Reality check is a strategically designed youth rally for the purpose of:
1. Reaching lost students of our communities
2. Build momentum for our SYATP outreaches
3. Encouraging “churched” students to introduce their friends to Christ
4. Promote and encourage Campus Missionaries
5. Promote and encourage Youth Alive campus clubs
6. Build student’s faith in God
7. Encourage students to live out their God given destiny
8. Encourage students to begin and build small group ministries
What does it involve?
Reality Check is designed similar to that of a youth convention. We bring in a kick’n band for a concert and to lead worship, throw in some creative dramas to help bring across the theme, add some hot video clips, and of course a dynamic message from God’s Word to bring it home.
There are three key points, or realities, that we drive home throughout Reality Check.
Reality #1...It’s their life. As Switchfoot puts it in their song, "This is your life, are you who you want to be?" God loves each and every one of our students, but it's up to them to make their own decision about how to live. Good works, religion, even going to church will not get them to heaven. The reality is there is no middle ground. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ will satisfy their deep hunger for something more in life. Only their faith in Jesus death and resurrection will bring the true life that they search for - the life that Jesus created them for.
Reality #2...It’s their school. Drug use, steroids, competition, violence, cheating, eating disorders, and all kinds of peer pressures flood our schools day in and day out. What can our students possibly do about any of that? More than they realize and often more than we give them credit. Just as God sent Moses to deliver the Israelites, God has raised up students to lead a revolution on the high school campuses of America. Through the efforts of See You At The Pole, Youth Alive, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, and other campus ministries, we can provide opportunities for students to evangelize and disciple other students. The reality is if students don't reach their campus with the message of Christ, other students will reach them with the message of hell.
Reality #3...It’s their destiny. War, terrorism, alternative lifestyles, increasing violence, suicide, broken homes…the list goes on. That is not the destiny that God has planned for His creation. God's Word says that He has great plans for this generation and the generations to come. God has plans for their prosperity, not destruction. Plans full of hope and a great future. Our students need to hear that message and be encouraged to run with vision after their destiny in life and ministry in the local church. The reality is that they can and will change their world!
What are the lasting effects? The lasting effects are unlimited, but here are just a few.
1. Winning the lost with the life changing power and hope found in Christ.
2. Introducing the unchurched to a community of believers found in the local church.
3. Providing student ministries with the opportunity to establish small groups on school campuses and in homes for the purpose of evangelism and discipleship.
a. Life - Small groups of 2-5 students and one mentor teaching the basics of beginning and maintaining a relationship with Christ. Suggested materials: Alive in Christ series from Gospel Publishing House; Back to the Basic from Student Discipleship Ministries. The groups should meet once a week for 5-8 weeks before taking them to the next level.
b. Campus Clubs - Student initiated and student led clubs that focus on uniting Christians on their campuses for the purpose of building community, spiritual encouragement, discipleship, and outreach opportunities. These clubs should meet on school grounds and generally need a teacher to sponsor. Suggested materials: Reality DVD series, 12-minute meetings, Purpose Driven Life. These groups should meet at least bi-weekly and encourage the unity of all denominations. We suggest that you charter your group as one of the established national campus ministries such as Youth Alive, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, or Young Life.
c. The Circuit - These small groups are more focused on in-your-face discipleship challenging students to move their faith to action. The Curcuit groups are led by Youth Pastors/Leaders, parents, or in some cases, high school seniors. Suggested materials: G5 Manual, Road Trip, Developing Student Leaders (Steven Blandino), Max Q (Andy Stanley), 30 Hardest Days (Justin Lookadoo).
4. Establishing mentoring opportunities for student leaders.
5. Providing students with the opportunity for continual hands on ministry involvement.
6. Provides the community with an opportunity to join forces in building the Kingdom of God.
