Tuesday, September 2nd
Ahh! Finally, I got the sleep I've needed for a couple days. This morning we had to get moving right away as we were to visit two Good Shepherd schools today. O.M. has established grade schools all over India - 80 and counting! They are Christian schools that welcome all students from various backgrounds, like Hindu, Muslim, and of course, Christian. It costs the families about $1.00 per day to send their child to the school where they are taught English, Hindi, mathematics, science, grammar, reading skills, Bible memorization, Christian songs, and other subjects based on grade level.
The first school we visited was about 35km from O.M. headquarters - appx. 1hr. away... well, depending on the "adventurous" traffic in town! Along the beautiful country-side, rolling hills, winding roads, lush, wide-open spaces, and farmland, was the scenic picture painted before us as we hung our heads and cameras out of the windows of the jeep. When we arrived at the school, the children (400+) were lined up in their uniforms, separated by age and grade. The teachers and admin. brought us up on a stage in front of all the children and staff to welcome us. The kids began their daily calisthenics of reciting Bible verses they had memorized, songs they learned, and the pledge of allegiance to their country. [Each one on] our team was then given a traditional flower garland, which look like Hawaiian lays, as a welcome gift. Then each of us had the chance to share a few words of gratitude for letting us come and visit. After the opening session, our team visited each classroom - K5 through 6th grade - where we were greeted with "Good morning, Sir", "Good morning, ma'am", a song the kids had learned, a recited passage and/or chapter from a book of the Bible, and a few questions for our team - like where we were from, or what we did for work, etc.
We took pictures with them, which they LOVE... but they love even more seeing the captured picture in the viewfinder after it is taken! The children are precious. Just being able to have the opportunity to look into their eyes and see their zest for life and curiosity about everything, was a gift in and of itself. Once we had visited the classrooms, Raland (Rey-land), the school's manager and our guide for the morning, sat us in his office and further shared with us the vision O.M. has for these schools, and shared the moving, and personal story of how he got involved with the G.S. schools. Raland grew up a Dalit - an outcast of the caste system - and found himself attending a G.S. school in India. His life was changed through the teaching and was brought out of poverty because of the education he had received through O.M. - and THIS is O.M.'s hope.
It is their heartbeat to free the Dalits (and others) from physical and spiritual poverty. It's empowerment for those who would not otherwise find any. The social, political, economic, and educational infrastructures already are, and will change because of O.M.'s vision and passion.
The second school we visited was in the slums of Hyderabad. I've seen slums and extreme poverty before, and there are similar characteristics in any case - fecal matter in the open air, burning garbage, garbage heaps scattered about, and the stench of rotting trash (and often some people rummaging through it for goods and sustenance), makeshift homes of wood, concrete, metal scraps, tattered draperies - anything to provide shelter. Some homes have concrete floors, others dirt. Some are adorned with culturally-specific ornaments, and others with none at all. There are people everywhere!
The children love to have their picture taken. They will come up to you and look into your eyes with their puppy-dog eyes, and say "One photo?", while holding their little finger in the air. It's adorable, and interesting that they make such a fuss over it. The kids swarm to get in on a pic, practically tackling each other - fights almost broke out at times! Then of course, they want to see the photo after it has been taken.
It's apparent that they want to be noticed and remembered!
The school in the slums had 200 students, all of which were squeezed into a room no larger than most of our living rooms at home. They sang some songs (with the motions!) for us, and we each told them about our occupations and encouraged them to continue working hard so they could one day become the professionals many of them desire to be - doctors, engineers, policemen, teachers, business people, and so on. (Notice how they don't care much about fame, or becoming rock stars/movie stars, or even rich...) These people understand reality much differently than Americans do - we have far too many options and distractions.
The children followed us through the slums as we stopped and prayed with people, talked with them to hear their stories, and to snap a few pictures with them. I met some teenagers there, and talked with them a bit. The look in their eyes stunned me! I was taken back for two reasons:
1) They reminded me of young people back home - trying to fit-in with their friends, trying to find their place/meaning and purpose, dealing with pressures from friends and their culture - clearly, a similarity.
2) There was a hunger in their eyes. A hunger to know something, or someone, greater than themselves. I told them I was from America and all of a sudden, I was elevated to Bono-status - larger than life. They wanted pictures and to touch me just to get my attention. As I shook their hands and laughed with them - whether or not we actually understood each other - I would call them "friend". When this happened their eyes lit up and huge smiles stretched across their faces. There was an almost instant bond created between us. To them, being called friend with an American was extra-ordinary.
These young people are craving friendship, love, and attention. They are curious about Jesus. Sadly, we didn't have enough time to explain more. Hopefully, someone will meet them again who can nourish the planted seeds - maybe that's you... or me! Their situation makes them desperate enough, but there is more - something deeper. That something is to be found by God's spirit, and to grow an intimate, personal relationship with him as he offers it freely.
...but how do people find this if they are not told about it?
Yes, physical needs have to be met, but spiritual needs that are met will change and transform the hearts of those who will then go and change the world with God's power - power he promises is with those who trust in him!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Memoirs from India: Day 2
September 1st
"Be still and know that I am God." (Ps. 46:10)
Upon more reflection, I did take into consideration the exhaustion and jet-lag factors (we are 10.5 hrs. ahead), the heat, and adjusting to a new and foreign environment. But it [my sense about this] was deeper than that...
Our team sat in on the pastor's conference today where Stuart, Dick, and Jill each gave presentations - sermons really - to encourage, teach, and challenge the pastors (and lay leaders). It was great to sit in and hear their messages. They made it look easy! Everyone speaks english so there isn't really a language barrier, except for the deep Indian accents. What was really amazing is that neither of them [Stuart, Dick, and Jill] knew until today, what they'd be speaking on... and each of them banged it out in 1.5 hr. sermons - 1 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon (all together).
Stuart preached out of Ephesians 1, and discussed the notion of being "in Christ". He challenged that we became what we are because of Christ. In other words, we who are Christ followers are given all spiritual blessings as we are saved through faith in Jesus, which are nurtured as that relationship grows. He taught about calling and that this is two-fold:
1) We are called to relationship with Christ
2) We are to carry out the work that God has set aside for me/us to do so His story may be completed.
He reminded us that we are Christ's inheritance that he loves unconditionally. Stuart said that God's people sometimes have a lack of confidence, or hope, because they forget who they've become in Jesus' eyes. He said the way to combat that is to remember that God gives us the strength we need to follow through with God's plan for our lives.
Dick spoke on leadership, based on Psalm 78. He touched on a critical issue for pastors and leaders - the issue of integrity. He taught that we need integrity in 5 key areas:
- Speech
- Have an attitude of integrity
- Have an attitude of gratitude
- Relationships
- Motives
- Actions
He reminded us to do the right things for the right reasons.
Jill spoke from Isaiah 26 and 2 Chronicles 26:5, and focused on encouragement. She challenged us to go to God first before we go to others, or busy ourselves with work when troubles come our way. She challenged us to teach others to fear the Lord. She said that stretching ourselves to things that seem too big gives God the opportunity to work in powerful ways, humbling us before His might and providence. An emphasis was put on honest, real, and transparent communication with God, and learning to repent. She encouraged us to remember that God doesn't call people to things they're not equipped for. In the end, she challenged us to surrender to the call of God without condition.
After meeting some of the pastors, playing with some of the kids from the grade school, and a debrief with our team, I came to the conclusion that coming on this endeavor to India falls in line with what God has been speaking to me for much of this year: It's not all that important to God what I'm doing for him, but that he's more concerned with who I'm becoming in my relationship with him. That this trip is part of a molding, shaping, and transforming process he's already been working on - to change me more and more, little by little, into his likeness. I am here in India to observe, learn, listen, and serve where needed with [our team] and O.M. (Jill taught me about the ministry of "presence" - I think this is one thing I'm learning here.)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Memoirs from India: Day 1
August 30th
I begin this journal with mixed emotion over this endeavor. I've also been awake for nearly a full day (as I only slept for 4 hours the previous night in hopes to sleep on the planes), and now mid-way through our travels to India... Tiredness is the overarching feeling right now! But I'm excited and anticipate some incredible experiences, emotional ebbs and flows from meeting (and leaving) new friends, encountering poverty interwoven with wealth, teaching and living in a vastly different culture, and the thrill of gaining insight from Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Dick Robinson, my team, and the Indian people! A priceless opportunity.
International airports are really sweet - especially European airports - because they're a melting pot of cultures from around the globe. Passing through corridors, one can hear multiple languages being spoken by people of all shapes and sizes, with colorful, exotic dress (no, I don't mean strippers...well, that I know of!), and all wearing the same look of "I need to catch my next flight." - an expression that no cultural or language barrier can hide!
We left Chicago at around 4:00pm and arrived in Frankfurt, Germany at 7:00am - an 8.5 hour flight (Germany is 7 hours ahead of us). I slept all of 30 minutes so far. It's now about 9:30am here; about 2:30am at home. Our connecting flight leaves at 11:00am here, for another 8.5 hour flight into Hyderabad, India. This will put us at a grand total of 17 hours flying time, and we will have crossed over approximately 9,000 miles! We should arrive in India at about 11:00pm their time; 12:30pm at home.
It is a trek, but I don't mind it at all - especially considering the exhilaration of traveling abroad and experiencing new places around the world! Most of all though, being able to see what God's up to away from home...
Our flight arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 11:15pm; 12:45pm at home. Operartion Mobilization (O.M.) representatives were there to pick us up. We found out that the training center was about 1.5 hours outside Hyderabad. We reached the campus at about 1:30am. For this first week, I am roomies with Mike Noel, one of Elmbrook Church's elders/leaders; and Phil Brooks, one of the video/media techs. on the team. Our room is a small dorm with a bathroom inside... with a flushing toilet! (a huge plus in foreign contexts). We also have a "shower"... AKA a bucket and cup to dump water over our heads! It was a humid 80 degrees as we went to bed, but luckily our ceiling fan rules and cools!
On the way to the headquarters, we drove through and around Hyderabad. People were out and about (working mostly), even for as late as it was. It seems like they were busy doing random things - talking with friends, cleaning the streets, hauling various materials on flat-beads, etc. There were a lot of homeless people too. Many were sleeping on sidewalks, under awnings in case of rain. Some had blankets, others didn't.
- It was heartbreaking. -
Dick Robinson, one of the Associate Pastors at Elmbrook and our team's leader, noticed our dismay, turned around from his seat on the bus, and explained that India has experienced political, economic, and social unrest for 1000's of years, (not to mention having more than 1.3 Billion people living in very tight vicinity) and to remember that we are coming to support and serve O.M. - a ministry that is working to alleviate physical and spiritual poverty, provide affordable, high-quality Christian education to the poor and oppressed, and bring civil rights to outcasts of the caste system - the Dalits (Dah-leet) - in India. In other words, our team can't expect to come in and change the plight of these people in 2 weeks time, no matter how hard it is to understand - how ridiculous and (potentially) arrogant anyway! We are coming as learners and supporters of O.M.'s work and ministry.
Looking ahead:
Our team will stay on O.M.'s headquarters just outside Hyderabad, in Secunderabad ("Second City") for one week. We will be a part of a pastor's conference, highlighting Stuart and Jill Briscoe (Ministers at Large - World-traveling Preachers) from Elmbrook, and Dick Robinson, as the keynote speakers. Building relationships with the pastors and leaders here and listening to their stories, doing interviews with some of them, and possibly teaching at the Good Shepherd School and/or Church on the campus, will be our primary focus this week. (The G.S. grade schools and churches have been established through O.M. all over India). I'll explain more about the G.S. schools and churches once I've learned more about them.
One of the keys to remember on trips like these is that we often don't know what will be expected of us entirely in terms of work. (Our hosts decide what the major projects will be for the team as they know the immediate needs that can be met, or at least, given some attention to during the time we are there). Remaining flexible and "ready" is not just appreciated, it's imperative. We're kept on the edge or our seats at all times!
Well, I'm at the edge of exhaustion, and our first full day starts at 7:00am - time to crash...for 4 hours!
I begin this journal with mixed emotion over this endeavor. I've also been awake for nearly a full day (as I only slept for 4 hours the previous night in hopes to sleep on the planes), and now mid-way through our travels to India... Tiredness is the overarching feeling right now! But I'm excited and anticipate some incredible experiences, emotional ebbs and flows from meeting (and leaving) new friends, encountering poverty interwoven with wealth, teaching and living in a vastly different culture, and the thrill of gaining insight from Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Dick Robinson, my team, and the Indian people! A priceless opportunity.
International airports are really sweet - especially European airports - because they're a melting pot of cultures from around the globe. Passing through corridors, one can hear multiple languages being spoken by people of all shapes and sizes, with colorful, exotic dress (no, I don't mean strippers...well, that I know of!), and all wearing the same look of "I need to catch my next flight." - an expression that no cultural or language barrier can hide!
We left Chicago at around 4:00pm and arrived in Frankfurt, Germany at 7:00am - an 8.5 hour flight (Germany is 7 hours ahead of us). I slept all of 30 minutes so far. It's now about 9:30am here; about 2:30am at home. Our connecting flight leaves at 11:00am here, for another 8.5 hour flight into Hyderabad, India. This will put us at a grand total of 17 hours flying time, and we will have crossed over approximately 9,000 miles! We should arrive in India at about 11:00pm their time; 12:30pm at home.
It is a trek, but I don't mind it at all - especially considering the exhilaration of traveling abroad and experiencing new places around the world! Most of all though, being able to see what God's up to away from home...
Our flight arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at 11:15pm; 12:45pm at home. Operartion Mobilization (O.M.) representatives were there to pick us up. We found out that the training center was about 1.5 hours outside Hyderabad. We reached the campus at about 1:30am. For this first week, I am roomies with Mike Noel, one of Elmbrook Church's elders/leaders; and Phil Brooks, one of the video/media techs. on the team. Our room is a small dorm with a bathroom inside... with a flushing toilet! (a huge plus in foreign contexts). We also have a "shower"... AKA a bucket and cup to dump water over our heads! It was a humid 80 degrees as we went to bed, but luckily our ceiling fan rules and cools!
On the way to the headquarters, we drove through and around Hyderabad. People were out and about (working mostly), even for as late as it was. It seems like they were busy doing random things - talking with friends, cleaning the streets, hauling various materials on flat-beads, etc. There were a lot of homeless people too. Many were sleeping on sidewalks, under awnings in case of rain. Some had blankets, others didn't.
- It was heartbreaking. -
Dick Robinson, one of the Associate Pastors at Elmbrook and our team's leader, noticed our dismay, turned around from his seat on the bus, and explained that India has experienced political, economic, and social unrest for 1000's of years, (not to mention having more than 1.3 Billion people living in very tight vicinity) and to remember that we are coming to support and serve O.M. - a ministry that is working to alleviate physical and spiritual poverty, provide affordable, high-quality Christian education to the poor and oppressed, and bring civil rights to outcasts of the caste system - the Dalits (Dah-leet) - in India. In other words, our team can't expect to come in and change the plight of these people in 2 weeks time, no matter how hard it is to understand - how ridiculous and (potentially) arrogant anyway! We are coming as learners and supporters of O.M.'s work and ministry.
Looking ahead:
Our team will stay on O.M.'s headquarters just outside Hyderabad, in Secunderabad ("Second City") for one week. We will be a part of a pastor's conference, highlighting Stuart and Jill Briscoe (Ministers at Large - World-traveling Preachers) from Elmbrook, and Dick Robinson, as the keynote speakers. Building relationships with the pastors and leaders here and listening to their stories, doing interviews with some of them, and possibly teaching at the Good Shepherd School and/or Church on the campus, will be our primary focus this week. (The G.S. grade schools and churches have been established through O.M. all over India). I'll explain more about the G.S. schools and churches once I've learned more about them.
One of the keys to remember on trips like these is that we often don't know what will be expected of us entirely in terms of work. (Our hosts decide what the major projects will be for the team as they know the immediate needs that can be met, or at least, given some attention to during the time we are there). Remaining flexible and "ready" is not just appreciated, it's imperative. We're kept on the edge or our seats at all times!
Well, I'm at the edge of exhaustion, and our first full day starts at 7:00am - time to crash...for 4 hours!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Relevant
Here are some notes from Relevant magazine (issue #33), intermingled with some notes from "Unchristian", by David Kinnaman and the Barna Group.
Transparency disarms an image-is-everything generation.
Perception (by those outside the Christian faith):
Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting people.
New Perception (action steps for Jesus followers):
Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.
Homosexuality
Perception:
Christians show contempt for gays and lesbians.
New Perception:
Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of lifestyle.
- It's about what people do with Jesus, not what they do or don't do with their lifestyle.
Sheltered
Perception:
Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality.
New Perception:
Christians are engaged, informed, and offer sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
- We are responsible for engaging the world. (Matt. 5:13)
- Be fearless. (1Jn. 4:18)
- Don't be offended. (Jn. 16:33)
- Help the desperate.
- Be prepared. (Dan. 1:4)
- Keep a balance. (Jn. 17:14-18)
Too Political
Perception:
Christians are primarily motivated by a right-winged agenda.
New Perception:
Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex issues.
Judgmental
Perception:
Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others.
New Perception:
Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.
- Be motivated by love.
- Be gracious.
- Be respectful and empathetic - "mutual perception".
- Be humble.
- Embrace, don't abandon.
What now? Moving from unchristian to Christian...
Respond with Christ's perspective.
Connect with people and build relationships.
Be creative in communicating the faith, and remain down-to-earth so others can connect.
Serve people.
Be compassionate.
Practice the fasting of:
Freeing the wrongly imprisoned.
Lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Set the oppressed free.
Remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry.
Give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those that need them
Do not hide from those who need your help
(Check out Isaiah 58:1-4, 6-12)
LOVE OTHERS!
Transparency disarms an image-is-everything generation.
Perception (by those outside the Christian faith):
Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting people.
New Perception (action steps for Jesus followers):
Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.
Homosexuality
Perception:
Christians show contempt for gays and lesbians.
New Perception:
Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of lifestyle.
- It's about what people do with Jesus, not what they do or don't do with their lifestyle.
Sheltered
Perception:
Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality.
New Perception:
Christians are engaged, informed, and offer sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
- We are responsible for engaging the world. (Matt. 5:13)
- Be fearless. (1Jn. 4:18)
- Don't be offended. (Jn. 16:33)
- Help the desperate.
- Be prepared. (Dan. 1:4)
- Keep a balance. (Jn. 17:14-18)
Too Political
Perception:
Christians are primarily motivated by a right-winged agenda.
New Perception:
Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblically, and finding solutions to complex issues.
Judgmental
Perception:
Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others.
New Perception:
Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.
- Be motivated by love.
- Be gracious.
- Be respectful and empathetic - "mutual perception".
- Be humble.
- Embrace, don't abandon.
What now? Moving from unchristian to Christian...
Respond with Christ's perspective.
Connect with people and build relationships.
Be creative in communicating the faith, and remain down-to-earth so others can connect.
Serve people.
Be compassionate.
Practice the fasting of:
Freeing the wrongly imprisoned.
Lighten the burden of those who work for you.
Set the oppressed free.
Remove the chains that bind people.
Share your food with the hungry.
Give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those that need them
Do not hide from those who need your help
(Check out Isaiah 58:1-4, 6-12)
LOVE OTHERS!
unchristian
"Christianity has an image problem."
We have a responsibility to have a sober, reasonable understanding of the perspectives of our families and friends.
"Outsiders" view the church as infatuated with itself.
"Outsiders" perceive that Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be.
It is popular to be different, under the radar, and independent - Christianity doesn't feel like that.
*Our task is to be effective agents of spiritual transformation in people's lives, whatever the cost in time, comfort, or image.
Relationships are the driving force.
The young generation is in a constant search for fresh experiences and sources of motivation.
We [Christians] have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.
3 Common Perceptions of Christians:
- Antihomosexual
- Judgmental
- Hypocritical
We are more concerned about being "right" than listening...
*How can people love God, whom they can't see, if those of us who claim to represent him don't respond to outsiders with love?
Jesus was concerned about the reputation of his Father in heaven - Your life shows other people what God is like! What others see from Christians creates their ideas about the reality and authenticity of following Christ. Transparency disarms an image-is-everything generation.
(Notes taken from "Unchristian", by David Kinnaman and the Barna Group)
We have a responsibility to have a sober, reasonable understanding of the perspectives of our families and friends.
"Outsiders" view the church as infatuated with itself.
"Outsiders" perceive that Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be.
It is popular to be different, under the radar, and independent - Christianity doesn't feel like that.
*Our task is to be effective agents of spiritual transformation in people's lives, whatever the cost in time, comfort, or image.
Relationships are the driving force.
The young generation is in a constant search for fresh experiences and sources of motivation.
We [Christians] have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.
3 Common Perceptions of Christians:
- Antihomosexual
- Judgmental
- Hypocritical
We are more concerned about being "right" than listening...
*How can people love God, whom they can't see, if those of us who claim to represent him don't respond to outsiders with love?
Jesus was concerned about the reputation of his Father in heaven - Your life shows other people what God is like! What others see from Christians creates their ideas about the reality and authenticity of following Christ. Transparency disarms an image-is-everything generation.
(Notes taken from "Unchristian", by David Kinnaman and the Barna Group)
Youth Culture Today
The following post is a gathering of notes prepared for a presentation in India:
"They long to be meaningfully connected to life."
This is the underlying theme of today's youth culture.
- The church must listen to this!
Young people are finding it increasingly difficult to make sense of the world and their place in it. God's design is to use families and the larger body of Christ to point young people to their divine purpose.
Young people have little experience in how to effectively communicate what's on their mind, but are painfully aware when we fail to hear what they have to say.
- They want to be certain about how to live and to understand why things happen as they do, and the popular arts help them navigate through life. Pop culture gives them purpose.
They desire to fit in and belong.
3 Steps for the leaders:
- Know the unchanging Word
- Know young people and their rapidly changing world
- Take the Word to them
Worldview - The sum total of our beliefs about the world, and the 'big picture' that directs our daily decisions. Otherwise put: The one thing everyone has, but most people don't know what it is!
Young people use feelings not reason.
"They hear with their eyes and think with their feelings." - Ravi Zacharias
Emotions are the final judge of what makes something good, true and right, for young people. The self is the source of truth and reality. They want to experience community and connectedness that offer them peace, love, unity, and respect. "Spirituality" is becoming more widely accepted.
Many young people are not turned off by Jesus, rather those that call themselves "Jesus followers", yet don't act like it.
Marks of this young generation:
- Without a moral compass
- Culturally diverse
- Tolerance
- Broken relationships
- Media saturated
- Experience and feeling-driven
- Suspicious of truth
- Overwhelming options
- Violent examples
- Pushed and Hurried
- Materialistic
- Concerned with appearance
- Crying out for redemption
Culture
- What we believe, do, and how we live day to day
- The measuring stick of how we define and live in God's world
- A collection of ideals and beliefs, values, and assumptions, that makes up an overall plan for living and interpreting life
- It is universal, learned, shared integrated whole, and not static
Questions to consider:
1) How does culture shape our youth?
2) How is it forming their worldview?
*Teach young people that coming to faith in Christ is not just about going to heaven, but about living the kingdom of God here on earth and integrating that faith consistently into every area of life.
*We must look closely at how Jesus teaches us to live as his followers and to be his hands and feet to them (AKA - "Incarnational living")
*Keep our hearts and minds on Christ. Jesus teaches:
- "To be the salt of the earth." (Matt. 5:13)
- "To be the light of the world." (Matt. 5:14)
- "To be sheep among wolves." (Matt 10:16)
- He is always with us. (Jn. 10:1-18)
The Great Commission:
"Go and make disciples of all nations..."
LOVE without conditions or limits!
(Notes primarily from "Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture", by Walt Mueller)
"They long to be meaningfully connected to life."
This is the underlying theme of today's youth culture.
- The church must listen to this!
Young people are finding it increasingly difficult to make sense of the world and their place in it. God's design is to use families and the larger body of Christ to point young people to their divine purpose.
Young people have little experience in how to effectively communicate what's on their mind, but are painfully aware when we fail to hear what they have to say.
- They want to be certain about how to live and to understand why things happen as they do, and the popular arts help them navigate through life. Pop culture gives them purpose.
They desire to fit in and belong.
3 Steps for the leaders:
- Know the unchanging Word
- Know young people and their rapidly changing world
- Take the Word to them
Worldview - The sum total of our beliefs about the world, and the 'big picture' that directs our daily decisions. Otherwise put: The one thing everyone has, but most people don't know what it is!
Young people use feelings not reason.
"They hear with their eyes and think with their feelings." - Ravi Zacharias
Emotions are the final judge of what makes something good, true and right, for young people. The self is the source of truth and reality. They want to experience community and connectedness that offer them peace, love, unity, and respect. "Spirituality" is becoming more widely accepted.
Many young people are not turned off by Jesus, rather those that call themselves "Jesus followers", yet don't act like it.
Marks of this young generation:
- Without a moral compass
- Culturally diverse
- Tolerance
- Broken relationships
- Media saturated
- Experience and feeling-driven
- Suspicious of truth
- Overwhelming options
- Violent examples
- Pushed and Hurried
- Materialistic
- Concerned with appearance
- Crying out for redemption
Culture
- What we believe, do, and how we live day to day
- The measuring stick of how we define and live in God's world
- A collection of ideals and beliefs, values, and assumptions, that makes up an overall plan for living and interpreting life
- It is universal, learned, shared integrated whole, and not static
Questions to consider:
1) How does culture shape our youth?
2) How is it forming their worldview?
*Teach young people that coming to faith in Christ is not just about going to heaven, but about living the kingdom of God here on earth and integrating that faith consistently into every area of life.
*We must look closely at how Jesus teaches us to live as his followers and to be his hands and feet to them (AKA - "Incarnational living")
*Keep our hearts and minds on Christ. Jesus teaches:
- "To be the salt of the earth." (Matt. 5:13)
- "To be the light of the world." (Matt. 5:14)
- "To be sheep among wolves." (Matt 10:16)
- He is always with us. (Jn. 10:1-18)
The Great Commission:
"Go and make disciples of all nations..."
LOVE without conditions or limits!
(Notes primarily from "Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture", by Walt Mueller)
Isaiah 61
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion -
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called mighty oaks,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.
I delight in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations."
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion -
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called mighty oaks,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.
Strangers will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
And you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
and in their riches you will boast.
Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the Lord has blessed.
I delight in the Lord;
my soul rejoices in my God.
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness
and praise spring up before all nations."
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