I want to share something I learned
while reading and investigating the 7 check points.
Effective youth ministry hinges on building BRIDGES of RELATIONSHIP strong
enough to bear the WEIGHT of TRUTH we have to give. These non-exclusive
principles are the ESSENCE of youth ministry. It is our experience that many
if not most youth ministries are neither STRATEGIC in relationships nor
strategic in truth. Our task as youth leaders is to create a CULTURE that
breeds and breathes relationships and truth.
To be effective in this daunting task, you must BEGIN at the END. You and I
have to ask ourselves WHO we want students to BE when they GRADUATE out of
our ministry. We know that CONTENT, not CONTEXT, is what will determine WHO
our students BECOME.
What makes this so DIFFICULT is that our TIME with students is MINIMAL at
best. Research shows that we will only have roughly 35 TIMES PER YEAR to
invest TRUTH into our CORE students. We have a BIG BIBLE and a TINY WINDOW
of time with students. So WHAT we TEACH is not just important: it is
CRITICAL.
We believe LESS is MORE... LOUDER if you will. Because the NOISE we make
needs to be noise that MATTERS to our students. There is a chasm between
HEARING and LISTENING. Between KNOWING and DOING.
So here is the Pillar of Stones Strategy...
Based on and launched from the award-winning book by coauthors Andy Stanley
and Stuart Hall, called the 7 Checkpoints for Students is an intentional,
systematic approach to discipleship focused on the content of discipleship.
These seven student-specific principles are the irreducible minimum. We are
convinced that these seven basic principles every student should understand,
commit to memory and embrace before they leave the safety of their homes and
youth ministries. These are the must know, can't be without principles. They
are not all that is important. But they are what are most important for
students.
Each Checkpoint asks what we call a Critical Question. By that we mean that
each principle forces you, the youth leader, to evaluate your students based
on that principle. Each principle also presents a Key Passage from the Bible
that serves as the timeless foundation for the principle. Each Checkpoint is
stated in an easy to remember principle. This helps you and your students
remember the Checkpoints in a simple yet powerful statement of truth.
Finally, each Checkpoint has Bottom Line principles that strengthen and
expand the Checkpoint. These Bottom Line principles are what we use to
develop lesson plans to support each checkpoint.
Year after year, we will never teach the same lesson twice. we will,
however, revisit the principles of the 7 Checkpoints, worded and
communicated in a new and relevant way, time and time again. Why? Because
repetition is the only way we learn. The "deep" student in our ministry is
not the teenager that knows every verse of the Bible and has a cross tattoo.
No, the "deep" student in our ministry will be the one that remembers,
understands and applies what he knows to every-day life.
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Authentic
Faith |
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This
checkpoint focuses on a correct understanding of faith.
Faith is confidence that God is who He says He is and that
He will do all He has promised to do.
Principle:
God can be trusted; He will do all He has promised to do.
Critical Question: Are your students
trusting God with the critical areas of their life?
Bottom line:
What is
faith?, Grace, Salvation, Trusting God, Forgiveness
Scriptural References:
Proverbs
3:5-6, Abraham, Moses |
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Spiritual
Disciplines |
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The focus of
this checkpoint is a student's devotional life. The apostle
Paul assures us that transformation begins with a renewed
mind. As students begin to renew their minds to the truths
of Scripture, their attitudes and behavior will change.
Principle:
If we could see as God sees, we would do as God says.
Critical Question: Are your students
developing a consistent devotional and prayer life?
Bottom line:
Quiet time
with God, Authority of Scripture, Prayer, Intimacy with God
Scriptural References:
Romans 12:2,
Psalms,
Jesus |
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Moral
Boundaries |
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Purity paves
the way to intimacy. One of the most important things a
student can do is establish limits. Students need to learn
how to protect their body and emotions by honoring God's
plan for sex and morality.
Principle:
Purity paves the way to intimacy.
Critical Question: Are your students
establishing and maintaining moral boundaries?
Bottom line:
Dating,
Thought life, Sexual purity, Sowing and reaping
Scriptural References:
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, David, Samson |
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Healthy
Friendships |
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The people our
students associate with the most will determine the
direction and quality of their lives. This principle focuses
on helping our teenagers build healthy friendships while
avoiding unhealthy ones.
Principle:
Our friends determine the direction and quality of our
lives.
Critical Question: Are your students
establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy
ones?
Bottom line:
Choosing
Friends, Accountability, Influencing others, Peer pressure,
Becoming a true friend
Scriptural References:
Proverbs 13:20, David and Jonathan, Paul and Timothy |
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Wise Choices |
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In light of
past experience and future dreams, students need to ask
themselves "What is the wise thing to do?" Good decision
making is more than simply choosing between right and wrong.
This principle focuses on the necessity of wisdom in
decision making.
Principle:
Walk wisely.
Critical Question: Are your students making
wise decisions?
Bottom line:
Walking
wisely, Will of God, Decision Making, Building Character
Scriptural References:
Ephesians 5:15-17, Solomon, Nehemiah |
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Ultimate
Authority |
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Freedom and
authority are often viewed as opposing concepts. But the
Scriptures teach that freedom is found under authority. This
principle focuses on the need for students to stay under the
authorities that God has placed over them.
Principle:
Maximum freedom is found under God's authority.
Critical Question: Are your students
submitting to the authorities God has placed over them?
Bottom line:
God’s
authority, Servant leadership, Parental authority,
Submission, Respecting leadership, obedience
Scriptural References:
Romans 13:1-2,
Joseph, Joshua |
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Others First |
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Selfishness
comes natural. Selflessness must be learned. The hallmark of
a believer is his or her willingness to put the needs of
others ahead of their own. This principle addresses our
student's propensity toward selfishness and
self-centeredness.
Principle:
Others First
Critical Question:
Are your students putting the needs of others ahead of their
own
Bottom line:
Selflessness,
Submission, Spiritual Gifts, Servant Leadership, Student
impact, others-minded
Scriptural References:
Philippians 2:3-11, Jesus |
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