Using Hot Topics for Good

 

It's too bad there isn't anything controversial to talk about in our world today...said no one ever.  The reality is, if you want to have something contentious to talk about you need to look no further than your pocket.  That's right, your phone holds the power to bring to your fingertips all the latest hot topics of the day.  From Satan shoes to the Equality Act to COVID-19, there is plenty of fiendish fodder that many people are debating in our world today.  How do we leverage these hot topics in our youth ministry?

One thing we did this year in March was we hosted a series called "March Madness."  For the first three weeks the leaders picked the controversial subject in the media to discuss.  The first week we announced to our students that on the fourth week it was their turn to talk about a controversial subject.  Each week we stated the subject, researched and shared our findings of what God's word said on the subject, and how we should respond as Christians to the subject.  The final week there were some students who rose to the occasion and did the same.  I handed out one 3 x 5 card to each student for them to write down their responses.  I told them that I didn't want a long speech (because many of them were nervous to get up and talk in front of their peers).  This exercise gave them a chance to think constructively about today's hot button topics and forced them to take it captive and make it obedient to Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

As Christians, we can't ignore that the world around us is dealing with sensitive issues that have huge implications.  If we can teach our youth to think for themselves and not just adopt other people's views, I think we are helping them out in the long run and the community around us as they begin to grow up and lead their homes, their workplaces, and their friendship groups around them.