“We’re giving teens the answers to questions they don’t even have.”
That comment was made at a recent online gathering I attended. We were discussing content and curriculum when someone uttered those words, and it made me realize that they were right. One of the reasons teens leave the church is because what we tell them doesn’t necessarily help them with the world they are currently facing.
One of the crucial principles of a healthy youth ministry is developing an intentional discipleship plan. While a discipleship plan might seem like putting together a textbook or syllabus, it’s something more. An intentional discipleship plan also includes:
GETTING TO KNOW THE WORLD THAT CONSUMES THEIR MINDS
It’s easy for us to project, based on our own experiences and perception, that we know what today’s culture does to our teens. The problem is that we are far removed from that world. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been out of high school for five years or fifty, the world has changed. While there are common themes, we have to make time to learn what is going on in the life of a young person within our community. That involves:
- Building trust where they speak, and you get to listen
- Talking to experts like family therapists, sociologists, coaches, parents and other people in your field
- Doing the research and looking at trends that are continually emerging.
In other words, getting to know their paradigm takes intentionality. Get to know the world that consumes them, and then you’ll have an easier time understanding the topics your ministry should tackle.
REMEMBERING THAT WHILE ALL TRUTH IS FROM GOD IT ISN’T ALWAYS RELEVANT
Church teaching and scripture are from God; however, depending on where you are in life, it might not make sense. Most of us understand that there are certain concepts a high school student will know over a middle school teen; however, relevancy isn’t just about their age, but also demographics and current events.
I once attended the funeral of a young person where a priest used the homily to talk about the church’s stance on abortion. He was 100% right in what he taught; yet, he missed a golden opportunity. At that moment, hundreds of teenagers needed a different message to bring them closer to Christ. It was a failure I’ve seen us as a Church make before.
Timing matters when it comes to what we teach and how we share the Good News. When developing a message series or a talk for teens, be sure to have others review it and answer the question, “Is this something that will help teens in their current situation?” If it doesn’t, then you have to wonder why you want to share it.
KNOWING THAT DISCIPLESHIP IS A MULTI-LAYERED ENDEAVOR
It’s hard to grow disciples when you approach formation with an “I talk and you listen” mentality. Authentic creation requires walking with someone through life and growing together. It’s a process where both people benefit because sharing is mutual. The student grows from the mentor because of what he or she teaches. The mentor will grow because of the new insights emerging from the student.
To cultivate an atmosphere of mutual discipleship, you need to make sure that catechists, small group leaders, and anyone else who accompanies a young person sees the bigger picture. Remind your leaders that they are more than teachers. Make sure you communicate what a healthy and intergenerational relationship looks like. Most importantly, remind them that it isn’t just about what their students know but how it’s embraced and applied.
Teens have a lot of questions; we need to make sure we hear them. If teens do not feel like they have a platform to ask those questions or an avenue to explore particular topics, then they’ll go searching in other areas. Your ministry is the perfect opportunity to help a young person discover the Truth and learn about the God who loves them.
How are you ensuring that teens are learning what they need to know?
Looking for help in building an intentional discipleship plan? Check out MYM U today:
Enroll Today