Need help with purity for young men

[Nigh]

Brothers and Sisters,
I greet you lovingly in Christ Jesus

I have been a member here for a long time and have enjoyed it greatly. I was at one time a moderator here, helping Chad and TJ to minister to believers and seekers, as well as 'weed out' trouble makers. It was rewarding to me personally and it also helped me to grow in Christ.

My growth in faith has taken me on a path that required too much of my time to be able to effectively moderate TJ and I stepped down (in good terms with Chad and the Mods) from moderating. That same path has come to a new point of 'stretching' me and has brought me back to TJ looking for your help.

My teenage daughter recently attended a "purity class" offered by a wonderful woman of God, and friend of our family. This same woman asked me if I would consider a similar class for young men (teenagers). I have been praying about it, and with the utmost resistance that I can muster against the Almighty God of the universe, I fall face down at His feet and consent (as if I had a choice).:wink: I have no idea whatsoever how to relate to teenage boys (much like my teenage daughter), I don't know the way they see the world, or the unique struggles they face. Also I have never ever ever felt a calling to youth or children ministries. Although I feel that I never really "grew up", I'm not blind to the fact that I'm an old man.

So, this brings me to my plea for your help.
I need...
- prayer
- ideas
- resources
- prayer
- website links
- testimonies
- illustrations
- prayer, and
did I mention prayer?

Any and all help would be a great blessing, and much thanks in advance to all my helpful brothers and sisters!

When more time permits, I will post a general review of the 'class' my daughter went to, with a few specifics to help everyone understand what I'm actually being asked to do. (I'm not 100% sure myself at this point. All I know is that I need help. :thumbs_up)

Please post any replies here, and I'll check back soon. Also, if this happens, I'll certainly post a "results" thread.

In love through Jesus Christ,
Nigh (aka the other Chad)

 

[stephen]

Hello Brother Nigh

I have observed someone on 'talkjesus' who sign's off with the remark

'God does not call the qualified, but qualifies the called'

I go along with that. Looking at the men Jesus called, and the subsequent happenings in all their lives. The 'Unqualified' became the 'Qualified' in a mighty way, and He is just the same today

To get guidence you have to get going........Amen That has been my experience over years.

Keep it lively...and happy. Paul wrote some lovely words to the young man Timothy. But be aware not to get too heavy with scripture when dealing with the young.

I am sure you will enjoy......and be blessed....

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings Nigh,

feel free to PM me anytime. I am here to assist you if ever you want.

Bless you ....><>

Br. Bear

 

[Mirjam]

Hi,

I would be happy to give you my testimony if you think you can use it. You can read a version of it in my profile, you can read it and decide if you can use it and I will rewrite it for you.

 

[Nigh]

Thank you very much. I'll be sure to use all of your encouragement as well as testimonies.

 

[Br. Bear]

Hebrews 2:9-13
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.



Brother Nigh,

I have been giving this some thought and prayer.

There is one thing that just keeps popping up...

His name is Jesus.

Too often, we look for answers as to how to reach certain people or groups, while denying the power that works in us.

As a Christian, you have everything you will ever need to reach anyone, anywhere.... in fact, if you don't have all you need, then you don't have Jesus. No judgement, brother... just straight forward conclusion... if we are His, then He is with us...

remember .... Ephesians 6:12 ?
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

I realise that you are seeking to reach young lads with a certain message, but as a Christian, you have only one way to do that.
You may be the most qualified man on earth to conduct these classes, but anyone can rise to that position through study and the like..... BUT, if you are ministering anything of any value (eternal value, that is) as a Christian, then you need only one thing....

Jesus.

You see, when these young blokes look at you, what are they going to see?

Who are they going to see?

Tell me, what chance is there that a young man who becomes a believer, transformed by the power of God in Jesus Christ the Lord, would live a life of purity.....

none!

What?

Yes, no chance.... there is no chance in it whatsoever! He will live a life of purity, because he is made new in Christ, who is the Author and Finisher of that lad's faith, and Lord of his whole life. It is not about chance. It is a surety, a promise, a definite fact.

Do you want to teach young men about being pure.... about keeping themselves pure?

Why?

Honestly, why? So they get by ? So they don't have trouble to cope with?

Teach them Jesus... all else will follow.

I realise that you are asking for tips on teaching young males. Backing up a bit, before you get the wrong idea of my 'vibe' here, I tell you now.... they will look at you!

They will check you out, and will only relate to you if you are accessible to them... and who is the One who can do this in you?

Jesus.

The ones who will take notes and listen intently to anyone, probably don't need the lessons anyway.... it's the ones who will only listen if they like the man presenting it... the more rebelious chaps, who are the ones who need to hear what you have to say. Of course, this is only a generalisation, and there are always exceptions, but for the most of them, they will need to bond with you if you are to teach them anything that will be a pillar of strength in their lives.

So, again... it is more important that you consider your life in Christ, to go as His messenger.... and brother, it doesn't matter what you're teaching nor to whom... we are only ever dealing with the spiritual... so by prayer and trust on your part, you will be serving the Lord no matter where you are, by shining His light for others to see truth, truth that they must have in order to keep themselves pure.

Does this all make sense?

And, you have Jesus... and like all of us, you only need to go in believing, believing in all He is, and be willing to be His vessel of His blessings, and He will do the rest.

Ultimately what does it matter if all they get is a lesson on purity? So what! They need Jesus just as you and I and all others do, and when they look at you they will see Jesus if you go in His strength, not your own.

I am not saying not to gather goodies like testimonies and facts, etc. But remember, your main aim is to present Jesus as your living Saviour, and if you put more trust in your presentation than in the Lord who is with you, you will only be presenting your presentation to the listeners. They might say, "That was a great lesson today brother!", based on the content and even the manner in which you present it... but your number one aim is to hear them say, "I believe!"

I also want to encourage you to be fully persuaded in Christ and to seek to glorify Him in your life as a living stone, a walking epistle... a lamp held high. The Lord Jesus Christ indwells you my brother with the Holy Ghost and He teaches you and has taught you all you will know about purity .... I am persuaded that you yourself know what purity is, because of Him who lives in you, and you in Him.

Bless you Nigh ....><>

Br. Bear

ps.. may I suggest that you gather some prayerful support, brothers who will pray with you before you minister to the youth and even while you do, and you yourself be prayerful, desiring to bring glory to God in Christ Jesus the Lord, for He alone is worthy of our praise.

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:20+21

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:17-25

 

[Nigh]

Thank you Br Bear.
You helped to keep this train from derailing. :wink:
I neglected to mention that this group of boys is a group that have already made a confession of Jesus as savior. They are part of "youth for Christ" which my friends started in our local middle and high schools. "youth for Christ" and "campus crusade".

But as you no doubt have heard, pornography has seeped into the church. "Seeped" as a roaring waterfall that is. 70% of Christian men admit to visiting online porn sites! We are good at preaching forgiveness, grace, and love, but when it comes to sexual purity, many preachers won't dare present a sermon to their own general congregations. Most congregations wouldn't stand for the sermon either. So, what happens is we, as Christians are standing around with our heads in the sand about what it is that God expects of us when it comes to sexual purity. My friend doesn't believe this is good enough. Not when she has a 13yr old daughter of her own, and I would dare to say WE don't think it's good enough either, but we just don't know HOW to teach it to our youth in a way that doesn't make them uncomfortable. 1st step is to separate the boys from the girls, which we have done. That way the embarrassment will be lessened. 2nd, they are bringing in some people they already know from "yfc" and "cc", as well as people who the kids have never seen before...figuring some kids will open up to a stranger they feel they will never see again rather than someone they know.

Interestingly enough I have a group of "on fire Christian" men that I meet with every Saturday morning to pray, fellowship, and study together. We call each other everyday and pray for one another, so I got that covered!

I'm really trying to decide weather to keep it really light and entertaining...some humor and what not...or, to get really serious and give it to them without pulling any punches...or a combination of both. This is one thing I'm praying about intently. I need the Lord's guidance on this for sure. Only He knows what will reach them. So pray that I'll make the rite decision and that the Lord will open ears and hearts to His truth that I hope to present. I have to remember that a lot of these boys are 'baby Christians', and are still on "milk". I'm not sure that feeding them some "steak and potatoes" scripture is all that wise.

Thanks again, and keep the ideas, prayers and support coming!
God bless,
Nigh

 

[Reddawg]

New here so I will not take much time,

Wow, can I feel the energy flow here. If there is any one that the Lord has changed their life in the latter years,they know how important this topic is.

I am a 37 year old man, with three boys, two which live with me and the other with his mom. That right there should be enough to tell you that this topic is dear to me. I have the scars of Sin, I have the mind that faces yesterday each day. I have the heart that cries out to God to teach me to build a battlement around my boys mind.

I have just recently contacted my oldest son, after 7 years. And I was really shocked by the things that was important to him. I don't blame anyone but sinnful flesh. The contrast of his life to my 5 year old is very clear. The differnt thing is JESUS.

I agree with Bro. Bear, JESUS is the key. but I would like to make it clear that I am talking about a tangiable JESUS, one that is real. Often in "Church going" families Jesus is a Sunday, thing. Brother I met a Jesus that is in every part of my life. Even in my weakness, it is my Love toward him that condemns my heart. Listen these young boys need to know the depths of who he is and what he did.

Do not sell him cheap as a ticket from hell, He has come to save his people from their sins.

The saddest thing to hear of is young people still in school having babies, and to me the having the baby is not the sad part, it is the fact that some young man took part in that and denied the power of God. And I know most of the young boys in this area where I live claim to be born again. So somewhere they have failed to learn the power in the childhood song,
"There is a father up above looking down in tender love"

I think brother that our generation has held to the values of the world too long, and it shows in our fear of how to address a pure life. Simple fact, If Ye Love ME Keep My comandments.

Have we as an the older ones really laid hold to who we are. As the sons of God, and what Jesus did. He did not save me from hell, that is a given, He saved me from me. Put on a new mind and heart after the things of the Father. Which he said Be thou Holy as I am Holy. Do we serve a tangiable Christ or just some feel good in spirit thing.

Well I parise God that I met a 180 degree Christ, and now it is my duty to tell everyone that I meet it is because one day a man told me to go home and find Jesus. When I did that my life changed.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:14

Look I am not saying this has to be a beat them over the head thing, but the world has had enough control over what is called "The Chruch long enough" It is about time that we start to cut off things that offend and set our minds on the pure things of God.

I wish people would stop praising sin in their life and move one to the power of God through Jesus and cast sin out of their life, then I belevie honest young people that met Jesus will line themeselves up with men of God who love not this world and the things of it.

I know that I said I would not take alot of time, but this one topic is the eye opener of where we are. Do you want to know how important Christ is in you church. Watch the lives of the young people that are around you. What are they talking about before start time and as soon as the last Amen is said, are they talking about the thrills of a worldly life or are they talking about the things of the Lord.

God will have his people, but the fact is he has no joy in any soul that is destroyed.

I will stop but I hope you can see, I will pray for you and this work. If you want to know more about me PM me. When Jesus found me I was walking in tombs of life. And now that I am in my right mind, yeah, you see, I will tell every young person, old person, they do not have to live in sin anymore.

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemend sin in the flesh, Romans 8:3

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1

Yeah, thats right, no longer live therein. Let the Love of the Lord draw our hearts to him and minds ever on the good things of his power which calls us from the world of sin, to the peace of Pureness.

Finally I feel that I have said enough, I thank God for what he called me out of, so my boys, by his grace do not have to go there.