Explaining the rules in youth ministry is more important than you might think. Consider these insights from a veteran youth leader.
My almost 4-year old son is in the “why?” phase. Lately that’s his standard reaction to everything. “Why do I need to be in the car seat?” “Why does Daddy get five meatballs but I only get two?” And, of course, “Why won’t you buy me that toy?”
Yes, it can get annoying and requires patience. But my son has made me think about the “why” of things more than ever. And when I take time to explain the reason in a way he can understand, he is often satisfied with that answer. He accepts rules much easier if we explain the “why” behind them.
It’s not that much different for explaining rules in youth ministry. When you take time to detail the reasons, teens accept rules much faster.
Explaining Rules in Youth Ministry Is Essential
Awhile back, I had to talk dress code with a girl whose outfit was way too revealing. At first she was belligerent that I had the nerve to mention how she dressed. But when I explained what her outfit could do to boys and their thoughts, her attitude changed. She hadn’t realized she could be tempting others to sin.
To this girl, the dress code was a stupid rule made by judgmental people “who preferred each girl to wear long black skirts and baggy sweaters” (her exact words). But now she grasped the reason behind the rule, making her much more understanding of it.
Explaining the “why” of rules leads to easier acceptance. But that’s not the only reason you should explain. The second is that it’s important for teens to understand there’s a reason for them at all. And that reason is usually love. Too often in Christianity, we lay down rules without showing the reason behind them.
