WAYS TO FEED AN OSTRICH



1. Let them eat out from your hands OR






2. Throw them on the ground and let them eat from the ground OR





3. Throw them into the air and expect them to catch it


I guess there are many ways to teaching (feeding) youths (akin to feeding ostriches). You can teach them gently and guiding them and literally feeding them OR you can make them work hard at learning where it becomes "learning by experience" OR you can provide them the lessons whether they want it then and then AND then, when they becomes hungry or when they need the food, they are able to look for it even when you are not around.

We really need all 3 methods of teaching. We cannot be there 100% of the time holding their hands for the rest of their lives and sometimes, they will feel that the lessons/teachings are not relevant yet so they will not get excited and "pounce" on the "food" as it is being dished out. Sometimes, it takes time to learn, and what we youth leaders really ought to do is make sure the youths know where to search for the food, learn how to eat, and what to eat.

But we have to remember that there are the little ones behind those "bigger youths" that are hungry for the Word of God. So - don't let the older youths demand for attention distract us from feeding the younger ones.