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YOUTH AND YOUTH MINISTRY

A Youth or Youthfullness is defined as the time of life when one is young especially : the period between childhood and maturity it is also the early period of existence, growth, or development. Thats why, as a category, youth is more fluid than other fixed age-groups. Yet, age is the easiest way to define this group, particularly in relation to education and employment, because youth is often referred to a person between the ages of leaving compulsory education, and finding their first job. Religion is one of the most important aspects of many peoples lives. Churches serve as valuable hubs for people of all ages. However, one of the groups that is often left out of the conversation is the youth group. Therefore, today, we will be talking about youths in the church, their role and the importance of the church for the youth. Check it out!
Traditionally, youth is considered to be a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Most of the time, people use the word teenagers when referring to the youth, even though there are no defined age boundaries. Anyone can be a youth if they want to 🙂

Youth in the church can actually be and do anything they desire. For instance, some young people choose to attend a youth ministry, where they can learn, communicate and grow in a safe and faithful environment. Others are actually in charge of said youth ministries and other similar religious organisations for young people, where they can give back to the youth in their communities.
Youth ministry, also commonly referred to as youth group, is an age-specific religious ministry of faith groups or other religious organizations, which carry out youth ministry to involve and engage with young people who attend their places of worship, or who live in their community. Christian youth ministry usually encompasses one or more of the following: encouraging young people (whether they have professed faith or not) to learn more about a given faith and to become more involved in the spiritual life providing open youth clubs or other activities for the common good of the young people, sometimes without an overtly religious agenda. As well as organizing events and activities, youth ministry will usually include some form of religious instruction and pastoral oversight of young people.
Youth Ministry is a the response of the Church to the needs of young people, fostering their faith in Jesus Christ and their communion with the Blessed Trinity, and drawing them into responsible participation in the life, mission and ministry of the Church. Youth Ministry seeks to help youth share their gifts, grow in life skills .Youth Ministries is about leading young people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and helping them to embrace His call to discipleship. An integral part of this mandate is to help our young people to grow deeper in their faith and spirituality, to move beyond their church to mission and service in the wider world, and to build community both in their local settings and around the world as a global movement. We have been excited to witness and to be part of this significant growth among so many of our young people.

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Moving forward by faith

2 Corinthians 5:7

As we reflect on the theme moving forward by faith, we see that the mortal man cannot move forward in faith if he is sprituallity blind. We then in moving by faith should ensure that our spritual eyes are focused on the one that is our source of strength. Moving forward by faith and not by sight requires you to go to a place you do not know, one that God will reveal as you walk in obedience. Walking by faith means that you continue to cling to the dreams God has planted in your heart, even when you’ve been thrown away, taken to prison for crimes you didn’t commit. So, in moving forward by faith we have to ensure that we walk by faith and not by sight. I hope that all our brothers and sisters will walk by faith and not by sight and in doing so you would have been moving farward in faith.

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LIVE BY A HIGHER STANDARD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: “You have been set apart as holy to the LORD your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” Deuteronomy 14:2, NLT

TODAY’S WORD: There’s a constant pressure trying to squeeze you into being common, into doing what everyone else is doing today. Don’t let that thinking rub off on you. Today’s Scripture is saying you’re not common. You’re not like everyone else. You’ve not only been chosen by the Most High God, but He set you apart. He made you uncommon.

It takes courage to be different. It takes courage to not compromise. People will try to make you feel weak because you don’t go with the majority, you don’t party with everyone, you don’t gossip, you don’t play politics. The truth is, you’re not weak; you’re strong. You are uncommon. People around you may be giving in to temptation, doing things you know are not the best. That’s the enemy trying to deceive you into being common. He knows that if you’re like everyone else, it will keep you from becoming all you were created to be. Don’t fall into that trap. Be uncommon.

PRAYER FOR TODAY: “Father, thank You that You not only chose me, but You set me apart to be Your special treasure. I’m not going to be pressured into compromising, and I’m not going to live like everyone else. I’m going to live by a higher standard, and I believe I will see uncommon favor. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

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PUT GOD FIRST

Today’s Scripture

“…In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success…”

(Proverbs 3:6, TLB)

A lot of people are good at taking care of the physical and emotional parts of their lives, but they don’t take care of the spiritual. There’s no or minimal connection to God. Your life will be more fulfilling when you’re in relationship with your Creator. He breathed life into you. He knows what your purpose is. He wants to give you the advantage for success. When you make Him a part of your life, His favor will take you where your talents and abilities cannot take you.

Make your spiritual life a priority. When you get up in the morning, take time to thank God for the day. Don’t run out of the house stressed out, in a hurry. Start the day off with a grateful attitude. Read the Scripture, meditate on His promises, and fill your mind with thoughts of faith, hope, and victory. Put God first and He will crown your efforts with success.

A Prayer for Today

“Father, thank You that You invited me into a relationship with You. I want, in everything I do, to put You first and have You direct my life. Thank You for speaking to me through Your Word. I believe that You will crown my efforts with success. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

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HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD?


Psalm 146:6
INTRO: The enemy wants to paralyze; hurt & crush you
CREATION: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” Gen. 1:1. “He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever.” Ps. 146:6
The gravitational pull is set just right. The nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, neon, and ethane mixture in the air is just the right amount to support life. Increase just the carbon dioxide and all of life would be obliterated. The sun’s heat at 10,000 fahrenheit would incinerate the surface of the earth if it were just a few degrees closer. The molecular structure of the human body, are so complicated that any biologist who is humble and teachable will admit that there is a Creator. Christians don’t “check our brains at the door”; we simply acknowledgeRomans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
There is NO excuse for these ridiculous assertions in our culture that there is NO God.
If you believe that you came from animals, you will act like animals.
“When confronted with the order and beauty of the universe and the strange coincidences of nature, it’s very tempting to take the leap of faith from science into religion. I am sure many physicists want to. I only wish they would admit it,” (Physicist, Tony Rothman).
The denial of God is not because we lack “facts”; it’s because man suppresses the truth. Denial is an issue of the heart,
How Great is our God?

  1. Leads us: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you,” (Ps. 32:8).
  2. Offers peace: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful,” (Jh. 14:27).
    Philippians 4:7– “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” KJV
  3. Offers assurance: “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you,” (Deut. 31:6).
  4. Offers love: (cf. Jh. 3:16). Unfailing Love. Complete Love.
    Love Has A Voice. Love Has A Name: “I will never be the same—He has called my name—from the ashes I rise to proclaim HIS NAME!”
  5. Offers His Word
    Heals Them; Delivers Them; Saves Them; Convicts Them (Josiah); Comforts Them
  6. Blesses His children
    “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1:1-6).
    HOW TO EXPERIENCE HIM: Psalm 34:4-9, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.”

I Sought the Lord (fasting, prayer, humility, brokenness…)
He Answered Me
Delivered from unhealthy emotions
Fear of man is a snare
Look to Him
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!!
You are Radiant (sending out light)
Shame fades
Poverty (destitute; in need of more)
Angels encamp
Fearing the Lord drives fear away. Delivers from trouble
Taste & See: The problem does not lie in the Message, but in the Receiver:
I bank on God, not my Emotions
I bank on God, not my Circumstances
I bank on God, not Man
He Saves but He does not force
The goodness of God leads you to repentance: Rm. 2:4. Psalm 34:17-19 adds, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all…”
Cry Out to Him…
Broken, yet Unbreakable …
My Deliver lives…
The More I seek Him…
HOW GREAT IS our GOD?