YOUTH MINISTRY
Why Does It Matter?
By Tommy Justus
It might be difficult for young people in this generation to give attention to their personal dreams. Many experts claim that, regardless of how hard teenagers work, many will be unable to attain their parents’ standard of living. Attempting to talk with youth about dreaming may be like trying to put a large balloon into a small box. When one side is settled, the other side pops out. Teens in painful circumstances may feel more comfortable dealing with dreams than dealing with actual circumstances. At other moments, the same young people may consider dreaming a waste of time. The tendency to change abruptly is a key feature of the adolescent personality.
As caring adults, we can encourage our youth to dream. We can help them understand how God desires to work through and with their dreams. We serve a God who continually moves forward, trying to reach every generation in new and creative ways. Having the capacity and desire to dream is essential for the Christian in today’s world.
Teenagers are living in the most emotionally expressive time of their lives, so talking about dreaming and reaching beyond themselves can be beneficial for young people. This may also challenge those who work with youth, affording teachers the opportunity to recall personal dreams of adolescence. Perhaps you’ve reached some of these dreams. If so, use them as examples, especially if you can talk about how God moved in the midst of your aspirations. If you have yet to realize some of your youthful ambitions, it might be time to evaluate the obstacles.
Dealing with our dreams can be an enjoyable venture! Those who feel down, confused, or trapped may find encouragement as they consider the vast potential that lies ahead. The first step toward becoming a better person is believing that you can. Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him and scoffed at his dreams. Even his father Jacob looked down upon the dreams of the favored son Joseph. Be sure not to allow those struggling with uncertainty to squelch the dreams of others in your group.
What Are You Planning?
Organize pairs and explain that you are going to pose a series of questions. After your youth respond to each question and listen to their partners’ answers, have them locate new partners. Once everyone has regrouped, ask the questions again. When your learners have no definite answers, ask them to offer their best guesses. Use questions like these.
Suggested Questions
(1) What are your plans for next weekend?
(2) What are you planning for spring break?
(3) What, if any, college are you planning to attend?
(4) What are your career aspirations?
After completing a few question-and-answer rounds, form small groups. Ask individuals to select one of their four answers and explain what they might have to overcome or accomplish in order to fulfill their plans. For instance, to gain admission to college, one must maintain good grades in high school; or to visit a theme park, one might be required to earn extra money. Then, ask questions like those that follow.
Questions for Discussion
• What was the most difficult question? Why?
• Was it more or less difficult to plan for distant goals? Why?
Leading teenagers through such thought provoking questions as these mentioned above will allow for both healthy discussion as well as foster a concern and thought for the future in the minds of your youth. With the many day to day activities and weekend planning teenagers engage in, they may quickly forget about planning for the future. Allow this exercise to suggest the need to plan for life after high school.
—From Intersection Volume 40.
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