Background Scriptures

• Galatians 1:6-9
• II Cor. 11:3-15
• II Timothy 3:1-16
• 1 Timothy 4:3-4
• Colosssians 2:8-23
• Proverbs 14:12

The ‘Marks’ of a Cult –

DEIFY MAN
Man may become a god. Man only needs to ‘progress’ (as defined by the cult and only with the cult’s help) to become like God.
Genesis 3:1-13, Isaiah 14:9-19, 2 Thess 2:3-4.

HUMANIZE GOD
Deny that God is ONE eternally. Deny the Trinity. There are ‘many’ gods and redefine God to Man’s image.
Romans 1:21-25 I Isaiah 43 :10-11 and 44:6-8 I Psalm 90:2

MINIMIZE SIN
Instead of man’s very nature being separated from God, sin is only specific acts that through good works can be perfected. Hell is redefined into bland or non existent punishment.
Romans 3:23, I John 1:8-10, Gal 3:10, Revelation 20:14-15

OSTRACIZE THE SCRIPTURES
They will add additional scripture and claim that there is error in God’s Word. Continual change of meaning in scripture.
Luke 21:33, Revelation 22:18-19, Isaiah 40:8, Acts 17:11

A DIFFERENT JESUS
Jesus is not the Son of God, but rather a son of A god – or He was just a prophet – or a created god – or our elder brother – or just a good man or a teacher.
Isaiah 9:6-7, John 1:1-14, Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:1-12

A DIFFERENT SALVATION
Deny Salvation by Grace, by the shed blood of Jesus on the Cross at Calvary and by true repentance of sin by a sinner. Usually will not see a cross on the cult’s structures. Salvation must include works, and quite often by a system dictated by the cult.
Eph 2:8-10, Gal 3:1-26, I Peter 2:24

DIFFERENT SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is changed into a ‘good force’ or impersonal entity. Deny God the Spirit. Spiritism is, generally, rampant by having visits from spirits, counterfeit miracles, etc.
I Timothy 4:1, Deut 18:9-14, John 14:17

MODERN DAY PROPHET
Founded by man, followed by others who claim to be God’s one true spokesman on Earth. Accountable to no one but God. Gives revelation and scripture.
Jeremiah 23, Matthew 24:24, Hebrews 1:1-2, Deut 13:1-10;18:20-22

THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH
Their group is the only true way to perfection. The word ‘truth’ used over and over. Unless you are active part of their organization. You are lost. Deny the spiritual union of believers.
Col 1:18, Eph 1:22-23, Romans 12:1-8

SECRETS .. CLOSED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Secret rituals, temples and doctrines. Finances not public. No communion with Christian body. All others are outsiders. No one knows the truth as they (and their prophet) do. Persecution complex.

CANNOT LEAVE
Always testing loyalty of followers. Obedience (blind) is primary. Leaders have all power – are followers intermediary with God – not Jesus. Only way to leave is by excommunication. Threats, Spiritual bondage, fear and guilt most common. If you leave, you are cut off from all in cult.

A cult is where:

1. God is brought down to a lower level in regard to His identity. (What He is really like)
2. God is brought down to a lower level in regard to His uniqueness. (Is there anyone else like Him?)
3. Man is elevated in regard to his basic sin nature. (What he is really like)
4. Man is elevated in regard to his potential. (Will man become like God?)
5. Christ is brought down to a lower level in regard to His identity. (Who He is)
6. Christ is brought down in regard to His mission. (What He came to do)
7. Faith is reduced to a meaningless term. (Cults trust in the works of some part of creation for salvation)
8. Heaven is presented as a place for the elite, or where everyone will go, or a place that is merely symbolic.

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The Diagnostic Standards Manual of the American Psychiatric Association indicates that pathological gambling behavior is indicated by the presence of at least four of the following characteristics:

• Frequent preoccupation with gambling or with obtaining money to gamble.
• Frequent gambling of larger amounts of money or over a longer period of time than intended.
• A need to increase the size or frequency of bets to achieve the desired excitement.
• Restlessness or irritability if unable to gamble.
• Repeated loss of money by gambling and returning another day to win back losses (“chasing”).
• Repeated efforts to reduce or stop gambling.
• Frequent gambling when expected to meet social or occupational obligations.
• Sacrifice of some important social, occupational or recreational activity in order to gamble.
• Continuation of gambling despite inability to pay mounting debts, or despite other significant social, occupational or legal problems that the person knows to be exacerbated by gambling.

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• Your child avoids a task or challenge without even trying. This often signals a fear of failure or s sense of helplessness.
• He quits soon after beginning a game or a task, giving up at the first sign of frustration.
• He cheats or lies when he believes he’s going to lose a game or do poorly.
• He shows signs of regression, acting baby like or very silly. These types of behavior invite teasing and name calling from other youngsters, adding insult to injury.
• He becomes controlling, bossy, or inflexible as ways of hiding feelings of inadequacy, frustration, or powerlessness.
• He makes excuses like “the teacher is dumb” or downplays the importance of events like “ I don’t really like that game anyway”. Using this kind of rationalizing to place blame on others or external forces.
• His grades in school have declined, or he has lost interest in usual activities.
• He withdraws socially, losing or having less contact with friends.
• He experiences changing moods, exhibiting sadness, crying, any outbursts, frustration, or quietness.
• He makes self-critical comments such as “I never do anything right,” “Nobody likes me,” “ I’m ugly,” “It is my fault,” or “Everyone is smarter than I am.”
• He has difficulty accepting either praise or criticism.
• He becomes very concerned or sensitive about other people’s opinions of him.
• He seems to b e strongly affected by negative peer influence, adopting attitudes and behaviors like a disdain for school, cutting classes acting disrespectfully, shoplifting, or experimenting with tobacco, alcohol, or drugs.
• He is either overly helpful or never helpful at home.

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• A sense of contribution.
• A sense of making real choices and decisions.
• A sense of self-discipline and self-control.
• A sense of encouragement, support and reward.
• A sense of accepting mistakes and failure.
• A sense of family self-esteem.

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Teenagers put on masks to hide their feelings. They choose these masks unconsciously, but the masks can express the feelings and thoughts of the teenagers. Here are the masks often used by teenagers

PENNY THE PERFECTIONIST
Teenagers put on this mask to prove themselves to their parents. This masked teenager becomes a perfectionist, compulsive about work and dissatisfied with personal accomplishments. This mask covers up the unmet needs of acceptance, unconditional love, and appreciation.

EXPLOSIVE EMILY
This teenager holds the pain, hurt, and rejection. Then one day she explodes, spewing angry words and negative behavior over anyone nearby. The explosion just happens. Teenagers in abuse situations may wear this mask, although other situations can cause deep feelings of pain and rejection. This mask covers up the unmet needs of comfort, respect, love and attention.

DIRECTIONLESS DOUG
This teenager lacks direction or purpose. He hangs out at the mall, not caring about school, sports or other activities. He may drop out of school and work at several low paying jobs. Occasionally a teenager wearing this mask runs away from home, but without a specific plan. Although this teenager doesn’t get attention at home, he lives at home because it’s rent-free. This mask covers up the unmet needs of direction and purpose, support, and encouragement.

CONFRONTATIONAL CHRIS
This teenager loves to pick a fight. He’s known for attacking others verbally. Debates usually turn into arguments. In some instances arguments end in physical confrontation. Violence or vandalism can be an expression of his anger. He may even join a gang or hang out with destructive friends. As a result, this teenager lacks hope, believing he won’t live beyond his teenage years. This mask covers up the unmet needs of encouragement,
Feeling valued, comfort and love.

PROMISCUOUS PETE
This teenager chooses sex as a substitute for love. For guys this becomes a sexual contest taken to extremes. For girls it can be a desire to belong to somebody _ anybody. Research has shown that teens will often use sex as a means to express and satisfy emotional and interpersonal needs that have little or nothing to do with sex. Sex becomes a coping mechanism to deal with the absence of love and affection at home. This mask covers up the unmet needs of love and affection, nurturing and support.

JILL THE JOKER
This teenager makes others laugh to get attention. At first the behavior is funny, but the constant jokes at inappropriate times and the constant demand for the spotlight make it difficult to tolerate this teenager for long. This ‘s parents never look beneath the humor to see the hurting. This mask covers up the unmet needs of attention, respect, values and appreciation.

SECLUDED SALLY
This teenager uses a mask to withdraw from the world. She sees herself as the victim of life. Everything that happens to her is intentional. Every criticism, correction, or suggestion is spoken to hurt her feelings. She trusts no one. She comes home from school and goes directly to her cave (room). This teenager nay not try anything like sport or going to camp because she believes she will fail. This teenager believes she is inferior because she feels inferior. This mask covers up the unmet needs of respect, appreciation, security, significance and purpose.

FRANK THE FOLLOWER
A teenager wearing this mask is easily swayed to the crowd. Even though the crowd may change (school, church, ball team), this teenager goes along with whatever they decide to do – well or bad. The mask covers up the unmet needs of acceptance, attention, being valued as a person, and love.

Application:
Reflect on the masks you youths might be wearing, and why and how you can help them to satisdy the unmet need that so the mask can be removed and they can be themselves.

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YOUTH MINISTERS HAVE THEIR OWN VERSIONS OF MURPHY’S LAW-“IF ANYTHING CAN GO WRONG, IT WILL.” I THINK YOU’LL RECOGNIZE YOUR FAVORITES, INCLUDING:

THE LAW OF LAST-MINUTE SUBTRACTIONS AND ADDITIONS 
Even though you’ve recruited the exact number of drivers you’ll need for your upcoming youth trip, it’s never enough. Five minutes before you’re set to leave, a driver cancels (or the corollary-three unexpected kids show up).

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Use a signup sheet for the trip with an RSVP deadline and make no exceptions. It sounds harsh, but this is a great way for young people to learn responsibility. Ask a responsible volunteer or group leader to coordinate your transportation needs. Then make sure you have a back-up driver ready just in case.

THE LAW OF DIMINISHING GAS 
Even though your facilities manager swears he filled the tank yesterday, the gas gauge in the church van always reads empty when you’re ready to leave.

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Inspect your vehicles the day before your trip or at least one hour before the kids show up. Make sure you have a church credit card or money for gas. And have a plan in case the vehicle breaks down while on the road

THE LAW OF FRUSTRATING PHOTOCOPIERS
Even though it was repaired last week, your photocopy machine will conk out five minutes before the meeting starts-and you still need 20 copies.

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Plan your schedule to prepare ahead of time so you can make your copies the day before the meeting

THE LAW OF VANISHING GUEST SPEAKERS 
Even though you’ve covered for yourself while you’re on vacation, the guest speaker you lined up will not show.

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Have a Plan B always ready. Tell another staff member about your plan so he or she can step in if there’s a last-minute cancellation

THE LAW OF EMBARRASSING DAMAGE
Even though you have seven cars hauling kids to the retreat, the one that gets “dinged” is the non-Christian parent’s car.

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Before the trip, warn your parent volunteers about possible damage to their vehicles. Check your church’s insurance policy to see if it might cover incidental damage. And when you plan a meeting at someone’s home, ask to rearrange the meeting place to remove anything that might get damaged

THE LAW OF INEVITABLE TARDINESS
Even though you’ve screamed your departure time from the rooftops, you’ll still pull out late because someone’s late or forgot the permission slip.

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Make sure you’re ready to leave on time. Many youth leaders model tardiness. Have a policy that you ll not wait for stragglers. Tell your group members to be on time or get left behind

THE LAW OF EMPTY COFFERS
Even though the church treasurer promised you an expense check before you leave, it’s time to go and you still don’t have it. Of’ course, the treasurer isn’t home and can’t be located

MURPHY’S BUSTER: Ask the treasurer to give you the check in advance Even if you don’t know the exact amount, let the treasurer decide how much to give you

Source Unknown

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(in order of importance)

• Physiological needs are the basic necessities of life.
• Safety needs involve security, stability, protection, order, and freedom from fear.
• Social needs are those involving the need to love and be loved, to feel accepted and to belong and to give and receive affection.
• Esteem needs are those dealing with confidence and competence, self-image, self-respect, and esteem from others.
• Growth needs are those dealing with potential and being all that one can be and become.

Some of youth’s greatest issues associated with these needs are those related to loneliness, poor self-esteem, and discovering self-identity. Other major issues include poor relationships with parents, school problems, prejudice and injustice, vocational decisions, and their desire to discover God’s will in their lives.

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• Youth ministry is not a separate program, but works through and is channeled through church program organizations such as Christian education, worship, discipleship training, music, etc.
• Youth Ministry is educational and evangelistic (teaching and reaching).
• Youth ministry doesn’t put program areas against each other.  As such it does not conflict with or replace other church activities.
• Youth Ministry is concerned with every aspect of a youth’s life

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• To prepare youth for a lifelong walk with Christ
• To help youth become aware of God as revealed in Jesus Christ, to respond to Christ in a personal commitment of faith, and to follow God’s will in the full meaning of church membership and Christian discipleship. This involves such things as new convert classes, mentoring by older Christians, and involvement of youth in church committees.
• To guide youth to witness about their personal faith in Jesus Christ and to invite others to respond to Him. This can be done through evangelism training, contacts, inviting youth to visit w/ you, etc.
• To help youth develop a meaningful and devotional prayer life. This can be encouraged through providing quiet time materials, accountability, journals, modeling/example, letting youth know how important it is for you, asking them for prayer requests and following through with them, telling them about your answered prayers and telling them things you learned in your personal prayer time.
• To help youth experience worship in private and corporate settings. This can be done by letting youth help plan a worship service, having a youth time in the worship service, allowing a youth position on the worship committee, and having a retreat on worship.
• To guide youth to participate in Christian missions and help them develop the skills these ministries require. Possible activities include establishing a “Food Bank,” special projects, Bible studies, a spiritual gift inventory, a youth swap with another church, back-yard Bible Studies, vacation Bible school, etc.
• To help youth increase their knowledge and understanding of Bible truths and to apply these truths in every area and relationship of life. This involves discipleship, allowing youth to teach children, being a role model, etc.
• To help youth grow in understanding and acceptance of self by affirmation, Biblical concepts of self-image, giving them positions of leadership suitable to their gifts, mission/ service projects, affrimation activities, etc.
• To help youth understand and commit themselves to a Christian perspective of morality through seminars, role-playing, skits, fashion shows on proper dress, parent workshops, guest speakers, a commitment to purity service, role-modeling relationships, etc.
• To guide youth to explore their abilities and talents and develop a Christian prespective on choosing a vocation. Helpful possibilities include talent shows, Seminar’s on taking aptitude tests, giving them leadership positions, having businessmen talk to youth, having a youth career day with representatives from different vocations in the church.
• To guide youth in the stewardship of their money, time, and abilities. Use your personal example, a simulation game (ex. give each 1$ then make them keep track of what they spent that dollar on during the week), help run a soup kitchen, case studies, setting goals, making a budget, personal testimonies, seminars
• To help youth develop a theology and rationale for being Christian in a world of religious pluralism. This involves parental education on cults, seminars on cults, studies on basic beliefs, scripture knowledge, visiting a service of another religion and then having a debrief time, etc.
• To guide youth to adopt a life-style of Christian response to a world of limited resources and inequitable distribution of resources and power. Possibilities include defining Biblical success, sponsoring needy kids, having an offering for world hunger.
• To guide youth to develop good habits in constructive use of their pleasure time.
• To do this we need to hold them accountable for their time, teach them balance and priorities, and teach them about morality.
• To offer youth opportunities for Christian fellowship and development of social skillss. This can be done by involvement in full church activities, integration, working with home-bound, alternative parties and activities, clique-busting, and serving within the worship service in various capacities.
• To help youth and parents understand each other’s needs and to build meaningful family relationships. Possibilities include seminars, a parents of youth night, youth/parent retreats, Father/son trips, communications skits, Freeze frame skit with questions and seeking of suggestions, youth created dialogues and parent created dialogues, party with youth handcuffed to parents, Youth and Parent talent show
• To enlist and equip adult leaders who will work effectively toward the objectives for youth ministry.

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Back Your Ideas

B e enthusiastic about what you are doing
A pproval of your superiors (i.e. pastor, etc) must be obtained
C omplete your homework so that you have everything worked out in advance
K now where you are going
There are a few who still not follow because:
E ncourage you to wait until the time is right
X tremely controversial Issue
C annot Afford it
U nproven that the old program will not work
S ets a bad precedent
E xplained as another Fad that will pass
S ituation is hopeless
Dealing With Objections
D irect people towards good ideas and help them see foolish ideas
E mploy rationally with objective fact and figures in dealing with other objections
A nswering some objections is impossible because you do not know
L ine is fine between whether it just doesn’t work or it hasn’t had time to work.

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