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- Apr 25, 2006
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Forever Young... (3)
''Who out there has a lust for life?...'' Psalm 34:12
Being young and in a church isn't always the greatest mix. Very often unfortunately young people get overlooked. But more often they get underestimated. When the church doesn't connect with youth, it's straying from the template set by Jesus.
When Jesus wanted to kick off the greatest revolution ever seen in history, what did he do? He started a youth group. Maybe the older generation were too set in their ways. Maybe the religious brigade had it all sussed so they weren't open to new teaching. Whatever the reason, Jesus completely bypassed the holy huddle of the day and put his trust in a youth group.
It was pimple-faced Peter, barely out of his GCSEs, who Jesus called to walk on water. John, the disciple Jesus loved, probably wasn't old enough to vote. Maybe Simon the Zealot was so fiery because of all those teenage hormones pelting through his body.
You never hear of Jesus taking the youth 'out the main service' because it might be a little over-their-heads. Far from it, Jesus has them casting out demons, venturing on mission trips, making supper for thousands. You could say a year out with Jesus was pretty intense.
Here's the man himself, in the Message paraphrase: 'In a word, what I'm saying is, grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity...' (Matthew 5:48 TM).
written by Bob Gass
''Who out there has a lust for life?...'' Psalm 34:12
Being young and in a church isn't always the greatest mix. Very often unfortunately young people get overlooked. But more often they get underestimated. When the church doesn't connect with youth, it's straying from the template set by Jesus.
When Jesus wanted to kick off the greatest revolution ever seen in history, what did he do? He started a youth group. Maybe the older generation were too set in their ways. Maybe the religious brigade had it all sussed so they weren't open to new teaching. Whatever the reason, Jesus completely bypassed the holy huddle of the day and put his trust in a youth group.
It was pimple-faced Peter, barely out of his GCSEs, who Jesus called to walk on water. John, the disciple Jesus loved, probably wasn't old enough to vote. Maybe Simon the Zealot was so fiery because of all those teenage hormones pelting through his body.
You never hear of Jesus taking the youth 'out the main service' because it might be a little over-their-heads. Far from it, Jesus has them casting out demons, venturing on mission trips, making supper for thousands. You could say a year out with Jesus was pretty intense.
Here's the man himself, in the Message paraphrase: 'In a word, what I'm saying is, grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity...' (Matthew 5:48 TM).
written by Bob Gass
