4 Visits that Change Youth Forever!
Those crowds! They followed Jesus to figure out their lives! Take young people with you on these visits and they'll never be the same! If your Church has a Christian School, arrange with the Principal to take 2-4 at a time for one-two class periods. They'll love getting out of class and the drive time discussion is priceless! Prep them for whom they'll see and their life circumstances. Debrief on the way back, giving each one a chance to verbalize their reaction. Classmates will hear their story and want to be next. And some of your Youth will hear God's Call to lifelong ministry!
1. Hospital Birth Center Nothing ranks higher for girls than holding a newborn! Guys might rate an ambulance ride higher, but they like the Nursery, too. After ooohs and ahhhhs and the radiant mother's delivery story, step into the Chapel or get your youthful visitation partners into the car to discuss the costs of raising a baby, teenage maternity and finishing high school, absentee fathers, grandparent-raised infants, and God's design for marriage-first-sex-next.
2. Bible Study Whether they set up the projector and advance slides on your cue or deliver a self-written topic, Bible studies implant an evangelistic spirit in your Youth! Don't let another generation pass without gaining this nearly-vanished essential for Christian adults and healthy churches! Take your Youth with you! They'll watch hearts drawn to Jesus by the Holy Spirit. They'll learn how Bible doctrines relate to readiness for baptism and church membership. They'll stand as a soul-winner beside their trophies when the new members are introduced to the Church Family. Consider honoring their faithful assistance by taking them into the baptistry on the day their Bible Study climaxes. Make them the Spiritual Guardian of children or youthful new members the Bible Study produces.
3. Addict None of us will ever forget the day three of my Youth joined me bedside and heard the appeal of a gray-complexioned alcoholic dying of liver failure. "Don't do what I did" is still echoing in the brain choice centers of those Youth who are now young adults! Make friends with a Hospital Chaplain, a drug counselor, an AA or NA or Eating Disorders Group facilitator. Ask them to set you up with a patient who wants to change the world by influencing your Youth.
4.Mortician's Preparation You'll be surprised at how easy it is to arrange this with a Funeral Director, especially if you've worked with him before or he's your church member. Ask him to tour your Youth through his business. Prep your Youth for the somber end-of-life scene they'll face in the Preparation Room. Some will opt out of that space. Have the mortician describe his procedure while showing them the table, fluids, hoses, and other equipment. There may even be a body in-place which will maximize the sobering impact upon your Youth with their live-forever mentality. Ask if they might place a gloved hand upon the deceased while you pray for your Youth to use their God-given life for the One Who can give them life eternal!
My descriptions above have emphasized the deterrent affect. In practice, I tried to balance that with all the positives that could be highlighted, too. Joke and have fun. Take a group picture at each visit. Stop for a treat. Take your Youth with you. It's the perfect blend of Youth Ministry and Discipleship!
Working with you for HIM,
