Welcome

We at national youth ministries thank God for you and your commitment to youth! Thank you for loving, lifting, leading and living 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

Cecil Culbreth is a graduate of Southwestern Assemblies of God University with a B.S. in Christian Ministry and a M.S. in Practical Theology.  He and his wife Wanda have three children and six grandchildren.  He served as a senior pastor for ten years before God called him to “real ministry”—youth ministry.  He served as the DYD for Arkansas for sixteen years. In 1996 Cecil and Wanda received national U. S. Missions appointment to serve as the director for Book of Hope USA.  They were the first nationally appointed missionaries with the assignment to evangelize junior high and high school students in the USA.  He currently serves as the President of His Story, which is the USA Assemblies of God Book of Hope ministry.  He also serves as the National Field Coordinator for The Seven Project and Prayer Zone Partners.  He currently is a member of the Executive Presbytery for the Arkansas District.  He is a “scratch” golfer. (His golf score is usually so high that he “scratches” his score card so no one can read it.) Wisdom Through the Years In a few months I will complete my thirty-sixth year in full time occupational ministry.  The key phrase in my life and ministry has become “Trust God”.  I have experienced five ministry changes.  During each change the phrase was “trust God”.  Some of the ministries I have been involved in were high profile ministries, others were low profile.  I was not sure that anybody knew I was out there and often asked, “Am I doing anybody any good?” Yet God kept saying “trust me”. At twenty-seven years of age the church I pastored experienced explosive growth.  As a result I found myself not only leading this church through a relocation and building program but also serving as the general contractor.  I had no experience as a builder but God said, “Trust me.”  During my third year as DYD a camper was killed at our camp because a contractor had failed to properly install an adjustable basketball goal.  I thought my DYD days were over, but God said, “Trust me.” Two years ago Jay Mooney extended an invitation to me to be the National Field Coordinator for the Seven Project.  I felt unqualified to fulfill that role but God said, “Trust me”. As I write this article I am in a hospital room with my wife of 38 years.  From the medical perspective she will be dead in 12 months because of cancer.  God may heal her or God may take her home but either way God says, “Trust me.” It is easy and simple to say, “Trust God”.  But it is often hard to put it into practice particularly when you see your dreams and visions put on hold.  Some of the youth leaders that I had the privilege of working with during my 16 year tenure as DYD are no longer in the ministry today.  The reason—they failed to trust God. There is a scripture that I have prayed daily for many years—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean to your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him (know him) and he will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5, 6) Youth leader, regardless of what happens to you, through you or around you, Trust God.

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Ice Breaker (5-10 minutes)

As an itinerant preacher for the last 26 years I understand how important it is to “connect” with my audience before I preach.  I made a commitment years ago that the first words out of my mouth when I speak will be God’s Word so I usually always start by quoting a passage of scripture. (This is good discipline to memorize scripture)  I use the scripture as my connecting point with the audience and may follow-up with a brief personal story that has some humor.  Occasionally I may use some humor from other sources.  Here is one of my favorite.  It is warning labels that appeared with products sold in the USA: • On a household iron warns: "Never iron clothes while they are being worn." • On a baby stroller: "Remove child before folding." • On a bottle of prescription sleeping pills: "Warning: May cause drowsiness." • "Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher." • A warning on an electric router made for carpenters: "This product not intended for use as a dental drill." (Taken from Sermon Fodder)

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Sermon Outline

One of the conclusions of the recent National Study on Youth and Religion in American was that “the single most important social influence on the religious and spiritual lives of adolescents is their parents. Other close adults have influence as well.” (This is the largest most intensive study ever done on the religion of America’s teens)  The sermon synopsis that follows is designed to help the youth leader teach parents about the tremendous influence they have on their children in regard to their faith in God. Parents--Show Up Scripture reading:  Hebrews 11:23-27 Big Idea:  Parents have the greatest impact and influence on the lives of children and young people. Intro:  Use either statistical information or a human interest story to show the problems that the American teenager is facing.  Then ask, “What’s wrong in America?” "Lousy parents.  There's simply no one at home teaching them right from wrong."  (Director of a youth detention center on the one thing in common his detainees have) "We've been raising kids to do just what they are doing right now, and everybody's running around surprised" (from a gang intervention specialist) One student wrote: “I am your child.  You have brought me into this world and raised me to what I am today.  If I am not what I should be, please do not be to harsh with me for I am your product.  My actions advertise the quality standards of home. "You say that you love me and yet it has been years since you put your arms about me at bedtime and with tears in your eyes asked your heavenly father to watch over me as I slept.  You seem to be more interested in my school grades than in the condition of my eternal soul.  You give me the impression that it is better to be popular than to be pure.  Better to impress people than be respected. "So the next time you feel like throwing up your hands and saying 'I just can't do a thing with you' please remember you have had the opportunity to influence me since I was born. And the Bible says ‘train up a child in the way he should go......”   I.  The Fact of Parental Influence As a parent, I will influence my children to live for God or to live for Satan.  Many of the behavior patterns that you are portraying your children are picking up.  That can be frightening or reassuring.  What would you do if you only had your children for 3 or 4 years?  Moses’ mother only had him for a few years, then for the next 37 years, Moses was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians"  (Acts 7:22) The Egyptian culture was wicked and ungodly.  There was no room for a personal, omnipotent God in their thinking.  Moses was in this environment for 37 years.  He had a chance to be a great leader in Egypt.  Yet he chose to go with the people of God.  What made the difference in Moses' life? Jochebed instilled in Moses a love and respect for God that the world could not choke.  We can influence our kids to serve the Lord. Illustration: Certain fish teachers had difficulty teaching their pupils to walk straight.  Every Sunday all these little crabs would nod earnestly, practice faithfully and promise solemnly not to walk sideways even once the entire coming week.  But on their return to Sunday school the next Sunday, alas! They were walking just as crooked as ever.  The teachers took a brief refresher course in pedagogy, hoping to pick up some special foolproof techniques.  But a perfect whale of a fish arose and said,  "Ladies and gentlemen, your case is a hopeless one; for you seem to forget that the minute your little crabs get home, it is only natural for them to copy their own parents and walk exactly as they walk for the next six days.” A recent Gallup poll indicated that parents rank far ahead of any other group as role models.  Never underestimate the power of home life.  Give us better homes and we will have a better America. “The family revolution (higher divorce rates, single parent homes, working moms) is the greatest single cause of the decline in student achievement during the last 20 years.  It is not better teachers, texts, or curriculum that our children need most; it is better childhoods, and we will never see lasting school reform until we see parent reform.” (Samual Sava, director of National Association of Elementary School Principals, in the Wall Street Journal)   II. Example of Parental Influence What did Moses' parents instill in him? A.  Confidence in God    v. 23 "by faith Moses’ parents” (NIV) This couple believed that God had given them this child.  They also believed that God would take care of the child.  They instilled that same faith in Moses.  (v. 24  “by faith Moses”) When it became impossible to hide the child in the house, their faith was severely tested.  But it was their faith in God that sustained them.  Jochebed knew that God was in control.  Parents should and can instill faith in God into the lives of their children. As Paul told Timothy: “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2 Tim 1:5) B.  Committed to God’s purpose for Moses’ life v. 23 "saw he was no ordinary child” (NIV) This couple believed that God intended to do some great thing through their child.  Consequently, they had their priorities right.  They were more concerned that Moses make it in the kingdom of God rather than the kingdom of Egypt.  It is possible they even prayed and asked God to use Moses to deliver them from Egypt.  Sometimes our children do not become spiritual giants because we do not expect them to become spiritual giants.  If it comes to a choice, I would rather my children make an impact on the kingdom of God, than have all the honors of the world.  I am not implying that you can't have both, it is just more important that I excel with spiritual things.  This couple felt their son was destined to be used by God.  We need to instill a sense of destiny into this generation.  God is going to use them in the last great outpouring that will take place on earth.  “Your sons and daughters will prophesy.” (Joel 2:28, 29) Are you expecting God to use your child?  The youth of America are the hope of America. Moms --care enough about your children and the youth around him/her to instill in them a sense of divine destiny! What about those kids whose parents are not Christians?   They need an adult role model.  They need someone to show them the way.  They need someone to believe in them.  They need someone who believes that God has a purpose for their lives. U.S. News & World Report had an article several years ago on gangs.  One person who was interviewed stated: “Youth need caring adults who believe in them and show them what it means to be a man.”  (John Trevino who befriended a gang member Rudy Gonzalez --life was totally changed) Barbara Schneider and David Stevenson conducted extensive research into today’s adolescents.  As a result of their research they wrote, “What parents consider important for an adolescent do to—whether it is getting good grades, taking challenging courses, or apply to a competitive college—builds an orientation toward the future.  In families where these messages are clearly and consistently communicated through family discussions and parental actions, adolescents are more likely to share their parents’ sense of what is important.”  (Barbara Schneider and David Stevenson,  The Ambitious Generation (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1999), 147. Research done at the University of California at San Francisco sought to determine why some young people are destroyed by the deficits of their home environment while others seem to thrive under the same set of circumstances.  Earl Palmer reviewed those studies and uncovered one constant factor among the teens that stayed strong, “They all experienced the non-exploitive interest, care and support of at least one adult during their childhood years—a parent or grandparent, uncle or aunt, older brother or sister, coach or teacher, pastor or youth leader—an adult with no hidden agenda or exploitive design on the youngster.”  (Earl Palmer,  “Perspective,”  Youthworker (Spring 1992) : 4. C.  Courage to do what was right (v. 23 "not afraid of the king’s edict") What Moses parents’ did was illegal, but it was right.  It took courage to stand up for what was right.  They demonstrated a boldness that few parents demonstrate.  They were not afraid to go against the crowd.  They had moral backbone.  As a result Moses had courage to stand up for God.  (v. 27 “he did not fear the king’s anger”) “We teach what we know, we reproduce what we are” Bold parents produce bold children.  Give us godly moms with a holy boldness and courage to stand up against those forces that are seeking to destroy today’s generation.  Moms who choose to do the right thing although it is not the popular thing.  Give us godly fathers who will boldly but lovingly say, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”  Give us godly fathers who will show their children what it means to be a man of God. Action Point: Close the service by having parents pray for their students and inviting other adults to pray for those students whose parents are not in church.

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For Your Library

Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard Book Summary This book is a must read for a person who is serious about spiritual maturity and their relationship to Jesus Christ.  Willard examines the Sermon on the Mount as it relates to the attitudes and conditions of the heart of the Christian.  It is not necessarily an easy book to read for the casual reader.  Willard does an excellent job explaining the concept of the kingdom of God as it relates to the contemporary Christian.  Willard believes that the gospel should affect every aspect of our lives.  He also believes that what Christians constantly hear from the pulpit is what Christians will ultimately believe and become.  He feels that much of what is proclaimed as gospel, is nothing more than self-help pop psychology that is proclaimed in a lot of popular books that have flooded the Christian book market in recent years.  Willard also deals with the issue of discipleship and makes it clear that discipleship is not going through a book or manual but about a person allowing their relationship to Christ affect them in everything they do. Quote from Book “Actions do not emerge from nothing.  They faithfully reveal what is in the heart.”  “To be a disciple of Jesus is, crucially, to be learning from Jesus how to do your job as Jesus himself would do it.” purchase the book online: www.christianbook.com

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Quotes for Leadership

(taken from The New Encyclopedia of Christian Quotes  copyright  (c)1979,1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.) The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day. ~ O.A. Battista Children miss nothing in sizing up their parents.  If you are only half convinced of your beliefs, they will quickly discern that fact. ~ James Dobson Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.  God is awake. ~ Victor Hugo Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree. ~ Martin Luther I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God; in him will I trust. ~ The Bible, Psalm 91:2 KJV

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Statistics that Speak

Nine out of ten parents of children under age 13 (85%) believe they have the primary responsibility for teaching their children about religious beliefs and spiritual matters, while 11% said their church is primarily responsible. (2003) Nearly all parents of children under the age of 13 – 96% – contend that they have the primary responsibility for teaching their children values. (2003) About two out of three parents of children 12 or younger attend religious services at least once a month and generally take their children with them. (2003) One out of every five parents of children under 13 (19%) has ever been personally contacted or spoken to by a church leader to discuss the parents’ involvement in the spiritual life and development of their children. (2003) The above statistics can be found at www.barna.org Adults who attended church as a child are twice as likely as others to read the Bible during a typical week; twice as likely to attend a church worship service in a typical week; and nearly 50% more likely to pray to God during a typical week. Above stat found at http://www.barna.org

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From the Field

BIBLE QUIZ National Bible Quiz Finals, July 2 – 7 at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort in Lexington, KY—a four-star property with gorgeous bluegrass surroundings. The 2006 National Finals will feature two new categories for quizzers to participate in. The first new category is the “Senior Shoot Out.” There will be one question asked for each quizzer participating.  If there are 25 seniors, 25 questions will be asked.  All seniors will compete at one time. Each question will have a dollar amount. All money earned by quizzers will be applied as a college scholarship. Only Seniors who are part of a National's team can participate. The second category will replace the existing category for regional invitees. As of this year, any A-league quizzer, registered with an A/G district for the Romans and James season, desiring to compete will be eligible to participate in a true one-on-one tournament. Students who register will also be eligible to compete in the Dramatized Quoting competition (new in 2005) and the Quoting Bee. Other opportunities may also be presented for these students later in 2006. Rules for the 2006 one-on-one invitational will also be available later this year. If you are interested in finding out more about the amazing discipleship ministry of Bible Quiz, or if you need more information about the National Finals event please contact the national youth ministries Bible Quiz by phone at (417) 862-2781 ext. 4040, or by email at bq@ag.org. FINE ARTS The 2006 NFAF theme is One Life, One Chance.  See Luke 16:19-31, Colossians 4:5b and John 10:10 for the scripture references that go along with this theme. This year, the National Fine Arts Festival will be held August 7-11 in the south wing of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. To book your housing, visit www.tournamentgold.com.  For more information about Fine Arts or the national festival, visit www.faf.ag.org and look under the Fine Arts News section for the frequently asked questions link.

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Resources

Hungry?  Spiritual Food for Today’s Student   Explains doctrinal issues and answers questions about Christian beliefs in an easy to read format. This four part series is designed for students.   Set includes one copy of each book in the Hungry?Series: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit, A Study in the Doctrine of Salvation, The Doctrine of Healing, and Rapture and the End Times.   Buy it online at the GPH store or give them a call at 1.800.641.4310 and ask for item number 731-651. They are only $3 for each set.

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