1. Adolescent Spiritual Transition and Development Attaining and Maintaining the Standard of Righteousness © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

2. The youth pastor’s (and pastor’s) job is to help members of the body (born again believers) reach and maintain the Biblical standard of righteousness. The Standard: Biblical Righteousness © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

3. Personal righteousness is displayed in and through our personal conduct. The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

4. While we cannot judge an individual’s salvation, we can observe the production of fruit (growth of “Biblical” conduct) The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

5. Obviously the goal is to meet or exceed the Biblical standard of expectation The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

6. But reality is, few of us ever constantly and consistently maintain the standard. The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

7. The Standard: Biblical Righteousness Remember! Meeting a standard is not a precursor for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9) we can only strive to met and keep the standard because of our salvation and consequential walk with Christ (Romans 8:29; 12:2) God’s Grace -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

8. Reaching and maintaining a standard of conduct (transformation) is also known as personal discipleship. This transformation involves a process of growing and changing over time. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 12:2 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

9. This process of transformation is about time; it begins at the point of salvation and ends at the point of death. It is a journey through our emotional and non-emotional commitment to Christ. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 12:2 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Emotions (rash actions) Non-Emotional Attachment/Commitment Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

10. Hopefully, the individual who comes to Christ begins growing with Christ from their emotions toward non-emotional attachment/commitment. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 8:29; 12:2 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Non-Emotional Attachment/Commitment Emotions (rash actions) Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

11. The average American adolescent lives within the range of their emotions Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 12:2 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Non-Emotional Attachment/Commitment Emotions (rash actions) Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

12. Given the lack of discipleship and a culture that bases reality off of an individual’s feelings, the following adolescent responses generally apply: 1.The longer a person maintains their relationship with Christ at merely the emotional level, the more we see adolescents hoping from event to event for their “spiritual high.” 2. Conversely, the longer a person maintains their relationship with Christ at merely the emotional level, the harder it is to see transformation within the individual’s life and greater the possibility that the person leaves the church after high school graduation (no more high charged emotional community or events.) Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 12:2 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Non-Emotional Attachment/Commitment Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point Emotions (rash actions) © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

13. 1 John 2:13 describes the levels of maturity for the believer (Children, Young Men, and Fathers). This passage can also help youth leaders establish standards of growth in the life of the adolescent believer. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 8:29; 12:2; 1 John 2:13 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Emotions (rash actions) Non-Emotional Attachment/Commitment Fathers Young Men Children Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

14. As the individual grows and matures in Christ, the individual’s capability to handle responsibility, leadership, and service grows as well (Daniel 1-2;Luke 2:52; 19:17; 1 Corinthians 4:2). This type of growth is integral to the transformational process. As with leadership skills, an individual’s actions (and service) increase in scope and complexity as the individual moves from direct leadership positions to organizational and strategic leader positions later in life. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Transformation Mark 12:30; Romans 8:29; 12:2; 1 John 2:13 Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Emotions (rash actions) Non-Emotional Attachment/Commitment Fathers Young Men Children Responsibility, Leadership and Service Daniel 1-2; Luke 2:52; 19:17; 1 Corinthians 4:2 Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

15. As pastors and religious educators, it is our responsibility ensure a strategic transitional process by which a believer can grow and be transformed from the point of salvation. This means that we provide them with both practical knowledge and experience. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Point of Salvation Heart Soul Mind Strength Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point Transformation The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) Fathers Young Men Children “The Process” © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

16. In reality, an individual’s growth looks more like this. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Heart Soul Mind Strength Transformation The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) “The Process” Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point Point of Salvation Fathers Young Men Children © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

17. Add to the Discipleship process Leadership and service. Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Heart Soul Mind Strength Transformation The Standard: Biblical Righteousness -2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point Point of Salvation Fathers Young Men Children Responsibility, Leadership and Service Daniel 1-2; Luke 2:52; 19:17; 1 Corinthians 4:2 © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

18. As the believer grows and matures over time according to 1 Timothy 4:16 and Romans 12:2, the believer is held to a higher standard of righteousness and expected not to “fall.” Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Heart Soul Mind Strength Transformation-2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) Responsibility, Leadership and Service Daniel 1-2; Luke 2:52; 19:17; 1 Corinthians 4:2 The Standard: Biblical Righteousness Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point Point of Salvation Fathers Young Men Children © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

19. But again reality sets in and it is understood that it is only by God’s grace that we are who we are and that His grace toward us did not prove vain (1 Cor.15:10) Time (Months/Years/Decades/Etc.) Heart Soul Mind Strength Transformation-2.-3.-4.-5.-6.-7.-8.-9.-10. Individual Depravity demonstrated through the Law (Ten Commandments) Responsibility, Leadership and Service Daniel 1-2; Luke 2:52; 19:17; 1 Corinthians 4:2 The Standard: Biblical Righteousness Point of Death/ Adolescent Transition Point Point of Salvation Fathers Young Men Children © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

20. Closing Thoughts Evangelical leaders struggle with defining the Biblical mandate and mission of youth ministry. –If our goal in Y/M is to turn out deeper, more spiritual “kids” (read: “spiritual adolescents”) we have already failed. Evangelicals currently have NO formal process for equipping adolescents for adulthood. –Any formal process created must be based on a Biblical model or principles. –Any program or activity we plan and execute in this type of ministry MUST pass through the filter of Is this program/event necessary? How does this event/program help my kids to mature in their faith? Does this program/event help fulfill the mission of the ministry? Maintaining a standard of Biblical righteousness takes time, effort and much grace! This means that leaders MUST grant much grace while maintaining a standard of conduct throughout the process. © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.

21. Closing Thoughts Fusion is designed provide a transition for adolescents into adulthood using: –Rite of passage that incorporates: Individual and corporate discipline Spiritual/physical accountability Opportunities for pushing the physical, spiritual, emotional limits of the individual. Providing the individual a “safe” place to fail and be restored. Special intimate rite of passage ceremonies throughout the program. –Significant tasks involving: Domestic and international experiences in evangelism, church planting, and ministry service. The possibility of personal and corporate failure through the process of service. The Fusion process is incomplete if the individual does not return and serve the Lord through the local church or ministry. © 2006 Scott Brawner All Rights Reserved.