Upgrading Youth Ministry - Means of Grace (Part 1 of 2)

Introducing Changes to Youth Ministry

The last time we were together, we concluded chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians. Since we reached a chapter break, I thought it was a good opportunity to focus on a new series. We're taking a break from 1 Corinthians to discuss changes possibly coming to the youth group.

The goal of any ministry is to be ever-changing in a more biblical direction. We're not perfect where we're at, and we're not as sanctified as we should be. We want to make changes that improve the spiritual quality of our own lives and our lives together as a group.

This series aims to instruct you in key concepts we'll be teaching and using in youth ministry, along with the changes we're making. We'll provide a biblical understanding for why these changes are happening and the terminology we're using—giving biblical definitions behind the terms.

The ultimate goal is a youth ministry that is worthwhile, with eternal worth—not just doing ministry because it's expected. When I became a youth pastor, it was out of necessity. The church started growing, youth showed up, and someone had to lead. They asked me because I was available. Despite the unglamorous start, I've developed a passion for it. I appreciate you all.

Recall our study in 1 Corinthians 3: we looked at doing things with eternal weight and value—not building with wood, hay, and straw that burns up. Even gold and silver aren't eternal. Youth ministry has eternal worth only if it's closely aligned with Scripture, which teaches the eternal value of Christ's work.

To upgrade youth ministry, we need to understand key concepts biblically. Without them, we're diverging from the biblical understanding of youth ministry and why we do what we do.

Defining "Means of Grace"

The first concept we're incorporating is "means of grace." We want youth ministry to be a means of grace to those who attend, where people come specifically for that purpose. Youth ministry should be biblically defined as an opportunity to receive the means of grace.

The phrase "means of grace" might sound archaic. Think of "a means to an end"—the means is the instrument or method to achieve a goal or bring about a result. Grace from God comes in specific contexts or environments.

Scripture presents this concretely, not subjectively like a personal testimony in the woods. Means of grace are definable, determinable, and proven environments where we receive grace.

Important clarification: To distinguish from Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism, or high church Anglicanism, grace comes only from God Himself. No ritual, act, or magic receives it. Remember Ephesians 2: you were dead in trespasses and sins, unable to attain grace apart from God giving it.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins... But God, being rich in mercy... made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
—Ephesians 2 (paraphrased)

God distributes grace by His free will, purpose, and good pleasure for His glory. He's not bound by circumstances or human actions.

Means of Grace in Salvation: Romans 10

Romans 10:10-17 shows how God's grace operates in specific environments.

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” ... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
—Romans 10:10-17

Paul creates a logical chain: faith comes from hearing the Word of Christ. The means of saving grace are the preacher sent by God and the gospel message preached.

God saves, but He restricts salvation to the environment of gospel preaching. No preacher saves—only God does. Yet God uses preachers and His Word.

Ministries sometimes boast as if they save people, but God is sovereign. He refuses to save apart from gospel preaching. Roman Catholics can be saved, but not by their doctrine, which adds works and changes the gospel (Galatians warns against this).

What about remote people groups? Romans 1 says creation leaves them without excuse—they know God exists but reject Him. The response: go preach to them. For family, friends, or teammates: preach the gospel. That's the divinely appointed means.

Parables like the soils and the wedding feast show the Word goes out broadly, but God chooses inwardly via the Spirit (John 3; 1 John 5:1). Every believer must preach: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel!" Embrace the mission field in your sphere of influence.

Means of Grace in Sanctification: 2 Timothy 3-4

Means of grace continue for growth in sanctification, not to keep us saved, but to mature us.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus... Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
—2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:1-2

Scripture—God's exhaled breath—makes us complete (mature, equipped). It's not sola scriptura in isolation, but with preaching.

Charged before God and Christ: preach the Word. This equips for eternal good works. The church gathers for preaching because it's the prescribed means for growth.

Private reading and public preaching go together, like in salvation. Find a church with faithful preaching of the Word—not entertainment or psychology. It's required to grow complete.

Preach the Word Always

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season. This means you don't just preach for a certain period and call it good. It's significant for congregations influenced by cycles or rituals—you should always be ready to preach the word. John Calvin exemplified this, preaching nearly every day. Today, we often limit church to Sundays as an experience, with fellowships outside. Fellowships are good, but if they replace teaching the word, it's not a means of grace. Without the word, there's no growth.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word. This assumes the congregation needs the word beyond private devotions. God communicates grace here. Preaching isn't effective for the unregenerate heart—God grants growth, working in you to will and to work for his good pleasure. But through the word and the preacher, you receive equipping to grow, say yes to Christ's righteousness, and mature.

Youth groups should prioritize this. We've focused on the word and the preacher as united means of grace.

Means of Grace for Believers

For unbelievers, it's preaching the gospel with the Holy Spirit's work. For believers, other means exist—not magical, like a spell, but environments where God gives grace by his choice.

Baptism as a Means of Grace

Baptism is biblically a means of grace. You're not saved by baptism—it's because of salvation.

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

—Colossians 2:11–14

This sounds like salvation: buried and raised with Christ in baptism, symbolizing death to the old self and new life. The baptistry is like a grave. But context shows it's a spiritual reality, like circumcision without hands—not physical, but symbolic. Baptism visibly demonstrates the gospel's power, testifying publicly: I've been crucified, buried, and raised with Christ. Hold me accountable to newness of life. It's grace for the individual and congregation, seeing salvation's reality.

It's commanded:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

—Matthew 28:19–20

You preach the gospel to save, then baptize disciples. "Go" is a command (attendant circumstance participle taking the imperative mood of "make disciples").

Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

—Acts 2:38

Not "to get" forgiveness (that's by calling on the Lord, Acts 2:21), but now that you're saved, be baptized—where the Spirit operates.

Change for youth ministry: Baptize on Friday nights, Saturdays, Sundays—not just Sundays.

Communion as a Means of Grace

Another means: the Lord's Supper. Not transubstantiation—wafer and wine don't become Christ's body and blood physically.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

—1 Corinthians 11:23–26

"This is my body" is symbolic, like "this is my mother" for a picture. Partaking proclaims the gospel: Christ's body broken, blood spilled. Not physical presence (he's at the Father's right hand), but spiritual presence: "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20). The Spirit enables this.

Do it often—no monthly limit required. Change: Communion on Friday nights in youth group. It publicly portrays Christ crucified (Galatians 3:1)—as powerful as eyewitnessing it. More reminders of forgiveness and acceptance in Christ.

Youth group should be a safe place to grow into mature workers for Christ, experiencing ongoing forgiveness through more of Christ: preaching, baptism, communion—all pointing to Jesus Christ and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).