• Our generation comes to Christ more readily than our parents' generation -- IF we can experience HIM in a vital way.

  • To deal with post-moderns, It helps if you are post-modern yourself. (If you aren't, God might forgive you anyway!) If you ask Him, He will help you to love us and respect our views, which are rapidly becoming mainstream.

  • Present Jesus as the risen, ascended, living Christ, not merely in an abstract, analytical way. Help people to experience His presence.
  v  Pray with folks in Jesus' name for healing, freedom from bad habits and demonic influences.
  v  Celebrate the Lord's Supper regularly, without defining it in rationalistic terms; let
the mystery move in the hearts everyone who participates in the Body and Blood of Jesus
(1 Cor. 10:16).

  • Teach the way the New Testament recommends, letting people discuss God's truths with one another (Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 14:3, 24-25).
  v  Avoid teaching with a monologue. Avoid a dogmatic "know it all" attitude.
  v  Meet in groups small enough to practice this interactive church body life., to let
every person join in discussions.
  v  Act out Bible stories (let children take minor parts), then ask questions about what
the point was, and what we plan to do about it. You do not need an 'audience.' The
purpose is not to perform, but to deal with God's Word in an interesting, dynamic way.

  • Use the 'menu' approach to teaching God's Word.
  v  Avoid linear curriculum. Verify current needs and interests, and select Bible
passages or topics accordingly.
  v  Link Old Testament events that reveal God's attributes with 1) events from Jesus' life in which
He worked out the corresponding truths., and 2) with events from Acts or guidelines from the
New Testament letters, that show what God's Holy Spirit empowers us to do in obedience to
Christ.

  • Let the foundation for your group's life and activities be relational rather than doctrinal, as Jesus required.
  v Jesus said, "If you love me, obey my commands" (John 14:15).
  v   In both Jesus' Great Commission and in His conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus
evealed that the foundation for the Christian life is loving obedience to His commands.
  v  Bible doctrine is essential, but is not the foundation; it is what we build on the
foundation; for all eternity we will be learning more and more about the Almighty.
  v  All that Jesus commanded can be summarized in the seven general commands that we see the
3,000 new believers in the first church in Jerusalem obeying from the beginning. These
commands are to...
Repent from sin, trust Jesus and receive God's Holy Spirit (these three go together).
Be baptized (and live the new, holy life that it initiates)
Celebrate the Lord's Supper
Love God, family, needy neighbor (in a practical way), fellow believers, and
   even one's enemy (forgive)
Pray
Give
Make disciples (tell the good news about Jesus, teach seekers to obey His
   commands, shepherd God's people, send missionaries to neglected
   people groups)

Home      Mentors Listed


Guidelines for Reaching
our New Generation for Christ
For coaching to reach the younger generation,
let Matt & Krista Cain coach you: INFORMATION