Spiritual "To Do" Lists

1. Pray
2. Read Bible
3. Memorize important verses.
4. Confess Sins
4a. Confess that I don't pray enough or read my bible.
4b. Confess that I don't memorize scripture or confess sin enough.
5. Tell others about Jesus.
6. Give more money away... To anyone or anything that sounds like Jesus would support.
7. Decide to fast from T.V., fried food and desserts, and other evils of the world.
8. Confess that there is no way I can fast from fried food and desserts, T.V., and other things that I'm mildly addicted to.
9. Explain to Jesus that I really want to be more like Him but I don't have the time to fit everything in.
10. Get a good nights sleep so I can fail at being a super Christian again tomorrow.

I've been reading "The Naked GOSPEL and Andrew Farley has been explaining that Christ has fulfilled the law and we are no longer under it. He explains that while we are no longer under the law, Christians tend to make up their own laws in order to be "better" Christians. This is often a failed attempt to feel closer to Christ. This is especially significant for teenagers.

Teens are looking for a magical formula for spiritual success. A simple "To Do" list or a 5 Easy Steps program that guarantees happiness and satisfaction knowing you are doing everything Jesus wants you to do. The problem is that life doesn't work that way. High school students spend the majority of their time being graded and rewarded on how they perform. They are often told to do more, work harder, and get more accomplished in a shorter and shorter amount of time. This outlook on life and spirituality is a failed one.

High school students know how to do all the good Christian things Jesus would want them to but have no idea how to spend time with Him. They struggle to connect with Him and talk to Him. Resting in Christ is an oxymoron due to the fact that they have been raised in a culture that values hard work and results, which is the opposite of rest. Since when did being with Christ become so foreign and difficult for Christians?

As parents, teachers, and youth workers how can we help students engage with Jesus and shorten their guilt motivated Christian "To Do" List?