'I'm bored, forbid me to do something' read the T-shirt on one lad. The music in the background screamed the same message: 'Here we are now, entertain us'. Wherever you encounter teenage boys this will be the message. Very few things cause them to unhook from the computer or the playstation and even fewer things elicit any positive response. Glaciers move faster in the mornings and there are laboratory chimpanzees with a wider vocabulary.
Perhaps this is being unfair to the adolescent male, if so let's view it as a worst-case scenario. Certainly, many youth leaders struggle with this age group more than any other. Last month we established that the Bible is still relevant for them and that constantly looking for opportunities to train and guide them biblically is a good strategy. Building on this is difficult. Perhaps it would be helpful to see it as missionary work. Rather than just landing by canoe in the middle of the unreached 'tribe' and starting to read the Bible very loud and slowly in English, a missionary might employ a slightly harder method for a better long-term gain.
Practical tips
One of the many things pop culture analysts will tell you is that we live in an age of new tribalism. For young people there is an incredible desire to 'belong', be it to a team, or a friendship group, or to be associated with a particular style or fashion. As 'missionaries' we need to know how to relate to these tribes, finding out more about their culture, without necessarily joining. Our effort in taking an interest will show that we are genuine. (See October 2002's EN article about engaging with the culture.)
