If you want to help teenagers know and follow Jesus, there are a few things they need to see in you, before they will really listen to what you have to say.
In the next few blogs I'm going to share a few things that I've learned not only as a youth pastor that worked with teenagers for 20+ years, but also as a father of teenagers myself.
Here is the first thing teens need to see in you.
1 - Authenticity.
Are you real or are you putting on a show? Teenagers hate to be lied too. If your private life does not line up with your public persona, you are lying to them. Eventually the truth will come out and they will not trust you. Teenagers have plenty of people in their life that consistently say one thing and then do another. Don't be one of them! If you are who you say you are. If you keep your word. Teenagers will love you.
Teenagers just want you to be yourself. If you are a 34 year old Dad who likes country music, then don't act like a hipster around them. If you are really into sports, then be into sports. If you love reading then talk about the books you read.
Teenagers are trying to discover who they are. Because of this, anyone who knows who they are and is comfortable in their own skin is very magnetic to a teenager. Just be yourself. Love God in front of them and they just might love him too.
Click the links below for resources designed to help you grow.
12 THINGS EVERY YOUTH PASTOR NEEDS TO KNOW - eBook
YOUTH MINISTRY UNIVERSITY - one year online training course