Session 1: Understanding Hidden Hurts
Why Help Hurting Kids?
- Someone
was there for you
- No
one was there for you
- God
has called you to be there
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me because the LORD
has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for captives, and release from darkness for the
prisoners. To comfort all who mourn, and
provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead
of sadness. The oil of gladness instead
of sorrow and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." - Isaiah
61:1-3
- The
Poor
- Captives
- All
who mourn
- Sadness
- Despair
- The
brokenhearted
- Prisoners
- Those
who grieve
- Sorrow
"He has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors as
though God were making his appeal through us." - II Corinthians 5:19,20
Five Things You Can Count On When You Work With Hurting Kids
- Most
kids are hurting a whole lot more than they are willing to let on to the adults
in their world
- More
importantly - Most kids we work with are hurting a whole lot more than we
want to know.
- Most
kids will talk to the person they trust, (often a friend) - not the
person they are supposed to talk to.
- Most
hurting kids usually care more about our heart than they care about
our education or our qualifications.
- Sadly,
most kids in our communities don't experience the church as a safe,
healing place.
Understanding the Source of Adolescent Pain
- Some
students are hurting because bad things happen to them.
We call them victims.
- Some
students are hurting because they make bad choices.
We call them choosers.
- Some
kids are making bad choices because bad things are happening to
them.
How did Jesus respond to hurting people?
Jesus responds with compassion and firm gentleness.
He loved them as they were but...
He refused to leave them as they were
How To Create A Healthy Environment For Helping Hurting Kids
- Be a
Healthy Person - Your life is your most significant
ministry tool
- Ensure
the health of your own primary relationships.
- Distinguish
between experiences in your past that can help your ministry and
those that will hinder your effectiveness.
- Develop
meaningful friendships with people your own age.
- Appropriately
offer your kids:
AVAILABILITY
What happens when we offer our
students availability with no boundaries?
AUTHENTICITY
What happens when we are so
"authentic" that we stop self-censoring?
ACCEPTANCE
What happens when we offer students
acceptance without standards?
- Provide
a Truly Safe Community
-
Do all you can to eliminate bullying,
gossip, cliques, exclusivity.
-
Intentionally avoid activities or
illustrations that embarrass or belittle kids.
-
Screen and train all adult leaders
as carefully as you can.
-
Live honestly and openly to send the message
that you can be approachable.
Psalm 107
Then you called out to the Lord in your desperate condition;
He got you out in the nick of time. He
put your feet on a wonderful road that took you straight to a good place to
live
So thank God for his marvelous love.
He led you out of your dark, dark cell, broke open the jail
and led you out.
So thank God for his marvelous love.
He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from
the brink of death.
So thank God for his marvelous love.
He quieted the wind down to a whisper and put a muzzle on
all the big waves
So thank God for his marvelous love.
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