Warning: Please be aware that the following article contains sensitive material especially in light of what has happened on 5/24/22 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX.
Young Life leaders have countless opportunities to speak truth into the lives of adolescents, who might be believing lies about who they are. When leaders encourage kids, they are giving courage to those who might really need some of it. In a world that so easily can tear people down, leaders have the opportunity to build each other up.
I recently showed the Academy Award nominated short film DEKALB ELEMENTARY with a room full of Young Life leaders, and it led to a powerful conversation about speaking truth into the lives of those who need that encouragement. I wanted to share with you a brief overview of this experience, with hopes some of you might find this to be helpful.
DEKALB ELEMENTARY is inspired by an actual 911 call placed during a school shooting incident in Atlanta, Georgia. A young, troubled man walks into the office of an elementary school with a gun and asks a woman working in the office to call the police. This short film follows the conversation between these two as the tension and danger quickly escalates.
Before viewing the film, I asked the leaders to watch how each of the two main characters perceive differently what is happening. How does the woman working in the office build up and encourage? How does the woman battle the voices in his head? The man with the gun speaks as if he’s quoting a devil on his shoulder, while the woman speaks as if she’s quoting an angel on the other shoulder.
“I just want to die.”
“You don’t want that.”
“I don’t have anybody.”
“Yes you do.”
“”Everyone’s going to hate me.”
“We’re not going to hate you.”
Jesus called Peter “The Rock” before he actually became it. Leaders hold crowns above their heads and hope they grow into them. Leaders can speak into the lies that adolescents might be hearing in their heads. Can we encourage our leaders to directly speak encouraging truth into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it? Their ability to encourage can save lives.
Our daily interactions with kids are much more calm in nature, compared to this short film, but they are just as vital. We have the opportunity to speak life into the adolescents in our lives and help them discern truth from the lies.
If interested, a link to the entire DEKALB ELEMENTARY short film can be found here.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Written by: Ryan Mecum
*We are grieving with our brothers and sisters down in Uvalde, TX, this week. The timing of the release of this article was planned months ago and finalized prior to the events this week. Our prayer is that we can all mourn with those who mourn first and foremost, and also look around for those in our circles who need life spoken into them. - 5/26/22