The Ewell (B)Log - The Spiritual Dimension of Youth Ministry

The following suggestions are taken from the new "Lutheran Youth Fellowship Handbook: A Guide for Building Better Youth Groups"

HOW TO ENCOURAGE THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION IN YOUTH MINISTRY

1. Remember your teens and youth in your personal prayers.

2. Pray with your teens.

3. Give your teens opportunities to pray for each other, for what's going on in their lives.

4. Speak of God. Make Him a natural part of your conversation. Identify His presence in any activity.

5. Study God's Word in organized and spontaneous ways. Watch for the teachable moment. Be ready, at the drop of a hat, to share your faith.

6. Play contemporary Christian music during youth events. It's a way to connect to the contemporary teen culture. Where appropriate, also introduce traditional Christian music.

7. Maintain your values. Expect the language used, the stories told, the things done in your youth ministry program to be God-pleasing.

8. Include the singing of hymns and contemporary Christian songs in your activities.

9. Encourage your teens to ask questions about God.

10. Design your own Christian T-shirts to wear. Encourage teens to wear the symbols of their faith.

11. Encourage each other in your personal walk with the Lord.

12. Provide opportunities for teens to worship in their own community. Identify opportunities for teens to participate in leading worship in the congregation.

A copy of this new, revised handbook can be obtained through the following website, www.lcms.org/youth and for a donation of $25.

In Christ,
Tim