Many youth pastors make the mistake of “dumbing things down” in an effort to to make their messages appealing and understandable to their audience. Hence, the hidden assumption that a theological rich, sound message and an appealing, understandable, “relevant” message are mutually exclusive.
When I say “dumbing it down” I am thinking of the act of removing the essential “meat” of the truth and vaguely covering it instead. The audience is left with light explanation and defense and application of the truth.
This way of thinking reveals an assumption about teenagers. It assumes that teenagers simply cannot understand sound doctrine and that such preaching and teaching would be “over their heads.” Teenagers are more resilient than many think. I have found that theologically rich teaching and preaching actually inspires thinking and questions from even the youngest of teenagers. They are capable of pondering heavy things and difficult concepts. They are capable of sitting and listening to a message that is biblically sound and teaches accurate doctrine. But because of this oversight, many youth pastors develop weak and vague messages that contain little solid ground upon which teenagers can stand in the name of relevance, appeal, understanding, and even entertainment.
So what do we do? We understand that we can preach theologically rich and biblically sound messages that are appropriate and relevant and appealing. It’s not either one or the other. It’s BOTH. It’s a must. It is possible to lead a preaching/teaching ministry that is theologically sound but is also not “over their heads.” It is possible to preach a sermon that captures your teenage audience and also captures their hearts with Holy Spirit-inspired, rich, theological, truth. It is possible, and I believe, imperative to preach the excellencies of Jesus and the glory of the Gospel in a fruitful way.
“Yeah, but they’re teenagers!” Yes, we must use wisdom and we must consider our audience. We do want to make our teaching “appropriate.” In other words, there are degrees of teaching and preaching that are inappropriate for teenagers. There actually is a way to teach the doctrine of the Trinity to teenagers that is engaging and capturing. There is also a way to teach the doctrine of the Trinity to teenagers that will leave them bewildered. I might teach this doctrine on a certain level to students but on a different level to adults. There is a way to preach sound sermons and conduct deep Bible studies that connect with teenagers and there is also a way to do these things that fall on them as incomprehensible. Wisdom must be used to discern how to do it best with your audience. I have found that when this work is done, the Holy Spirit creates a hunger in students for more truth.
My encouragement is to do the hard work this requires. Do the extensive study to make sure you are helping your students build their house on the rock. Do whatever it takes. Create the time you need to study and pray over your messages if you don’t have it. Don’t be afraid to bring in teachers and preachers who are better than you to serve your ministry. Don’t give in to the practice of preaching weak messages with little substance. Don’t cave to the idea that you must preach very entertaining but weak messages if you want to keep a crowd. You can keep the crowd and preach solid messages at the same time. Do it. Just do it.
Christ Be Magnified 