As some of you know, I help out with the youth group at my church. We just got back from our annual Winter Retreat last weekend, and I thought I'd share a couple things about the weekend; well, mostly about our youth.
I truly believe our kids can change the world. Our topic for the Winter Retreat was "Good Sex," so needless to say, for most youth, it's a very awkward subject to talk about. All weekend, all the kids showed a willingness to open up and deal with tough issues, and learn what God's plan is for their sexuality.
It is very encouraging for me to work with a group of young people who are fired up for Jesus and what that means in their lives. They truly are an amazing group of people to work with. Back in my days in the youth group, we were all close. I'm still very much friends with most of the kids, but I don't think we were as willing to deal with our problems.
A lot of people have said this is a huge turning point in the future of The Church, and I can attest to the future being very bright. They label themselves alternative, and they are very much that. They choose not to conform to the ways of the world. They are different, crazy, funny, creative, weird, awkward, and passionate. Where older folks lack passion, these kids are full of it. They comfort each other, they build each other up like I've never seen anywhere else, and they love on each other.
I really love these young people. They are one of the most amazing groups of people I have ever known. I feel privileged to have been a part of their lives, and I am very very excited to see where God takes them.
They are the future... and it is bright.
What have your experiences been with the youth today? How can we help them improve?
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Comments (1)
I am an Assistant Scoutmaster with a Boy Scout Troop. Prior to that I was involved in Cub Scouting, and Webelos. My boys went through the program from "Tiger Cub" to Eagle. I can think of no better program to help young boys turn into young men, with good qualities, leadership skills, outdoor and survival skills, first aid and all the rest. The values taught in Scouting will impact you for a lifetime, and the skils taught in the Merit Badges will do likewise. It also gives an opportunity for kids to be exposed to the Church and God. Amazing how many families do not participate in a church or teach their kids anything about God. We have some Hindu's in our Troop, so they have been able to share and teach of their religion, which has been enlightening for the others as well. My daughter was in Brownies/Girl Scouts, and when she turned 14 got into Venture (co-ed Boy Scouts) and was an advisor to our Troop. She earned the equivalent of Eagle Scout in Venturing (Silver Award with Ranger)
All three use skills and values taught in these programs in their everyday lives, and no doubt will continue to do so. Troops are often sponsored by churches, so there can be a nice symbiotic relationship between the two programs.
It is amazing to watch the leadership skills emerge in these self-led Troops and Patrols, and fun to watch their skills increase, peer-teaching at campouts, improvements in physical conditioning preparing for hikes and high adventure camps, etc. Canoeing the boundary waters in Canada with my sons is an experience that will last us all a lifetime.