Tilling the soil For teenagers, the world can be filled with confusing paradoxes as they become isolated or connected through changing technologies, in vogue or in the margins because of materialism and marketability, filled with hope or hopelessness because of the environment. Preparing the soil for youth to be in mission only starts if adults believe God can work through youth. Being in mission is integral to our Wesleyan heritage. The Wesleyan quadrilateral provides a theological framework for mission that we can use as we work with youth. We need to help our youth discuss, question, and analyze Scripture as it applies to their lives.
Tradition is absent from or getting lost in the lives of many youth.
We must share our traditions of prayer and stories about United Methodist work with the poor, the imprisoned, the sick, the uneducated and those affected by war. Our prayers and stories can dispel youth's feelings of isolation in a world of globalization. They can find their places in God's mission. Through study and discussion, youth learn to use their God-given gift of reason as they contemplate and develop beliefs. Experience is probably the easiest way for adults to help youth be in mission.