What does it take to disciple a young person into lifelong faith? More than fun and games at a Friday night youth group, it turns out… 

While many of us truly value ministry to teens (we support it, we pray for it, we encourage our youth group leaders), we often view it as something that happens over to the side in the Friday Night youth program, or the Sunday youth Bible studies.  

We think of ourselves mainly as ‘prayer warriors’ and supporters, rather than active disciplers in the faith journey of our youth.  

Psalm 78 reminds us that it’s the collective responsibility of God’s people to pass on the gospel (not just the story of the cross, but the faithfulness of God since creation) to the next generation so that they might know God, trust God, and obey God (Ps. 78:4-7). 

⁴ We will not hide them from their descendants;
    we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
⁵ He decreed statutes for Jacob
    and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
⁶ so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,
    and they in turn would tell their children.
⁷ Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget his deeds
    but would keep his commands.

Psalm 78:4-7

But what does that actually look like? Does that mean we all need to sign up as youth group leaders? No (although, if you’re interested, give me a call!) 

Some recent research, headed up by Graham Stanton (Director of the Children’s & Youth Ministry Centre, Ridley College), called ‘Your Story’ has identified 5 key insights that can help to support constructive discipleship of young people.  

The insights come out of extensive surveys completed by more than 400 Australian young people.  

One of the great challenges and encouragements that came out of this research, is that faith grows in a relational ecosystem. In other words, “what is going on around a young person meaningfully impacts their faith as much as what is going on inside them.” (Your Story, Key Findings, pg. 19) 

We tend to think that the most important influences on a young person’s faith journey are internal supportive factors (their personally held beliefs and practises), and so we rely on programs that develop those factors to disciple our young people effectively.  

But the reality is that every person in a young person’s life is a character in their faith journey that has the capacity to shape them (for better or worse). And that includes you!  

Whoever you are, whatever age you are, because you are a part of this church, you are a part of our young people’s lives. And because you are a part of their lives, you are an influence in their faith journey.  

So, while being prayerful supporters of our youth is an amazing and valuable thing (please keep it up!), you can also play an active relational role in their lives that can help to encourage them towards lifelong faith! 

Here’s a challenge for you to think on – not as a judgement but as an encouragement to take hold of the opportunity before you: 

How many of our teenagers do you know by name? How many have you spoken to at church? How many could you pray for with specificity?  

This Sunday, why not try and increase that number by one? Find one of our teenagers (they’re floating around at most of our services) and say hello. Most of them don’t bite! 

And please continue to pray that God would use all of us to faithfully disciple the next generation, for his glory.  

In Christ

Matt Shannon 
Youth Minister