With Chris Zoephel | The Method IS the Message?

YAMIA is the youth and student ministries arm of the Anglican Mission in the Americas.

A veteran youth worker and I were talking and he was sharing his frustration with his inability to pass onto his youth a disciplined devotional life. I can certainly relate to this. And it is near and dear to my heart. Why? Because I am not so sure anyone can be obedient to the Lord (over any extended period of time) without a disciplined devotional life (I know, I know...the disciplines are not the gospel..they are simply ways we can hopefully put ourselves in a position to experience God's grace and be transformed).

This got us discussing the question..."How can we pass onto our youth a disciplined devotional life?"

Another point entered our discussion. The last numbers I heard stated that a youth has a significant advantage of keeping and growing in their faith if they have 4-5 adults who are living their faith and are in relationship with that youth.

So...what do you think? What would you say if you were in this discussion with us?

Total comments on this post (3)

As the old saying goes, "What you win them with you win them to..." From my perspective evangelism is just an introduction to discipleship - following hard after Jesus. Everything else comes off as a media-hyped sales pitch that catches new customers till the next powerful sales pitch comes along (and there are a lot of those these days). I think it's all about letting young folks in on our devotional life and sharing in theirs. We tell them they ought to pray, read the scriptures and care for the poor,etc.(and they should) but do we pray with them, sit to read the scripture with them (not at them) and share in ministry alongside them. If WE don"t who will? I think that's often what they are expecting from us but we stop short. As I read the scriptures I see Jesus allowing people to touch His heart as He touch others' hearts. He was affected by those around Him (praying, weeping, laughing with them, asking "who do you say that I am?")and in turn He deeply affected them. It all about being real and sharing our lives mutually. Its what author Kenda Creasy Dean the "God bearing life". We communicate Christ to each other where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name. Perhaps in the PostModern era an invitation to discipleship is the most powerful means of evangelism.

posted by jack gabig - February 7, 2008 7:44 AM

Pastor G.D.Pogue, Highland Park, IL has always said: "methods change but the message never changes".

Consider the number of nursing homes in your community. A devoted man who regularly visits can not only open the Word to himself (the residents start to expect you, so you have to go) but allows avenues for delightfully "in-depth" topic discussion.

Recently, I asked a group of women at the ManorCARE facility in Highland Park if the following is true: "God helps those who help themselves". Most admitted they had heard it all of their lives, and considered that it's true (as they understood Christian "obligations" e.g. "be hard-working", "don't wait for something to be done for you")

Then I asked my own teenagers, who struggle with the work-ethics of their generation. - interesting.

Again, these kinds of discussions cannot be fomented "on the street". A God-given venue awaits you inside of discipleship and fellowship.

posted by TEI - February 8, 2008 10:50 AM

To clarify my earlier comment:
What better way to build confidence as a minister (did you know you are a minister if you believe in Jesus Christ)?

Ask "How can I pray for you?" (this one caring question throws doors wide open) or

Ask "may I read Paul's letter to the Ephesian Church to you?" (then just go about reading your "quiet time" out loud)

I guarantee, you'll get "stronger".

It's Blood Simple.

posted by TEI - February 8, 2008 2:58 PM