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“Anyway, let me make an awkward segue to the ministry mutiny principle for today. It is grow deep. And my premise with it is this, that if we don’t equip our teens to grow deep in their faith, then they are going to fall victim to this Starbucks spirituality syndrome that I just described.”

Ty agreed, “Yeah, if we don’t train them in the basics of their faith then they will put their own spiritual concoction together, a little Jesus, a little New Age, a little universalism, a little whatever. So how exactly do we help them grow deep?”  “By using this book,” Tony held up his Bible and then opened it to Matthew 28:20 and read the verse aloud, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” What is Jesus saying here, Ty?”

“Hmmm. I guess that he wants all of those who believe in him to follow his commands,” Ty observed.  “Yes, Jesus is telling his disciples that going wide with sharing the gospel is just part of The Great Commission, that as they go wide with the gospel they must also take these new believers and help them to grow deep through teaching them active obedience. Again look at how Christ puts it, ‘Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.’” Tony said, emphasizing the words ‘teach’ and ‘obey’.

“Do you see what Jesus is driving at here, Ty?”  

“Sounds like Jesus was demanding more than just academic knowledge of his commandments, he was also demanding aggressive obedience to those truths,” Ty answered.

excerpt from Ministry Mutiny…A Youth Leader Fable

Questions:

• Do you agree or disagree with the statment that teens like their spirituality like they love their lattes…on their own terms. Why or why not?
• Why is it important to equip teens in the basics of the Christian faith?
• Is that happening in the average youth group? In yours? Why or why not?
• How important is it to equip teens to do theology and not just learn it?

Comment on the 6 Youth Ministry Principles of Ministry Mutiny

1. Listen for God’s Whisper
2. Get Real
3. Go Wide
4. Grow Deep
5. No More Outsourcing!
6. Build on Values, Not Fads
7. What principles did I miss, get wrong, understate or overstate?