Cultivating Missions in Youth Ministry: IDEA #1

- by Ryan Hurlburt -

This is a multi-part series for anyone involved in youth ministry delineating how to not only get your students involved in missions activities, but embody a lifestyle of being on mission for Christ. The complete series will include a list of ten practical ideas to infuse missions into the daily life of your youth ministry.

#1. TEACH IT!

“whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.” – 1 John 2:6

It all starts with you. As the old saying goes: what’s down in the well comes up in the bucket. If you’re burdened for those without Christ (as you should be) and passionate about reaching them (as you should be), the most logical way to communicate that to your students is to TEACH IT! Ask & answer all the main questions: what, why, when, where, how, and who. Start with the most common passages.

Explain to your students the true nature of Matthew 28:19-20. There are three main things worth pointing out here. First, it’s a mandate to everyone not a proposition to the minority. Second, the word “GO” in verse 19 in the Greek literally translates “as you go”, implying a habit that infiltrates even the most mundane aspects of life. Third, don’t forget the tripod: MAKE DISCIPLES, BAPTIZE, TEACH THEM TO OBEY. You leave one out, the Great Commission becomes the Great Omission.

Break down the Acts 1:8 strategy: Jerusalem (your town), Judea (your state/region), Samaria (your country/continent), and the rest of the world.

Show examples of God’s missional heart in the Old Testament as well: the call of Abraham in Genesis 12, Jonah, or any of the other prophets.

Explain the difference between missions as a program/event and a lifestyle.

Gosh, you may even be able to do a series on the subject of missions complete with a fancy logo, videos, and everything!

But be careful, if you’re only preaching out of a text book instead of the reality of a missional attitude hidden the depths of your heart, your students will see through your façade and completely disengage with the concept of missions.

What scripture passages or curriculum do you use to teach your students about missions?

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