How does the Bible describe ministry to youth? One significant passage is Psalm 78, where Asaph describes his commitment to instruct children in the way of the Lord. Here are a few insights from the passage.
Asaph said that he (and those with similar commitments) would not conceal the truth about God from children (v. 4). In addition, he said that he would “tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord.” The content of the lessons that they taught young Israelites focused on the nature of God, specifically on His “strength and His wondrous works” (v. 4). In the modern era, youth lessons in many churches tend to focus on moralizing and bare history. Instead, we ought rather teach our young people about who God is. This involves interaction with history, but at a different level than simply remembering facts.
In verse 5, it is clear that instructing youth in this way is a command of God, not merely optional. What Asaph sought to institute was not an idea that originated in his own mind, but it came from the very mind of God. God’s purpose in commanding this was that the young Israelites would come to know Him (v. 6). In order to honor the Lord with our lives and our ministries, we must minister to youth—it is one of His commands in Scripture.
Asaph also makes it clear that the goal is not merely knowing God in the mind, that is, not merely a factual knowledge about God, but also knowing God in the heart—an experimental, saving knowledge of God (v. 7). The intent of educating our children about the character of God is that, through the work of the Spirit, by the truth of the Word, God would give them saving faith in Him (Jas. 1:18, 1:20; John 3:3-8, 6:63; 2 Cor. 3:17-18). Our intent in ministry should be to see children place their faith in God for His glory (Rom. 15:8-9) and for their good (Eph. 2:4-10).
Children will understand the character of God and, if He is willing, will be saved by faith in Christ when they have a solid understanding of the Scriptures. For this reason, Asaph launches into a lengthy description of God’s self revelation to Israel—seventy-two verses in total! History is crucially important in this psalm because it is not just any tales from the past, but it is God’s history as it appears in the pages of Scripture. Asaph, under the inspiration of the Spirit, restated the content of the word-act revelation that God had previously inspired for Israel. Through the acts of God and the inspired interpretation of those acts, it was possible for the people of God to understand who He was. The same standard should exist for our youth today. We need to teach them about who God is through what He has done, specifically what He has done in Christ. History matters!
Finally, it is important to note that vocational ministers are not solely responsible for the gospel education of youth. In fact, they are not even the primary instructors of children! Rather, Paul commanded that fathers to bring the children up in the fear and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). Youth ministry in the church should be done in partnership with parents, with fathers taking the lead role in teaching children about the character of God.
--Dean of Admissions
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