The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Christian Women

Hey Everyone,<br><br> I'm just wondering if any of you can give me some advice for dealing with some of the young ladies in my youth group. The group I'm a part of has many "Reformed" kids in the upper grades, they know how to argue it at least, but lately I've noticed some stuff I don't think is very Christianly. I don't want to hear how the youth of the nation are all sinners and going to hell, that can be said about any age group and people have said it about teens for several millenia, but I do want to know how I can deal with one really annoying practice I've seen.<br><br>Some of the older girls (and by example the younger girls too) have taken to slapping and pinching each others bottoms and making jokes about being couples and lesbian marriage and having multiple men and such, and while it's not like we have a bunch of lesbians (they all profess to be straight), I think it's wrong for these kinds of things to be joked about. The specific youth in question don't think a second thought about any of it, they just laugh and go on. My youth minister has been to busy dealing with other things (group wide stuff and personal matters) to deal with this issue in particular. <br><br>I find the entire situation awkward and unapproachable because I don't want to risk ruining my reputation again (as I did before God convicted me about the reformed faith), and I feel like I don't have the authority to say anything, but it's causing me to stumble more and I know it sets a bad example for the younger kids.<br><br>I'm sorry for how poorly written this is, but I would appreciate any suggestions on how to effectively oppose these (and other) unchristian behaviors amongst my peers, especially dealing with girls.<br><br>-Brother Luke<br><br>P.S. If further clarification is needed, post your questions cause I don't always check my mail like I should.<br>

I do not have any profound suggestions on how to bring up the subject or how to best treat the situation, but here are a few scriptures that might be of help:<br><br><blockquote>Ephesians 5:3-4 "But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks."</blockquote><br><br><blockquote>1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."</blockquote><br><br><blockquote>2 Timothy 2:16 "But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,"</blockquote><br><br>Chris<br>

Dear Luke:

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers." Eph 4:29

Is what you describe edifying to the Saints and glorifying to the Lord? Of course not, and that is why it bothers you. There are many other verses which could be brought to bear on this behaviour and more importantly the irrevent attitudes that underly it, but if they will not listen to this, if it is brought to their attention lovingly and with genuine concern for their eternal welfare, I doubt they will listen to others.

May the Lord help you, and them, as you deal with troubling, but common occurance in the "church".

In Him,

Gerry

BrimstonePreacha,

Both Gerry and Chris have offered some excellent comments. Let me then just add this possibility for your consideration. When Christians in general, not just kids, joke continually about such matters as Lesbianism, group sex, etc.. it generally indicates that these people have not taken the doctrine of Total Depravity seriously, perhaps even in regard to their own state by nature and from where they have been delivered by grace, if that is truly the case for them. Secondly, it also shows that they have given little thought to the holiness of God and how HE views such sins, e.g., Hab 1:13, et al.

The Scriptural verses the other brothers have suggested are great in that they show how a professing Christian is to conduct themselves outwardly. What I'm focusing upon is how a professing Christian should be "thinking" inwardly, that is heart contemplation (Gerry, are you not smiling? ). What we truly "think" will determine what we "do". (cf. Prov. 23:7). Put another way, Theology is the application of the Bible to all of life. The bottom line is that if these kids KNEW the heinousness of the type of sins which they are joking about and how much offense they are to their God, they would not be making light of such things, but rather first express their thankfulness that the Lord has kept them from such sins, and that those who do practice such things are poor needy sinners who need to be delivered, washed and reconciled to God by grace. They are in dire need of Christ. Speaking among themselves as to how they could possibly bring the Gospel to such people would be far more edifying and productive, IMHO. br>
In His Grace,

Pilgrim:

In response to:

"Gerry, are you not smiling? "

Yes, I certainly was, but even more so at your timely question .
Your Brother In Him,

Gerry