President and Founder of Dare 2 Share Ministries International in Arvada, Colorado
The use of technology and Internet-based social networks by teens when sharing their faith will continue to accelerate. MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube provide extensive opportunities for creatively using technology to discuss spiritual things. Blogs and text messaging are open doors through which teens can communicate the importance of their faith in the midst of their daily lives.
Providing teens with specific tools and strategies, i.e., outreach websites, message board communities and God-focused videos clips, will equip them to effectively communicate God’s truth and grace in new ways.
Trend #5 Teens Will Have an Increased Economic AwarenessTeens’ awareness of economic issues will rise with the increasing economic stratification of society. Escalating food and energy prices, coupled with economic uncertainty, will force financially strapped parents to say no more frequently. Conversely, parents on the high end of the economic spectrum will be unaffected by these realities, continuing to spring for high-budget items like cars, iPhones or trips. As a result, teen cliques will become even more aligned based on the economic standing of their parents.
Youth leaders can help their teens gain experience reaching across economic boundaries, by providing youth with opportunities for social action through service projects and missions trips.
These five trends reflect today’s teens’ search for meaning, purpose and authenticity, as well as their adaptability in responding to the opportunities and constraints facing this generation. Keeping a pulse on these trends can help you as strive to move teens toward vibrant, relevant relationships with Jesus.
To learn more about Dare 2 Share Ministries’ teen training conferences and youth ministry resources, click here.