Conversations on faith

[Koolerkev]

Is it necessary or in one’s best interest to have conversations on God and things related to him? I ask this because I have a youth group and they’re all generally good people, but outside of God related activities, they absolutely never talk about their faith. And I’ve been a part of it for years now, and it always sort of bothered me that every conversation they have and I have with them is secular. Like, where is God in their speech?

I just recently got off of a charismatic retreat that my youth group went to, and there were 2 hour breaks for lunch and dinner to go anywhere (the retreat place was a convention center on the boardwalk). And I just found it a stark contrast every time we’d take a break from the retreat, after listening to deep talks of conversions and of God, everyone would just jump to the boardwalk and talk about everything and anything except God. Even after the baptism of the holy spirit part, the most intense and emotional part where a lot of people were left shaking and crying, the conversations immediately after had nothing to do with what just happened. It was as if nothing happened to them at all. I would’ve expected at least a passing comment about the experience, but there was nothing.

It just always bothered me that my youth group always have secular conversations. I’m not sure if I should be concerned about it or not. Because spirituality doesn’t necessarily have to be talked about because it can be a private matter. But I’m not sure that it should be so much of a private matter than no one talks about it at all. Maybe they just find nothing to talk about in that subject. Should I be concerned that my youth group doesn’t talk about God? Would it better to try and talk about God and spirituality around them or should I just not worry since spirituality doesn’t need to be directly spoken about?

 

[sea_star]

Is it necessary or in one’s best interest to have conversations on God and things related to him? …
Should I be concerned that my youth group doesn’t talk about God? Would it better to try and talk about God and spirituality around them or should I just not worry since spirituality doesn’t need to be directly spoken about?

My first impression is that maybe the youth in your group are not comfortable with bringing God into casual conversations outside of “designated times” ( meetings for discussing experiences or laying on of hands in prayer)------It could be just that some are there because their parents make them; or, embarrassment; or, ???; For whatever reason, it is left *to you *to break the ice and talk about God or the experiences that you shared in the meetings— if you want. Feel them out, because there could be some who feel the same as you—they might just be wary to talk. It will take a few tries, but keep trying—

I have the feeling you need to connect to someone your age spiritually
We all need friends who care about the same things we care about. That is how you will grow in your love for God, and appreciation of our Faith.

I hope you connect with others your age, people you can learn from about their spirituality and how they tick–what good advice you can give them or they can give you concerning prayer and understanding spiritual matters.

God BlessYou, and good luck—hope this helped, or that it made sense.

 

[PraRFLEsEkHm]

Hi

In my experiences with teenagers (primarily mine, but others too) is that they tend to stick things away on a shelf and come back to it later. Especially when it is a personal matter. The more personal it is, the deeper it gets tucked away.

Don’t be surprised that teenagers are unwilling to talk to you about their experiences, or with each other at the time, either. First they decide for themselves, and with themselves, what it means to them. Then they may occasionally bring it up to each other, usually a close friend - way away from parents or other adults - and discuss it further.

Lastly they might bring it up to parents or another trusted adult, who through experience they know they can trust to keep their ‘secrets’, and get feedback there.

The reason for this, again just from my experiences and observations - is that teenagers in particular have been told their whole life what to do, what to think, what to feel, etc. etc. So whenever given the opportunity to take care of things themselves they do just that. Keep it to themselves and deal with it their own way. This is the period in their lives when you, as a youth group director ( and for parents) have to trust that you did a good job, trust that above all, God is looking out for them and everything will be just fine.

Just because talk reverts back to secular things doesn’t mean they didn’t have a profound experience and they aren’t thinking about - or going to think about it. Among teens (as well as adults sometimes), secular talk is ‘safe’ and normal. Something stable to counter-act what just happened to them, and a starting place to assimilate the experience that just happened. When something spiritual and overwhelming happens to people, it’s normal to want something familiar to fall back on and use as a reference point to put it in context, and how best to utilize the experience.

Sorry if this all sounds kinda clinical - it’s just my nature I guess, I’m working on it .

Hope this helps, and makes some kind of sense to you

Peace

John

 

[Koolerkev]

Thank you guys this has all been really insightful and helpful.

So generally I just shouldn’t worry if people talk about their faith or not because they’re uncomfortable or embarrassed or they only talk about it to a few select people. And if they don’t I shouldn’t judge that their faith life can’t grow because God can use others means for them to grow. And secular talk isn’t bad as long it isn’t sinful secular talk.

And I can also try to bring God into the public forum by “breaking the ice.” Because now that I’ve thought about it, I’ve always had this desire to discuss Godly things with other people, even not just discuss but simply to state it because the richness of the truth is just so amazing. Yet no one responds the same way, it feels kinda lonely not to connect with anyone on that level.

But I really have to thank you guys. I would’ve never found this out any other way to this nagging problem I’ve had for years.