According to recent research the number one activity enjoyed by teenagers is watching videos on YouTube. YouTube is massively important in young people’s lives. The recent Rethinking Culture survey, released by British Youth For Christ, asked 2,000 young people (of all faiths and none) about their pastimes and influences. When asked: what activities/hobbies do you enjoy doing in your spare time, a huge 81% of respondents answered, ‘Watching YouTube videos’, making it the most popular answer.

Three-quarters said they engaged in this activity daily – watching, sharing, making and curating content. Those who develop a following become stars – sometimes overnight – on a level that
can provoke pop-star-like reactions from their fans. That’s why ‘vloggers’ (YouTube broadcasters) who’ve developed a major following show up tellingly in the same survey’s list of factors that
influence youth. For Youthscape youth ministry there is a good reason to take God’s mission to YouTube. “We need to help young people to reach their friends online,” says director Martin Sanders.

As a first step Youthscape is running Share, a Summer school for 16- 19 year-olds who have a passion and a talent for blogging and want to learn better communication and video skills, so they can produce their own quality faith-based YouTube content. Our own organisation–Speak Life–devotes much time and energy to preparing high quality evangelistic videos that are then released
on many platforms, including YouTube. If watching YouTube videos is the most important pastime of today’s young people, then the Church must do all it can to provide high-quality, eye-catching
content.

Source: Martin Saunders—Joel News International

Bible Study: Deuteronomy 32:1-4

OCTOBER Thank God for Christian organisations using YouTube to proclaim the Gospel.
PRAY WIDER for wisdom to produce materials attracting more young people and causing them to question their need of the Saviour.