Teaching Notes – What’s Wrong with Youth and Youth Groups (2)

Grace Thoughts

Teaching Notes – What’s Wrong with Youth and Youth Groups (2)

Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.

Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.

These teaching notes are from a radio program about youth and church youth groups. You can read Part 1 of the series here.

[These notes are from 50 years ago.]

[Listen to a Podcast of this study by clicking this link.]

Do you want to go to Heaven? Then you will need to meet the Lord of Heaven. You do not have a chance of making it to Heaven without Jesus Christ. Our message is very simple. The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Corinth centuries ago – “And I, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, for I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

The message of the New Testament Church was very simple – Jesus bore the penalty for sin on the cross, was buried, and was raised from the dead on the third day by the power of God. This is the Gospel – good news! Too many churches try to make their messages sound so high and lofty, when in truth they are without any knowledge of God and salvation through Christ.

Many people in American churches are headed for hell and destruction today because they have not met the living Savior. Jesus Christ is a Person and Life Himself – not a history or ceremony. “Let him that is athirst come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Be done with ceremonies and come to Jesus!

Eternal peace is Christ’s legacy to those who believe in Him. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let your heart not be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus wants to give you peace today! Peace is a gift of God. Why are so many people without peace? They are without Jesus.

Many thousands of so-called ‘Christian’ young people walk the aisle of their church and make a profession of faith. I was one of them. They spend the rest of their lives ‘playing church,’ while headed for hell. You may fool the church, the youth group, your pastors, your friends, even your parents; but you can’t fool God.

Are you playing church? Are you a ‘pretend’ Christian who puts on a pious face during youth group, Sunday school, and church services? You may be able to present yourself as a ‘Christian’ here on earth, but all pretentious are gone when you stand before God in Heaven. God will turn to the angel of the Book of Life and ask, ‘Is this person’s name written in the Book?’ And as all of Heaven listens, the angel says, ‘No, my Lord.’ And then the awfulness of your sin will be known to every creature as God says, ‘Cast him into the lake which burnt with fire and brimstone.’

You played church, but you rejected Jesus Christ – Lord of the Church. What a horrible and unforgivable sin. There is no escaping God’s judgment. If you will not accept the payment that was made for you on the Cross of Calvary by Christ Jesus, then you will pay with your own life in an eternal nightmare of pain, fire, and torment.

What is your choice ‘youth of America?’ Heaven or hell? Jesus or judgment? Only you can choose.