About Pro-Teens
ProTeens is a Christ-Centered youth ministry in Urbana, OH. Our ultimate goal for your teens is to develop mature God-Focused Youth based upon Ephesians 4:11-13.
We accomplish this by allowing Christ to develop five star youth.
1. Saved- Ephesians 4:12
2. Stable in the Word- Ephesians 4:13-14
3. Submitting- Ephesians 4:15
4. Sharing- Ephesians 4:16
5. Separated- Ephesians 4:17-32
(this is explained more in detail on this page)
We seek to accomplish this by having opportunities for teens to be involved in Bible studies, activities and programs.
From January through December teens are involved in ministering
to others in nursing home services, Saturday visitation,
Soul winning opportunities, Teen prayer meetings, Great Commission Night, and Sunday and Wednesday Bible preaching.
Add to all those exciting monthly activities: Hiking trips, Youth Revival,
Wilds Camp, Scavenger Hunts, Teen Fellowships, NBT,
and more, and you have one busy teenager. And busy is good!
Through these activities we hone in on:
1. Knowing God's Glory- Colossians 1:9-11
2. Growing in God's Glory- II Corinthians 3:18
3. Showing God's Glory- Psalms 145:10-12
Contact Mike Bird for more information
We accomplish this by allowing Christ to develop five star youth.
1. Saved- Ephesians 4:12
2. Stable in the Word- Ephesians 4:13-14
3. Submitting- Ephesians 4:15
4. Sharing- Ephesians 4:16
5. Separated- Ephesians 4:17-32
(this is explained more in detail on this page)
We seek to accomplish this by having opportunities for teens to be involved in Bible studies, activities and programs.
From January through December teens are involved in ministering
to others in nursing home services, Saturday visitation,
Soul winning opportunities, Teen prayer meetings, Great Commission Night, and Sunday and Wednesday Bible preaching.
Add to all those exciting monthly activities: Hiking trips, Youth Revival,
Wilds Camp, Scavenger Hunts, Teen Fellowships, NBT,
and more, and you have one busy teenager. And busy is good!
Through these activities we hone in on:
1. Knowing God's Glory- Colossians 1:9-11
2. Growing in God's Glory- II Corinthians 3:18
3. Showing God's Glory- Psalms 145:10-12
Contact Mike Bird for more information
Saved - Ephesians 4 Verse 12
Ephesians 4:12
The first step to spiritual maturity is salvation. Verse twelve of Ephesians chapter four tells us that this work of maturing happens in the hearts of the saints. Without being born again into Christ, there is no way that a teen can grow in Him. In this area particularly, we must be sure that we are rightly communicating the Word of God. We must avoid three-step formulas and "repeat after me" prayers. The Gospel is not just belief factually, but it is an act of full dependance upon Christ and His work on the cross. The demons believe factually (James 2:19), but they are certainly not saved.
The first step to spiritual maturity is salvation. Verse twelve of Ephesians chapter four tells us that this work of maturing happens in the hearts of the saints. Without being born again into Christ, there is no way that a teen can grow in Him. In this area particularly, we must be sure that we are rightly communicating the Word of God. We must avoid three-step formulas and "repeat after me" prayers. The Gospel is not just belief factually, but it is an act of full dependance upon Christ and His work on the cross. The demons believe factually (James 2:19), but they are certainly not saved.
Stable in the Word - Ephesians 4 Verses 13-14
Ephesians 4:13-14
One of the clearest marks of immaturity in a teen's spiritual walk is any instability in their study of the Word. There are so many crazy ideas and false teachers in the world today that youth leaders must give their teens a secure footing in the Bible. One of the marks of mature teen is that they recognize this need to understand the Word and have a great desire to study it. The mature teen jumps at the chance to attend a Bible study. He takes notes in Pro-Teens and asks questions. He makes time to do his own study and wants to share what he learns.
But stability is more than just a desire for the Word. The mature teen recognizes error and trendy ideas for what they are, mere "winds of doctrine." He doesn't bounce from one new idea to another. He is steady in his Scriptural understanding. This stability comes because he has yielded his understanding to the Son of God. He desires to grow into the "fulness of Christ" rather than flowing with the latest Christian trend. This leads us to the next point of maturity- surrender.
One of the clearest marks of immaturity in a teen's spiritual walk is any instability in their study of the Word. There are so many crazy ideas and false teachers in the world today that youth leaders must give their teens a secure footing in the Bible. One of the marks of mature teen is that they recognize this need to understand the Word and have a great desire to study it. The mature teen jumps at the chance to attend a Bible study. He takes notes in Pro-Teens and asks questions. He makes time to do his own study and wants to share what he learns.
But stability is more than just a desire for the Word. The mature teen recognizes error and trendy ideas for what they are, mere "winds of doctrine." He doesn't bounce from one new idea to another. He is steady in his Scriptural understanding. This stability comes because he has yielded his understanding to the Son of God. He desires to grow into the "fulness of Christ" rather than flowing with the latest Christian trend. This leads us to the next point of maturity- surrender.
Submitting - Ephesians 4 Verse 15
Ephesians 4:15
All of us are in part the product of the forces with which we surround ourselves. Teens are no exception. That is why it is vital that youth ministry radiates the glory of the Lord and the truth of His grace. It is our desire that teens ought to come away from activities, lessons, and one-on-one time with their hearts and minds focused on God.
What does this have to do with submission? Let's look at verse 15 and see three aspects of submission in this passage. First, mature teens need to be submitting to the truth. As long as they resist the truth, they cannot grow in grace. Of course, the verse has a warning for youth leaders as well. We must communicate truth in love. Often, truth has been rejected not because of its content but because of the way it was communicated.
Second, mature teens must be submitting to the Holy Spirit's work in their lives. Some teens will accept something as a truth, but they will refuse to let that truth touch their lives. They say, "I know what you are saying is true, but I don't want to do it." Without a willingness to grow, there can be no further maturing. As youth leaders, we must remember that submitting (steps of growth) is often painful. Jesus spoke of a kernel of wheat that must die to bring forth much fruit. Teenagers need encouragement in growth. We must show them that whatever kernel might have to die in their lives to draw closer to God is well worth the fruit of a closer walk with Him. '
Finally, the most important act of submission is yielding to the headship of Jesus Christ. Christ provides both the power and the goal for Christian maturity. Without the grace available through Him, non of us would be able to mature spiritually. Without the revelation of Christ in the Bible, we wouldn't know what mature Christianity would look like. True submission to Him is revealed in a desire to see and savor Christ in every area of life.
Too often, our submitting is incomplete. This is no true submission at all because it allows competing influences to draw us away from a walk with God Notice the wording used in this verse. We are to grow up in Christ in "all things." Nothing is excluded. Sure, Christ is the focus of Bible reading and church activities, but He should also be the focus in everyday activities- school, sports, shopping, etc. Teens need to see that whatever activity in which they are involved, they must do it for the Lord and in His power if God is to receive the glory. This is true submission.
All of us are in part the product of the forces with which we surround ourselves. Teens are no exception. That is why it is vital that youth ministry radiates the glory of the Lord and the truth of His grace. It is our desire that teens ought to come away from activities, lessons, and one-on-one time with their hearts and minds focused on God.
What does this have to do with submission? Let's look at verse 15 and see three aspects of submission in this passage. First, mature teens need to be submitting to the truth. As long as they resist the truth, they cannot grow in grace. Of course, the verse has a warning for youth leaders as well. We must communicate truth in love. Often, truth has been rejected not because of its content but because of the way it was communicated.
Second, mature teens must be submitting to the Holy Spirit's work in their lives. Some teens will accept something as a truth, but they will refuse to let that truth touch their lives. They say, "I know what you are saying is true, but I don't want to do it." Without a willingness to grow, there can be no further maturing. As youth leaders, we must remember that submitting (steps of growth) is often painful. Jesus spoke of a kernel of wheat that must die to bring forth much fruit. Teenagers need encouragement in growth. We must show them that whatever kernel might have to die in their lives to draw closer to God is well worth the fruit of a closer walk with Him. '
Finally, the most important act of submission is yielding to the headship of Jesus Christ. Christ provides both the power and the goal for Christian maturity. Without the grace available through Him, non of us would be able to mature spiritually. Without the revelation of Christ in the Bible, we wouldn't know what mature Christianity would look like. True submission to Him is revealed in a desire to see and savor Christ in every area of life.
Too often, our submitting is incomplete. This is no true submission at all because it allows competing influences to draw us away from a walk with God Notice the wording used in this verse. We are to grow up in Christ in "all things." Nothing is excluded. Sure, Christ is the focus of Bible reading and church activities, but He should also be the focus in everyday activities- school, sports, shopping, etc. Teens need to see that whatever activity in which they are involved, they must do it for the Lord and in His power if God is to receive the glory. This is true submission.
Sharing - Ephesians 4 Verse 16
Ephesians 4:16
The next mark of Christian maturity appears in a desire to take what one has learned and share it with others. Paul illustrates this truth using the human body. God has put together a church and a youth group like he puts together our body. Each part is different, but each is designed to do its work for the good of the whole body. If any one part fails to serve its function, the whole body suffers.
As a teen matures, he will begin to recognize certain gifts that God has given Him in order to minister to others. Those gifts are part of God's gracious ministry to His people. A mature teen doesn't keep his gifts for his own pleasure, but instead he uses them for the good of others. The teen will share what God is teaching Him as well as sharing his gifts. As he sees God in His Word and works, the teen won't be able to keep quiet about what God is doing. He will tell other believers to encourage them to turn their eyes upon God. He will tell the lost so that they will see that God wants to save them and show them His glory and grace.
Notice the results of this kind of sharing on the body. Paul says that sharing results in two kinds of growth. First, it will result in the "increase" or "growth" of the body. This speaks of a numerical growth as others hear the Gospel. The power of the Gospel assures us that some will be saved and added to the body. The second kind of growth occurs within the body. As we share God's revealed glory with other believers, they are "edified" or built up in their own faith and walk with God. Thus sharing God's glory adds both breadth and depth to the body of Christ.
The next mark of Christian maturity appears in a desire to take what one has learned and share it with others. Paul illustrates this truth using the human body. God has put together a church and a youth group like he puts together our body. Each part is different, but each is designed to do its work for the good of the whole body. If any one part fails to serve its function, the whole body suffers.
As a teen matures, he will begin to recognize certain gifts that God has given Him in order to minister to others. Those gifts are part of God's gracious ministry to His people. A mature teen doesn't keep his gifts for his own pleasure, but instead he uses them for the good of others. The teen will share what God is teaching Him as well as sharing his gifts. As he sees God in His Word and works, the teen won't be able to keep quiet about what God is doing. He will tell other believers to encourage them to turn their eyes upon God. He will tell the lost so that they will see that God wants to save them and show them His glory and grace.
Notice the results of this kind of sharing on the body. Paul says that sharing results in two kinds of growth. First, it will result in the "increase" or "growth" of the body. This speaks of a numerical growth as others hear the Gospel. The power of the Gospel assures us that some will be saved and added to the body. The second kind of growth occurs within the body. As we share God's revealed glory with other believers, they are "edified" or built up in their own faith and walk with God. Thus sharing God's glory adds both breadth and depth to the body of Christ.
Separated - Ephesians 4 Verses 17-32
Ephesians 4:17-32
This final element of maturity is often misunderstood because we focus in on the sins that are listed on the second half of the passage: lying, stealing, anger, and evil use of words. We think, and often teach, that not committing some list of sins is the heart of what the Bible calls seperation. While it is true that the Christian will "put off" sinful habits, seperation has a much more important positive element.
Look again at verses 17-19. Paul begins by telling the Gentile converts not to walk like Gentiles. However, instead of beginning by listing sins the Gentile world was committing, Paul reveals the real condition of the unsaved. They walk in vanity, futility, and frustration because they are in darkness and have no part of the life that is in God. Further, their condition has led to hardened, callused hearts that are unable to know and love God. This condition results in seeking after sins that only further their alienation.
Paul then triumphantly proclaims that a believer doesn't have to live in that futility. When a person is saved (vv. 20-21), he gains access to the truth, and light that are in Jesus Christ. Thus Paul can say in the next chapter that we are to walk as "children of the light." This light reveals to us the glory and grace of God and draws us into an even closer walk with Him. It "renews" our minds resulting in a putting off of the old walk of darkness and a putting on of the new walk of light.
Thus true seperation in a teens life is not adherence to a list of prohibitions. Instead, it is a growing relationship with God that exposes darkness and vanity to be put off and reveals continuous blessing of the new life to be put on. The mature teen changes the old for the new as he would exchange an old pair of hole-filled shoes for a new pair. Seperation is not sacrifice; it is maturing.
This final element of maturity is often misunderstood because we focus in on the sins that are listed on the second half of the passage: lying, stealing, anger, and evil use of words. We think, and often teach, that not committing some list of sins is the heart of what the Bible calls seperation. While it is true that the Christian will "put off" sinful habits, seperation has a much more important positive element.
Look again at verses 17-19. Paul begins by telling the Gentile converts not to walk like Gentiles. However, instead of beginning by listing sins the Gentile world was committing, Paul reveals the real condition of the unsaved. They walk in vanity, futility, and frustration because they are in darkness and have no part of the life that is in God. Further, their condition has led to hardened, callused hearts that are unable to know and love God. This condition results in seeking after sins that only further their alienation.
Paul then triumphantly proclaims that a believer doesn't have to live in that futility. When a person is saved (vv. 20-21), he gains access to the truth, and light that are in Jesus Christ. Thus Paul can say in the next chapter that we are to walk as "children of the light." This light reveals to us the glory and grace of God and draws us into an even closer walk with Him. It "renews" our minds resulting in a putting off of the old walk of darkness and a putting on of the new walk of light.
Thus true seperation in a teens life is not adherence to a list of prohibitions. Instead, it is a growing relationship with God that exposes darkness and vanity to be put off and reveals continuous blessing of the new life to be put on. The mature teen changes the old for the new as he would exchange an old pair of hole-filled shoes for a new pair. Seperation is not sacrifice; it is maturing.