Saved
The first step to spiritual maturity is salvation. Verse twelve of Ephesians chapter four tells us that this work of maturing happens in the hearts of the saints. Without being born again into Christ, there is no way that a teen can grow in Him. In this area particularly, we must be sure that we are rightly communicating the Word of God. We must avoid three-step formulas and "repeat after me" prayers. The Gospel is not just belief factually, but it is an act of full dependance upon Christ and His work on the cross. The demons believe factually (James 2:19), but they are certainly not saved.
Stable
Ephesians 4:13-14
One of the clearest marks of immaturity in a teen's spiritual walk is any instability in their study of the Word. There are so many crazy ideas and false teachers in the world today that youth leaders must give their teens a secure footing in the Bible. One of the marks of mature teen is that they recognize this need to understand the Word and have a great desire to study it. The mature teen jumps at the chance to attend a Bible study. He takes notes in Pro-Teens and asks questions. He makes time to do his own study and wants to share what he learns.
But stability is more than just a desire for the Word. The mature teen recognizes error and trendy ideas for what they are, mere "winds of doctrine." He doesn't bounce from one new idea to another. He is steady in his Scriptural understanding. This stability comes because he has yielded his understanding to the Son of God. He desires to grow into the "fulness of Christ" rather than flowing with the latest Christian trend. This leads us to the next point of maturity- surrender.
One of the clearest marks of immaturity in a teen's spiritual walk is any instability in their study of the Word. There are so many crazy ideas and false teachers in the world today that youth leaders must give their teens a secure footing in the Bible. One of the marks of mature teen is that they recognize this need to understand the Word and have a great desire to study it. The mature teen jumps at the chance to attend a Bible study. He takes notes in Pro-Teens and asks questions. He makes time to do his own study and wants to share what he learns.
But stability is more than just a desire for the Word. The mature teen recognizes error and trendy ideas for what they are, mere "winds of doctrine." He doesn't bounce from one new idea to another. He is steady in his Scriptural understanding. This stability comes because he has yielded his understanding to the Son of God. He desires to grow into the "fulness of Christ" rather than flowing with the latest Christian trend. This leads us to the next point of maturity- surrender.
Submitting
Ephesians 4:15
All of us are in part the product of the forces with which we surround ourselves. Teens are no exception. That is why it is vital that youth ministry radiates the glory of the Lord and the truth of His grace. It is our desire that teens ought to come away from activities, lessons, and one-on-one time with their hearts and minds focused on God.
What does this have to do with submission? Let's look at verse 15 and see three aspects of submission in this passage. First, mature teens need to be submitting to the truth. As long as they resist the truth, they cannot grow in grace. Of course, the verse has a warning for youth leaders as well. We must communicate truth in love. Often, truth has been rejected not because of its content but because of the way it was communicated.
Second, mature teens must be submitting to the Holy Spirit's work in their lives. Some teens will accept something as a truth, but they will refuse to let that truth touch their lives. They say, "I know what you are saying is true, but I don't want to do it." Without a willingness to grow, there can be no further maturing. As youth leaders, we must remember that submitting (steps of growth) is often painful. Jesus spoke of a kernel of wheat that must die to bring forth much fruit. Teenagers need encouragement in growth. We must show them that whatever kernel might have to die in their lives to draw closer to God is well worth the fruit of a closer walk with Him. '
Finally, the most important act of submission is yielding to the headship of Jesus Christ. Christ provides both the power and the goal for Christian maturity. Without the grace available through Him, non of us would be able to mature spiritually. Without the revelation of Christ in the Bible, we wouldn't know what mature Christianity would look like. True submission to Him is revealed in a desire to see and savor Christ in every area of life.
Too often, our submitting is incomplete. This is no true submission at all because it allows competing influences to draw us away from a walk with God Notice the wording used in this verse. We are to grow up in Christ in "all things." Nothing is excluded. Sure, Christ is the focus of Bible reading and church activities, but He should also be the focus in everyday activities- school, sports, shopping, etc. Teens need to see that whatever activity in which they are involved, they must do it for the Lord and in His power if God is to receive the glory. This is true submission.
All of us are in part the product of the forces with which we surround ourselves. Teens are no exception. That is why it is vital that youth ministry radiates the glory of the Lord and the truth of His grace. It is our desire that teens ought to come away from activities, lessons, and one-on-one time with their hearts and minds focused on God.
What does this have to do with submission? Let's look at verse 15 and see three aspects of submission in this passage. First, mature teens need to be submitting to the truth. As long as they resist the truth, they cannot grow in grace. Of course, the verse has a warning for youth leaders as well. We must communicate truth in love. Often, truth has been rejected not because of its content but because of the way it was communicated.
Second, mature teens must be submitting to the Holy Spirit's work in their lives. Some teens will accept something as a truth, but they will refuse to let that truth touch their lives. They say, "I know what you are saying is true, but I don't want to do it." Without a willingness to grow, there can be no further maturing. As youth leaders, we must remember that submitting (steps of growth) is often painful. Jesus spoke of a kernel of wheat that must die to bring forth much fruit. Teenagers need encouragement in growth. We must show them that whatever kernel might have to die in their lives to draw closer to God is well worth the fruit of a closer walk with Him. '
Finally, the most important act of submission is yielding to the headship of Jesus Christ. Christ provides both the power and the goal for Christian maturity. Without the grace available through Him, non of us would be able to mature spiritually. Without the revelation of Christ in the Bible, we wouldn't know what mature Christianity would look like. True submission to Him is revealed in a desire to see and savor Christ in every area of life.
Too often, our submitting is incomplete. This is no true submission at all because it allows competing influences to draw us away from a walk with God Notice the wording used in this verse. We are to grow up in Christ in "all things." Nothing is excluded. Sure, Christ is the focus of Bible reading and church activities, but He should also be the focus in everyday activities- school, sports, shopping, etc. Teens need to see that whatever activity in which they are involved, they must do it for the Lord and in His power if God is to receive the glory. This is true submission.
Sharing
Ephesians 4:16
The next mark of Christian maturity appears in a desire to take what one has learned and share it with others. Paul illustrates this truth using the human body. God has put together a church and a youth group like he puts together our body. Each part is different, but each is designed to do its work for the good of the whole body. If any one part fails to serve its function, the whole body suffers.
As a teen matures, he will begin to recognize certain gifts that God has given Him in order to minister to others. Those gifts are part of God's gracious ministry to His people. A mature teen doesn't keep his gifts for his own pleasure, but instead he uses them for the good of others. The teen will share what God is teaching Him as well as sharing his gifts. As he sees God in His Word and works, the teen won't be able to keep quiet about what God is doing. He will tell other believers to encourage them to turn their eyes upon God. He will tell the lost so that they will see that God wants to save them and show them His glory and grace.
Notice the results of this kind of sharing on the body. Paul says that sharing results in two kinds of growth. First, it will result in the "increase" or "growth" of the body. This speaks of a numerical growth as others hear the Gospel. The power of the Gospel assures us that some will be saved and added to the body. The second kind of growth occurs within the body. As we share God's revealed glory with other believers, they are "edified" or built up in their own faith and walk with God. Thus sharing God's glory adds both breadth and depth to the body of Christ.
The next mark of Christian maturity appears in a desire to take what one has learned and share it with others. Paul illustrates this truth using the human body. God has put together a church and a youth group like he puts together our body. Each part is different, but each is designed to do its work for the good of the whole body. If any one part fails to serve its function, the whole body suffers.
As a teen matures, he will begin to recognize certain gifts that God has given Him in order to minister to others. Those gifts are part of God's gracious ministry to His people. A mature teen doesn't keep his gifts for his own pleasure, but instead he uses them for the good of others. The teen will share what God is teaching Him as well as sharing his gifts. As he sees God in His Word and works, the teen won't be able to keep quiet about what God is doing. He will tell other believers to encourage them to turn their eyes upon God. He will tell the lost so that they will see that God wants to save them and show them His glory and grace.
Notice the results of this kind of sharing on the body. Paul says that sharing results in two kinds of growth. First, it will result in the "increase" or "growth" of the body. This speaks of a numerical growth as others hear the Gospel. The power of the Gospel assures us that some will be saved and added to the body. The second kind of growth occurs within the body. As we share God's revealed glory with other believers, they are "edified" or built up in their own faith and walk with God. Thus sharing God's glory adds both breadth and depth to the body of Christ.
Separated
Ephesians 4:17-32
This final element of maturity is often misunderstood because we focus in on the sins that are listed on the second half of the passage: lying, stealing, anger, and evil use of words. We think, and often teach, that not committing some list of sins is the heart of what the Bible calls seperation. While it is true that the Christian will "put off" sinful habits, seperation has a much more important positive element.
Look again at verses 17-19. Paul begins by telling the Gentile converts not to walk like Gentiles. However, instead of beginning by listing sins the Gentile world was committing, Paul reveals the real condition of the unsaved. They walk in vanity, futility, and frustration because they are in darkness and have no part of the life that is in God. Further, their condition has led to hardened, callused hearts that are unable to know and love God. This condition results in seeking after sins that only further their alienation.
Paul then triumphantly proclaims that a believer doesn't have to live in that futility. When a person is saved (vv. 20-21), he gains access to the truth, and light that are in Jesus Christ. Thus Paul can say in the next chapter that we are to walk as "children of the light." This light reveals to us the glory and grace of God and draws us into an even closer walk with Him. It "renews" our minds resulting in a putting off of the old walk of darkness and a putting on of the new walk of light.
Thus true seperation in a teens life is not adherence to a list of prohibitions. Instead, it is a growing relationship with God that exposes darkness and vanity to be put off and reveals continuous blessing of the new life to be put on. The mature teen changes the old for the new as he would exchange an old pair of hole-filled shoes for a new pair. Seperation is not sacrifice; it is maturing.
This final element of maturity is often misunderstood because we focus in on the sins that are listed on the second half of the passage: lying, stealing, anger, and evil use of words. We think, and often teach, that not committing some list of sins is the heart of what the Bible calls seperation. While it is true that the Christian will "put off" sinful habits, seperation has a much more important positive element.
Look again at verses 17-19. Paul begins by telling the Gentile converts not to walk like Gentiles. However, instead of beginning by listing sins the Gentile world was committing, Paul reveals the real condition of the unsaved. They walk in vanity, futility, and frustration because they are in darkness and have no part of the life that is in God. Further, their condition has led to hardened, callused hearts that are unable to know and love God. This condition results in seeking after sins that only further their alienation.
Paul then triumphantly proclaims that a believer doesn't have to live in that futility. When a person is saved (vv. 20-21), he gains access to the truth, and light that are in Jesus Christ. Thus Paul can say in the next chapter that we are to walk as "children of the light." This light reveals to us the glory and grace of God and draws us into an even closer walk with Him. It "renews" our minds resulting in a putting off of the old walk of darkness and a putting on of the new walk of light.
Thus true seperation in a teens life is not adherence to a list of prohibitions. Instead, it is a growing relationship with God that exposes darkness and vanity to be put off and reveals continuous blessing of the new life to be put on. The mature teen changes the old for the new as he would exchange an old pair of hole-filled shoes for a new pair. Seperation is not sacrifice; it is maturing.
Knowing
First and most essential we encourage your teens to Know God's glory. In Colossians 1:9-11, Paul prays for this very type of growth in the Colossians. Since hearing of their salvation, Paul has been praying that they would be filled with knowledge of God's will and spiritual wisdom and understanding (v.9). But he doesn't stop there. In the next verse, he tells them why he wants their knowledge to increase- to be fruitful in good works and to increase in the knowledge of God. These two elements of growth are inseparable in Paul's teaching.
But what is involved in teaching your teens God's glory? Initially, we must teach teens about God Himself- who He is, what He does, and what He is like. Teens need to know good theology if they are going to have a vibrant walk with Him. If you met a man who said, "I don't know much about my wife, but we have a great marriage," you would think he was crazy or a liar. However, many teens today struggle because they want a great relationship with a God they know very little about.
As they learn more about Him, they will begin to grow in Christ.
But what is involved in teaching your teens God's glory? Initially, we must teach teens about God Himself- who He is, what He does, and what He is like. Teens need to know good theology if they are going to have a vibrant walk with Him. If you met a man who said, "I don't know much about my wife, but we have a great marriage," you would think he was crazy or a liar. However, many teens today struggle because they want a great relationship with a God they know very little about.
As they learn more about Him, they will begin to grow in Christ.
Growing
If knowing God's glory never reaches beyond mere academic knowledge, then it is useless; there must also be growth. The danger lies in the fact that a teen can do well in Bible quizzing and verse memory, and even participate in class discussion yet still be weak in his/her relationship with the Lord. This happens when the teen studies the Bible for facts instead of seeking to know the God of the Word. Think of all the people who saw Christ (the living Word) during His earthly ministry. They all could have told you what He looked like, what He said, and how He acted, but only a few recognized Him for who He truly was. The same can be true of reading the written Word. A teen may be able to tell you many facts, but if he/she hasn't recognized the God of the Bible, then they have missed the whole point.
This powerful truth is taught in a familiar verse, 2 Corinthians 3:18. Paul says that as we look into the Word we are beholding something marvelous. We are seeing the very glory of the Lord! That is the true object of the Bible study- to see Him. Paul continues by saying that as we behold God's glory we are transformed. The original word in Greek is the root from which we get our word metamorphosis. The result of this radical change is that we grow from glory to glory. Thus as we behold God's glory, we are changed into the same image shinning forth the glory of God.
As teens mature in their faith, they will desire to dig ever deeper into the Bible, mining out the exceeding riches of His glory. Prayer meetings, Bible studies, and such activities will also feed this part of a young persons life. But growth for growth's sake is pointless; God is growing us into His image for a purpose.
This powerful truth is taught in a familiar verse, 2 Corinthians 3:18. Paul says that as we look into the Word we are beholding something marvelous. We are seeing the very glory of the Lord! That is the true object of the Bible study- to see Him. Paul continues by saying that as we behold God's glory we are transformed. The original word in Greek is the root from which we get our word metamorphosis. The result of this radical change is that we grow from glory to glory. Thus as we behold God's glory, we are changed into the same image shinning forth the glory of God.
As teens mature in their faith, they will desire to dig ever deeper into the Bible, mining out the exceeding riches of His glory. Prayer meetings, Bible studies, and such activities will also feed this part of a young persons life. But growth for growth's sake is pointless; God is growing us into His image for a purpose.
Showing
David gives us a wonderful picture of a child of God showing forth God's glory in Psalm 145. In verse 10, he declares that the activity of all of God;s created order is to give praise and thanks to the Creator. Christians are no exception to this truth. In fact, God has especially equipped us for this task by His grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit. The next verses tell us what we are to proclaim: His great power, His mighty deeds, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. These words of praise ought to ring out from the heart of each person who truly knows God.
Showing forth God's glory manifests itself in two main areas as we minster to the young people. First, it lies at the very heart of witnessing to the lost. There are two main motivations that drive men to share the gospel: the awesomeness of God or the awfulness of hell. Both are legitimate motivations, but the greater by far ought to be our desire to share our glorious God with those who do not know Him. A teen excited about a new car or movie naturally talks about it. So too, a teen truly captivated by the glory of his/her God will want to tell others.
This passion to share God's glory with others also provides a biblical basis for missions. Some Christians view the call to missions in the words of the classic hymn "Rescue the Perishing." The author calls on the hearer to "snatch them in pity from sin and the grave" because "duty demands it." While there is a duty of missions, the Bible gives another powerful motivation. Isaiah 66:18-19 tells of God sending missionaries to "declare [His] glory among the gentiles." Psalm 145:12 also calls on us to declare the glories of God to others.
The second aspect of showing God's glory comes from a growing desire to serve and edify brothers and sisters in Christ. There is no greater way of showing love for the brethren than through sharing with them the glories of God. Micah 3:16 tells of believers speaking often together about the Lord. God took note of the honor they gave His name by producing a "Book of Remembrance." Paul encourages believers to await the coming of Christ by encouraging and building up one another with our words (I Thess. 5:11). All of these activities are part of showing the glory of God in our relationships with others.
We give plenty of opportunities to share the gospel with the lost through organized outreach. As a teen grows more in his walk with God, he/she will begin to desire to minister to others.
Showing forth God's glory manifests itself in two main areas as we minster to the young people. First, it lies at the very heart of witnessing to the lost. There are two main motivations that drive men to share the gospel: the awesomeness of God or the awfulness of hell. Both are legitimate motivations, but the greater by far ought to be our desire to share our glorious God with those who do not know Him. A teen excited about a new car or movie naturally talks about it. So too, a teen truly captivated by the glory of his/her God will want to tell others.
This passion to share God's glory with others also provides a biblical basis for missions. Some Christians view the call to missions in the words of the classic hymn "Rescue the Perishing." The author calls on the hearer to "snatch them in pity from sin and the grave" because "duty demands it." While there is a duty of missions, the Bible gives another powerful motivation. Isaiah 66:18-19 tells of God sending missionaries to "declare [His] glory among the gentiles." Psalm 145:12 also calls on us to declare the glories of God to others.
The second aspect of showing God's glory comes from a growing desire to serve and edify brothers and sisters in Christ. There is no greater way of showing love for the brethren than through sharing with them the glories of God. Micah 3:16 tells of believers speaking often together about the Lord. God took note of the honor they gave His name by producing a "Book of Remembrance." Paul encourages believers to await the coming of Christ by encouraging and building up one another with our words (I Thess. 5:11). All of these activities are part of showing the glory of God in our relationships with others.
We give plenty of opportunities to share the gospel with the lost through organized outreach. As a teen grows more in his walk with God, he/she will begin to desire to minister to others.
Our Purpose
ProTeens exists to develop mature God-Focused youth as based upon Ephesians 4:11-32. Within our purpose we strive to see five marks of maturity that will become visible in the lives of those teens who are catching the heart of living with a God-Focus. These five marks are:
Our Plan
In order to accomplish our purpose for young people our plan consist of encouraging a God -Focused life by stressing three areas of ministry.
Our Resources
We use only solid KJV based material to help instruct and guide young people to develop a God-Focused life.
-We use Bible studies focused on the name, attributes, works, and the Son of God.
-Bible studies teaching the doctrine and practice of the Christian life.
-Bible studies aimed at encouraging service for God, to others, through the grace of the Gospel.
Through pointed group studies designed to bridge knowing God and submitting to Him and through activities and programs that provide opportunities to enjoy fellowship and share their faith.
-We use Bible studies focused on the name, attributes, works, and the Son of God.
-Bible studies teaching the doctrine and practice of the Christian life.
-Bible studies aimed at encouraging service for God, to others, through the grace of the Gospel.
Through pointed group studies designed to bridge knowing God and submitting to Him and through activities and programs that provide opportunities to enjoy fellowship and share their faith.