"Everywhere there is apathy. Nobody cares whether that which is preached is true or false. A sermon is a sermon whatever the subject; only, the shorter is better." ~Charles H. Spurgeon
During the summer a lot, probably most youth groups substitute their normal meetings with fun stuff. It's play time, instead of God time. Sure there's some Bible lessons, but mostly it's all fun stuff. I can understand wanting to do all this stuff during the summer when everyone is out of school, but what I don't like is how they do it at the time when they should be doing Bible lessons. I don't care if it's done on a different day, like for example if youth group meets on Wednesday and they do it on a Thursday, or some other day. Unfortunately they do it on the day of youth group. My youth group is doing more fun than Bible.
The people at youth group tell me that I'm free to do Bible study on my own. True, but we're still taking a "summer break" from our studies, from learning about God, with each other. And while we do that, the Devil and his demons don't take a "summer break" from doing and causing evil. If Satan does not take a break from evil, why should we take a break from doing good, and learning about God? Doing a study on your own is good, but when there's more people and someone who knows the Bible better than you it's better. You can go more in depth and have better studies. If we truly did believe the bible, if we truly believed that Satan and the demons are doing and causing horrible things, if we truly did believe that God was who He says He is and that He is like He says He is, if we truly did love Him, then we would want to spend every second learning more about Him, worshiping Him, and telling about Him so that others may be saved, but we don't. I wish that I could force myself to spend all my time with God, but I can't. In fact I doubt it's even possible to forever be with God, always worshiping and telling of Him while on this earth.
That's all I have to say for now. Adios mis amigos y amigas.
I agree. I think the best summer I ever had was the one a couple years ago when a youth pastor decided to replace weekly youth group with weekly Bible study to encourage us to read every day. There was something about being expected to discuss what you read for each of the seven days that finally gave me the motivation to do it.
ReplyDeleteThe pastors I've had since then haven't been bad, but they haven't gone into quite as much depth or held me to the same level of accountability as I think I need.
Never let go of your enthusiasm for the Word. And someday when you're out on your own, search for the church that will give you the most in depth Bible study. Or, perhaps you will pastor that church! :)
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post. Very encouraging. I agree with you 100% on this post.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have a problem with youth groups in general. They are usually a way that a church can reach out the "newbies". (new ppl that come) The more fun the youth group, the more events in the church, the more jokes the Pastor cracks during his sermon, the more entertaining church is! The more people want to go to church. Unfortunately that's how our post modern world is.
But that also depends on what church you go to. Usually it's the modern evangelical's that make church "entertainment". It's their way of "Evangelizing".
Youth groups are there for reaching out to the "newbies" and teaching those who don't have parents that teach them about God like they should. You know maybe someone with a single Mom who has so much on her mind, she doesn't bother putting in time for Bible reading with her family. Well someone like that would plug into a youth group. So they can learn about God.
I don't have a problem with that. It's a good Idea. But the real problem is, youth groups tend to put more focus on the entertaining aspect of it then on preaching solid truth.
It also has to do with the world in which we live in today. The church of America is a whimp! Pastor's preaching watered down bits of the Gospel. "Oh God loves you and he loves me. Amen!" But, does anyone preach on the doctrine of Hell? Do we cast out the heretics that live in the church? BY NO MEANS! Back then the Church wouldn't put up with heretics. But, nowa days everyone's scared of "offending" the person.
IF GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, SO THAT WHO SO EVER BELIEVES IN HIM, SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. IF WE TRULY believe that then we shouldn't be scared of taking a chance to "offend" someone because chances are God might use our foolish words to save that person! We need to get our butts out there and preach the Word. The worst that can happen is someone will be offended and probably call you some nasty words and maybe even call you crazy. OR they might pull a gun to your head-but who are we to sit on our thrones of self-righteousness and cower? When Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” [Matt. 28:19-20]
well anyways, all this to say I enjoyed your post--again :DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
-Lissie Darcy