Yes…

…we all know that kids learn & grow effectively in a variety of ways. They learn by doing & practicing. They grow through extended and stretching experiences. They learn through discussion. They learn visually through the arts. They grow by exercising logic and reason. There are a million ways that kids (and adults) grow and learn and we should be striving to employ as many as we can for the sake of spiritual formation.

However…

…they still show up looking for a sermon. They still gather in crowds looking for someone to teach them…to give them something to think about, to talk about, to apply to their lives. They still want someone to inspire them to new and exciting things. And they want someone to teach them the Word of God. They want to hear our stories. They want to hear us interpret the scriptures and make the connection between the Bible and their lives. They want us to be creative and inspiring, real and practical, yet challenging and deep.

Let’s not give up on preaching to teens. Let’s make it the best we can and then augment it with additional opportunities for experiential learning, discussions, retreats and trips. But honor the role that preaching plays in cultivating the DNA of our youth, youth ministries, and churches. Let’s embrace its value and make the most of it.

So I say…

…go ahead…

keep preaching.