What is the current problem of this generation as we see it?
1/2 of US teens do not attend church
Every 2 hours:*
120 babies will be born to teen moms
720 teens contract an STD (4,000,000/year)
960 teens will inflict self-injury
120 teens will become runaways
480 teens will get high on a prescription drug
97 teen girls will be raped
Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…”
When talking to most students, their “vision” for life completely revolves around self. This is not the vision that they were created to fulfill.
If their vision is to constantly promote self, they WILL throw off all restraint to get what they want.
Hosea 4:6 gives us an understanding of the root problem:
“My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me.”
Sadly, both within the Church as well as without, the Word of God is being compromised because some are either giving a watered-down gospel or leaving out the theme of gospel redemption completely. On the other hand, many materials that are good and biblically-based reach over the minds of our students, so that they do not understand how the Bible is relevant to their struggles.
*VoiceARevolution. Teen Statistics In 2 Hours. Youtube. Web. 18 Aug. 2008. http://youtu.be/FaGfNBM8o7I[hr]
Recently, we asked a classroom of students the question…
“What are teens and young adults in this generation willing to do to be accepted?”
In perfect unison, they all replied, “Anything.”
The truth is this generation is willing to do anything, anything at all, for what comes first in their lives.
If their boyfriend or girlfriend comes first…they are willing to have sex.
If their peers come first…they are willing to do extreme and dangerous stunts.
If having a good time comes first…they are willing to attend wild parties and experiment with drugs and alcohol.
If their friends come first…they are willing to lie to and rebel against parents.
If academics or personal hobbies come first…they are willing sacrifice their bodies, minds and souls to achieve “success.”
If their body image comes first…they are willing to starve themselves.
If their identity comes first…they are willing to tie themselves to anyone or any cause, just to belong.
If sexual pleasure comes first…they are willing to have multiple sex partners, engage in same-sex relationships, and view pornography.
Whatever they identify with and find satisfaction in the most, comes FIRST![hr]
The solution is in guiding our students to know Jesus Christ as their First Love!
After all, they were created to find their sole identity in the God who created them and to be wholly satisfied in Him…alone.
First Love: Embracing a Love that Lasts guides young women (ages 13 and older) and their leaders through 22 weeks of studying God’s Word in a way that gives them real answers for real life.
This curriculum is divided into 3 parts to allow you the freedom to choose your pace for study.
Part 1 – Love Begins is 7 weeks of foundational teaching covering creation, sin, and their own need for the Cross, in order for them to “get” the big picture.
Part 2 – Loving God covers 9 weeks of how to love God with all of who they are. Particular sin struggles that greatly affect their ability to do this, such as an eating disorder, self-injury, depression, anxiety, premarital sex, etc., are directly addressed so that they understand God’s desire to see them healed and set free from sin.
Part 3 – Living Love Out spends 7 weeks sharing the biblical truth that living love out requires the laying down of their own lives. It also shows them “how” to live God’s love out to others, especially those whom they struggle to love. This part is especially helpful for students in conflict with parents, siblings, or peers at school.
Our Leader’s Guide corresponds to each of the 22-week lessons in the curriculum. It is packed with related group activities, discussion questions, and additional resources to help leaders address the more difficult struggles in a student’s life.
