Awakening A Sleeping Giant
The Sleeping Giant.
It is a remarkable natural wonder in the Fiji Islands visited by thousands every year. This silhouette of a sleeping giant reminds me of the potential of the generation before us.
There are over 3 million teenagers who attend youth group once a week in America. These Gen Z & Alpha Gen students are entering the school campus and mixing with tens of millions of other teenagers as they start the school year.
If the Christian young people in America would awaken as a spiritual giant, this truly could be the Next Great Awakening that we see in America. If all the research is true, we are living in the days we have prayed for.
I want to call you to the greatest task before us as a nation.
The preparation of our young people to lead the way to the future. As Plato has said, "if we are going to fundamentally change a society we must start with its young people." And Frederick Douglass said, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” And even the Apostle Paul said, "You have 10,000 teachers but no fathers (parent)."
Let's call this task before us, awakening the sleeping giant. Literally, raising up the next generation of spiritual leaders in every sector of society - Education, government, business, social media, entertainment, and religion. Let me explain.
MENTORING
Mentoring young people takes work. It isn't easy and it takes a lot of time. Mentoring young people is often discouraging. And it isn't convenient and it can be unpredictable. It is easy to look at the younger generation and throw our hands up in the air and give up.
That's so true in many ways. But, here's the good news.
Young people are dying to be mentored by older people. Literally. Older people have the misconception that young people do not want to hear from them.
The older set comes from a generation that taught us to be morally biblical and conservative. The younger set comes from a generation that celebrates all things as truth and they are pretty progressive. The older set was after an ideal of success while the younger set is after an experience with success.
However, the simple question is, “Will you set aside the pre-conceived ideas of mentoring and invest in the younger generation?” In my experience, young people are looking for a model, a mentor, a coach, or a parent!
CHURCH KIDS
We've got the largest sleeping giant in the history of the church sitting in our pews – young people. Here is a short list of how to begin to awaken the young people of your church before the world gets them or before they lose interest in the church.
These steps will help you build an effective, purpose-driven ministry to young people in your church.
1. Make an introduction and be available.
I find that lunch is a great time to connect since we all need to eat. And young people are usually up by then. Or maybe you could just introduce yourself to them in the hallways at church. And invite them to spend one lunch a month investing in a young persons life.
Walk down in front with them during worship. Ask them to sit with you and take notes during the sermon. Pray with them at the altar.
2. Ask significant spiritual questions and master the art of listening.
Bob Biehl said, "Ask shallow questions, get shallow answers; ask profound questions, get profound answers; ask no questions, get no answers." Go after the deep stuff. Ask about devoçtio the ns, doubt, sexual purity, the future, etc.
Don't avoid the issues you are uncomfortable with. Because they are the issues that matter most to a teenager.
3. Take an interest in their life and culture.
Their music, clothes, and conversations might seem weird to you, but it's not to them. As a matter of fact, the styles and trends that we were into 30 years ago have made a classic run to the present. Just look at the myriad of styles around you. Notice that shirt, pant, or shoe. Classic styles are in.
Remember, it is not just about the styles or the culture. We are talking about relationship. It is about the student. Your interest will teach you a thing or two and connect you with them.
4. Make it a point to know their likes and dislikes.
This is just good advice in any friendship or relationship. But genuineness and authenticity will go a long way to cover up for your lack of 'cool'. To be honest, teens don't care if you are 'cool'. They will be much more impacted by your care than your 'cool'.
To know the likes and dislikes of a person will help you avoid wasted time. It will get you right to the heart of a person. Find out if they value words, activity, humor, sports, art, or silence. It will help you bridge the gap.
5. Compliment their strengths.
God has given them unique gifts, talents, and strengths, just like you. Celebrate uniqueness. As you encourage and compliment what you see, you will achieve far more in their lives than you'll ever accomplish with cynicism or trying to conform them to your box.
Everyone likes to talk about themselves. Or to hear others talk about them! And your words will give them the confidence to take on life's journey head-on.
6. Begin this week.
Sometimes it’s best to get over fear by taking the first step. Remember, the journey of 1000 miles begins with 1 step. I think you will be surprised how easy it is to you introduce yourself to a young person and start this journey.
Take action by identifying a young man or woman in your church and do something. The church kids are easy conversations because they will understand what you are talking about. This is how discipleship and church growth takes place. Be willing to nudge the sleeping giant this week.
FINALLY
The sustainability we want in the church will come from this generation of teens. Did you hear that? If the church is in the hands of the young people that I see across America, the church is in great hands.
It is vital to the building of the church that we awaken the sleeping giant. Like this natural mountain landscape, this generation is lying before us ready to be awakened. Apply the simple steps to hand off the Faith of one generation to the next.