July Sermon Series: Adventures in Missing the Point
July Series: Adventures in Missing the Point
July 4 Because I Said So!
We often think our way is the only right way. We seldom stop to check and see if we are accurate. We just expect kids to do things our way because we say so. But if we are to reach students, their opinions and thoughts have to be seen as valid and we must take the time to engage them in discussion as they seek.
July 11 More Than Meets the Eye
If we are not careful, we can revert to a default mode where we think that if kids simply follow the rules and look good then everything is ok. But there is more than meets the eye beneath the surface. Unless we spend the time it takes to build relationships and enter their world, we won't be able to minister to them effectively.
July 18 Never Enough
In our fast-paced society, we often inadvertently put kids on the fast track. We give them music lessons, and involve them in soccer, baseball, football, drama and a whole host of other things and we assume that it is enough. But often, instead of building their characters we are merely adding to their skills and we end up abandoning them in their spiritual search.
July 25 The Tipping Point
"Idle minds are the devil's playground" we've been told since we were kids. In hopes of avoiding that, we decided that we need to keep ourselves busy. Not only ourselves, but our kids as well. Let's load them up and keep them out of trouble, we reason. And though we know that our frantic lives are too busy, we keep insisting that our young people do the same thing. Our lack of margins gets pushed off onto those we claim to love, so in actuality, our busy schedules result in hurting them and making life unhealthy for them. And in the process, we are causing them to miss seeing and spending time with Jesus and perpetuating the same spiritual struggles that we have had. Where is the tipping point? How do I find the balance?
August 1 So What's the Point?
We've said that the reason we exist as a church is to capture the hearts and minds of young people and develop them into devoted disciples of Jesus. But unless we slow ourselves down and learn to truly listen to them and hear the hurts of their hearts and grow to know them, not just as a student body, but as individuals, we will miss the point. Unless we take time to build their characters by showing them respect, even when they are disrespectful, and demonstrate love, even when they are unloveable, and unless we model what a healthy Christian looks like by changing our lifestyles to be in line with what we say we believe, we will have totally missed the point.
August 8 Outdoor Sabbath