Do You Care?
You reproduce what you're exposed to. If you want students to walk with Christ and demonstrate the highest quality of biblical care, you need to set the pace by modeling Christian care. Makes sense, doesn't it? Then why is it so difficult? Because we don't have a plan. If you want to help students demonstrate care for others, here's a MODEL to follow.
Mention frequently what God says about caring for others. Jesus is the ultimate example of compassion in action, but don't assume students know that. Use teachable moments to share these verses: Matthew 25:40, Luke 10:29-37, and 1 Thessalonians 5:11.
Obey God's teaching by practicing what you preach. This is more obvious than we want to admit, but it must be stated. Your students will reproduce what they're exposed to, so practice what you preach. And remember, when you mess up-and you will-admitting you're wrong is a good example.
Define what care looks like. Illustrate over and over and over again. After students hear God's Word and see it lived out in your life, expand their vision. Tell stories about your experiences of caring for others and what God taught you through them. Have other adults and students share their experiences. Provide as many examples of real-life caring as possible.
Examine your own life. Have someone you trust give you honest feedback about how you can improve caring for others. This is a much more vulnerable step, but the most effective. If you want to help students demonstrate care, you have to be willing to be the prime example. This is built-in accountability to ensure you're living the life you profess.
Let your students practice. Provide plenty of formal and informal opportunities for them to put into practice what they learn. Take your students out of the classroom and into the world. Mission opportunities abound in your own area, as well as in your church. By now your students have heard the truth, seen it practiced in your life, and gained a greater understanding of what they can do, so let them practice caring for others!
Being an effective Christian MODEL requires more than setting a good example. It involves teaching (Mention), applying (Obey), illustrating (Define), accountability (Examine), and practice (Let). If you apply all five of these steps, you will reproduce care in your students.
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Showing someone that they
Showing someone that they care or that they are concerned is not something that comes easy for a teenager. I don’t want to say most but a lot of teenagers are simply trying to keep their own head above water without having to worry or care about someone else. Therefore it is important that we teach the necessary lessons that will influence our teens to care for others. However, I understand that simply teaching is not going to do it. For teens, they learn from various methods. Most of which do not include simply sitting down and hearing a message. You often have to include other things that will help them remember the principle you are trying to teach.
This acronym for M.O.D.E.L is a wonderful help in teaching the value of caring. Mention it again and again until it sticks. Most of us youth pastors got that covered. Obey God’s word, in others words practice what you preach. That is a good one that goes for any age. Define what care looks like. This is a perfect opportunity to share all the old war stories. Just kidding! Examine your own life. As a leader, we are to be an example for others to follow. However, since we are not perfect, we can adjust ourselves accordingly. Admit to others yo made a mistake and the humility will speak volumes to your teens. Finally, Practice is a great hands on opportunity. Taking the group to a homeless shelter will not only open their eyes but teach them about servanthood.
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