Hands on help: Youth

Group, Jul/Aug 2002 by Johnston, Kurt, Chiavazza, Julia, Grotbeck, Greg, Holland, Dorothy, Et al

JR. HIGHERS

put it in writing

Get the jump on getting-to-know-you's with an introduction activity that doesn't rely only on kids "hearing" about each other. Let junior highers see it in writing.

First, hand out poster board to all the kids, and have them brainstorm a list of things they'd like to know about each other. For example, schools, hobbies, birthdays, various "favorites," and just about anything else they want to add.

Then have kids form groups of four and decide who among them has the best handwriting. That person will create a poster for everyone in the group, as each one takes turns giving his or her information. Everyone will learn more when this is done as an "interview" rather than if each person makes his or her own poster.

After the posters are completed, have all the group members gather and introduce one another. As people are introduced, they can hold their posters in front of them. All those who learn by "seeing it in writing" can match faces to the words.

Posters can also be used to decorate the youth room and help everyone remember names, birthdays, and so on. As time goes on, you or the kids might want to personalize the posters with photos or other additions.

make it real

BIBLE STUDY

How do we connect teenagers' spiritual hunger with the bounty of nourishment found in Scripture? Here are four keys to energizing small-group Bible study:

1. Find out what young people want to know. Reaching teenagers means targeting their needs. What are your kids eager to know about faith and life? Try gathering information by using a question box. This anonymous tool enables teenagers to ask without ridicule or unwanted attention. Regard the questions seriously and use them to aim your study design.

2. Do your homework. Read commentaries and textbooks; search through software; know the settings, characters, and cultural backgrounds. Watch for entry points. Attitudes and emotions expressed through biblical characters are where kids might glimpse themselves.

3. Have a goal for the study that you can write in one sentence. What's the one point you hope each person will gain from this time of study? When the study begins, state the goal and have teenagers write it, or print it poster-size and hang it in plain view.

4. Invite learning-avoid the lecture. Young people hope to experience a Bible that comes alive. "Where am I in this book?" they wonder. Provide access points by having teenagers act out the Scripture as it's read or by inviting each person to concentrate on what a specific character is saying, doing, thinking, or feeling. Break the passage into small chunks so kids can process each scene. When young people offer their opinions or feelings, affirm where you can and redirect where you must in order to keep moving toward your end goal.

DISCUSSION

instant connection

Instant messaging services, such as MSN's or AOL:s, can provide your youth group with a great format for discussing sensitive issues such as love, sex, and dating.

Handpick Christian adults who are willing to talk about their experiences as teenagers, and decide on a time to go online and interview them. The week before the chat, have your young people write out questions that pertain to the topic. Email the questions ahead of time to the adults, who will be given screen names and remain anonymous.

So that everyone can read the conversation when it takes place, connect two or more bigscreen TVs or a video projection unit. Adjust the computer screen resolution and use a big font. If you assign a different-color font to each adult, it will be easy to tell who's responding. Also, if you type your questions in a Word document before the chat, you'll be able to cut and paste them into your messages very quickly.

Many other topics would lend themselves to this method. For example, your young people might also benefit from interviewing non-Christian teenagers.

JR. HIGH MINISTRY

wrestling with discipleship

by kurt johnston

You wouldn't think that I'm a wrestler-I'm short, I'm skinny, and I'm not real fond of spandex-but I am. In fact, it seems as if I'm always wrestling. Wrestling with things such as how to increase my ministry budget, how to be a better communicator, or how to explain to my pastor why the church van came back from camp painted hot pink.

Right now, I'm wrestling with a tough issue, and I'd love your help. Here's the question: What does junior high discipleship look like? I've been wrestling with this for quite a while, and I've never been able to pin it down. Just when I think I've got my arms around it, it wiggles loose. Try as I might, I just can't settle on a good definition. If the apostles-insecure, prideful, argumentative, doubting, scared-are any indication of discipleship, then I'm not doing too bad... I've got lots of those!

I think Jesus produced disciples so well because he was a master at taking people from where they were to where they needed to be. Our role is pretty much the same... to take junior highers from where they are to where they need to be. Easier said than done.