The teen years are a time for learning what life is really about and finding purpose and direction for the years to come.
But it is also a time full of questions.
Is obtaining the latest gadget or following American Idol really where life is at? Many teens find the affluence of American life too small a challenge.
"What else is out there that I can sink my teeth into," teens wonder.
Short Term Missions, especially international missions, is one tool that can pry teens out of their comfort zone and change the course of their life.
Here are five things to integrate into the Short Term Mission plans for your youth group.
1.
Discipleship on the front lines.
Has the faith of your youth group been tested? Do these young people really know what they believe and why? Do you know what you believe? Faith is tested in unfamiliar territory, whether geographical, emotional or spiritual.
The unfamiliar is where faith either grows or fades.
Embedding your youth group in challenging situations gives them an opportunity to be stretched.
American churches have too often become comfortable havens away from the front lines.
Don't get me wrong.
We need safe havens to come back to from the front lines.
But you can't just stay there insulated from the world.
At least true disciples of Christ can't.
So if you want to make sure your youth become disciples of Christ, show them the front lines and have them exercise a few spiritual muscles.
Give them ideas for what they can do, prepare them, and then launch them.
2.
A perspective on the big picture.
How many Christians really know what God is doing in the world? If you believe CNN - or most media - God's not doing a thing.
That is a lie, of course.
But how do you find out the truth? The best way is to see it first hand.
The big picture includes more than what God is doing.
Big picture stuff teaches about life "out there," about how not to sweat the little stuff and how to care for the really big stuff.
For example, don't squeal at every bug.
But do take a deep breath when you find out how many people malaria kills every year.
Do shake your head in alarm when you learn first hand how AIDS ravages families.
Learn what it really means to be poor.
Teens can learn more about a different culture in one week than they could learn in a year of studying textbooks.
3.
An Understanding of God's Power.
So, let's be honest, when's the last time God did something amazing in your church like an honest to goodness miracle? Miracles aren't common in most American churches, even the charismatic ones.
We simply don't have much need for them or feel we don't.
On the front lines, there are times that if God doesn't show up someone gets hurt...
literally.
If you haven't seen God work miracles through you, let me tell you there's nothing greater.
The glitz and glam of the world don't compare with Gods power.
Once your teens have seen it in action, they will begin to see it more, in mundane places, where they might least expect it.
They will continue to seek it because it will fire their passions more than anything else.
4.
Training on how to make a difference.
Do the people in your church have the tools to make a difference wherever they live? Sure, they might know how to swing a hammer, but even a construction mission needs more than that.
I'm not saying it's hard to make a difference, but no mater what type of mission your group goes on, they will need training.
The Dream Center in Los Angeles has a method of training people how to make a difference in simple but profound ways.
They are so good at it, in fact, that they routinely train other youth groups in their methods.
They have also started an international training camp in Belize.
Young people I know have come back from that training ready to change their city.
They've even stuck with it for more than a year.
5.
Learning the value of self sacrifice.
American culture breeds superstars and encourages superstar gazing.
We love to watch them perform.
When superstars get into messes, everyone knows about it because the media makes sure they do.
But usually, when superstars spend time and money to help others, little gets written about that.
When they are "found out" they become true American heroes.
Talk with your youth about the joy of giving.
Let them know, from your own example, how much you got as you gave.
You can pull on their heart strings and induce guilt by giving them statistics of all the bad stuff in the world.
But it's better if they learn to give because they want to feel the joy of giving, time and time again.
And the best way to do that is to tell them your stories!
But it is also a time full of questions.
Is obtaining the latest gadget or following American Idol really where life is at? Many teens find the affluence of American life too small a challenge.
"What else is out there that I can sink my teeth into," teens wonder.
Short Term Missions, especially international missions, is one tool that can pry teens out of their comfort zone and change the course of their life.
Here are five things to integrate into the Short Term Mission plans for your youth group.
1.
Discipleship on the front lines.
Has the faith of your youth group been tested? Do these young people really know what they believe and why? Do you know what you believe? Faith is tested in unfamiliar territory, whether geographical, emotional or spiritual.
The unfamiliar is where faith either grows or fades.
Embedding your youth group in challenging situations gives them an opportunity to be stretched.
American churches have too often become comfortable havens away from the front lines.
Don't get me wrong.
We need safe havens to come back to from the front lines.
But you can't just stay there insulated from the world.
At least true disciples of Christ can't.
So if you want to make sure your youth become disciples of Christ, show them the front lines and have them exercise a few spiritual muscles.
Give them ideas for what they can do, prepare them, and then launch them.
2.
A perspective on the big picture.
How many Christians really know what God is doing in the world? If you believe CNN - or most media - God's not doing a thing.
That is a lie, of course.
But how do you find out the truth? The best way is to see it first hand.
The big picture includes more than what God is doing.
Big picture stuff teaches about life "out there," about how not to sweat the little stuff and how to care for the really big stuff.
For example, don't squeal at every bug.
But do take a deep breath when you find out how many people malaria kills every year.
Do shake your head in alarm when you learn first hand how AIDS ravages families.
Learn what it really means to be poor.
Teens can learn more about a different culture in one week than they could learn in a year of studying textbooks.
3.
An Understanding of God's Power.
So, let's be honest, when's the last time God did something amazing in your church like an honest to goodness miracle? Miracles aren't common in most American churches, even the charismatic ones.
We simply don't have much need for them or feel we don't.
On the front lines, there are times that if God doesn't show up someone gets hurt...
literally.
If you haven't seen God work miracles through you, let me tell you there's nothing greater.
The glitz and glam of the world don't compare with Gods power.
Once your teens have seen it in action, they will begin to see it more, in mundane places, where they might least expect it.
They will continue to seek it because it will fire their passions more than anything else.
4.
Training on how to make a difference.
Do the people in your church have the tools to make a difference wherever they live? Sure, they might know how to swing a hammer, but even a construction mission needs more than that.
I'm not saying it's hard to make a difference, but no mater what type of mission your group goes on, they will need training.
The Dream Center in Los Angeles has a method of training people how to make a difference in simple but profound ways.
They are so good at it, in fact, that they routinely train other youth groups in their methods.
They have also started an international training camp in Belize.
Young people I know have come back from that training ready to change their city.
They've even stuck with it for more than a year.
5.
Learning the value of self sacrifice.
American culture breeds superstars and encourages superstar gazing.
We love to watch them perform.
When superstars get into messes, everyone knows about it because the media makes sure they do.
But usually, when superstars spend time and money to help others, little gets written about that.
When they are "found out" they become true American heroes.
Talk with your youth about the joy of giving.
Let them know, from your own example, how much you got as you gave.
You can pull on their heart strings and induce guilt by giving them statistics of all the bad stuff in the world.
But it's better if they learn to give because they want to feel the joy of giving, time and time again.
And the best way to do that is to tell them your stories!