Grow in Tears to Reap in Joy—Reflections from a German Youth Fellowship
Heidelberg Youth Fellowship—Heidelberg, Germany
In 2009, Heidelberg Prayer House formed its first youth fellowship
group, with eleven youths aged between eighteen and thirty-three years.
Things were not easy in the beginning. We had fears that the fellowship
would not survive, let alone grow, due differences in the ages,
personalities, and backgrounds of the youths. At first, we had neither
clear objectives nor a fixed organization—everything was new to us.
Thus, the early days of the youth fellowship were marked by long
discussions.
Almost four years on, the fellowship gathers every Sabbath between 6 and
8 p.m. without fail. We have studied a range of topics from the Old to
New Testaments, from Bible history to comparative religion etc.
Each member of the youth group has learned to appreciate the fellowship
as an opportunity to reinforce his or her faith through deeper study of
the Bible and other faith-related topics. Activities and trips have
strengthened the youth group as a whole, bringing much joy to the entire
church. By God’s grace, we have gained much experience through serving
God and preaching the gospel together.
In the following paragraphs, seven youths share their personal
reflections on the fellowship. We hope this will encourage other youths
around the world and prompt them to think about themselves and their own
fellowships.
Appreciating the community in Christ
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles´ doctrine and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
The first community in Christ is an example of the perfect church. The
brethren gathered with one accord and enjoyed each other’s companionship
with gladness and simplicity of heart. These people were kept together
by the word of God, His love, and prayer. What keeps our youth
fellowship together and makes us gather with one accord? Is it just one
zealous person within the group who is keeping the group united? Our
youth fellowship started through the efforts of a very dedicated youth
group leader. But a fellowship cannot last for long if it depends on a
single person.
In our case, we were tested after less than a year, when our first group
leader had to move away. What kept our group together then, and
continues to do so today is that which kept the first apostolic
community together: God’s word, His love, and prayer. Each and every one
of us must put time and effort into the fellowship. It requires
motivation to give and contribute to a group, and this is not natural
for most of us. But when we learn to do so, our fellowship will slowly
be built up.
Being able to attend a youth fellowship is a gift from God. We should
treasure it because there may not always be a youth group in every
church. Moreover, as youths, we have a great deal of time for
fellowship, but this period of our lives is brief and will soon come to
an end. May we find blessings of all kinds in our local youth
fellowship, and may God be the one who joins us as one.
What is our fellowship based on?
How can we contribute to make it a perfect one?
Studying God’s word
“... they received the word with all readiness, and searched the
Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts
17:11)
Why do truth-seekers and the newly-baptized seem more diligent in
studying the Bible than regular church members? They want to know the
truth. Desperately. They want to make sure that everything that has been
told to them is biblically sound. Thus, they “test all things [and] hold fast what is good” (1 Thess 5:21). In contrast, some long-time believers are too lazy or are reluctant to
search into the words of God; they just accept everything that is
preached.
To have a deeply-rooted faith, we must understand what we believe in.
Only then can we preach the gospel wholeheartedly, convicted that it is
the God-given truth. While fellowships must not replace personal Bible
study, our fellowship provides us with the opportunity to search the
Scriptures weekly “to find out whether these things [are] so.” Not only
do we study the basic doctrines, we also have special seminars during
which a preacher delivers lessons on certain topics, such as “The flaws
of trinity.” These are precious opportunities for us because preachers
are available in Heidelberg on fewer than ten occasions per year.
Have we ever searched the Scriptures with all our hearts in order to
find out whether what we believe in is true?
Have we ever experienced the indescribable beauty of God’s words?
Support
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
(Prov 17:17)
We all need spiritual friends to support us in times of need. If we do
not have anyone to support us in our spiritual battles, we will be
easily defeated by the devil and lose our promised inheritance.
To support one another, we need to trust one another and be familiar
with one another’s circumstances. We can achieve this through regular
fellowship and by opening our hearts to sincerely share and take advice.
Real friendship is built on the truth. By studying the Scriptures
together every Sabbath, we strengthen our faith in God and our trust in
other members. Every week, we take turns to lead the fellowship
sessions. Preparing for the sessions allows us to refine our own faith,
so we can help others draw nearer to God. We sometimes discuss topics
that have not been covered in sermons in order to gain a better
understanding of biblical concepts. Our weekly Bible studies also
provide an opportunity for us to reflect on ourselves and to examine
whether we have put God’s words into practice. As we sit together and
learn more about our heavenly Father, we experience harmony, peace, and
fun. This atmosphere draws us closer together, so we can identify when
and how to help one another.
Are you strong enough to edify other children of God?
Are you able to share your problems with others and accept help?
Fellowship
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and
simplicity of heart.” (Acts 2:46)
The early apostolic church lived together joyfully and served God with
one accord. As the body of Christ, we should be of the same mind (1 Cor
1:10). Doing God’s work and attending Sabbath service is more joyful if
the church is united.
Besides the weekly fellowship sessions after Sabbath service, we have
activities at the prayer house, at one another’s homes or outdoors. .Our
activities include having barbeques, making dumplings or watching
fireworks. These activities often involve the older generation and give
us the opportunity to share our faith and lives, laugh together or just
enjoy one another’s company.
When was the last time your whole church joyfully came together?
Are you involved in planning for the next church event?
TRAVELING
“How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! Blessed is the man
whose strength is in You,
whose heart is set on pilgrimage.” (Ps 84:1,5)
Although we love to be in His tabernacle—the church building—we can
share God’s words and have fellowship elsewhere too. Summer is the best
time for outdoor activities; this is also when visitors from different
places tend to come, and this gives us the opportunity to take them
around Heidelberg city.
In addition, we can travel to other countries and learn from other
brothers and sisters.
In March 2011, our youth group made its first journey abroad. We went to
Paris for four days, visiting the church and the city. Many of the local
brothers and sisters took us around—thank God for their abundant love.
We also experienced traveling as a group and representing the church for
the first time.
The following year, we visited our brethren in Spain, who are scattered
around Barcelona, Madrid and Albacete. Spain is a pioneer area, and
volunteer workers, mainly from the German-speaking regions, are
regularly sent there to support the pastoral work. During our seven-day
trip, we met up with a volunteer worker and helped her conduct a total
of five services, fellowships, and Bible studies at three different
places—thank God, we gained much from sharing our faith with others.
During both trips, we saw brethren in other places living out their
faith under different circumstances, and this also strengthened our own
faith. We thank God for granting us the opportunity to visit our
brothers and sisters abroad, to have fellowship with them, and to bond
with one another during this precious time. These trips also taught us
much about being patient and caring for one another, just as God is
patient with us and cares for us.
Are you prepared to represent your church?
When was the last time your youth fellowship gathered in one accord
to pray, eat and laugh?
Doing church work
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in
vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58)
As youths, we are well-placed to give of our time, strength and talents.
Every youth in our fellowship participates in regular church work and
cleaning duties, but we also have some sessions dedicated to church work
in our youth fellowship. Some work has to be done frequently, like
changing bed sheets before the convocations, some types of work are
unique, such as changing the carpet and wallpaper in the service room,
and others happen spontaneously, for example, cleaning areas that we do
not have time to clean after the Sabbath service. With a watchful eye,
it is easy to spot work that needs to be done and corners in the church
that need our attention. The more we involve ourselves in church work,
the more we see what needs to be done. Church has become a very familiar
place that we care about, just like our homes. While this is good, the
real challenge is to learn to take good care of the church in a manner
that our fellow workers, the young and the elderly feel comfortable
with.
We can achieve this goal if we work, not for ourselves, but for the
Lord. He
is the reason why we serve and are not discouraged. In the end,
when we have done all that the Lord has commanded, may we say: “We
are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do” (Lk
17:10).
What is your attitude towards church work?
Has every youth in your church developed the eye of a watchman who
watches over the well-being of the church?
Evangelism
“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
every creature.” (Mk 16:15)
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. As soldiers of
Jesus Christ, we must preach the gospel diligently, so that more people
will know the love, might, and salvation of God.
Although Heidelberg prayer house is small, and material and human
resources limited, our youths still have the heart to carry out the
great commission. Soon after the establishment of our youth group, we
went out to preach the gospel by singing hymns in the most frequented
pedestrian area in Heidelberg’s city center. It was tough and
challenging because we did not have any experience in this area of work.
Relying solely on a pure heart to work for God, we prepared for the
“hymnal evangelism.” When we faced difficulties, we knelt down and
prayed with one accord. Indeed, “as there was a readiness to desire it,
so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is
first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not
according to what he does not have” (2 Cor 8:11–12).
Thank God! After this first experience, we started to organize gospel
tea fellowships and invited friends to come. Over time, the youths
have become more mature and united in evangelism. Only God can unite
people; what is impossible with men is possible with God!
What obstacles stand between us and our mission from God?
Have you ever experienced the joy of preaching the gospel?
Over the years, God has given and taught us much through our youth
fellowship. We have grown and will continue to grow and give of our best
according to His will. It is not easy to grow, but if you grow in God,
there will be abundant joy on the way. May God guide and unite His
youths in every church to help them have a fruitful fellowship. May all
glory be unto His name!