The Right Youth Group II: The Right People

Hebrews 5:11–6:12

about this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Right Youth Group

Last week we started a series called "The Right Youth Group." The goal is to identify the right youth group to attend and to strive to be that right youth group ourselves. We saw that it begins with the right message about Jesus Christ from Hebrews 2. Without it, we drift away and shipwreck our lives.

It's essential for us to be obsessed with the message of Jesus Christ—his death on the cross for our sins, actually saving us. The warning passages in Hebrews show us how to be the right youth group by focusing on this message.

This passage teaches us how to be the right youth group by showing two categories of things—and people—not to be. By avoiding what is wrong, we learn what is right. It also gives assurance of salvation and shows one category of people to imitate.

1. The Right Youth Group Is Not Dull

Hebrews 5:11–14 describes people who ought to be teachers but need milk, not solid food. They are unskilled, like children, because they are dull of hearing—lazy in listening.

The author wants to teach about Melchizedek, king of righteousness and peace, but can't because they are like babies who would choke on solid food. These were Christians for about 30 years, yet still immature.

Church isn't a spectator sport. Some treat it like McDonald's—show up, get fed, leave. But sermons give marching orders for Christian growth. Not working prevents growth and enjoyment of God.

Infants don't enjoy parents fully because they lack maturity. Growth enables deeper relationship and enjoyment. A dull youth group doesn't preach the gospel to encourage growth together or enjoyment of God's people.

The right youth group works hard to learn about God and grow. Like Moses begging to see God's glory—mind-blowing and transformative—we must demand more of God. Are you demanding more of God, or defined by video games, fashion, or grades? Good grades don't buy heaven or enjoyment of God. Do excellent work because God is worth it.

John Hus, an average student, was burned at the stake for truth, paving the way for the Reformation. Average but dedicated.

2. The Right Youth Group Does Not Desert God

Hebrews 6:4–6 describes those enlightened, tasting heavenly gifts, sharing in the Holy Spirit, tasting God's word and future powers—yet falling away. It's impossible to restore them; they crucify Christ again.

These professed Christians deserted God. Shockingly, their experiences surpass many modern Christians. First-century apostates outdo 21st-century ones—what's wrong with our message?

Have you been enlightened by Jesus? Tasted heaven? Shared in the Holy Spirit? Tasted God's word? Powers of the age to come? Or known someone who fell away—and found it attractive?

It's impossible to restore deserters. Christianity isn't a Netflix subscription. It's serious commitment to eternal enjoyment in God, not sin.

Stats show 86–95% of youth fall away by 25. How do we beat that? Be the right youth group that doesn't desert God. Those experiences are common in church but not proof of salvation—anyone in fellowship can have them.

3. The Right Youth Group Is Dedicated

Hebrews 6:9–12 shifts: Though we speak of deserters, beloved, we are sure of better things in you—things belonging to salvation.

Proof: God won't overlook your work and love for his name in serving saints, as you still do. Salvation shows in serving God's people out of love for God.

The right youth group serves each other, motivated by love for God. No one sits in a corner demanding attention. Instead, love God by meeting others' needs—especially in sin struggles. Everyone serving means everyone gets cared for.

We desire each of you to show the same earnestness for full assurance of hope until the end—not sluggish, but imitating those who through faith and patience inherit promises. Serving proves salvation, avoiding doubt.

Questions for Reflection

1. Are you sluggish toward God? Measure by time studying Christ. Everything for life and godliness comes through knowing him more (from our Remix series). Are you sluggish toward Christ but not other activities? Choosing extracurriculars over youth group 100% exposes lack of love for God. Heed the warning.

Earnestness—zealousness, eagerness—proves salvation through serving saints.

Obeying parents grudgingly (pulling weeds angrily) isn't enjoyable for you or them. Earnestness with enjoyment gets it done better and proves love.

2. Are you content as a spectator, not proving salvation? Spectators miss full assurance. It comes through serving, being in each other's lives.

The right youth group is dedicated to God—saints serving saints earnestly.