Bethel YPG

The Young People’s Group, or YPG, is a collection of youths who meet regularly to fellowship and worship God. It was established in 1987 and since then, the young people of Bethel have continued to grow from strength to strength.

The YPG aims to help each and every youth grow to know and love the Lord, as well as provide support and encouragement to one another. Young people often face many big issues and decisions, but with a group of close friends to support and guide you, you can see through tough times more easily.

We mainly meet for about 2 hours every Friday starting from 8pm. The age group in the YPG spans from Year 7 to youths in tertiary Institutions, and even those in the first few years of work.

Committee

Around September of each year, a new committee for the Young People’s Group (YPG) is appointed by the session of Bethel. Office bearers are then nominated and elected through a ballot where they help out by holding a position of leadership.

The function of the Committee is to plan, organise and lead the Young People’s Group in accordance to God’s will. Committee meetings are held monthly and at least one Youth Advisor is present to guide the committee in their decisions.

Sub Committees

YPG mainly consist of 3 sub-committees of which the underlying purposes are to provide avenues to serve the Lord, facilitate participation, create ownership and help in administration of the YPG. The three sub committees consist of:

Believers are free to choose which sub committee they would like to serve in, based on their God-given talents and spiritual gifts. All believers are encouraged to be part of at least one sub-committee. For those who have not already joined a sub committee and are interested may join any time during the year but contacting the sub committee’s respective leader.

Bible Study Sub Committee

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” ~ Matthew 28:19-20

Indeed, the teaching or discipleship of the Young People’s Group (YPG) falls under the responsibility of this sub-committee. We hope to carefully divide the Word, extracting its intended meaning and explaining its practical value in life. If God is willing, we will grow in our faith in Him and become increasingly spiritually mature Christians by feeding on His Word. The task of this sub committee is to prepare Bible Study Series for the year and the members are also responsible for leading discussions in their care groups during each Bible Study. This sub committee also provides opportunities to help members to become comfortable in leading Bible Study groups. Members of this sub committee must also be a member of the Church.

One does not need to be an expert to lead a study group, because it is mainly meant to be a discussion and not a lecture. All that is required is a love for His Word and a willingness to serve in this ministry.

The facilitation leaders for each Bible Study will also meet as a group with a youth advisor prior to the actual Bible Study to discuss the upcoming Bible Study/s and ensure that the discussions will be lead similarly throughout the YPG.

A youth advisor will also lead a separate group that will cover the same Bible Study at a slower rate and with a focus to help visitors, non-believers and new believers.

Agape Sub Committee

The primary aim of the Agape Sub-Committee is to nurture and care for the members of the YPG. The Sub-Committee primarily responsible for: Other duties of the subcommittee include:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” John 13:34-35

Evangelism Sub Committee

The underlying objective of the Evangelism sub-committee is to encourage members to be “Fishers of Men” and be committed to bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Why is Evangelism Important?

Put simply, we are commanded to by God as seen in Matthew 28:19-20:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

What does the Evangelism Sub Committee do?

Student Outreach

In 1999, the Students Outreach Program was established to benefit overseas and interstate students coming to Melbourne. The aim of this program is to encourage overseas and interstate students to worship with us on Sundays and participate actively in Youth Programs.

Through this program, spiritual support and encouragement is available to them, through fellow Christian youths, who will assist them to settle down through Christian fellowship and love.