LISTEN

Brain Food

LISTEN

Everyone loves it when others are interested in him or her. Not everyone is looking to be the center of attention, but we all crave acceptance and relationships. We all want to be known. Questions provide a great way to know others, so one of your jobs as a youth worker is to ask questions.

Ask. Wait. Listen. Watch. Ask again.

I want to challenge you to become an expert about your students. The only way to become an expert is to ask good questions so you can know your material inside and out. Ask personal questions, questions that cause your students to think, open up, and share what really matters to them. Ask questions that challenge them and help them see where God is working in their life.

Ask and listen. Don’t give students all the answers. Don’t talk forever about yourself. Students hear enough lectures and probably don’t need another one. Listening shows you care and builds trust—which can lead to a relationship that impacts them for an eternity.

Like They Say…

“Learning to ask good questions opens relational doors, deepens the possibility for fellowship, and sets the stage for personal growth. Start asking!”—Steve Merritt, Group Magazine

God's Word

“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’

“They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.’

“ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ “Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God.’ ”—Luke 9:18-20

Brain Food

You’re Human

The most important thing you can do as a youth leader isn’t to give the most dynamic talk, to plan the best retreat, or to play the best guitar. The most important thing you do is love God—and focus on your relationship with Jesus. It all starts there.

This kind of love is contagious; it can’t be contained. When you love God with everything you are, it oozes into the lives of those around you. Students are particularly observant and will easily pick up on your love for God.

Do this wisely. Pursue God with your mind—seeking truth for the sake of your own faith and for responding to the questions of your students. Be okay with telling them that you don’t know all the answers, and work with them to seek truth together. As you’re dependent on God, this pursuit of answers will be more natural.

Be encouraged—God is using you to further his kingdom in ways that are beyond your wildest imagination!

“God’s creation was for definite purposes. Humans were intended to know, love, and obey God.”

—Millard J. Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine

God's Word

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” —Deuteronomy 6:4-9

BLAST 2012 proved to be the biggest explosion yet! Our new venue was put to the test when up to 160 people gathered for Mass, lunch and the final Small Group Challenge.

It was a weekend full of laughter, life and lessons as we slowly broke open the Gospel “Feeding the Five Thousand”. Each of us is unique; we have been given a special gift that only we can use. It was given not to keep to ourselves, but to share. 

We are made in God’s image and in our words, thoughts and actions he is reflected. Thank you to everyone who made the weekend possible, from the Youth Leaders and supporting adults to the fantastic participants.

Remember the amazing person you where created to be, God does not make rubbish!