The Quiver - Vision for Youth Ministry
 In Psalm 127:3-5 the psalmist compares the home to a quiver, children to arrows and parents to archers. The analogy simply summarizes the purpose of every Christian family, for the archers (parents) to skillfully launch the arrows (the children) to the target ahead (Heaven). From birth to the beginning of adulthood the home (the quiver) is where the ‘child arrows’ are learning the necessary H.A.B.I.T.S. to keep them in the air (faithful) all the way to the target. It’s about learning to be responsible with more & more independence until the youth are completely responsible & completely independent (launched from the home).
The purpose then of the Youth Ministry/Miniser of the Manchester Church of Christ is to; first, equip, support & encourage the parents in their efforts at home to teach their children the necessary H.A.B.I.T.S. for continual spiritual growth; second, to reinforce through youth classes & activities what’s already being taught at home; third, give the youth the opportunity to nurture their own faith independent of their family.
H.A.B.I.T.S.
Have a Daily Quiet Time
Accountability with another believer
Bible memorization
Involvement with the Church
Talk to God constantly
Start with the end in mind
Have a daily quiet time
We were created to have a relationship with God. By reading God’s Word (listening to Him) each day we are developing the habit of daily communication w/ Him (Ps 1:2, 2 Tim 3:16). Therefore, to help the youth develop the habit of a daily quiet time we offer several ‘Bible Study Series’ online or can print them out for them.
Accountability with another believer
The bible teaches that we are to help remind and encourage each other to develop the habits of a disciple (Heb 10:24). Therefore, we encourage our youth to choose an accountability partner, that will commit to asking them once a week how their H.A.B.I.T.S. are going, share about their lives and pray for one another.
Bible memorization (& Meditation)
A committed disciple hides God’s Word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11) and builds their life upon what they learn (Matt 7:24-28). At the end of each daily quiet time there is a scripture to memorize and a thought to meditate on for that day or next several days.
Involvement with the church body
The Church is one of God’s main tools to reach other’s for Christ and to help them to grow & stay faithful (Heb 3:12-14). Therefore, we offer bible classes, small groups, musicals, retreats and many other youth activities to help the youth stay involved (Heb 10:25).
Talk to God constantly
The bible teaches that God delights in our prayers (Prov 15:8) so much that he wants us to talk to Him constantly through out the day (1 Thess 5:17). Constantly talking to God also fills us with a feeling of closeness and intimacy with Him.
Start with the end in mind
When we stand before God one day and look back at our lives there will only be a few things that really mattered. These H.A.B.I.T.S. are several of them! When we live with the end constantly in mind it changes what & how we do everything (Col 3:1-4).
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