“How Can A Young Man Cleanse His Way” (Psalm 119:9) Working With Young Adults

““How Can A Young Man How Can A Young Man Cleanse His Way”Cleanse His Way”

(Psalm 119:9)(Psalm 119:9)

Working With Young AdultsWorking With Young Adults

IntroductionIntroduction ““How can a young man cleanse his way?” How can a young man cleanse his way?”

(Psalm 119:9-11)(Psalm 119:9-11) ““By taking Heed according to Your word” By taking Heed according to Your word” In this study we will noticeIn this study we will notice

What efforts the sectarians have made to What efforts the sectarians have made to provide for social desires provide for social desires

What our responsibility is in working with What our responsibility is in working with young adultsyoung adults

IntroductionIntroduction

Definitions Definitions Young-Young- “as being in the first part of life” “as being in the first part of life”

(Webster, (Webster, Dictionary of American English)Dictionary of American English) Adult- Adult- “having arrived at mature years, or to “having arrived at mature years, or to

full size and strength; as an adult person or full size and strength; as an adult person or plant.” (Webster, plant.” (Webster, Dictionary of American Dictionary of American English)English)


Primarily we will notice those who are Primarily we will notice those who are college age to early 30’s college age to early 30’s

The Biblical principals are applicable to The Biblical principals are applicable to those of more advanced years as well those of more advanced years as well


The Bible speaks about the young. The Bible speaks about the young. Eccl. 11:9Eccl. 11:9 1 Tim. 4:121 Tim. 4:12

Their responsibility to the Lord is to remain Their responsibility to the Lord is to remain faithful to Him. faithful to Him.

Knowing that the young have the Knowing that the young have the responsibility to keep their lives pure and to responsibility to keep their lives pure and to “know that God will bring you into “know that God will bring you into Judgment” is the key to understanding our Judgment” is the key to understanding our responsibility to work with them. responsibility to work with them.

What do the Sectarians offer?What do the Sectarians offer?

Primarily Focus is centered not of Primarily Focus is centered not of Salvation and Faithfulness Salvation and Faithfulness

But social desires and wants. But social desires and wants.

Larry Brown: Associate “Pastor,” Singles Ministries Gateway Church

“Imagine a place where you are safe at home, where you have thousands of aunts, uncles, parents, children, grandparents and grandchildren—a place of acceptance, advocacy and abundance. A group of people who challenge you to go beyond where you are, but don't judge you for where you have been. Doesn't this sound great? It is possible because at Gateway EVERY SINGLE PERSON MATTERS!

The Singles Ministries at Gateway Church is full of life and diversity. We serve individuals from all walks of life. Some of our singles are young, some are married but separated, others have never been married, and some wish they had never been married, while a select few can't think of anything else but getting married.

Many are gainfully employed and are making major contributions to society; others are looking for work and are struggling to make ends meet. A few of our young singles don't consider themselves single, they just aren't married yet. Several of our singles are a little [angry] that we use the word single. (I mean, after all, we don't refer to married people as doubles, do we?) As you can see, we have people that know where you are coming from and will meet you where you are” (Brown, gatewaypeople.com).



“Nexus Ministry”

“If you are a single in your mid 20's to 30's, you are part of a diverse group of individuals who have all the marks of being the next "greatest generation." You are ambitious, informed, educated, hard working and trend-setting; yet you feel a bit tumultuous, troubled, broken and independent. You know you have great potential, but sometimes it seems society won't give you a chance, take you seriously or acknowledge that you count. Nexus is the ministry for you if you don't fit the mold, if you strive for something better, if you know you have something to offer” (Brown, gatewaypeople.com).

Marcus Brecheen, Associate “Pastor” of Marriage & Family Ministries at Gateway Church

“Pre-Marriage Counseling Ministry”“At Gateway Church we define Pre-Marriage Ministries as "a short ministry for a lifetime marriage."

Our strategy is based on the guiding principle that the long-term success of any venture can be attributed primarily to its foundation. We are more interested in the marriage than in the wedding. It is on that premise that we will only perform marriages for those couples who have fulfilled our guidelines. Our reasoning is found in today's statistics, which show that over half of all marriages end in divorce ... and less than half of those that endure are truly happy ones.

Marcus Brecheen, Associate “Pastor” of Marriage & Family Ministries at Gateway Church

Our desire is for marriages in which both partners are truly fulfilled for a lifetime. Our experience is that the key to fulfillment in marriage is a solid foundation. We believe that with just a little effort in the present, couples can resolve differences which often pose problems for them in the future.

God is the Creator and Designer of marriage and His ways work best. His intention for you is to have a marriage that grows happier each year. With that in mind, we've designed a strategy to give you the foundational tools to experience deep fulfillment from the start”(Brecheen, gatewaypeople.com).

Both Former Preachers in the Institutional Churches of Christ

Larry Brown Marcus Brecheen

Second Baptist Church Second Baptist Church Houston TexasHouston Texas

““Largest single-adult ministry in the U.S”Largest single-adult ministry in the U.S” ““Get connected with others by visiting one Get connected with others by visiting one

of our Bible study classes for singles. of our Bible study classes for singles. Each class, which averages between 50 Each class, which averages between 50 and 150 people, maintains a full social and 150 people, maintains a full social calendar with parties, small groups,, calendar with parties, small groups,, service projects, retreats and sports service projects, retreats and sports leagues” (leagues” (www.second.org/global/singles.aspxwww.second.org/global/singles.aspx). ).


““Largest single-adult ministry in the U.S”Largest single-adult ministry in the U.S” Get connected with others by visiting one Get connected with others by visiting one

of our of our Bible study classesBible study classes for singles. for singles. Each class, which averages between 50 Each class, which averages between 50 and 150 people, maintains a full social and 150 people, maintains a full social calendar with parties, small groups,, calendar with parties, small groups,, service projects, retreats and sports service projects, retreats and sports leagues” (leagues” (www.second.org/global/singles.aspxwww.second.org/global/singles.aspx). ).


““Largest single-adult ministry in the U.S”Largest single-adult ministry in the U.S” Get connected with others by visiting one Get connected with others by visiting one

of our of our Bible study classesBible study classes for singles. for singles. Each class, which averages between 50 Each class, which averages between 50 and 150 people, and 150 people, maintains a full social maintains a full social calendarcalendar with parties, small groups, with parties, small groups, service projects, retreats and sports service projects, retreats and sports leagues” (leagues” (www.second.org/global/singles.aspxwww.second.org/global/singles.aspx). ).

Broadway church of Christ, Lubbock Texas Broadway church of Christ, Lubbock Texas

“Christ in Action” University Ministry“Christ in Action” University Ministry ““We are a group of people who are looking to and for Jesus We are a group of people who are looking to and for Jesus

in our world today. We are reminded of the passage found in our world today. We are reminded of the passage found in Matthew 16:15: “But what about you?” he asked “Who in Matthew 16:15: “But what about you?” he asked “Who do you say that I am?” In answering this question we are do you say that I am?” In answering this question we are also given the answer to our own question. We are also given the answer to our own question. We are Christians who believe That in order to know Christ, we Christians who believe That in order to know Christ, we must strive to be like Jesus. In fact, we must not only be must strive to be like Jesus. In fact, we must not only be like Jesus, we must Be Jesus for our time and place” like Jesus, we must Be Jesus for our time and place” (www.broadway-church.org/ca/default.htm)(www.broadway-church.org/ca/default.htm)

““Be Jesus for Our time Be Jesus for Our time and Place”and Place”

This is a Good Concept.This is a Good Concept. (Galatians 2:20)(Galatians 2:20) Yet their “ministry” is not what it seems. Yet their “ministry” is not what it seems. Notice:Notice:

Broadway church of Christ, Broadway church of Christ, Lubbock Texas “Christ in Action” Lubbock Texas “Christ in Action”

University MinistryUniversity Ministry

Posted in their News and Events “Summer Posted in their News and Events “Summer News”News”

““Sunday Nights– Devos and fellowship time.Sunday Nights– Devos and fellowship time.

Each Sunday night we will schedule different Each Sunday night we will schedule different events around Lubbock. We will have a short events around Lubbock. We will have a short Devotional followed by fun fellowship. Devotional followed by fun fellowship. Examples include Sand Volleyball at the Examples include Sand Volleyball at the Knowlton’s, swimming, Putt-Putt, movie nights, Knowlton’s, swimming, Putt-Putt, movie nights, etc…” (etc…” (www.broadway-church.org/ca/default.htmwww.broadway-church.org/ca/default.htm). ).

Fred Stoeker “Everyman’s Fred Stoeker “Everyman’s Battle”Battle”

““My church in Des Monies has an excellent choir known My church in Des Monies has an excellent choir known throughout our region for its professional sound. Our throughout our region for its professional sound. Our orchestra is even supplemented with players from the local orchestra is even supplemented with players from the local professional symphony orchestra. In discussing our professional symphony orchestra. In discussing our church with a new neighbor, she said, “Oh, I’ve been to church with a new neighbor, she said, “Oh, I’ve been to your church, I really like it. It’s like a show!” your church, I really like it. It’s like a show!”

My church has an excellent schedule of tradition-driven My church has an excellent schedule of tradition-driven events. There is our “Super Bowl Sunday” evening events. There is our “Super Bowl Sunday” evening service that fosters racial harmony. We have “Honor service that fosters racial harmony. We have “Honor America Night” every fourth of July to honor our great America Night” every fourth of July to honor our great country, inviting renowned speakers like, Elizabeth Dole, country, inviting renowned speakers like, Elizabeth Dole, Gary Bauer, and Cal Thomas. Our Annual “Metro Night” Gary Bauer, and Cal Thomas. Our Annual “Metro Night” honors the volunteers and staff of our daughter church in honors the volunteers and staff of our daughter church in the inner city. We have Christmas specials, Easter the inner city. We have Christmas specials, Easter specials, ‘Friends Day,’ ‘Back to School Night,’ and much specials, ‘Friends Day,’ ‘Back to School Night,’ and much more. more.

Clearly, we’re striving to be ‘the church to belong to’ in Des Clearly, we’re striving to be ‘the church to belong to’ in Des Moines. Have we profited? What has come from this Moines. Have we profited? What has come from this search for excellence?search for excellence?

Recently, we scheduled a week of nightly all-church prayer Recently, we scheduled a week of nightly all-church prayer meetings to begin the new year. Now hardly anyone would meetings to begin the new year. Now hardly anyone would argue with the strategic value of prayer or question the fact argue with the strategic value of prayer or question the fact that we’re commanded as believers to be faithful at it. But that we’re commanded as believers to be faithful at it. But obedience in the matter of prayer is costly and takes obedience in the matter of prayer is costly and takes commitment. On Monday night as our week of prayer commitment. On Monday night as our week of prayer began, a mere thirty-four adults showed up out of a regular began, a mere thirty-four adults showed up out of a regular church attendance of twenty-three hundred. By Thursday, church attendance of twenty-three hundred. By Thursday, only seventeen adults were praying. I was totally only seventeen adults were praying. I was totally discouraged. Yet one week later, on Worker Recognition discouraged. Yet one week later, on Worker Recognition Sunday, one thousand people where there to be recognized Sunday, one thousand people where there to be recognized for their service in the church”for their service in the church” ” (Arterburn, Stoeker 52)

What Do We Have To Offer?What Do We Have To Offer?

We are NOT in competition with the We are NOT in competition with the denominations! denominations!

God’s Word: The TruthGod’s Word: The Truth (Romans 10:17) God’s Word (Romans 10:17) God’s Word (Hebrews 11:6) Why is Faith important? (Hebrews 11:6) Why is Faith important? (John 17:17) The Lord’s word is “truth” (John 17:17) The Lord’s word is “truth” (Acts 20:32) God’s word Builds up and Gives (Acts 20:32) God’s word Builds up and Gives

and Inheritance and Inheritance (James 1:21) God’s word is able to save our (James 1:21) God’s word is able to save our

souls souls (2 Peter 1:3) God has given us all things (2 Peter 1:3) God has given us all things

“unto life and godliness”“unto life and godliness”

New Testament ChristianityNew Testament Christianity

The commands of the Lord; that by which The commands of the Lord; that by which we will be judged.we will be judged. 2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 Romans 2:16Romans 2:16 John 12:48John 12:48

Faithful churches are helping people to Faithful churches are helping people to prepare for that day!prepare for that day!

We must do his will (Matthew 7:21-23)We must do his will (Matthew 7:21-23)

New Testament ChristianityNew Testament Christianity

New Testament worshipNew Testament worship Acts 2:42Acts 2:42 (John 4:24)The opportunity to worship in Spirit (John 4:24)The opportunity to worship in Spirit

and truthand truth No gimmick was used on Pentecost! And No gimmick was used on Pentecost! And

yet, 3000 obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:41)yet, 3000 obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:41) (1 Corinthians 2:2) “ I determined to know (1 Corinthians 2:2) “ I determined to know

nothing among you except Jesus Christ nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”and Him crucified.”

A FamilyA Family

(Romans 12:15) Rejoice and weep together (Romans 12:15) Rejoice and weep together (Galatians 6:2) “bear one another’s (Galatians 6:2) “bear one another’s

burdens…”burdens…” Family of God is concerned with spiritual Family of God is concerned with spiritual

righteousness righteousness (Galatians 6:1) Restore those in error(Galatians 6:1) Restore those in error (Galatians 6:6) the taught share in “all good (Galatians 6:6) the taught share in “all good

things” with the teacherthings” with the teacher (Hebrews 3:12-13) Exhort one another to keep (Hebrews 3:12-13) Exhort one another to keep

from sinfrom sin

A FamilyA Family

(Mark 3:33-35) “Those who do the will of (Mark 3:33-35) “Those who do the will of God are My Brothers”God are My Brothers”

(Mark 10:29-30) receive a hundredfold (Mark 10:29-30) receive a hundredfold what was given up for the sake of Christwhat was given up for the sake of Christ

(1 Timothy 5:1-2) Christians are to treat (1 Timothy 5:1-2) Christians are to treat each other as a familyeach other as a family

(1 Peter 3:8) Christians are to “love as (1 Peter 3:8) Christians are to “love as brothers”brothers”

The Importance of Godly Physical The Importance of Godly Physical Families Families

(Romans 14:12) We must give an account (Romans 14:12) We must give an account of ourselves.of ourselves.

The blame for young adults who go into The blame for young adults who go into apostasy does not always lie with the apostasy does not always lie with the parents.parents.

What can we do to help children remain What can we do to help children remain faithful when they become adults?faithful when they become adults?

Teach Children the Word of Teach Children the Word of GodGod

(Ephesians 6:4) bring them up in the (Ephesians 6:4) bring them up in the “training and admonition of the Lord”“training and admonition of the Lord”

(2 Timothy 1:5) Timothy’s faith(2 Timothy 1:5) Timothy’s faith (Proverbs 22:6) “Train up a child in the (Proverbs 22:6) “Train up a child in the

way he should go” way he should go”

Discipline ProperlyDiscipline Properly

(Proverbs 13:24) “He who spares his rod (Proverbs 13:24) “He who spares his rod hates his son…”hates his son…”

(Proverbs 19:18) “Chasten you son while (Proverbs 19:18) “Chasten you son while there is hope…”there is hope…”

(Hebrews 12:5-11) God Chastens His (Hebrews 12:5-11) God Chastens His childrenchildren

Be A Good ExampleBe A Good Example

How many have gone into sin because the How many have gone into sin because the followed a “faithful Christian’s” Bad followed a “faithful Christian’s” Bad example?example?

(Matthew 18:6) could our example cause (Matthew 18:6) could our example cause one to sin?one to sin?

Be A Good ExampleBe A Good Example

Children see our example in:Children see our example in: Our attendance (Hebrews 10:23-26)Our attendance (Hebrews 10:23-26) Our conduct (Philippians 1:27)Our conduct (Philippians 1:27)

(John 14:15) “if you love me, keep my (John 14:15) “if you love me, keep my commandments” commandments”

Documents

“How Can A Young Man Cleanse His Way” (Psalm 119:9) Working With Young Adults