Behavioral Principles and Expectations for Children, Youth, and Young Adults and BBC

Behavioral Principles (letter form).pdf

Behavioral Principles and Expectations

We are thrilled to be in community with young people here at Bethlehem. Whether young children or twelfth-grade young adults, we hope they will be stirred up to love Jesus and spread his fame.
Below you will find broad principles as well as specific expectations. We hope these will assist us as the church joins parents to cultivate godly behavior in our young people.

Biblical Principles

• Bethlehem is a big family. As such, boundaries/rules are important. They help us to promote genuine care for the interests of the common family good (Ro.12:10 & 18; Gal.5:13-15; Phil.2:4)
• While outward conformity to various rules might be possible, true obedience is a gift of God flowing from a heart that worships Jesus (Lk.6:44-45; Jn.14:15). Please join us in praying for these soft hearts.
• Because love for Jesus entails obedience to his commands (Mt.28:20), discipline will be an important part of nurturing the faith of our young people (Pr.3:11-12). Teaching our young people to obey God-given authorities can help them to obey Christ and bend their wills to his (Eph.6:1; Col.3:20; Heb.13:7 & 17).
• Our behavioral standards at Bethlehem are high, yet we’re also committed to understanding. Being destined for salvation, God’s people are urged to admonish the idle while also encouraging the fainthearted and helping the weak. So while stern rebuke might be necessary in one situation, gentle help or encouragement might be more appropriate in another (1Th.5:9-14).
• Bethlehem staff and volunteers are eager to partner with parents to promote godly behavior in our young people, yet, parents themselves are primarily responsible for that discipleship (Dt.6:6-7). So while volunteers will be expected to ensure order and amiable behavior in the classroom, they may direct an unresponsive young person to his parents for discipline if necessary.
• Discipleship is a community project (Heb.3:13 &10:24). Bethlehem is glad to stand with parents to encourage them in their ministry of parenting. Some young people will struggle with behavior concerns more than others. We also recognize special needs. The Family Discipleship staff is eager to pray, strategize, and work with parents in these matters.

General Expectations for Children, Youth, and Young Adults at Bethlehem

Although our specific expectations will vary depending on the age of the young person, the activity, and the location of the activity, most expectations will fall under one of the following general expectations. These expectations are simple expressions of thanks for God’s good gifts.

• Respect for Our Physical Surroundings. Church gathering spaces and equipment (whether owned, rented, or borrowed) should be treated with respect and used as their designs intend.
• Respect for Our Adults. Honor for adults in the church should be reflected with attitudes, speech, and behavior. Addressing adults with titles like “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Miss” is one example of this.
• Respect for Others. Young people will be guided to consider others more significant than themselves and to look out for the interests of others (Phil.2:2; Col.3:12-17).
• Respect for Themselves. Young people will be encouraged to act in ways that do not put their bodies or souls at risk.

A Word about Correction

If correction or discipline becomes necessary, we encourage positive, immediate, and consistent responses from our parents and volunteers. We want to see godly behavior affirmed and sinful behavior discouraged before it escalates. While volunteers may initiate correction, we ask that parents take the primary role in correcting their child if they are present.
If a parent is not present, a volunteer may respond by first speaking to the young person with a warning. If sinful behavior persists, a volunteer may take the young person to his parents.

While volunteers are permitted to gently restrain a young person to keep him from hurting himself or another, any physical form of correction will be considered unacceptable in the classroom or other organized Bethlehem activity.

A Word about Personal Electronic Devices

We recognize that personal electronic devices such as cell phones, iPods, and other gadgets can at times aid Bible study. However, when used in the classroom or during other organized child, youth, or young adult activities at Bethlehem, they typically distract from our discipleship goals. For this reason, we discourage their use in these settings.

A Word about Our “Teenagers”

We view our teenagers as apprentices. A teenager involved with our young adult (Sr. High) activities will be reminded that he is no longer a child and will be encouraged to leave childish ways behind. He will be encouraged to understand the teenage years as a time to be equipped for mature Christian adulthood. We will prompt our young adults to bear the mantle of contributor, as opposed to mere consumer in our society. Necessary correction for our young adults will reflect this view. Our teenagers will not be treated as children, but rather as young adults being equipped for mature adulthood.