Engaging for a Better Future

Engagiing for a BetterFuture

"Unfortunately, many Christian teenagers are simply unprepared for the world that is awaiting them."

an excerpt from the Barna Group report "Gen Z - The Culture, Beliefs, and Motivations Shaping the Next Generation"

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose."

John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins authors of Change Your World

I believe it should say "today"

"We are instruments chosen by God to be messengers of truth."

David Fiorazo from The Cost of Our Silence

What is a Teacher Leader?

Authentic Direct and Simple Communicates Frequently Walks the Talk; Has Integrity Influenced by God; then Influences Others

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes."

Romans 1:16

A New Mindset

"Disciples can't be mass-produced" [in today's culture].

"Disciples are handmade, one relationship at a time."

"A shifting cultural landscape."

"Institutions such as media, education, church, government, and others significantly influence the faith journeys of the next generation."

David Kinnaman Author of You Lost Me

WhyAre We Here in the Classroom?

We have one passion, but many burdens It is those burdens that bring us back to that passion - the passion to lead others to Christ

Teach/Lead With: Passion Fiorazo states that "Because He (Jesus) died for us and rose again to give us life, the least we can do is speak up."

Reality of 13-18 Year Olds More than 25 percent are on Smartphones, iPads, laptops at least 8 hours a day.

Approximately 69 percent of teens who use social media don't have a problem with the amount of time they spend engaged with such technologies.

Seventy percent of Gen Z trust "television news."

Just one in every 11 are "engaged Christians."

Overall, Gen Z are not optimistic - they are not sure what evil needs defeating!

Teach/Lead With: Empathy "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

The Sermon on the Mount Matthew 7:12

Empathy - Why It Matters It is the understanding or the feeling of what another person is going through.

"One of the saddest things to witness is someone who is defeated."

John D. Barry Author of Jesus' Economy

The apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:12: "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Teach/Lead With: Connection

"There are few things in life more important than valuing people."

John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins Authors of Change Your World

"The Bible is full of examples of beautiful relationships that were built on love and loyalty, not ambition and convenience."

Excerpt from "3 Bible Stories to Teach Your Kids About Relationships" www.gominno.com

At the Core Truth - What is it? How much importance does society put on truth today?

The Gen Z report tells us the impact social media is having on teenagers today.

"Only 24 percent of Gen Z can agree that "lying is morally wrong."

The Force Forming a Generation Through their research, the Barna Group determined that "the Internet is at the core of Gen Z's development.

The study found that "one quarter of Gen Z strongly agrees that what is morally right and wrong changes over time based on society."

21 percent of Gen Z believes that "what is morally right or wrong depends on what an individual believes."

Storytelling Effectiveness of stories: Good stories move people emotionally Good stories communicate truths Good stories stick with people Good stories inspire others

Teach/Lead With: Encouragement "I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I'm not enough Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up."

Lauren Daigle From the song "You Say"

"The peace of God acts as a guard at the door of your heart and mind to provide security against the assaults of guilt, worries, threats, confusions, uncertainties - all those things that threaten our peace."

Dr. David Jeremiah Author of A Life Beyond Amazing

Caring for Young Souls The Barna Group study revealed that those Gen Zers who are anxious (approximately 26 percent) always or usually feel: "afraid to fail" "anxious about important decisions" and "uncertain about the future."

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.."

Hebrews 10:24

Ochuorol STuanbldeasy S

"Everything good in human interaction starts with common ground."

John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins Authors of Change Your World

How God Sees It

Psalm 78:4-7 We will not hide them from their children, Telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and his wonderful works that He has done.

For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children.

That the generation to come might know them, The children who would be born, That they may arise and declare them to their children, That they may set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments;

Our Mission The Great Commission And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:18-20