Entertainment at our youth group meetings
Apparently there’s a “greater” debate out there between whether today’s teens are the smartest or the dummest generation America has ever seen.
I’m not going to lie: There are a lot of things to worry about. To put it plainly, this is the most ADD generation we’ve probably ever seen. Attention spans range from 3-5 seconds, and if they’re not entertained, they’ll leave you in an instant.
How should that affect our youth group meetings? Many times we scramble to keep teens’ attention and draw them into the message or Bible lesson with games and other entertainment. But let me warn you: Entertainment is a slippery slope.
When you entertain a young person, they only want more. One video game, TV show, movie, or iPod is never enough. It’s always about the next one, the latest and greatest, what’s hot and what’s new.
The same happens in youth group. Make them laugh this week and they will ask for more next week. When we use “entertainment” to draw them in, to some degree, that’s what they’ve come to expect. Then they fall into their usual cycle: That was fun, but what’s next? I want something better!
The truth is that we just can’t keep up. We’re competing against MTV, Apple and Hollywood. So many teens leave youth group because it’s just not cool anymore and there’s more fun to have other places. We tried to keep them entertained didn’t take them deeper.
Entertainment cannot be our foundation. It must be something more: The forgiveness and peace of the Lord, and the excitement, passion and purpose that comes only from Him. Now that’s something the world can never compete with! When a young person truly catches on, they’ll never leave. (Dear Lord, help us! Work in our students’ hearts!)
Entertainment is a great seasoning, but it’s nothing without meat. This can be the greatest generation in history to make a stand for Christ, and we’re in the perfect position to help them get there.
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Great post, Nate!
I think a lot of youth pastors and leaders “know” this, but it’s still so tempting. It creeps back into our meetings sometimes before we even realize it.
The Lord nailed me on this recently as I was praying for our student ministry. Our leadership team feels like He’s given us a big goal for the first half of ‘09, and I was praying for those new students. Praying for wisdom, inspiration, ideas and He stopped me, “You don’t think I can do it Myself?”
In the beginning of Acts, the Bible tells us that the apostles studies, prayed and taught and THE LORD added to His church daily. Hmm.
Good stuff Lex. Amen and amen. Let the Lord bring the increase!
Great post. I’ll go ahead and take it a step farther and say that entertaining people in order to get them to come to youth group is a total waste of time. I’d prefer to engage the few who are earnestly seeking the Lord in meaningful discipleship and let their fire engulf their peers.
I do realize that many churches still gauge “success” by counting heads at their meetings, and this won’t be a popular word in their camp. No issues. I like being controversial from time to time.
You said, “I’m not going to lie”. I wasn’t expecting you to lie!
@Jonathan, thanks for the comment. Couldn’t agree with you more: Focus on the core, hungry students. The funny thing is, when you do that, usually the numbers will grow too–eventually. It takes a bit more effort, but that’s what we’re here for right? ;)