Welcome

We at national youth ministries thank God for you and your commitment to youth! Thank you for loving and leading students. This monthly e-publication is about you, the youth leader. Every issue aims to encourage excellence and spark ideas in you as you endeavor to “make disciplined-learners (disciples)” of youth for Jesus Christ. We want to help you win, build and send them to fulfill the Great Commission. You are our heroes in this charge. We believe in you! Pray daily. Live like Jesus. Tell the Truth. Serve others. Give generously. You’ve got Momentum! —Jay Mooney, national youth director

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From Leader to Leader

I have been in ministry for a while now, and I sometimes have other ministers call me for advice. One of the biggest questions they have is, “How do I know if it’s time to leave my church?” You can find resources on how to structure, grow, disciple, market, preach and lead your ministry, but not on how to leave it. That’s kind of weird, since that is the one thing that all of us will do at some time or another during our ministry. For those of you looking to make a move, maybe this will help. For those not in transition, just file it away for later. “How do I know it is time to move?” One thing to consider is that there will be times of restlessness in ministry. During those times, God is looking to do something new in us. Now, whether that means a new aspect in your current ministry or moving to a new location, that has to be answered by you and God. When you begin to feel this stirring, you must settle this issue. If you do not, you will always be in limbo. When things are going great, you want to stay. When things are bad, you want to leave. That kind of flip flopping will drive you and your spouse (my wife wanted me to add that) crazy. Seek God. Seek wise council. Then DECIDE and be done with it. Making your decision frees you to focus on your current ministry, regardless of its current condition, or, it frees you to pursue a new ministry. Another thing to consider is whether you disagree with the theology, vision or core values of the church? Do you hate the senior pastor or the board? Have you lost your vision for the youth ministry? Have you been fired? If you can answer “yes” to any of these questions it may be a good time to think about a move. When it is time to go, remember, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody” Rm.12:17. When you leave, show nothing but love, for EVERYONE. Forget any problems or hurts. You are leaving so just let it go. God will honor the church based on how they treat you, but He will honor you based on how you treat them. If you had a fruitful ministry, do not mess it up the last week. Just show LOVE. God will bless you.

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Ice Breaker (5-10 minutes)

TV Tunes Gather a bunch of TV show theme songs. Divide the students up in groups (whatever size works for you). Give each group a pen and paper. Now play a few seconds of each theme song. The students have to guess the show according to the music. Have groups turn in their answers. Then play the sound clips again and give the students the answers. You can give the group with the most correct answers a prize, but you don’t have to. The students will enjoy the game and it will create energy in the room. You can bring the students attention to the fact that if they can get involved and excited by TV show theme songs (which have no eternal significance) then they can get excited about God, who is way better than a TV show. God does not have reruns and has never been cancelled.

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Sermon Outline

BASS FISHING WITH SATAN It’s good to use a rod and reel with this message. Cast a lure (use a tennis ball wrapped in a handkerchief or something for the lure, JUST not a real hook) while you speak. It will help hold the students attention. INTRO: I once watched a Professional fisherman fish for bass. It was really amazing. He could see the bass in the water from where he was fishing. The fisherman threw cast after cast in the water hoping to get the fish to bite. If the fish ignored the lure the fisherman was using, he would simply take that lure off and try another until the fish took notice. Once he had found the right bait he had to “work” the lure to get the fish to chase it. Once the fish had taken the bait, the fisherman just let it sit there for a moment to “set” the hook. Then with one quick pull the fisherman had the bass. I watched as the bass fought with all his might but to no avail. The fisherman had a beautiful trophy to brag about to all his friends. This is the perfect illustration of James 1:13-18 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. SIN IS SERIOUS BUSINESS TO GOD. It is such a serious matter that God calls for some drastic steps to get rid of it.Mark 9:47That’s serious!! WHY DOES GOD GET SO UPSET AT SIN? Because He knows the RESULT.Rom. 6:23 “for the wages of sin is death...”Sin to a Christian is the same as a HOOK is to a FISH. It’s not a problem if it’s LEFT ALONE. CORE: THE WAY SIN CATCHES YOU. The LURE Just like real fishing, Satan throws a variety of lures across our path everyday, hoping to catch our attention. He simply keeps trying until something catches our attention. (Ex: guys/girls, popularity, money, etc.) The way we avoid these lures is keep our mind focused on Godly things.Phil. 4:8 “Whatever is true, right, pure, noble, fill your mind with these things.” The ATTRACTION Once Satan has found a “lure” that attracts you, he will begin working to make it look as desirable as possible. We begin to desire the “lure,” we start thinking it will be good for us. When you begin looking for REASONS to engage in sin, you will always help yourself find one. God says to look for REASONS not to sin.Gal 6:7-8 What Satan shows you VS What GOD shows you: NOW- PRESENT TIME VS ETERNITY LUST VS LOVE GOOD, OK (KINDA) VS BEST Taking the BAIT Once you have rationalized the sin in your HEAD, you will act out with your BODY. All Satan needs is a foothold, to gain strength in your life. ILLUSTRATION SHOW THE CROWD A MOUSE TRAP THAT HAS BEEN SET BEFORE HAND. PLEASE BREAK THE MOUSE TRAP SPRING SO IT LOOKS SET BUT WILL NOT POP, BUT DO NOT LET THE STUDENTS KNOW. AFTER YOU SHOW IT TO THE CROWD, TOSS IT AT ONE OF THE STUDENTS. THEY WILL SCATTER. EVEN THOUGH THE TRAP WAS BROKEN THEIR MIND SAID IT WOULD HURT THEM AND THAT THOUGHT CONTROLLED THEIR BODY. Eph. 4:27 “don’t give the devil a foothold” Setting the HOOK After a fish swallow the bait, an immature fisherman will try to reel the fish in. the pros know this is a mistake because the fish could spit the bait and hook out. Professional fishermen wait just a moment to let the hook get down into the fish, then they yank the line and set the hook in the fish. The fish is caught! Sin is fun for a reason and nothing may seem to be happening. Satan is just letting the hook set. This is when your sin CONTROLS you, instead of you CONTROLLING it. You have become CAUGHT by your “HOOK.” It is no longer a one time sin. It is a HABITUAL life-style. The DOWNFALL Just as a professional fisherman has fish mounted on his walls, I bet if Satan had a wall we would see lots of students that he’s caught mounted up there. Sin reserves the right to collect payment anytime it wants and it will wait until it can do the most damage. “Don’t think God can be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to the sinful nature, from that nature will he reap; the one who sows to please the Spirit he will reap eternal life” REMEMBER! 1. You will reap what you sow. Gal. 6:7, Job 4:8 2. You usually reap more than you sow. Hosea 8:7 “he sows a wind and reaps a whirlwind...” 3. It often comes when you least expect it. Gen. 27:19 and Gen. 29:25 CONCLUSION: Altar call Rom. 6:23 “the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus.” Give an altar call for students at all stages of the “fishing” process. The students struggling with temptations; the one’s engaged in sin; the one’s dealing with addictions and bondages. Don’t forget to thank God for the one’s who have stayed away from the hooks.

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ILLustration

Coke Machine One day my daughter Lauren and I were out shopping at the mall. We had been shopping for awhile when we spotted a coke machine. We headed for the machine and put some money in. Lauren, who was four years old at the time, thought she was old enough to make your own drink selection. Not knowing what the selection was, she chose her drink according to which button was prettiest. As she went to push the button of her choice I knew she would not like. I stopped her. I tried to get her to make another selection; one I knew she would enjoy and quench her thirst. It did not work. She was a “big” girl and knew what she wanted. She pushed the button. Out came the drink. The can was opened and a sip was taken. A terrible face was made. “I don’t like this” came from her mouth with a nasty taste in it. Now Lauren is more than happy to let me choose a drink for her and why shouldn’t she, I know what she likes. Jas 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

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For Your Library

Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel I recommend Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeschel to every friend I have in the ministry. Craig walks the reader through a series of “confessions,” or issues, he has to deal with as a pastor and a Christ-follower. I found myself laughing one minute and deeply searching my heart the next. This book is an open and transparent look at the life of someone who deals with the same things I deal with. Some of the chapter titles include, “I Can’t Stand a Lot of Christians,” and “I Hate Prayer Meetings.” If you are offended at the thought of pastors being anything other then perfect, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a real and relevant book for imperfect people who are doing their best to serve God’s people, this book is a must. Quote: “But before I knew it, I had Chuck E. in a headlock. It was all very innocent, but some other small kid recognized me and yelled, ‘Pastor Craig is beating up Chuck E. Cheese!’” Purchase online: www.christianbook.com

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Quotes for Leadership

(taken from www.christianquotes.org) "One great power of sin is that it blinds men so that they do not recognize its true character." ~ Andrew Murray "The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of our spiritual enemies and put our mouths out of taste for those pleasures with which the tempter baits his hooks." ~ Matthew Henry "Sin wouldn't be so attractive if the wages were paid immediately." ~ unknown author

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From the Field

INDY 07 What is Indy07? It's actually quite simple! Indy07 is Fine Arts Festival, Campus Tour and an AIM Outreach all wrapped up in one major event — National Youth Convention! The cool thing about this year is that you can totally be involved in all three experiences for the price of one!

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Resources

G5 digisource leader’s edition Students come home from a conference, camp, convention or some other kind of event and now they are talking about winning their campus for Christ. Some speaker told stories about students doing great things at some school and your students are dreaming of God’s love transforming classmates across their campus. They are looking to you — their Youth leader, pastor, youth sponsor or campus club advisor — to help them be missionaries to their campus. But what does a campus missionary look like? What does it mean to be a campus missionary? What does a campus missionary do? G5 is the best resource available to help develop campus missionaries.

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