What influence People’s choices

Three tiers of influence exist  First – contemporary music, movies, TV, internet, public policies and parents  Second – peers, schools, mentors, universities, and siblings  Third – churches and faith communities, adult education, counseling, and extended families

Levels of influence vary  Relative influence of these elements varies according to a person’s age, life stage, family character and socioeconomic standing.  Key point – control and maximize their inlfluence at every stage of life

Foundations develop early  By the age of 9, most of the moral and spiritual foundations of a child are in place.

Validity of views is continually challenged  After age 9, the child will shift mental gears to either confirm or challenge his or her moral spiritual foundations  Every new experience causes them to challenge their prevailing views to some degree  Whether to revise their viewpoint depends on various factors:  Strength of existing view  Pressure and benefits of reconsidering that view  How credible and reliable of that external source that pressuring them to make the change.

Intentional Effort impacts  The more intentional and strategic the effort at influence is, the greater is the effect of that effort.

What do kids need? 1. Purpose – help them to find their purpose in life -- 2 out of 3 teenagers are seeking  Figures are higher among adolescents  ½ of all adults are still seeking Meaning and purposes in life are gained by developing spiritual understanding (“why God created me?”, “ What am I good for?”, What is my calling?”)

Grasping the purposes  Mission  “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” And, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27)  Vision  Unique to the individual,  significant contribution that God has carved out for us contributing to His Kingdom

What kids need?  Perspective  How to make sense of the world (world’s view)  How to make choices (moral values)

7 facts children need to know to establish his world’s view  Does God exist?  What is the character and nature of God?  How and why was the world created?  What is the nature and purpose of humanity?  What happens after we die on Earth?  What spiritual authorities exist?  What is truth?

Four foundations in establishing perspective  Cornerstone 1 –understanding that the Bible is a credible manual for life  Cornerstone 2 – A commanding knowledge of Biblical content  Cornerstone 3 – The identification of Organizing principles  Cornerstone 4 – burning desire to obey God

What kids need? 3. Personality – need maturity to face the outside world  Removing emotional and behavioural obstacles to growth  Strength and perseverance to face the outside world  Sense of responsibility and empowerment Through building a personal relationship with God

What kids need? 4. Personal relationship with God and others -- established channels of deepening our relationship with God and others  Worship  Evangelism  Discipleship  Stewardship  Service  Fellowship