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Apparently there’s a “greater” debate out there between whether today’s teens are the smartest or the dummest generation America has ever seen.
I’m not going to lie: There are a lot of things to worry about. To put it plainly, this is the most ADD generation we’ve probably ever seen. Attention spans range from 3-5 seconds, and if they’re not entertained, they’ll leave you in an instant.
How should that affect our youth group meetings? Many times we scramble to keep teens’ attention and draw them into the message or Bible lesson with games and other entertainment
But let me warn you: Entertainment is a slippery slope.To put it plainly, this is the most ADD generation we’ve probably ever seen. Attention spans range from 3-5 seconds, and if they’re not entertained, they’ll leave you in an instant.
How should that affect our youth group meetings?
When you entertain a young person, they only want more. One video game, TV show, movie, or iPod is never enough. It’s always about the next one, the latest and greatest, what’s hot and what’s new.
The same happens in youth group. Make them laugh this week and they will ask for more next week. When we use “entertainment” to draw them in, to some degree, that’s what they’ve come to expect. Then they fall into their usual cycle: That was fun, but what’s next? I want something better!
The truth is that we just can’t keep up. We’re competing against MTV, Apple and Hollywood. So many teens leave youth group because it’s just not cool anymore and there’s more fun to have other places. We tried to keep them entertained didn’t take them deeper.
Entertainment cannot be our foundation. It must be something more: The forgiveness and peace of the Lord, and the excitement, passion and purpose that comes only from Him. Now that’s something the world can never compete with! When a young person truly catches on, they’ll never leave. (Dear Lord, help us! Work in our students’ hearts!)
Entertainment is a great seasoning, but it’s nothing without meat. This can be the greatest generation in history to make a stand for Christ, and we’re in the perfect position to help them get there.
Originally published by Nathaniel Dame on the Effective Youth Ministry blog.
Again, you're missing the point. It is not our methods that draw lost souls to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit working in their hearts through the proclaimation of God's word. What is so boring? Are you trying to say that the living Word of God is boring? You're absolutely correct. To an unrepentant lost sinner, God's Word is not only boring, it's completely offensive. Guess what . . . we can do nothing to change that. So, while we use valuable time making youth group fun and entertaining, we are taking time away from the one thing that can actually change someone's eternal destiny . . . preaching and teaching the Word.
Bill 3:03:55pm on 3/04/2009
OffensiveI do agree that we shouldn't have entertainment brought to our youth groups such as ipods, nintendo ds's and so forth, but I do think that we can make a youth service interesting but still be learning about god. I am a youth pastor at age 29 and I know what worked back then with me dont work for our generation that we live in now. Our youthgroups should be learning about god but yet on the other hand they do need some fun in the middle of it, because you can have fun while learning about christ. We have so much drawing our kids attention these days and if we make something completely boring then I'm afraid that we will lose our kids and there souls.
Chelisha 5:02:18pm on 2/22/2009
OffensiveBill, James, others, You should read my article posted on here about this very same issue. It is titled 'Entertain or Teach?" Just another perspective on this issue...
Brian Seidel 9:02:46am on 2/21/2009
OffensiveJames (2/16/2009), No one is "open" to the gospel unless the Holy Spirit is working in their hearts already. (Eph. 2:1-6) Where did any of the apostles engage in entertaining those they were evangelizing? It sets a wrong pattern . . . "This 'Christianity' thing is getting boring, I'm outta here!" "I'm being persecuted for my faith, it's not fun anymore. I need to start keeping quiet." When we feel like we have to make being a Christian entertaining, we train the next generation to think that it's all about what they can get out of it instead of as Paul said in Phil. 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." We are to live as slaves of Christ that were purchased with His own blood. Is it really any wonder that the world doesn't take us or our message seriously. We rarely take our own relationship with the God of the universe as seriously as we should. We have to share the whole story about God, His love, His mercy, His compassion, His righteousness, as well as His justice, His holiness, His wrath, and His vengance. We can not short change the gospel message so as to "keep it fun". We can never truly love God until we are made aware of our utter wretchedness and wickedness as compared to His holiness, righteousness, and perfection. It's only then that we can begin to understand the depth of His love, grace and mercy.
Bill 5:02:55pm on 2/19/2009
OffensiveI really don't think we need nor do our students ask for us to keep up. We must give them credit. My experience is they are looking for consistency, in our programming and in our ever more important relationship building. However, we do not need to be hokey in our presentation. In all things we must strive for excellence. In my opinion it is important that each week we look for ways to communicate the message in terms and language that speaks to our students. Use them to help in the process you may be surprised at what they come up with.
James Halfhill 3:02:18pm on 2/17/2009
OffensiveWhat if the attempts you make at fulfilling the Great Commission seem a little outside at first? I don't advocate selling "junk" Gospel, but you can still have fun with it. And keep in mind that the biggest challenge of Youth Ministry is finding a good balance at what you are attempting. We use funny videos, games, video game systems in our youth room, all in attempt to disarm the worries of visiting teenagers, so that they may be more open to the Gospel. Bill you said..."That tells me that anything that I try to do outside of His divine plan is a distraction." If everything you are doing is "all apart of the plan" you never have to worry about distractions.
James 4:02:04pm on 2/16/2009
OffensiveBTW - I have a hard time believing that today's youth are suffering from a lack of entertainment opportunities.
Bill 3:02:46pm on 2/16/2009
OffensiveEntertainment is nothing more than a distraction. We will be judged not on how cool or entertaining our youth ministry was, but on how faithful we were to the great commission. I have seen so many kids leave out of frustration over "cotton candy" youth ministry. We spend so much time entertaining the goats that we forget to feed the sheep. It's not our methods that regenerate a dead soul. It's the Holy Spirit working through our faithful preaching and teaching of God's word. Jesus tells us that He will build His church. That tells me that anything that I try to do outside of His divine plan is a distraction.
Bill 3:02:41pm on 2/16/2009
Offensive
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