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Acts 19 is filled with controversy and confusion. There are divisions and protests. Love contrasted by hatred. Times were confusing and things were rapidly growing, changing, evolving into a new culture. Anyone who observes the current culture would quickly realize the culture of today is the same as what is in Acts 19. It doesn't take a college degree or special training; it doesn't take the latest statistics it only takes the time of sitting down and examining life.
There are casualties everyday in our culture. Our families are plagued with diseases such as divorce, affairs, dissolved relationships, violence, and the absence of Love. Our culture is infected with sexual promiscuity, saturated in sexually explicit images, dominated by men with desires to control a country (MTV, Men's Health, HBO, etc.), decorated with warped images of self worth resulting in mass confusion, laziness and idleness.
Youth have also fallen victim to these harsh days and culture. And culture has taught them to follow the path of least resistance. They are told to “work hard” but, encouraged to do what is the easiest for them. And from a very young age the confusion begins. They are taught two things that oppose each other and taught to accept them both as right. Youth have an extremely hard time comprehending absolute Truth because they are taught all things are relative to the situation. And in the words of Josh Mc Dowell “Unless teenagers are provided with a very different spin on truth — one that is comprehensible, relevant, clear and compelling — they can be expected to follow the path
of least resistance — which is the path of relativism.” Truth never changes but, the method we use to reach the culture must constantly grow with culture.
Statistically the middle school and high school years are crucial in the development of productive adult hood. There is a
greater need now in youth ministry then ever before. Youth are beginning to accept relative lifestyles at alarming rates.
And as relativism grows the moral integrity of the country will be obliterated. The evils of today will become the acceptable
behavior of tomorrow. Take for consideration the changes since the 1950's. In the 1950's High School students were interviewed and asked what they considered to be the worst things in their culture and one of their top 5's was leaving lights on in empty rooms. In 2004 High School students were interviewed and asked the same questions. The results were completely different. The results in 2004 included rape, drugs, pregnancy, shootings and so on.
What happened? Where did the drastic change take place? The change has been there constantly it's just managed to thrive and strive under the notice of moral people. It?s been small steps in an overall major progression. And change is where we must begin. This article is referred to as “The Dream” but, the program is called “The Way” after the statement of Jesus Christ in John 14:6.
The Way is a program designed with the intention of building Adults. Culture for to long has raised kids. Kids are kids naturally. Nothing has to be done to teach a child to be a child but, adult hood however, is not something someone wakes up to one morning. The Way will build a Christ centered life in which people are built to strive to be closer and more like Him.
An old cliché that was coined during the times of malaria is still true, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure.” See prevention though is something that's done on purpose. It's not the latest greatest book, it's not a new accountability partner, it's not in simply memorizing scripture as the Pharisees did (Christ said what they taught was wrong), it's found in a clear cut plan that is based upon the Word of God with the intention of specific results.
The specific results of The Way are to raise a generation that will change the face of our country. They will know and understand who God has called them to be, how to clearly see and understand His will and how to live a successful Christian life. They will have a clear definition of who God is, who they are and how to respond to God and His word. This will result in a maturing Christians who stand upon the Word of Truth, and lead the next generation to Him.
The way defines the overall program. This program is a multi—step program that is interdependent and builds upon itself. It covers everything from knowing and understanding who God is to how to have a successful marriage and even to the true source of happiness. There is no question in life the Word of God cannot answer. For some reason though Christians go through life everyday facing things that they say there is no training manual for. They fumble through life in an awkward way without a plan just learning as they go and they may learn the same things that way but, at what costs? Will it be the cost of a marriage, a job, strained relationships or possibly another lost soul...? What will be the cost?
The Way is designed to successfully meet the needs of adolescence at the appropriate and most critical times of their
transition into adulthood. Fifth and sixth grade are the two most critical years in the forming of a child's attitude
and outlook on life. Psychologically youth decide what is acceptable and unacceptable during their sixth grade year
and make only revisions as they age. That's why the sixth grade year is critical for training youth to see and
understand God and fulfilling the roles He has designed for their lives. Seventh grade as well as eighth grade
is when adolescence begins to examine life and sexually explore their body. Sadly all throughout middle school
adolescence will be encouraged to try various drugs and view pornographic materials. And forty percent of youth
will have premarital sex by the time they start ninth grade.
Life opens in a new way when adolescence begins their ninth grade year. Until this point sexuality was accepted
by peers but not expected. Upon entering high school however youth culture begins to expect sexual performance.
The tenth grade year is when the majority of high school students begin a drinking career that will not end until
after college graduation and the beginning of their first career employment. The eleventh grade year is a broadening
of what they have previously learned. And the twelfth grade year opens a broader horizon for youth. Until this point
parents have decided everything youth did but, when the magical senior year comes rules are less severe. There is
more freedom which youth use to their benefit. And the benefits result in a distorted world view and a deranged
outlook on life. They're anxious to move on but terrified of what lies ahead. Yet again to learn as they go at
an extremely expensive cost.
Once The Way is fully implemented there will be a class specifically devoted for 6th graders, 7th–8th graders,
9–11th graders, and seniors. It will meet the growing needs of both youth but also the parents which are raising them.
The Way is not designed to simply teach youth but, to train them in Life ((John 14:16). The Way will also include
materials that the parents use to follow up and encourage their youth in growing for Christ. It will help to encourage
a God centered home. It will take approximately three years for The Way to be fully implemented and run efficiently.
Each year an additional class will be added until the program is complete.
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