By Elisabeth Ko

I was probably not the best student at church when I was a youth. It was a dreadful thing to go to church on Sunday mornings, and all I could think of during the sermon was how much longer I would have to sit there until the service was over. In middle school and high school, my small group leaders had to bribe me with food in order to convince me to stay and talk about the sermon that morning. Even then, I would not be that attentive, giving shallow answers and not putting much thought into the message we had heard just minutes ago. During retreats, I was busy trying to make excuses so that I did not have to participate in various activities and games.

This is probably why I get so encouraged and amazed when I see the youth at Lumos today. First of all, we do not have to bribe them to make them stay after the message in order to catch their attention or keep them focused. They are eager to learn, ready to open up their Bibles and start absorbing whatever is being taught. When we ask questions about the sermon, they try to give much thought into what they are sharing, and think of ways to apply what they have learned into their lives.

We adults think we are busy with our lives with work and ministries, but the youth are just as busy, if not busier. I was surprised to learn how little they were available (learn how difficult it was to match their availability) because they are so busy with school, extracurricular activities, and homework. They often come on Friday nights as tired as the staff. Yet, they keep their excitement when it comes to learning about God’s word. Even when the messages go until late at night, they do not complain, but stay attentive, or try their best to stay attentive, and are very much willing to share about the message during small group.

I may be biased in saying this since I’ve been in only two Youth Groups my entire life, but I would have to say that LBC is blessed to have Lumos youth. Especially in this day and age, when teenagers are bombarded with social media that lure them into sinful, worldly living, it is truly a blessing to have youth who passionately desire to learn about God’s word and live according to His wisdom. Josh Liu and Cesar Ruiz have been going over Romans and 1 John, respectively, which are both rich with the gospel message and application for Christian living. This can be quite intimidating even to adults, but the youth actually desire to be challenged in their walks, reflecting on whether if their faith is genuine and their lives are pleasing to the Lord. They understand that they are not perfect and that their hearts can be deceitful. They see their sins and desire to be changed and transformed. They recognize that following the things of this world is futile and foolish. They try to keep Christ as their priority in life. When I witness their lives and testimonies, I am constantly reminded of 1 Timothy 4:12. The youth know that being a youth does not excuse them from living a responsible life. It has been a joy to be able walk alongside them and to take part in pursuing holiness by both teaching and learning from them.

But we as the staff must understand that whatever growth we witness in them is all due to the grace of God, not a result of our works and effort. I have learned this over and over again throughout the times that I’ve served in Youth Group. I have come to realize more and more that there is so much we can do, but it is God who gives the growth. Yes, the youth have the desire to grow and they are attentive to our teaching, but that will not be possible without God working in their hearts (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). The staff is simply called to plant and water the seed, that is, the gospel, in the youth. In the end, even in times when it seems like our work is mounting to nothing, we must patiently trust in God, that He will work in them regardless of whether we will see the fruit or not.

Like other youth staffers, I also would like to encourage the church to get to know the youth and reach out to them. They can be shy at first, but they will surely be encouraged by your initiative/intentionality, and I am sure you will have plenty of opportunities to be encouraged by them.