Kingdom Living: Youth Style

By Kirsten

    

    The Kingdom of God is a concept crucial towards developing an understanding of salvation offered through the cross and a relationship with God. There isn’t really one clear answer, but Scripture does mention that the Kingdom is near, has come, is to come, and should be approached with a very humble and repentant heart. Mark 1:15 says, “”The time has come,” Jesus said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”” The Kingdom is also wrapped up in the idea of Jesus sending people out into the world with the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22 says, “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.””

            The Kingdom of God is most importantly the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The incarnation, God taking on human flesh in the man of Jesus Christ, is part of God’s mission to send people out into the world to make disciples of all nations. Dean places the incarnation into a youth ministry mindset: “To participate in God’s own sending of Jesus Christ, youth ministry must attend to both missionary principles of the Incarnation: God’s coming to us and God’s sending of us, God’s blessing and God’s calling, God’s radical acceptance and God’s radical challenge.” Teaching youth that a personal relationship with the very God who became a man can also become an encouragement to reach out into the world and show other people that they too can have a personal relationship with God. It is impossible to understand God’s nature, characteristics, or his death without accepting that he is a God who sends people into the world, most importantly his son, in order to bring healing and redemption.