Ideas on helping students to be evangelistic

For 2013, we focus on being evangelistic. How to do so? Here are a few ideas for a student develops a heart for his or her lost friends, and how a whole bunch of teenagers like that create an infectious ministry.

Lead people to Jesus yourself
Your ministry is usually a direct reflection of you. Want students to develop a deep sense of community? Be in one yourself and talk about its importance often. Want students to share about their failures and problems?

Model vulnerability from the stage and you'll get it in return. So if you want to produce evangelistic students—you can see it coming by now, can't you?—share your faith with friends, families and neighbours often. Talk about the lost friend you're praying for, show them how a conversation can point people to Christ.

Make sure everyone knows their own story
Students need practical ways to share their faith with their friends—one of the best ways is helping them articulate their own spiritual journey. If their story is filled with sex, drugs, and rock n' roll…that's okay because it's THEIR story—but make sure the focus rests squarely on Christ and his redemptive work. If their story isn't quite that dramatic, encourage them to point out how much God saved them from and the potential they have following Jesus' ways without the painful past. Either way, having everyone write out their personal story is a great way to help build evangelistic confidence.

Make prayer cards
A super practical idea might be to help students simply jot down the names of friends who don't know Jesus on a little card, and keep it in their wallets or purses. Whenever they see those names, they can pray that God would open the door for a spiritual conversation with a friend.

Create series that are easy to invite people to.
We need to be sure to teach the whole counsel of God—every word is ordained and inspired but not as easy for a first-timer to church to handle. At least once a year have a "bring a friend" series that's designed to give them an easy felt-need they can invite someone to.

Crossroad Reflection

Last week, we have a time to reflect upon why we go to a youth group.  Here are the responses.

"I would want to join a youth group event to meet new people, participate in fun activities, get out of the house, socialize, eat food, learn new things, have fun, relax, escape homework, and to grow spiritually."

"Meet new people, have fun, waste time, play sports, get away from reality, good food, to be with friends"

"Free food, girls and guys, loneliness, curiosity for religion"

"People are lonely so they want to find friends.  People are curious about religion because they are feeling dullness in life"

"Girls and guys and youth group is a place to explore feelings in a healthy way."

"Matthew 6:27, do not worry about tomorrow, Luke 9:3 take no tunic, food, sandal with you.  Youth group is a place where they feel safe, they can process their feelings of joy and struggles."

Crossroad is a place where we experience the love of God.  The love of God is experienced through genuine friendship.  The love of God is experienced through being used by God in the midst of our powerlessness.  The love of God is experienced through discovering the real meaning of freedom.

Understanding of my emotions

God says: "The truth will set you free".  I read an article which highlights the lies that Satan uses to make us look down at ourselves.  Here is a list of "irrational thinking" and the truth that battles the lies of Satan.

1. A person should be praised by people (parents, teachers, friends, co-workers, customers, etc) around them.

Jesus was despised and rejected by men, his mission was to do the will of God.

2. A person's worth is determined by his/her abilities, appearance, and success.

Jesus had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him.

3. Evil and wicked people should be punished in this lifetime.

There is a judgement for all people in eternity.

4. Suffering means that our hopes and dreams are not fulfilled.

It is God's will for us to suffer for His glory.

5. The lack of happiness in a person is solely caused by other people.

A person is responsible for his or her own emotions.

6. Avoiding responsibilities is easier than facing them.

After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied.

7. Every person should have someone to cling on to as a saviour.

God is our only saviour.

8. Every problem has only one perfect and correct solution.  If one cannot find it, disaster is inevitable.

God will make a way when there seems to be no way.

5 Areas that kill men.

After many years of ministry to men, it is clear to me how simple men are. They are all threatened with the same basic man-killers. That's one thing I like about working with men. They are not complex.
While the problems of men are simple and easily identifiable, most men believe that their problems are unique to them. They think they are blazing a trail on an uncharted mountain of threats – that no one has experienced quite like they are experiencing it. I am here to tell you, this is a lie. It's an effective lie, because it softens the pain of failure with the legendary uniqueness of their own personal struggles. In contrast, the apostle Paul said, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man" (1 Cor. 10:13). I've discovered that what plagued the heroes of the Bible, men throughout church history, and the men I know in 21st century America are all basically the same. Below is my list of five man-killers. They are wreaking havoc on our churches and leaving families virtually fatherless all around us.

Fear
They are constantly harassed by fear because their god is not big enough to deliver them. They do not really believe that God is sovereign, so they are constantly obsessing over the threats to their security. They exist in a constant state of low-grade discomfort about themselves and what might happen to them. They are unhappy dads and discontented husbands. They are lousy leaders and no fun to be around. They suck the joy out of the room – and the hearts of wives and children.
Men, disarm this killer with joy and a vision of the sovereignty of God. Rejoice in a God who "did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Rom 8:32). Remember the words of Christ: "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matt. 6:27-30). Remember your Father in heaven who said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). Remember King David who declared, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed" (Ps. 46:1-2).

Lust
They are overtaken by lust because they have refused to starve the dragon of lust. Instead, they feed that dragon enough tidbits to keep him alive and always waiting in the wings. This kind of man struggles with pornography because he has not had the resolve to deprive his eyes and ears of impure things. They watch movies that aren't "that bad" and listen to songs that aren't "that good" and as a result the dragon is strong and ready to devour. The fires of lustful passion are always smoldering ready to burst into flames at any time.
Men, neutralize this man-killer by starving him into impotence. Trust the Word of God and take action, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you." (Matt. 5:27-30). "Flee sexual immorality" (1 Cor. 6:18). And, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8). Remember the words of Solomon in Proverbs 5:8: "Do not go near the door of her house." Victory over lust is not just simply staying out of bed with the harlot, it is depriving yourself from thoughts of her house all together.

Anger
Most men struggle with anger. They are angry with their wives, bosses, pastors, brothers, and friends. They never learned that all of life is exposure to imperfect people. God keeps sending imperfect people into their lives, and they are angry about it. They never learned how to love those imperfect people. They are always disappointed in someone. They are one-way perfectionists. They demand perfection from others but are oblivious to their own flaws. They never understood that God sends these people to them for their sanctification, not to stroke their egos. It has not occurred to them that God sent these inadequate people in order to teach them what love is. They are clueless that God desires to magnify His grace and mercy through them.  Men, put down this man-killer by remembering the way God would have us think of others. "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" (Eph. 4:31). Obey Romans 12:10, "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Remember the servant who was forgiven much in Matthew 18:23-35. After the servant was generously forgiven for the massive debt, which he owed to his master, he went straight out and started strangling his fellow servant over a miniscule debt. Don't let this be the story of your life.

Feminism
Many men are feminists at heart. They have "PMS" – "Passive Male Syndrome." Except with men, it is not isolated to once a month. They get there honestly by simply growing up in a culture that is breathing feminist air.
Their brains have been pickled in feminist juices for so long that they don't even know how deeply their thinking has been saturated. From the time of their birth, they have been steeped in feminism via the media and their pagan education.
When you breathe feminist air all your life as most of us have, it is almost impossible to be a real man. There are many symptoms. For example, men won't lead. They won't teach. They won't exhort their wives. They are afraid of their daughters. They won't restrain their children. They are not willing to die for anything. They think, "Nothing is that important anyway. Hand me the remote."
Men, silence this man-killer by rising up to uphold God's design for men and women. "But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man" (1 Cor. 11:3). Remember that this condition is a sign of a culture in collapse, "As for My people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them" (Isa. 3:12). "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:25-27). Men, do your job regardless of what the culture has told you. Stop being ashamed of what you are. Stand up and act like a man.

Abdication
God has created men to play a role in this world that is easily abdicated – easily handed off to someone else. Men have been given specific jobs. Men are appointed by God to be the lover of their wives and the teachers of their children. Nonetheless, they are disconnected from their wives because they are going in different directions. They live separate lives. They are not teaching their children because they are obsessed with their own pleasures (usually technology or sports or both). They do not walk and talk and live alongside their children because their attentions are elsewhere. That world out there – outside their families – is bigger and more important to them, so they abdicate the primary for the secondary. They can get away with this one for their whole life long, and no one will confront them about it. The church won't say a peep. Their friends give them a pass.
Abdication is different from the other four man-killers in this sense: the first three will eventually grab him by the neck and throw him to the ground and destroy him.
Abdication and even feminism will not be so obvious. These are the most socially acceptable man-killers. However, as it turns out, while they may seem unscathed, it will result with their wives and children being grabbed by the neck and thrown to the ground.
Men, nuke this man-killer by recovering and establishing your role in the world. Rise up as the shepherd and teacher of your wife and children (Eph. 5:22-34; 6:1-4). Scripture is clear about the terrifying implications of not leading and guarding your own home. Remember God's words to Eli, the unfaithful father: "For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them" (1 Sam. 3:13). God says in Deuteronomy 5:29, "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"
Death to the Man-killers
These five man-killers are always lurking at the door of every man's heart.
Thankfully, there is only one solution for a man. With one blow the man-killers are knocked unconscious. It is the heart of the matter. This one thing destroys the ache of fear, weakens the dragon of lust, soothes the burnings of anger, incinerates feminism, and turns the hearts of fathers to their children. Jesus spoke of it in Matthew 22:35-40:
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
This is the heart of the matter: the power of Gospel-love! Loving the Lord your God with all your heart is a summary of the message of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It presents a clear statement about what is means to be a Christian. It describes the essence of genuine spiritual life. It is the foundation of all true faith. It exposes the centrality of love in the Bible. It explains the Gospel. It neutralizes man-killers.

Thanksgiving Weekend Reflections

On Friday before the fellowship time, we have a time of prayer.  I am very touched that brothers and sisters are rebuking myself and the fellowship that we are to be serious on spiritual growth.  I was told that we meet together for God's glory.  God's name is glorified when people are more passionate for God.  Fellowship and worship is for God's glory.  We are to be God centred.  A fellowship that glorifies God have brothers and sisters who live out how Jesus Christ lived.  We seek to know the people better.  We seek to break down the barriers of cliques.  We need to be focused and be intentional about the time we meet together for God's glory.  We prayed to God for this to happen.  We all are convicted that we need to pray more.  We want to see more people experiencing the joy of God.  We want to see more people seeking God.

During fellowship, we learned the basics of the Gospel message and we practice sharing the Gospel.  I find that when the fellowship is centred on Gospel, there is peace and purpose.  On Saturday, I spent time with my family.  We went hiking.  I feel like I was a junior high age kid again as my parents took me out to hiking when I was a kid.  I am aware that there are quite a few families and kids going out on hiking on the last weekend.  I am thankful for God for providing a wonderful family.

On Sunday, we learned about Joshua, Judges, and Ruth in our overview of the Bible class.  I was reminded that we are rebellious and God is always faithful.  This pattern is repeated throughout the Old Testament.  During the sermon time, the message was to challenge brothers and sisters to see the world for what it is.  The world is full of suffering and injustice.  We are studying the book of Isaiah.  Isaiah is a messenger of God who spoke on behalf of God.  He was honestly proclaiming what was the true condition of the nation.  Likewise for us, God's Words and prayer enables us to see the true condition of our world.

On Monday, I went to the Royal Ontario Museum with Vicky.  The museum opened my eyes to what happened in history.  There are displays about extinction of wildlife, religion in ancient times, wars, and a section dedicated to the genocide in Cambodia.  We later went to tour around U of T.  We encountered an old classmate of Vicky and we chatted a bit.  We had the opportunity to share with him what we believed as follower of Christ.

I am really thankful for this wonderful weekend.

Reflection on summer messages in Gospel of John

As a reflection of the messages from this summer, I realized how fast time flies by.  Summer is almost over.  The theme in the summer is "To proclaim Jesus Christ with his love".  The mission of the church is proclaim the salvation of Jesus Christ to the world.

Mere preaching and communication is not enough.  Jesus Christ proclaimed who He is by his actions in love.  Even if we do not have full faith of his words, we can believe him on the account of work that he has done.  To kick off the discussion, I am going to throw out my two cents on the applications in my life.

John 4 Application

1. I see them as gifted younger brothers and sisters who God had chosen to do His work in bringing God's love to their friends.  I see my own friends as gifts from God.
2. I am sharing with them the blessings I have received from God.  Also, I share about how God delivers me from struggles I went through.
3. I am willing to repent of my known sins by God's grace and mercy.
4. I feel that I need to let go and worship God in Spirit, and study and reflect upon more of who God really is.  God is beyond my personal knowledge and understanding.  I need to come back to Him often and let God teach me who He is.

John 5 Application:

1. I was crippled many in my life both physically and emotionally.  Most importantly, I was crippled spiritually. Jesus Christ came into my life and healed me.
2. I experienced the power of God's love.  When I relied on God's grace to flee temptation, the life of not sinning and fear God is good.

John 6 Application

1. Greatest Need: wisdom
2. How to be filled by God? reflect on Psalms, daily devotions online.
3. Reaching friends to Christ: My high school friends, Vicky's friends

John 9
1. Sins of pride is the greatest struggle currently
2. I would like to be healed
3. By living a life full of joy and in humility, I can witness to them how God is providing and I am living a life that is full.  My friends are living in darkness as they are living for mere survival, living for personal comfort and pleasure.  I am to live a Christ centred life that model the light of Christ.


John 13

1. I think I can spend more time serving others.
2. I am willing to balance out of time of serving to time of receiving.
3. I can specifically model humility to those I serve by:
i) spend more time listening to what goes on in the people I lead
ii) go the extra distance and visit the people I lead
iii) Clean up and do the chores in my house and in the fellowship setting.

June 10 Message: Preach the Word

Songs we sang were: Our God, Salvation is here, One thing remains

What is "Preach the Word"?

Rebuking and correcting against patterns of this world.
Encouragement for living out God’s Words

How to "Preach the Word"?

In season and out of season
With patience and love

How to do this practically?

1. Acknowledge the situation

2. Accept the person 

3. Affirm the person in another direction

4. Allow God’s Word to rebuke and correct on its term 

Your response: Ask God for a person for you to preach the Word to by applying the 4 A's from above.