, radical, fearless, awesome, powerful Jesus of the Bible. 

And while we’re on the subject of the Bible, that means actually reading your Bible; because you can’t imitate Jesus if you don’t know the real Jesus. 

And you can’t expect the teens around you to live a life that you’re not living.

And you can’t expect them to go places that you’re not going. 

If they get a clear, accurate, and precise picture of who Jesus is, watch out, because things will change. 

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Today’s teens face incredible obstacles and pressures unheard of in previous generations.  Because of this we really need to take action before it is too late.  This generation will lay the foundation for our future.  But before the future is in their hands, it is still in ours.  Let’s be a part of the solution.


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Sources:
http://www.familyfirstaid.org/peer-pressure.html

The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel