Week 4: Be Series

A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

Dear Pastor,

I want to thank you for taking the time to teach the Pray21 principles of Believe, Belong, Become, and Be from your pulpit during the next few weeks. As a pastor myself, I know how dedicated you are to accurately teaching God’s Word, so I have worked hard to make sure these outlines are biblically correct and culturally relevant to the battle your church faces today. At the same time, I admit that I do not know your congregation, so please make adjustments as needed to feed the flock entrusted to your care.

There are a couple points I would like to discuss with you briefly that are crucial. Honestly, I didn’t know how to address them in the outlines without having an intimate knowledge of your congregation. I was concerned that if I made these points, I might weaken the primary purpose of the four messages; therefore, I simply want to highlight them for your prayerful consideration and implementation.

You are going to find that Pray21 sermons deal primarily with the young people and youth ministry in your church. These messages place the emphasis on adults learning to see youth differently; but truthfully, many of the adults in your church are going to see themselves in the content and context of Pray21. This campaign is about helping followers of Jesus Christ (regardless of age) find their place in his cause and their role in his church. You know as well as I do that too many believers still do not know who they are even after decades of being in the church. Pray21 is an opportunity for the church to help youth and adults recognize and respond to God’s voice in their life.

While it is my fervent hope that your congregation will learn to see young people in a new light and embrace the mentality of youth in ministry, there is mutual benefit for all ages from this mission. As you and the adults in your church begin to believe in young people, they will begin to believe in themselves. At the same time, adults are going to be learning more about themselves. Be prepared to make this point in each sermon.

The need is great and the time is now. Take the time to make these messages personal to all ages. I already believe they are, but again, I want to leave those additional teaching points to your prayerful discernment and pastoral discretion. Apply this message to all generations – everyone is looking for a breakthrough.

Because of Jesus,

Timothy Eldred

Executive Director

Christian Endeavor International

Feel free to call me personally. I can’t wait to hear your wisdom! 800-260-3234.

Pray21 Week 4: Be

Message: Jesus doesn’t intend for us to be disciples forever. One day soon he will call us friends, and we will take on disciples.

Notes:

1. Focus – Jesus becomes our friend once we have completed training. Then, he asks us to take the lead and pick up where he left off.

2. Main point – just like Samuel with David and Jesus with Peter, it was the chance to BE with Jesus that changed their lives. Jesus wants you to BE with him a while, learn from him until you know what he knows and can do what he does. He will set the agenda. So don’t worry about what you will do or say. Just start the journey and BE.

3. The Pray21 Discovery Guide gives many examples that can be used for the sermon. Read and choose the one or two examples throughout the book that speak the most to your heart to use in the message.

4. Combine these with examples from your life about how you spend time with Jesus and when you learned to BE his friend.

5. Have others give similar short testimonies—both youth and adults.

6. Leave time for a ‘blessing service’ with the young people at the end of the sermon.

Outline:

1. Introduction

a. You have learned a new habit.

b. It takes 21 days to put something into your routine. You did it! You learned how to listen and pray—youth and adults together.

c. Jesus was working on the prayer discipline right up to the crucifixion and even before he left for his seat on the heavenly throne!

d. We will never stop working on new and different ways to pray together as a church.

e. It’s just the beginning of something amazing.

f. Who knows where God will lead? God knows! So keep praying and listening.

2. Body

Today we will make an official commitment, as a church, and promise to continue to pray with youth.

a. At the end of the service, we will hang these dog tags around your neck and speak a blessing over your lives.