I guide 20 till 30 teens in my church. i'm not a pshycology. so i want to learn about the methode.
203949
Trying to get teenagers interested in anything these days is a difficult task, and I applaud you for trying to introduce them to Christianity.  However, you must know and understand that you can not lead anyone to salvation. You can not save anyone.  You can not bring anyone to God.  All these things are brought about ONLY by the free will God gave them. They must choose.\n\nThat being said, leading by example is the best approach.  Nothing you say will mean anything to these kids if they think you are full of crap (pardon the term).  But it's true, young adults and teenagers are longing for good guidance by adults they can trust.\n\nIt's also important to find ways to establish a relationship with their lives, and the life of a Christian.  Give them some examples of how fear, anxiety, social relations with the opposite sex, the future, etc. are all made clearer and better when you have friends that have shared experiences, and that these experiences have meaning.  Let them know that being a good Christian means being a part of something beautiful and fulfilling.\n\nNever take them for granted.  All their problems are very real, and sometimes devastating (even if you think they are trivial.)  Teenagers have such a strong need to be accepted and understood, and if you just say "trust in God" over and over again, they'll become immune to it.  \n\nStay creative and entertaining.  The attention span of the avergae teen is about 10 seconds, maybe less.  You have to keep them focused. (This will end up being the most difficult part.)\n\nAnyway...good luck, and God Bless.  Don't give up, and trust that The Lord will find his way into the hearts of these kids, and that these kids will want Him there.
196833
I have no answer except to tell you to phone several nurcing homes in your area.  Or speak to several local clergy who have been involved in the spiritual well being of people in nurcing homes.
590400
Just make up a lot of doctrines that fit your needs. That's what they do. It doesn't even have to agree with the Bible.
193070
I think that often we gain perspective with age.  Often the people trapped by cults are younger people who are searching for something and haven't found it yet.  They are easy prey for cultists. People often leave cults of their own accord when they get older and they can, as you say, step back and consider what they are doing.
317109
If you are asking for historys sake, Ronin is right about the mostly Protestant, and Anglican thing. (In England.) If you are asking for now a days... don't worry so much about what church is right, and focus on getting your heart right. Your local pastor isn't going to be your judge, God is. Line up with His rules. Get a relationship with Him. Notice I said relationship, not religion?
22882
Your teacher or *a* teacher at your school might help (if that helps you).  Also, they might have tutors lined up.  You can try local churches in some communities.  Otherwise, ask your questions here.
608374
Two years ago I was in a church where there was a lot of bitter bickering. The pastor became a jerk and I never felt the Spirit move through.\n\nWe changed church and we feel alive! It is definitely worth the search!\n\nWhen we got there, they did not have a lot of children, so children and youth programs were limited. We now have 5 different youth/kids ministries (that I can think of off the top of my head). Our kids are great at missions and are VERY knowledgable in the Word of God.
561677
OK- you're 19....here's an observation from a 40 year old.\n\nWhen I was a child, I took everything my parents said absolutely. I never questioned anything.\n\nWhen I became a teen, I took on the popular 'you aren't the boss of me mentality'....and questioned everything....and didn't much take their advice- I could decide things for myself.\n\nWhen I became an adult- and a parent- I realized my parents were right about just about everything. They had lived through a lot, made mistakes, seen others make mistakes. They had the benefit of wisdom and experience, and weren't such bad guides, after all.\n\nI see my relationship with the Church the same way. As a child, I did what I was told. As a young adult, I bought into the idea that I could make my own decisions--many of the bad ones.\n\nNow, with the benefite of hindsight, I realize how much pain in my life could have been completely avoided if I had followed the teachings of the Church.\n\nI made my own decisions on many things....and eventually came to relize I was WRONG when those decisions conflicted with Church teaching. Every time and without exception. The Church has always been right and I have always been wrong.\n\nSo now, when an issue of faith or morals comes up- I look to the Church first, and form my opinions based on what the Church teaches. After all- the only purpose of the Church is to help us get to Heaven!\n\nNow, the Pope. No, he doesn't 'control' me. I do look to him as my spiritual leader, a man of faith who is an example for me as a Christian. And when he speaks on matters of faith and morals, I obey him as leader of the Church who wants only the best for me.....like any good parent.
677300
Right on!!  I live a sheltered life, honestly... out in the middle of nowhere, where everyone you know goes to your church and everyone in the community is one great big family.  I was shocked to learn of some of the things that people believe, for instance, I didnt know that there was an actual religion called Satanism, and they go to church at the church of satan!  What??!  \nAfter asking some of my questions on here, I have learned a whole lot.  There are soooooo many people who are lost, and I never realized that until now! (BTW - I'm 20yrs old)
79708
you know, pal, i came through this stage too, and I'm only 13. I may sound dorky but I found a way to stop being depressed. first of all, search your heart and your subconscious mind. is there anything that happened in past that affected you, like your boyfriend dumping you or your parents ignoring you? whatever it is, sort it out, write it down in a piece of paper, then mail it to somebody without your name and return address. or if you're afraid of rejection of the mail, burn the paper. then after that, throw away your ouija board. burn it. the ouija board is a powerful source of emotional distress. then since you drench your pain in your fathers alcohol, STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL. Dare yourself not to go anywhere near that alcohol. Have a fear of the alcohol, just as you must have a fear of the ouija board. think of them as awakening pains. then lock yourself in a room, sit in a "yoga position" then peacefully, meditate your problem. if u still have the ashes of the burnt paper, put it in a goblet, hold it while meditating, then if u feel u want the presence of the ouija board or the alcohol, just cry. cry and dont stand up, just cry your tears into the goblet. another, listen to music. not PUNK, ROCK, BLUES or any depressing music. listen to soothing music, music that is really deserving to be called MUSIC. and when the weather is warm, go out, take a little stroll, appreciate the oxygen, the plants and the people around. and remember, count your blessings. you are not among the population of people who cannot even eat or use computers. count your blessing. you have your father. you have your life. you have your house, your room and your account in yahoo. they are all simple, but when you compare them to other people, ponder. do they have a chance to use computers?? more than half of the population of Earth havent even used a computer. pal, you are lucky. just try to have a different view.after you have that different view in life, refresh yourself then read Bible and go to church. if this doesnt work out, relax. its hard at first, but if you listen to God's words, depression will leave you. if this doesnt help, i suggest you contact a psychologist to help you.and dont forget, if u dont have money and u really need a counselor, you can have downpayment. this worked out for me, trust me, and i believe this will work out on you two. if you need further help, just send me an e-mail kiss_carraine14@yahoo.com and remember I can be your friend and I want to be your friend.
331591
I am 41 years old and I am a personal secretary for my pastor at her church and I am also bible school teacher as well.\n\nNote: I answers some of these questions because of the experience (personal) that I have gone through in hopes that whatever I have to offer them far as knowledge and wisdom they will use it at there own discretion. Some of the people that I have answered to have used my advice and have had some success with and some well I don't know but whatever I give I give to help people with there problems and not just give them any old answer to get a mere two points.\n\nI appreciate that you were willing to ask what kind of people are out there that are answering these questions and I hope that I gave you an idea of what kind of person I am for the reason I answers so many people! Thanks..
462371
Never heard of a major movement of teens joining cults before. You might want to check out http://www.rickross.com/ . This guy is the Cult expert.
488507
Interesting.  The Lord has put many in my life. Right now, I have a group of late teens, early twenties... I am preparing them for college,  by training them in Christian apologetics. This will help them defend their faith against the worldliness of college. My ex-wife... without her I may not have gotten to know the Lord and not be doing what I am doing now.  I had a wonderful class a few years ago and was able to teach science from a Christian perspective. One of the students, Sarah died last week. I believe she is in Heaven. This is rough when you see this happen to a 16 year old. But I hope I was able to make some difference in her and her families life.
28282
I had a great time as a teen going to youth group activities both at my own church and my friends' churches. I never felt like I had to do anything immoral or illegal to have a good time. I learned a lot about the Bible and my relationship with God was nurtured and strenghthened. Pairing off was never a big concern for me because I was a late bloomer and guys weren't that interested in me. \n\nThere were so many things I got to do. Hay rides with hot chocolate made by church ladies waiting when we got back. Silly camp songs. Canoing. Playing hide and seek at night. Lock-ins. Movies. I don't know. Maybe I'm just easy to please and have fun doing most anything. \n\nThe youth pastors that made a big impact on my life were kind, genuine, honest people. They lived what they taught and took their faith seriously, but knew how to have fun. Keep up the good work. It really does make a difference.
652807
You young Christians should have your parents explain these things to you. Have you thought of bible study?
207631
You asked how to be happy and wholesome. Cool. You asked the question of non-Christian folk. OK. Lets remember what you didn't ask ... How to attain enlightenment, or get to heaven, or please any Deity. Fair enough. So we'll just stick to those first two things ... How to be happy ... Learn to be content with things as they are. That means to practice simple acceptance of other people, places, things, circumstances, etc. When you can accept things as they are you can live without trying to change those things or control those people or etc. You get the idea. While you're accepting others as they are in order to be happy don't forget to extend that same acceptance to your self. Its just a matter of letting everything be what it is, and knowing that its that way for a reason, and ... that's OK. So far ... HAPPINESS = ACCEPTANCE. Now, wholesome. A dictionary definition of "wholesome" is: #1; Promoting good health or wellbeing, healthful. #2; Improving the mind or morals. #3; Looking healty or vigorous. ... Whoa! You're not asking for much, are you? lol Its not that complicated, really. Give life a little thought. Keep your self and your space clean. Get some exercise. Try to eat a ballanced diet. Take a multiple vitamin daily. The health aspect isn't all that hard. That part about improving the mind and morals? A little more work. Improve the mind? Exercise it a little. Read. Watch a little History Channel. I think you know how to exercise your mind already. Just do it consistently. Your morals? That's simple. Simple ought never be confused with easy. Pick a moral code, and ... LIVE IT! Which one? Hey, not my call. Suggestions? Sure. Center your life on (and you don't have to be any of these things to use something they have that YOU find useful) ... The Wiccan Reede. The Jewish 10 Commandments. The "Golden Rule" of Jesus. Whatever. Picking is the easy part. That's simple. Now, living it, that's another story. Be consistant, but be loving with yourself when you make a mistake too. Just DON'T GIVE IT UP! BE CONSISTANT! And last, but not least, get out of self. You do that by helping others and being there for them. It also gives you the exercise you need in acceptance AND your morals. Neither of those work well in a void. ~ Peace & Blessings ~ ;-)
526129
There is a reason why they open up to you. It is because you are 100% honest with them and use your own experience. What they are looking for is someone who is real, not some dull dry outlined bible study. Although there is a time and place for bible studies, God has you where you are for a reason. \nBefore answering this question, I read someone else's response saying you're still a kid yourself. To this I say GREAT! All the more reason for you to keep teaching these kids. Oh my goodness, if people only realized the character of Christ and how he loved to relate to the childlike and not to the religious Pharasees, you'd be getting more response like mine telling you not to change a doggone thing. They need you and it sounds like you're Pastor has enough wisdom to put you there.