HOW TO CONNECT MILLENNIALS AND THE GOSPEL

HOW TO CONNECT AND THE GOSPEL

So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Millennials don t want fluff or sugar-coating. They want an authentic, honest approach to the Bible. Whether they believe all of it yet or not, they want the people who teach to teach what they believe, and then be willing to discuss it with them as they explore. Ron Edmondson

Young people today seem to crave genuine, no strings attached, healthy love from older adults and they want it to be unconditional love through the good times of their life and the times they mess up. And they want us to love first, without qualifications added. Ron Edmondson

Born 1980-1996 Almost 100 million people (including immigration) Now ages 20 to 35 (today s young adults) Internet natives esp. mobile The Selfie Generation Grew up with Helicopter Parents Believe in collaboration & cooperation Experiential but crave authenticity Concerned about social justice WHO ARE THEY?

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Leadership? Discipleship

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Leadership? Discipleship

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Leadership? Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Pay Your Dues First Discipleship

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Leadership? Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Pay Your Dues First Organized Events Discipleship

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Leadership? Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Pay Your Dues First Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Discipleship

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Leadership? Discipleship Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Pay Your Dues First Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age A Series of Meetings - then Discussion & Questions

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Discipleship Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age A Series of Meetings

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Hanging Out Developing Connections Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings

What do generational differences look like in ministry? MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Hanging Out Developing Connections Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Hanging Out Developing Connections Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction Motivate Older People to Build Relationships - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Hanging Out Developing Connections Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction Motivate Older People to Build Relationships Equip All Believers to Take Opportunities - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Hanging Out Developing Connections Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction Motivate Older People to Build Relationships Equip All Believers to Take Opportunities Clearly Communicate the Philosophy & Purpose - then Discussion & Questions Growing Relationships Share the Gospel out of Relationships Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Collaborative Voice Organized Events Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Hanging Out Developing Connections Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction - then Discussion & Questions Motivate Older People to Build Relationships Growing Relationships Equip All Believers to Take Opportunities Share the Gospel out of Relationships Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Clearly Communicate the Philosophy & Purpose Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Identify the Next Generation of Leaders Collaborative Voice Organized Events Hanging Out Developing Connections Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction - then Discussion & Questions Motivate Older People to Build Relationships Growing Relationships Equip All Believers to Take Opportunities Share the Gospel out of Relationships Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Clearly Communicate the Philosophy & Purpose Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Identify the Next Generation of Leaders Collaborative Voice Organized Events Plan Inter-Generational Interaction Hanging Out Developing Connections Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction - then Discussion & Questions Motivate Older People to Build Relationships Growing Relationships Equip All Believers to Take Opportunities Share the Gospel out of Relationships Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Clearly Communicate the Philosophy & Purpose Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Identify the Next Generation of Leaders Collaborative Voice Organized Events Plan Inter-Generational Interaction Hanging Out Developing Connections Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Create Creative Learning Environments Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Doing Life Together

MINISTRIES Preach The Word & Give Opportunity for Interaction - then Discussion & Questions Motivate Older People to Build Relationships Growing Relationships Equip All Believers to Take Opportunities Share the Gospel out of Relationships Busy Schedules (especially on Sunday) Clearly Communicate the Philosophy & Purpose Fewer Services But, Meaningful Interaction Leadership? Pay Your Dues First Identify the Next Generation of Leaders Collaborative Voice Organized Events Plan Inter-Generational Interaction Hanging Out Developing Connections Classes & Curriculum Organized by Age Create Creative Learning Environments Find Info Online Learn via Relationships Discipleship A Series of Meetings Disciple Leaders to Disciple Others Doing Life Together

What do generational differences look like in ministry?

IDEAS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE MINISTRY STRAETGY TO INCLUDE & MINISTER TO :

1. Make the complete, clear and creative exposition of Scripture a priority. 2. Develop sermon-based, intergenerational small groups with the freedom to ask hard questions. 3. Build intentional, ministry-focused mentoring relationships. 4. Identify, train, mentor and involve the next generation of leaders

5. Identify, train, mentor and involve the next generation of leaders 6. Equip / train ALL believers to serve (use their God-given gifts). 7. Teach all generations the Gospel - and train them to articulate the Gospel.

IMPACTING TODAY S POST- CHURCH, POST- CHRISTIAN, POST- MODERN CULTURE:

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES 1. The clear, complete and creative presentation of The Gospel. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel 2 Timothy 3:15-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable 2 Timothy 4:1-4 Preach the word! PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Are we looking for ways to share The Gospel? (individually & corporately) Our churches must make the clear exposition of Scripture a top priority.

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES 2. Building genuine relationships within your community. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES 2 Timothy 1:5 genuine faith that is in you 1 Peter 3:15 always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS How & where can we seek to develop interpersonal relationships within our community?

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES 3. Serving others with genuine humility. BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES John 5:36 the very works that I do bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. Luke 14:25-35 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS What are things we can do to serve others and attempt to meet needs in our communitiy?

CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 4. Looking for ways to have a voice or influence in the public arena. Acts 17:1-9 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures. Acts 17:22-34 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship Acts 18:1-3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked Are there opportunities for community involvement? (schools, government, media, the arts, community, health care, social needs )

And they said to one another, Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us? Luke 24:32

God designed His church to be both crosscultural and inter-generational. The generations need each other. The very best place for godly, older believers to encourage and mentor younger people to live for Him should be the local church a local assembly of Christ-followers who are committed to reaching emerging generations with the Gospel and then helping them grow closer in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

HOW TO CONNECT AND THE GOSPEL