Are Youth Groups Biblical?

So many churches have them. That's how they "attract" the youth. But, I want to question where the idea came from. Just whose idea was it to separate the children from their parents? Can you please show me where in scripture you see this demonstrated?

Our family struggled with the youth group idea early in our child-rearing years. Our daughter was very out-going and loved being around other kids her age. Erin actually thrived in the environment. Caleb on the other hand, could care less. He preferred to be with us. It was at that same time that David and I began to consider why we would even want him somewhere else. Why would we leave him screaming and crying just to be taught by someone else? It didn't make sense. And with that, God was teaching us (mainly me) that we should keep our children with us at all times.

Believe it or not, there are models in the bible that teach us how to have "church." And, I personally do not see anywhere where they had Children's Church, Youth Groups, Summer Church Camps, or Vacation Bible School. I understand we need to evangelize. And, society has neglected the youth because fathers are not leading their families in a Godly way. We are self-absorbed and not thinking about what it's doing to our children. And, if I had to guess it was because of this very reason that someone started the above outreaches.

What's to say that if you even get the kids in the door that it will penetrate their brains? And, let's just say you are able to disciple the kids, where does the Bible say that the kids are supposed to teach the parents? Again, I am not saying there's anything wrong with a child trying to "teach" their parent if the child is a believer and the parent is not. I expect persons in those kinds of outreaches think that if they can just get the kids into the church building then they can get the parents. I am just saying it's all wrong and backwards.

So, what's the alternative? What if you don't have a youth group to attract the children? Then you focus on the adults and teach them. Men can disciple men, and older women can mentor the younger. It should be that way even if you aren't in or at church.

Our church, Christ Covenant Church, has had several visitors. Many come and go. We meet at a local hotel in their conference room. Because we meet there, you can imagine that we do not have the mainstream indulgences like other churches. But, we don't have them because we don't want them. We would prefer to be faithful in our walk, in what we preach, and in our worship. Those things are the most important aspect of worship and church for us and our family.