In this engaging discussion, Josh Green, Youth Director of 24-7 Prayer Great Britain, sheds light on the pressing issues facing today's youth amidst cultural turmoil. He highlights the increasing appetite for God among young people and their desire for truth in a tumultuous world. Josh offers valuable insights for parents and youth leaders on empowering teens through prayer and building genuine connections. The conversation culminates in his personal transformative encounter with faith, showcasing the profound impact of prayer and spirituality in their lives.
The rising hunger for God's presence among today's youth highlights a transformative potential for authentic faith engagement in the church.
In the face of societal challenges, effective youth leadership should focus on empowering young people through deeper connections to scripture and community outreach.
Deep dives
Engaging Young Hearts in Prayer
The role of prayer in engaging young people is emphasized by the desire to cultivate a hunger for God’s presence among teenagers. Josh Green discusses initiatives aimed at getting youth into prayer rooms and fostering a passionate community that seeks deeper connections with God. Despite the challenges of declining church attendance and the overwhelming distractions of modern life, he notes a significant hunger among some young people who want to explore faith. Events like prayer meetings and youth prayer nights have sparked interest and participation, revealing a remnant of youth eager to delve into spiritual practices and community.
Navigating Modern Challenges
The unique challenges facing today’s teenagers, particularly the impacts of social media and post-pandemic life, are acknowledged as significant hurdles. Young people experience relentless pressure from the digital world, leading to heightened feelings of isolation and mental health issues. In this context, the need for silence and solitude, as advocated by Brian Heasley’s book 'Be Still,' is highlighted, suggesting that young individuals must learn to disengage from these distractions. There is a call for bravery among these youth, as they confront societal pressures while seeking authentic connections and understanding through faith.
The Unchanging Gospel
The podcast discusses the enduring nature of the gospel and its relevance in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Josh Green asserts that the core message of Jesus remains unchanged and should not be rebranded or diluted for contemporary audiences. He argues that the gospel shines brightest during times of societal turmoil and highlights the importance of living a holy and different life as a church. This, he believes, is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith in a world filled with conflicting messages.
Inspiring Leadership and Discipleship
Effective youth leadership is described through the principles of calling young people higher, deeper, and outward in their faith journeys. Leaders are encouraged to foster environments that prioritize spiritual growth, deep engagement with scripture, and tangible outreach efforts. Joshua shares a successful initiative where young people invited peers to church, reflecting the rich potential for evangelism within their communities. By empowering youth to share their faith in natural and engaging ways, leaders help cultivate a generation that is not only knowledgeable in prayer but actively living out their faith in the world.
What does this generation of youth have to teach us? And how can we support them?
Hannah and Brian are joined by Josh Green, the Youth Director of 24-7 Prayer Great Britain. They talk about what it’s like to be a young person today amid cultural instability and an ongoing mental health crisis. The landscape can sound discouraging, but Josh shares about the rising desire for God that he’s seeing in today’s young people. He describes a generation who don’t want to leave the presence of God (Exodus 33:11), who are hungry for truth and who are ready to be challenged.
Josh shares his best advice for parents and for youth leaders seeking to empower their young people into lives of prayer, and he explores what this generation of youth have to teach the church and the culture. Brian and Hannah wrap up the podcast by hearing an incredible story of the radical encounter that brought Josh to faith.
This is an episode not just for parents and those in youth ministry, but for anyone who is interested in how God is moving in our culture.
Explore more:
24-7 Prayer GB Youth Instagram: www.instagram.com/247prayeryouth
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode