Missional Youth Group – Getting Teens Excited

There is nothing more important than teaching our teens to love and respect themselves. Only when they love and respect themselves can they serve with a heart like Jesus.

There are four important lessons to teach teens and MANY different Bible studies, lesson plans and other material to help you with this important task. These four things are Love, Respect, Self-Image and Service.

You can make your own Bible Study with the following Scriptures:

LOVE: Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 4:17-19; Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 22:37-40; Psalm 136; 1 Corinthians 13 . These Scripture references, and many others, show us how God loves us and commands us to love others. If we love Jesus, then we should love ourselves and others. If we believe we were created in God’s image, we cannot love God and not love ourselves.

RESPECT: Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 19:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Leviticus 19:3. In these Scriptures, God clearly wants us to respect others and ourselves. When we do this, we show respect to God. Give ways they can show respect. Encourage teens to listen to people when they talk, obey their parents and hold their tongues from sarcastic or rude comments.

SELF-IMAGE: 1 Samuel 16:7; Psalm 139:13-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Again, if we cannot see ourselves as God sees us, then how can we think well of God for we are made in God’s image.  Helping teens see the beautiful creation God has made them and is still molding them into is very important. Without that positive image, they cannot truly accept the call God has for them. They must see themselves as capable, strong (in Christ), and worthy before they can humble themselves to serve others.

SERVICE: Deuteronomy 11:13; Deuteronomy 13:4; Matthew 6:24; Galatians 5:13-14; 1 Peter 4:11. We are all called to serve God and others as Jesus would serve. Teach teens to look for needs and to serve as they are able. Teach them to see the world as Jesus sees the world. Are there people who are hungry? Can they arrange for a meal to be provided?

* The key to getting them excited is simple: let them help plan, decide and carry out the service.

Tags: Bible, Christianity, Evangelism, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality