How Can the Church Reach The Youth?

by Rick Crigger

   The world has become so demanding and fast paced that society has left the youth behind. Families have gotten so busy with work and their own social lives that they have forgotten about what's important: “family and loving one another”. The only way we can reach the youth is by caring and to express how much we love them, some churches are lacking in this department. Too many times I have seen churches use fancy programs and gimmicks to reach the youth but all we really need is God and the teachings that He has given us in the Bible.

One thing I think would reach the youth is to present the bible in a new and fresh way rather than just preach at them. The Bible can be presented in a fun and exciting way without watering down the gospel. The youth services can put on plays that illustrate the various stories in the Bible or have trivia's that challenges young adults to study the Bible more. The problem with most youth services is they are not challenged enough. It is our obligation as Christians to make sure our youth/children are not falling by the wayside. We need to take more interest in our children's lives and encourage them to not only have good morals and values but to be Christ like and to be the light of the world.      Also the reward system plays a vital role in motivating the youth to attend; church services, study the Bible and obey their parents. The problem with the reward system is it teaches kids and young adults to only do something or help somebody in order to get what they want in return, such behavior can be passed onto Christianity as well.

   Do we want our kids to think God is some ATM and all we have to do is a good deed and He will give us anything we want? If you think this is what God is all about then I feel sorry for you. God wants you to help people, obey your Father and Mother, fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ and study the Bible because you want to, not because you have to.  I have noticed that churches have incorporated more secular activities in the youth services rather than teaching them about the Bible and how to better understand it. Most youth services seems to consist of games and watching movies rather than studying Gods word. Now don’t misunderstand me there is nothing wrong with games and movies if they are decent but there is a time and place for everything and you should put as much time and effort in reading the Bible as you do playing games and watching movies.

   In 2004 I attended the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in North Carolina and I was really surprised at how many people were promoting the movie “Harry Potter”.  From my understanding about Harry Potter, it’s about good and bad witches and warlocks and how one prevails over the other. Now I’m not the smartest person in the world but it looks to me that the devil is making himself out to be the good guy.