One thing I’d like to introduce more into my youth group is the humanity of Jesus, a topic that I’ve been pondering in my heart a lot lately. Because if we (and our youth) do not fully understand or believe that Jesus was 100% human when he was here on the earth, what would any of the New Testament kingdom stuff mean to anyone? “Oh, yeah, of course Jesus could do that . . . he was God! And I am not!”
Our youth need to be inspired and pumped up by Jesus, in the same way that they get pumped up and inspired by their peer leaders, musicians, celebrities . . . whoever is leading the culture of this generation. Like how many youths would jump into the water and try to walk on it if they saw their youth leader or someone else they know doing it, like Peter did when he saw Jesus?
They need to believe that Jesus came not only to reveal who God is, but also reveal who we are in the kingdom of God, as a human being. That Jesus was a man with “nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance” who fully dealt with the same temptations, trials, and hurts as we do, and that he overcame like we can as his followers. That even though he was the son of God, he was also the son of man while he was on the earth. That he did nothing for himself or on his own – that his entire life, not just on the cross (that was the big finale), was an outpouring and sacrifice of God’s love for us so that we might know how to really live and that he completely relied on his Father in everything that he did.
So, anyone have any teaching/activity ideas? There is not much recorded on Jesus’ childhood or the small, daily stuff of his life (I’m somewhat jealous of the people who witnessed his life and knew him). I could only come up with these few ideas, and I’m definitely searching for more! (or any resources that you might know of)
1. I think that any knowledge/teaching on ancient Hebrew culture helps
2. Discussion of the temptations in the desert, when Jesus’ parents ‘lost’ Jesus at the temple in Luke 2:48-52, and all the implications of the statement ‘my time has not yet come’ (maybe not only was Jesus waiting on God, but he also wanted to be known as ‘normal’ for as long as possible?)
3. Have the youths write down the qualities of Jesus that they see in each other.
4. Guest speakers with lots of kingdom testimonies?