If I said you could do something today that would have eternal impact, would you do it? I have been thinking a lot lately about what teens can do that could have eternal significance. Sometimes I think that teens feel like their time to impact eternity won’t come until they are older and can get more education or have more influence. Maybe some even excuse themselves from serving God because, well, that’s for older folks. I hope that’s not the thinking very often. Most Christian teens I meet want to serve God and make a difference.
Here is a list of ideas that I’ve come up with of ways to serve God right now. Some of these take more time and energy than others, but all of them have the potential to make a difference for God.
Help a kid with their homework and pray with them before you leave
Read a story to a younger kid that teaches a Bible principle and then explain it to them
Ask if you and some friends can put on a short skit in youth group on a character trait
If you like to write, take a stab at writing a Gospel track for teens or a Facebook note about what God’s doing in your life
Invite a new kid in your youth group over to play Xbox or Wii. Pray with them before they leave or if they aren’t a Christian, start to build that relationship so you can talk to them about God.
Pray with a friend.
Send a teacher an email or Facebook message letting them know you appreciate them
Email a missionary from your church, ask if they have kids you can stay in touch with
Make a YouTube video to advertise your next youth activity or your youth group in general
Make a Fan page on Facebook for your youth group
Ask to help with the children’s ministry at your church
Get some younger neighborhood kids together and teach them some sports skills you’ve learned. Have prayer with them all before they go home.
Help coach a kid’s sports team
Ask to sing or play an instrument at church or at a local nursing home
Text a Bible Verse to a friend and let them know you are praying for them
I am sure there are many many more ways for teens to serve God and impact eternity. What are some creative ones you can think of? Leave a comment and tell others. Maybe you have an encouraging story of how God used something you’ve done recently to make a difference. That would be a great comment to leave as well.
These sound like some great ways to make a difference for God! I have had those thoughts of “I will get serious when I’m older.” But in truth, I want to serve God now! Thanks for this post!
I just wanted to share something that I did recently that was completely out of the blue for me, but I’m so excited about. I was coming home from a weekend trip with my mom; we stopped at a Wal-Mart and as I was paying for my stuff, I notice a couple of younger teen girls behind me. The thought crossed my mind to pay for their stuff and in exchange have them read a sports gospel track I had in my wallet. My first reaction to the random thought was “wow, that would freak them out,” and I dismissed. About two and a half seconds later I thought “That thought obviously wasn’t from my flesh, and therefore it’s probably a good idea.” I turned around and said “hey girls, if I pay for your stuff, will you read this for me?” Their reaction was “um…..what is it?” I replied, “It’s just something that changed my life, so I thought I would share it with you.” The girls were pretty hesitant, but agreed. I paid for their teen gossip magazines, some rubber bracelets and silly putty, said good bye, and left the store. To make a sacrifice (however small…) for the Lord is a blessing beyond what I can say. That -$10 was the best spent money I have ever spent. All that to encourage other teens like me who struggle with “real life Christianity” to make the extra effort…Jesus is more real to you if you treat Him like He’s worth it
Great ideas for serving God in ways that each of us can do. Thanks for sharing, God Bless!