4 recommitment experiences

Group, Jan/Feb 2001 by Case, Steve

Ideas that will open the door for your kids to reaffirm their faith in Christ.

Let's just say Johnny Teenager has been showing up at your youth group since he was 12. He and his family are longtime church members. They come for the potluck suppers and vacation Bible schools. Johnny played a wise man in the Christmas pageant four years in a row. He made it through Sunday school and did something like singing in the cherub choir. Not long ago, as his mom and dad beamed from their front-row seats, he stood near the altar and said "I do" when your pastor asked if he'd commit his life to Jesus Christ.

Johnny's now 16. He shows up to most youth group meetings and never misses a lock-in. But he's questioning everything he's ever been taught, including his faith. Deep inside, he thinks he stood up there at the altar because his parents wanted him to.

So up until now, Johnny's Christian faith has been mostly lip service--good lip service, granted, but lip service none the less. He's looking for that moment when Jesus becomes real to him.1 And he may not even know he's looking.

Here's the kicker... there's nothing you can do to make him decide to follow Jesus. I'll say that again for those of you who are skimming. There's nothing you can do to make Johnny decide to follow Christ.

There's a reason Jesus stood in the water and asked Peter to "come" rather than sit by him in the boat and order him to "go." We can show johnny where the door is. Sometimes we can even open it a little. But when it's all over but the tears, Johnny must step out all on his own. He has to go through the door by himself.

So how do we do our part well? How do we show Johnny the door? Can we actually craft experiences that open that door a little? Yes-that's what these four door-opener experiences are all about.

1 the power of silence

Here's a retreat for brave-hearts. Plan a retreat but don't give your kids any idea of the topic. Have them show up on a Friday night and play their favorite games and crowdbreakers. Then hold an evening service that focuses on Christ waiting to be asked into our hearts (you can use these Scripture passages: Matthew 7:7-11; 11:25-30; 18:12-14).

Early Saturday morning, serve kids a light breakfast, hand each of them a bagged lunch, and tell them they're going to spend the day completely alone with Jesus. Take their watches. Send them out alone with a Bible and a notebook. Have your adult leaders keep an eye on them to make sure no one wanders away too far. Have them make note of where each person decides to stop so you can return to make a visual check on them during the day.

Tell kids they can read, pray, journal, write a letter to Jesus, or write a letter to themselves from God. Somewhere around 6 p.m. gather back at your meeting place and ask them to talk about their experiences. Have a late supper followed by a worship service. Head home after breakfast the next morning.

2 the storm

This idea requires both advanced planning and last-- minute action. Using the story of Jesus walking on the waves and calling to Peter (Matthew 14:22-32), create a worship experience that includes prayers and Scripture readings. Print an order of worship on paper. Then get access to a laminator at a grade school or a copy shop. Make many copies of your order of worship, then laminate them and keep them in a file.

Then keep an eye on the weather report. If your area is expecting a big storm, contact your group members and tell them to be ready for something big and spontaneous. When the storm hits, arrange to pick kids up or meet at a designated spot-it should be somewhere out in the open yet close to a sheltered area you can use if things get bad. Make sure kids know to dress well for the conditions. And move kids to shelter at the first sign of danger. Never hold the service during an electrical storm.

Hold the service in the pouring rain or snow. Don't give in to whining or griping. Give kids each one of your waterproof worship guides. Tell the story of the disciples freaking out when Jesus walked on water. Tell them that Jesus is calling to all of us. Emphasize that even Peter had his moments of doubt-he sank like a stone. Then give them each a chance to "step out of the boat" and walk into the arms of Jesus, who will be there even if we sink.

3 the feeding of the 5,000

If you live near an airport, you know the winter months can sometimes throw it into chaos. So before the next big storm heads your way, tell your kids what you're planning. Ahead of time, put together baskets full of insulated cups, creamers, and sugar packets. Then, when the airport is under duress and flights are cancelled, gather your kids and as many insulated coffee containers as your church members can spare. Show up at the airport with coffee and donuts and just give them away. Don't accept money.

Afterward, gather your kids back at the church and ask: How did this activity impact you? When were you moved by the response of someone to your gift? How was this act of giving like Jesus' gift of salvation? How have you responded to that gift? How would you like to respond now?