THURSDAY, 9/28
We got a chance to hang out with the teens who have been attending the meetings. We went to a younger church member’s house and had about 8 teens. As we got into the apartment, the kids immediately felt at home. It’s amazing how much energy they have and how they can entertain themselves so easily. It’s clear that music shapes their lives and they just like hanging out together. After eating some pizza, we had a discussion about whatever they wanted to talk about.
It’s clear that the teens are asking different questions than we are answering in the church. Some of the questions were really random, others profound, others kind of meaningless in my mind but important to them. We had a really good time and tried to bring everything back to Jesus and his forgiveness for them. I think they were really encouraged and clearly have A LOT of questions and few answers. I really believe that the teens just want to talk and be heard as well as gain wisdom from older people.
This also confirmed that these are really good kids. They want to go to college, get good jobs, and have meaningful lives. They definitely act differently than the adults but we need to have room for them to be individuals. We need to utilize their energy and creativity in the church and not stifle their creativity and individuality. They want hope and practical instruction on how to know God better. They could care less about 2,300, remnant, tongues but just want to know how to be Christians in the midst of gangs, drugs, and sexuality.
We got a chance to hang out with the teens who have been attending the meetings. We went to a younger church member’s house and had about 8 teens. As we got into the apartment, the kids immediately felt at home. It’s amazing how much energy they have and how they can entertain themselves so easily. It’s clear that music shapes their lives and they just like hanging out together. After eating some pizza, we had a discussion about whatever they wanted to talk about.
It’s clear that the teens are asking different questions than we are answering in the church. Some of the questions were really random, others profound, others kind of meaningless in my mind but important to them. We had a really good time and tried to bring everything back to Jesus and his forgiveness for them. I think they were really encouraged and clearly have A LOT of questions and few answers. I really believe that the teens just want to talk and be heard as well as gain wisdom from older people.
This also confirmed that these are really good kids. They want to go to college, get good jobs, and have meaningful lives. They definitely act differently than the adults but we need to have room for them to be individuals. We need to utilize their energy and creativity in the church and not stifle their creativity and individuality. They want hope and practical instruction on how to know God better. They could care less about 2,300, remnant, tongues but just want to know how to be Christians in the midst of gangs, drugs, and sexuality.
Comments
And when I say critically, I mean that in the sense of critical thinking, not as in criticism. As the leader of the meetings seemed so fond of saying, sometimes the truth is hard. And yet being honest about our own failings is ever so crucial. You've expressed many of the same concerns I've had myself. Thanks for sharing.