How do get people between the ages of 18-30 interested in Church and Christ?
November 272009
I am a Christian in a small local community, we have a lot of elderly members of the Church and a few people between 40-60. However we only have a very small number of people including myself, between the ages of 18-30. It seems to me to be my responsibility to bring more people my age to Christ. I had thought of some kind of fellowship group, but to be honest I really don’t know where to start. If anybody has had any success at this or has any ideas they would be much appreciated.
In response to the first answers, I have no intention of forcing anyone and quite frankly I was aiming the question at people who are Christians and have had similar experiences.
Thank you Robert C you truly understand what I meant.
I understand that people need to come to God in their own time and that not every Christian goes to church, but with ageing church congregations there are a lot of problems. We need the young people now, and I feel that young people today need God more than ever.
Hi Andrew, I hope I can give you a sensible answer, not like those already posted. I admire you for your zeal in trying to comply with our Lord’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Your thoughts on a fellowship group is a good place to start. May I suggest that you get together with those of your age group in your Church and discuss the possibility of arranging a public debate on the subject of Christianity. You could publicise it by displaying posters, handing out flyers, word of mouth or even e-mails to those known to you all. The mention of free refreshments can be of some help.
There are three booklets which I think would be very helpful in this regard :-
‘Six Steps to Talking About Jesus from www.matthiasmedia.com.au’
‘Six Steps to Encouragement from the same place’
‘Christianity Explored from www.christianityexplored.com’
However, before launching any such enterprise the most important task is to earnestly seek the Lord’s will by prayer. If it is indeed His will that you should proceed with this venture He will leave you in no doubt whatsoever.
The evil one may not like it and try to frustrate proceedings, but just you remember that you belong to the One who by His death on the cross, conquered sin, death and hell, the world the flesh and the devil.
God bless you Andrew, and I pray that you may have every success in the Lord’s work.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
you cant force someone to go to church and believe in christ. It has to be their own decision. You could help them on the way by just talking to the individuals
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November 27th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
You might try free booze.
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November 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
You can try to do it on here, but I doubt it will work.
Best of luck to you, though.
I would suggest doing something locally.
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November 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
How could I interst you in changing your choices? You want to believe what you choose, other people want to believe what they choose.
Why is it so important that everyone else believes what you think they should?
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November 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Show them how to turn water into wine and they’ll be breaking down your Church’s door!
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November 27th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I’m 25 years old. I’m with the people who answered before me. All-you-can-eat pizza, $100 bills, and booze would really help me get interested in religion. Oh and leave the lecturing part out and don’t tell me to do as you say and not as you do.
The end
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Psyched Gabby
Over and Out
November 27th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
1: Beat them to death with a bible.
2. Sacrifice a child in the name of god.
3: Try to talk them into the Mormon belief and once they think that’s crap introduce Christianity.
4: Study Darwin and don’t worry about it they’ll be better off not knowing.
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Being a jerk also an atheist
November 27th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
I don’t agree with trying to force religion on people. If people want religion in their lives they will find it their selves. I get so fed up with Jehovah’s witnesses knocking on my door trying to force me into religion.
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November 27th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Firstly I think ‘fellowship group’ sounds a bit weird (it’ll put young people off. People who dont have a strong faith to begin with dont want to sit around and talk about God and even though i’m sure you dont have this in mind, i think this is how the young will interpret it).
Why not start by looking and advertising for charity volunteers? Maybe collecting blankets in the community and then distributing them to homeless people or raising funds to organise a soup kitchen ( something where they really feel like they are making a difference instead of helping out at a church tombola where all they’ll see are older people who dont need help.
Young people are always looking at ways to improve their CV so you could use this to your advantage (maybe advertise this way).
Also you could organise a little get-together with the volunteers once a week and talk about fund raising projects and also how to spread the word of God and the benefits etc.
I think this would get some young people interested in the church and also be beneficial to the community.
Good luck.
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November 27th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
host a christian rock or christian hip hop concert . or what i mean is that you should make a fun event and invite them. play games and stuff
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November 27th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
All I can say is that the worst thing you can do especially for that age group is to try and force anyone. I am a born and raised non practicing Catholic because of the way my parents tried to force/disipline me when it came to going to church every sunday. Growing up, I was grounded for long periods of time if I missed 1 service but yet my father, the biggest hypocrite on the face of the earth would try and fool everyone at church including God, that he was a true Catholic/Christian. As soon as we would be on owr way home from church he would go back to his same old ways and forget where he was 5 minutes prior. Mentally and physically he was abusive and it got me and my sister turned away. I know better to just trust my own beliefs but it really did scar me. I do 100 percent believe in God. When I do decide to return to the church, (And I will) it will be a Christain church (non denominational) and not Catholic. I went to a Catholic grade school growing up and I do not agree with many of their laws. I believe in God and I believe that he died on the cross for our sins. I think that the Catholic Church goes way overboard in their beliefs. To answer your question, I would find ways to talk to people to ENCOURAGE without over doing it. You cant force anyone. Most people that turn over a new leaf with their religious belifs usually expirence a life changing matter of some kind. You cannot over do it.
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November 27th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Surely it’s up to these young people you mention to choose their own religion? I don’t mean to be offensive towards Christians but Christianity is not the only religion in the world even though SOME people seem to think it’s the only right religion.Let youngsters find their own way-they’re more likely to join you and stay with you then
I
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My personal opinion from an open minded Pagan
November 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Hi Andrew, I hope I can give you a sensible answer, not like those already posted. I admire you for your zeal in trying to comply with our Lord’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
Your thoughts on a fellowship group is a good place to start. May I suggest that you get together with those of your age group in your Church and discuss the possibility of arranging a public debate on the subject of Christianity. You could publicise it by displaying posters, handing out flyers, word of mouth or even e-mails to those known to you all. The mention of free refreshments can be of some help.
There are three booklets which I think would be very helpful in this regard :-
‘Six Steps to Talking About Jesus from http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au‘
‘Six Steps to Encouragement from the same place’
‘Christianity Explored from http://www.christianityexplored.com‘
However, before launching any such enterprise the most important task is to earnestly seek the Lord’s will by prayer. If it is indeed His will that you should proceed with this venture He will leave you in no doubt whatsoever.
The evil one may not like it and try to frustrate proceedings, but just you remember that you belong to the One who by His death on the cross, conquered sin, death and hell, the world the flesh and the devil.
God bless you Andrew, and I pray that you may have every success in the Lord’s work.
References :
November 27th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I have been christened and I had my children christened and I was married in Church but I don’t go to worship at all.
Every time I go there I feel intimidated into believing what they think we should believe in and feel obliged to go to church when really I would rather be at home with my family or out having a pub lunch!
You don’t have to go to church to be a believer, although I am not sure I really am I definitely don’t believe in the Bible but feel there must be something to look up to!
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November 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
"It seems to me to be my responsibility to bring more people my age to Christ."
It’s not, let them come to you when they are willing and ready.
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I’m a Christian
November 27th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Start with Doubt and go on from there.
Try telling it like it is.
Be honest.
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November 27th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Leave them emotionally disturbed for life by scaring the living daylights out of them by telling them if they don;t got to church they will go to hell ?
Why don’t you leave us alone and stop forcing your beliefs on us.
And stop denying you are forcing religion on us when you clearly are!!
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Just reading your last paragraph it seem syou just want younger people to come to church so you can take their money at tithing just so you can keep your church open ?
Two thumbs down ? Touched a nerve have I people ?