Today, changes are occurring at a rapid pace in our society, and some changes are staring at us in the face. Why are Christians depending on others to do God's work? There is a need out there, and it is with our youth. We are in a generation that has left our youth in a precarious position-broken homes from divorce, stepfathers and stepmothers raising children, single parents, grandparents raising their grandchildren, foster homes, children living out of suitcases, and children raising children. Where are the leaders, and where are the Christians? Mentoring Youth in Action is dedicated to filling the void that has been imposed upon our youth. Author Mark Stiles has developed a unique, easily taught curriculum for youth, with one-of-a-kind illustrations. This seven-session course is a balanced presentation of content and application designed to assist youth in understanding how God can help them to cope with the challenges facing each of them. It is important not to overload students with content, but instead show them the relevance of further study of God's word, as well as how to apply what they've learned to their own lives.

Mentoring Youth in Action

Seven Lessons to Increase the Significance of Christianity in Our YouthBy Mark Stiles

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Mark Stiles
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-6232-4

Contents

Introduction..............................................................................xiLesson 1..................................................................................1Personal Testimony........................................................................1Summary of Lesson 1.......................................................................7Purpose Of A Personal Testimony...........................................................7Lesson 2..................................................................................8Introducing Scripture.....................................................................8Summary of Lesson 2.......................................................................19Key Points................................................................................19Key Verses................................................................................19Teaser: For the next lesson, we will be talking about a light switch!.....................20Lesson 3..................................................................................21Faith Overview............................................................................21Summary of Lesson 3.......................................................................28Key Verses on Faith.......................................................................28Lesson 4..................................................................................29The Courage of Faith......................................................................29Consequences of David's Sins..............................................................33Summary of Lesson 4.......................................................................34Key Verses................................................................................35Lesson 5..................................................................................36Thoughts..................................................................................36Key Verses on Thoughts....................................................................39Lesson 6..................................................................................48The Influence of Christianity.............................................................48Summary of Lesson 6.......................................................................54Key Verses................................................................................54Lesson 7..................................................................................55Stressing the Importance of School........................................................55Summary for Lesson 7......................................................................59Key Verses................................................................................59Helpful Hints.............................................................................64NOTES.....................................................................................65Lesson 1..................................................................................65Lesson 2..................................................................................65Lesson 3..................................................................................67Lesson 4..................................................................................67Lesson 5..................................................................................67Lesson 6..................................................................................68

Chapter One

Lesson 1

Personal Testimony

Tip: Laughter puts us all at ease. Start each class with a Christian joke or a clean joke.

Breaking the Ice with Your Group

Personal testimonies have touched the hearts of believers and nonbelievers alike. Many believers have rededicated their lives and many non-believers have been moved to make a decision about their eternity as a result of a personal testimony from someone else's witness. Thank God there are Christians that readily stand up and share their personal testimonies. How many times have you not responded to God's nudging when you knew it was time to share yours? Whether in church, to a friend, family member, or even a coworker, you know at one time or another that you failed to disclose your identification with Christ. In my devotional, Walk Thru the Bible, I create a scenario that is all too familiar. This could be a normal conversation between two friends.

"I never knew you were ..."

"You never asked."

"I would have never guessed."

Isn't it awkward when the "secret" you have been hiding is that you belong to Christ? Do your friends and family know that you are a Christian? If someone says, "I would have never guessed;" you need to reevaluate your standing with Christ. You need to be a walking billboard so people would not have to guess that you are a Christian. If God has touched your life, and salvation was freely given to you, be prepared to give an account of your transformation.

Young adults yearn for leadership and a positive role model. They also identify with people who have overcome obstacles and admit when they were wrong. This is why I think it's important to start the first class with a personal testimony. It doesn't have to be your own testimony; it could be that of a local pastor, youth pastor, or layperson. The point here is to show that change can occur through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I did not give my own personal testimony on the first day, but after several classes, I started revealing it bit by bit. On the first day, we listened to a recording of Pastor Johnny Hunt's testimony, "From the Pool Room to the Pulpit." A lot of youth can relate to his story of how God transformed him from a high school dropout, alcohol abuser, and pool room manager into a minister. Johnny's father had abandoned the family, which forced his mother to work several jobs and left Johnny and his brother alone, unsupervised, and often on the wrong side of the law. Today, Johnny is a pastor at Woodstock First Baptist Church in Georgia, and president of the Southern Baptist Convention. You can get his CD, From the Pool Room to the Pulpit, online at www.wfbc.org.

Life Example of a Personal Testimony

My oldest son, Zach, was on the road to destruction. It was his junior year in high school and the problems were mounting. He got a ticket for underage drinking—so he was suspended from the football team, for which I was an assistant coach, for five games. However, this did not slow him down; it was a matter of three weeks before he once again got caught for underage drinking. This time, he was suspended from football for the entire season and possibly his senior season. I could sense I was losing my son. His purpose, ambition, and drive had all faded from this once gifted child. I also suspected that he was delving into other things besides alcohol; which later, he confessed and confided in me. But by the grace of God, and many prayers offered up, he came into my office one night and made a confession to me. He told me just how destructive his lifestyle had become, and some of the things he told me were very hard to accept, but I could tell that he was fed...