How do you deal with tattoos? - MinistryQuestions.com | Ministry questions, answers, advice, and input from other ministry workers

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How do you deal with tattoos?

One of my leaders recently got a tattoo in honor of her children, nothing inappropriate just some flowers. I know there is no scripture directly speaking to tattoos, but I I want to use this as a teaching point for the youth. Any suggestions?

I do not see them as a problem, however I want to use the experience as a way to have the youth identify things in their life that they may be OK with(piercings, Tattoos, etc) but may cause others to stumble.

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- Brian
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2 years ago

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2 Votes Oh JC, that conversation can go many different directions. I have a tattoo and have no problem with it. When I got it, I talked to my Sr Pastor to make sure that it wouldn't cause any conflict. I have it in a place that is out of site, unless I have my shirt off. My tattoo says "Man of God" in Greek. I got it to remind myself who I was. I wouldn't do a lesson just because your leader got one. If you truly have no issue with them, then why the lesson. If the leader would like to do a lesson on why they got it, what thought went into and what the consequences might be, then you are going a better direction but if you are going to use them as an example, you just might loose the leader. by Soulshaper 2 years ago by Soulshaper 2 years ago
0 Votes I also think that you shouldn't use this experience of tattoos with your leader as a teaching point unless she is ok with it. Yet I think that it is a good topic to teach on with the youth. I believe that tattoos are wrong because of the fact that God tells us to take care of our bodies. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we shouldn't defile it in any way just because "We" think it's ok. I truly believe that tattoos can hurt our testimony causing others who are weak or just starting out in the faith to stumble. If its God's purpose that we have something written some where on our bodies then by all means let it be HIM who writes and not us who reason out a justification for getting a tattoo. by JCboy 2 years ago by JCboy 2 years ago
0 Votes I'm going along the lines with pastor e. I'm not sure it'd be the best thing to come up with a lesson on tattoos just because one of your leaders just got one. I think it'd be more natural is she speaks to the youth about it when asked, but it doesn't need a formal lesson. If you still do want a formal lesson on it, then definitely speak to your leader to make sure she is okay with it, will be present to speak, and go over where you want to take the lesson so you don't offend or loose her. Usually topics about tattoos and piercings can happen in a regular conversation with youth, unless it fits into a lesson that you're already doing. by Dana Sc... 2 years ago by Dana Schmoyer 2 years ago
0 Votes Hey! I'm a youth pastor and I have 3 tattoos. My first suggestion would be to determine where YOU stand on the tattoo issue. Whenever I've gotten one of my tattoos I ask this question, "Will this tatto provoke a witnessing opportunity? In what way does it glorify God?" I have YHWH on my wrist which as provided NUMEROUS witnessing opportunities. The other two also mean a great deal to me. We have to answer the question "Is this me trying to fit in the world?". Revelations 19:11-16 talks about Jesus having a "tattoo" on His thigh, but I wouldn't use this to defend myself. I am not ashamed of them, I do not regret getting them. But I also don't promote tattoos to my kids. Hope this helps. by nkeuper 2 years ago by nkeuper 2 years ago
0 Votes Not really sure what kind of teaching point you're wanting to go with. Are you going to tell them its wrong without having Scripture to back it up thus making your leader feel bad and risk losing her? I preach to our youth expositorily so that I'm sticking strictly to the Word of God. No matter what's going on in the world, its always relevant. Now if she ever wanted to talk to them on why she got if and if it was a mistake I'd let her but don't make her a talking point and risk losing her. by pastor e 2 years ago by pastor e 2 years ago

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Oh JC, that conversation can go many different directions. I have a tattoo and have no problem with it. When I got it, I talked to my Sr Pastor to make sure that it wouldn't cause any conflict. I have it in a place that is out of site, unless I have my shirt off. My tattoo says "Man of God" in Greek. I got it to remind myself who I was.

I wouldn't do a lesson just because your leader got one. If you truly have no issue with them, then why the lesson. If the leader would like to do a lesson on why they got it, what thought went into and what the consequences might be, then you are going a better direction but if you are going to use them as an example, you just might loose the leader.

Soulshaper

2 years ago

Votes

I also think that you shouldn't use this experience of tattoos with your leader as a teaching point unless she is ok with it.
Yet I think that it is a good topic to teach on with the youth.
I believe that tattoos are wrong because of the fact that God tells us to take care of our bodies. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we shouldn't defile it in any way just because "We" think it's ok.
I truly believe that tattoos can hurt our testimony causing others who are weak or just starting out in the faith to stumble.
If its God's purpose that we have something written some where on our bodies then by all means let it be HIM who writes and not us who reason out a justification for getting a tattoo.

JCboy

2 years ago

Votes

I'm going along the lines with pastor e. I'm not sure it'd be the best thing to come up with a lesson on tattoos just because one of your leaders just got one. I think it'd be more natural is she speaks to the youth about it when asked, but it doesn't need a formal lesson. If you still do want a formal lesson on it, then definitely speak to your leader to make sure she is okay with it, will be present to speak, and go over where you want to take the lesson so you don't offend or loose her.

Usually topics about tattoos and piercings can happen in a regular conversation with youth, unless it fits into a lesson that you're already doing.

Dana Sc...

2 years ago

Votes

Hey! I'm a youth pastor and I have 3 tattoos. My first suggestion would be to determine where YOU stand on the tattoo issue. Whenever I've gotten one of my tattoos I ask this question, "Will this tatto provoke a witnessing opportunity? In what way does it glorify God?" I have YHWH on my wrist which as provided NUMEROUS witnessing opportunities. The other two also mean a great deal to me. We have to answer the question "Is this me trying to fit in the world?". Revelations 19:11-16 talks about Jesus having a "tattoo" on His thigh, but I wouldn't use this to defend myself. I am not ashamed of them, I do not regret getting them. But I also don't promote tattoos to my kids. Hope this helps.

nkeuper

2 years ago

Votes

Not really sure what kind of teaching point you're wanting to go with. Are you going to tell them its wrong without having Scripture to back it up thus making your leader feel bad and risk losing her? I preach to our youth expositorily so that I'm sticking strictly to the Word of God. No matter what's going on in the world, its always relevant. Now if she ever wanted to talk to them on why she got if and if it was a mistake I'd let her but don't make her a talking point and risk losing her.

pastor e

2 years ago

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