Jesus-centered character that matters every day . That ’ s faith beyond youth group .
Given the prevalence of character gaps in the United States , equipping young people with the Christlike character they need to live out their faith beyond youth group might seem impossible .
It ’ s not .
Our research has yielded a five-point compass that will guide you in forming the character of young people in your own context . We ’ ve intentionally chosen to depict our findings from the Faith Beyond Youth Group research as a compass , not as a checklist or linear process , because it is a navigational tool , a way to orient ourselves in a particular direction using a map in order to reach a particular destination . When we turn , the compass shifts and we explore different terrain . While the order of the compass points listed in this book reflects the most common chronological order we saw in churches , it is by no means the only order .
The five points of the Faith Beyond Youth Group Compass are cultivate trust , model growth , teach for transformation , practice together , and make meaning .
Cultivate Trust
According to our interviews , youth ministries like yours are already highly relational . This finding was so salient in our research that the first point of our Faith Beyond Youth Group Compass , cultivate trust , asks how youth ministries can best leverage the relational strengths they already possess to develop character-forming identity , belonging , and purpose . Our relationships as leaders can build faith beyond youth group when they are permeated with trust and punctuated with empathy and authenticity .
Model Growth
Modeling is showing others who we are every day . Teenagers wonder , Are you for real ? Are you the same outside church as you are inside ? They ’ re watching for what our everyday actions reveal . Do we model growth ? When we live consistently , we let them know they can trust us with the parts of themselves they might be hesitant to bring to church — including their doubts , questions , mistakes , and hurts . As youth leaders , we can model consistency and integrity as we live everyday faith imperfectly , both within and beyond the church — so teenagers can follow us as we follow Christ ( 1 Cor . 11:1 ).
Teach for Transformation
Youth leaders value teaching . We believe it is imperative to faith and character formation . Yet so often our teaching has been focused on one-way information transmission , which seldom forms actual character . Throughout our Faith Beyond Youth Group research , we were amazed at the innovative ways youth leaders like you formed character by teaching for transformation — building on the work of others , telling stories , asking questions , and commissioning others with authority , which are all strategies Jesus used with his followers to form their character . When character is taught in a way that transforms young people ’ s identities , they leave with faith beyond youth group .
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