So within the last couple of days I've been thinking about the role models I've had in my life, but particularly those who influenced me in High School. The people I remember most are those who really invested time with me to talk with me and live by example. Now I have been given the chance to influence the youth each week simply by spending time with them and getting to know them on a deeper level. Doing so has made me realize just how fun it is , but also how challenging to let youth see me at my best.
I've also learned that you have to act alittle different with certain age groups than with others. For example, with the junior high kids, I tend to act silly and joke around more with them while maintaining the image of "the adult". With the older kids, I still joke around and such, but it tends to be less so and we talk more about what the high school youth are interested in and takling about more serious topics like where they want to go to college or how school is etc. Not that I couldn't or haven't talked to the younger ones about serious things, but usually their minds seem to be on other things. It's definitely still a learning process for me about how to relate to the different age groups and interest levels, but I personally find that one on one conversations are the best way to really talk to someone and know them in a deeper way.
The question that comes into my mind is "How do I relate as an adult to kids that I essentially grew up with in the church, who know me and see me as a friend?" I just hope that in some way God can use me to influence the youth in a good way, and be a role model to these kids and that Christ will shine through me and reflect his glory, not mine to today's youth.
Friday, August 8, 2008
3 comments:
I would say by being responsible with your commitments and life decisions. You cannot be considered an adult if you are not holding your word of honor and do not have a strong work ethic. These would be very practical ways to set yourself apart as an adult. Older children will always look for loopholes in their commitments and do the least possible amount of work that they are told. As they mature, they look for responsibilities to take upon themselves that they are not asked to complete but that need completing. They will go the extra step b/c they are thinking of others as more important than themselves. Simple things like, throwing your trash in the trashcan instead of letting someone else clean it up demonstrates maturity to an older child. Holding yourself to the standards that your parents (b/c they are believers) hold themselves to will help. This way when you hold these older children to the same standards, they will see a practical way to apply what they have learned is right from their parents.
The fruit of the spirit is a good place to start. Doing the hard thing b/c you are implementing self control. etc....
Being submissive to authority is huge. This is a great struggle for teenagers. If they see a rebel in you, they will think its all right.
Being Humble in your admission of sin and resolving conflict in a Godly way. (I am terrible at this)
all this just fyi. what I learned as a young adult coming back to the church and trying to encourage girls that I grew up with.
above comment deleted to correct typo.
I'm very glad you're thinking on spiritual things and how you can become a good model for these younger children.
The best way is to follow Paul's advice and "do as I do." That means that your own life needs to be one in which you are constantly trying to follow God's will and live a holy life. Then you can tell those younger ones on whom you want to have a positive effect "to follow me and do as I do."
That's why parenting is such an awesome undertaking, and I mean awesome in its original sense. You have these little people looking to you for leadership and an example to follow. You have to make sure you're worthy enough to be followed. That means using all God's means of grace to accelerate His work of sanctification in your life; prayer, the Word, and fellowship especially.
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