World Changers 101: A Call for Teenagers to Live Radically for Christ
"When I grow up, I want to be a doctor," I would say. Like many
kids, the seven year-old "me" had my future set. Six years later, that
dream came to a screeching halt, when, while sitting in a college
biology lecture with a raging headache and sore note-taking hand, I
decided that a left-brained career wasn't for me.
Like most kids, I've been hearing the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" since I was three. We live in an educated society where the achievement of the "American Dream" is the ultimate goal. I started working toward that goal before I was even in high school. In fact, I was even enrolled in college courses at fourteen years old. But I was so wrapped up in preparing for my personal future that I was forgetting about something else that was even more important: the world around me that needed my help in the present!
Many look at us teenagers and see tomorrow's adults who will fit nicely into society without making many waves. But I see today's leaders. Today's missionaries. Today's teachers. Today's world changers... that is, if we will accept the challenge.
"World changers?" you may ask. You may think that's quite a tall order. And it is. But do you really think God placed us on this planet so that we could sit around and let it stay the same? Do you really think He gave us our skills, talents, and resources we have so that we could make ourselves happy? Heck, no!
So why am I trying to get this message across to teenagers? After all, isn't this a job for adults? Again... heck, no! Teenagers have the ability to make just as big or an even bigger impact on the world than adults can! And why? Because "making a difference" isn't exactly expected from us. The world expects us to be bratty kids who sit around, play video games and only care about our friends and the way we look. When a teenager steps out to change something, people often can't help but to watch in awe. Imagine the amazing things we can do for God's glory if we're willing to embrace this challenge!
This idea might make you uncomfortable... especially if you're shy and hate to have attention on you! I happen to be very comfortable on a stage, no matter how large the crowd. But others aren't, and I get that! Not all of us are called to be speakers or politicians. Our giftings are all different and there are many different ways we can use those giftings to change the world. But we also have to remember that sometimes our comfort zones are too restrictive, and God is calling us out of them. Jesus is calling us to live radical lives for Him... not comfortable ones. No one has ever changed the world from an easy chair!
On the other hand, don't forget that God has placed adults in our lives--parents, pastors, and other spiritual leaders--to help us and instruct us. As powerful as we might be at our age, we still need their wisdom and input!
So, do you want to join this great endeavor? Here are a few ideas to get you started. Just remember that you don't have to stop at these. Heaven is your limit!
1. Find some younger kids to mentor one-on-one. I can't stress the impact of this one enough!
2. Pop your little bubble and go befriend the kids who usually shrink into the shadows. Go eat lunch with that one kid who everyone else thinks is weird. Yeah, people might think you're uncool, but guess what? You'll be changing lives, and I guarantee that you'll get some pretty close friends in the process!
3. Start using your talents to share the gospel. The impact that Christian actors, writers, artists, movie producers, musicians, athletes, etc., have made on the world is incredible.
4. Work in your church's kids' ministry. Children are impressionable-they need the example of older kids who are living out their faith!
5. Get involved in behind-the-scenes work for the campaigns of righteous politicians who are seeking public office.
6. Start a Christian club at school or a Bible study in your home.
7. Get into public speaking and find opportunities to speak on causes and issues that will make a difference. It's amazing how quickly a crowd will be drawn to a young person behind a podium.
8. Start fundraising efforts to build a water well for a village in Africa or India (or other international missions projects).
9. Get involved in local missions work.
10. Invite a bunch of kids over to watch a great movie that clearly shares the gospel. Make sure you advertise free food--that will always draw a crowd!
11. Pass out gospel tracts. Everywhere.
12. Learn how to witness to strangers. Then do it.
13. Learn to become a leader in group settings. Remember, the greatest leaders are ones who lead by example.
Now, go get 'em, tiger!
Like most kids, I've been hearing the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" since I was three. We live in an educated society where the achievement of the "American Dream" is the ultimate goal. I started working toward that goal before I was even in high school. In fact, I was even enrolled in college courses at fourteen years old. But I was so wrapped up in preparing for my personal future that I was forgetting about something else that was even more important: the world around me that needed my help in the present!
Many look at us teenagers and see tomorrow's adults who will fit nicely into society without making many waves. But I see today's leaders. Today's missionaries. Today's teachers. Today's world changers... that is, if we will accept the challenge.
"World changers?" you may ask. You may think that's quite a tall order. And it is. But do you really think God placed us on this planet so that we could sit around and let it stay the same? Do you really think He gave us our skills, talents, and resources we have so that we could make ourselves happy? Heck, no!
So why am I trying to get this message across to teenagers? After all, isn't this a job for adults? Again... heck, no! Teenagers have the ability to make just as big or an even bigger impact on the world than adults can! And why? Because "making a difference" isn't exactly expected from us. The world expects us to be bratty kids who sit around, play video games and only care about our friends and the way we look. When a teenager steps out to change something, people often can't help but to watch in awe. Imagine the amazing things we can do for God's glory if we're willing to embrace this challenge!
This idea might make you uncomfortable... especially if you're shy and hate to have attention on you! I happen to be very comfortable on a stage, no matter how large the crowd. But others aren't, and I get that! Not all of us are called to be speakers or politicians. Our giftings are all different and there are many different ways we can use those giftings to change the world. But we also have to remember that sometimes our comfort zones are too restrictive, and God is calling us out of them. Jesus is calling us to live radical lives for Him... not comfortable ones. No one has ever changed the world from an easy chair!
On the other hand, don't forget that God has placed adults in our lives--parents, pastors, and other spiritual leaders--to help us and instruct us. As powerful as we might be at our age, we still need their wisdom and input!
So, do you want to join this great endeavor? Here are a few ideas to get you started. Just remember that you don't have to stop at these. Heaven is your limit!
1. Find some younger kids to mentor one-on-one. I can't stress the impact of this one enough!
2. Pop your little bubble and go befriend the kids who usually shrink into the shadows. Go eat lunch with that one kid who everyone else thinks is weird. Yeah, people might think you're uncool, but guess what? You'll be changing lives, and I guarantee that you'll get some pretty close friends in the process!
3. Start using your talents to share the gospel. The impact that Christian actors, writers, artists, movie producers, musicians, athletes, etc., have made on the world is incredible.
4. Work in your church's kids' ministry. Children are impressionable-they need the example of older kids who are living out their faith!
5. Get involved in behind-the-scenes work for the campaigns of righteous politicians who are seeking public office.
6. Start a Christian club at school or a Bible study in your home.
7. Get into public speaking and find opportunities to speak on causes and issues that will make a difference. It's amazing how quickly a crowd will be drawn to a young person behind a podium.
8. Start fundraising efforts to build a water well for a village in Africa or India (or other international missions projects).
9. Get involved in local missions work.
10. Invite a bunch of kids over to watch a great movie that clearly shares the gospel. Make sure you advertise free food--that will always draw a crowd!
11. Pass out gospel tracts. Everywhere.
12. Learn how to witness to strangers. Then do it.
13. Learn to become a leader in group settings. Remember, the greatest leaders are ones who lead by example.
Now, go get 'em, tiger!
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thank you