H. Bridging: As in the culture, many spiritual teens remain stuck in adolescence, focused on self-fulfillment and self-satisfaction. Spiritual teens sometimes develop a spiritual “career” or ministry within the church which they find very satisfying and fulfilling. Some spiritual teens regress to earlier stages and desire to be spiritually nurtured and dependent.
As in real life, there can come a time when teens, who once rebelled against parents, find themselves desiring to become parents. Usually this comes after forming a highly committed relational partnership which begins as a means for personal growth and fulfillment but naturally leads to an interest in making one’s own children and raising them. This is a signature shift in focus from exciting ministry to the masses to the deeper investment in the life of a few, although parenting relationships can be comparatively boring and exhausting.
HOMEWORK Discussion Questions:
4.25 Who do you know at this stage?
4.26 What is your church doing with people at this stage?
4.27 What church problems arise with people this stage?
4.28 How can you help these people move onward?
4.29 What would a church designed entirely for people at this stage be like? Know one?
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.