Category Archives: Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry: Resources, ideas and training to help you become more effective in your work with youth.

Effective Youth Bible Study

March 15, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

To be most effective in your Bible study with youth:

Involve rather than inform
Suppose you had climbed a mountain and wanted to convey to your students the exhilaration of reaching the top and the relief at discovering that the grueling work was really worth the effort. Would it be better to tell them about your climb or take them to the top of the mountain with you? Taking them to the top would take more time than saying: “The results are worth the climb.” But which would impact their lives more deeply? It’s the same with Bible study: the more youth do for themselves, the more meaningful their learning becomes.

Listen rather than lecture
The one who talks is the one who learns. When you ask questions and make assignments that guide youth to express Bible understanding, they learn. It’s easy to let lectures go in one ear and out the other, but youth remember what they themselves say. They live what they commit to.

Direct rather than dictate
“Is this television program good for me?” “What is sin?” “How can I know the will of God?” Rather than telling youth what to do, guide them to Bible verses that address their questions. As youth make their own choices, they gain confidence in their ability to read, understand, and live the Bible for themselves. And they grow close to God who authored the Bible.

Be Active rather than passive
Youth tend to be full of energy. When there is an option to make things active, it keeps their attention and helps release their energy.

Make it cooperative rather than individual
Todays youth prefer to work in groups rather than as individuals. It takes off the pressure and allows the more quiet ones to contribute in a small setting that may not speak before the entire group.

Have a single objective rather than multiple truths
Choose one objective. Everything you do should reinforce, explain, support, clarify, apply to that objective.

Focus on changed lives rather than memorized facts
You don’t teach the Bible. You teach youth. It’s not what you have given them that matters, but what they leave with. Its not what you do, but what they do that evaluates an effective lesson.

Be an example in your expectations
Your attitude is contagious. If you like Bible study, your students will tend to like it also. If you present a learning activity with interest and expectation, youth will participate and like it. But if you say, “This was in the book and I know you will think it’s childish and dumb… “ they will think it’s childish and dumb. Expect great insight based on Bible truths. Your students will sense your expectation and fulfill it.

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Youth Ministry

Developing Youth As Leaders

February 28, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

If students are to develop to their fullest potential as leaders, we must be willing to take five basic steps to help them grow into leaders:

Hear them out. Listen to student needs and discover those areas where they need to be stretched and challenged.
Try Them Out. Give youth responsibilities to learn from experience!
Point strengths Out. Students are much more likely to continue to serve (and to recover from failures) when they have affirmation and encouragement.
Shout it Out. The best way to recruit more student leaders is to let those who have served as leaders tell others about how they have grown through the experience of leadership.
Help Them Out. When students start to lead on their own, our jobs will change to being a facilitator.

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Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry Tips: Variety

February 27, 2007 kensapp Leave a comment

Don’t make every youth meeting “the same old thing!” Variety is he spice of life, especially with youth.

Here are some ideas for ways you can change things up a little bit!

Rearrange the chairs or layout every couple of weeks.
Rearrange your normal schedule for an event
Involve someone else
Use a different medium of communication- i.e. if you always use OHP try PPT, Flip Charts, Posters, Signs, etc to make your key points
Add music, video, or other multimedia
Change the location – i.e. do a Bible study on the feeding of the 5000 sitting in a field.
Change the Decor – decorate the room like a football pep rally for a lesson on teamwork!
Change your wardrobe – come to youth meeting in a hawaiian shirt, football uniform, dressed up as a Bible character
Add Props – add a slingshot for a story on David and Goliath, add a ram’s horn Shofar for a story about the walls of Jericho
Add a game
Use teams
Use Drama

Have you got some more ideas?… add a comment and let us know some ways you have added a little variety to your youth meetings!

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Parents Ministry, Youth Ministry

Ways Teens Lose Communication with Parents

October 1, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Be sarcasic
Never use sarcasm to belittle your parents: for example, “my old lady” or “my old man.” Do not act in front of your friends as if your parents are stupid, using gestures, words, looks of disgust-you know what I mean! Do not betray your parents by discussing them at school with your friends, laughing at their weaknesses and failures.

Publicly embarrass your parent
Do not contradict your parents in front of their friends. This will embarrass them beyond measure. Talk to them about it later. Do not talk impudently to your parents, especially in front of their friends. People begin to lose respect for you, too! Do not ignore the fact that you have been spoken to. Be courteous and reply, even if you’re about to bite yourself because someone has said, “My, how you’ve grown!” (What did they expect? you’re thinking!)

Be shocked
You must realize that it’s not the easiest thing in the world to be a parent. When your parent seems ill at ease in the discussion of sex, don’t make it hard on them by acting shocked at what they say or how they say it. Remember, they didn’t talk freely about sex like you do, and it’s hard for them to shift gears in this area. When you see your parent acting or talking in a way that shocks you, at the right time, sit down and ask them why they did this. If you can tell them how it affected you, a new understanding may follow, and you can talk more freely about some of your other hangups, and theirs as well.

Be dogmatic
Be sure when we want something, that we’re not stubborn with our reasoning. Do not rationalize your mistakes. Your parents will be much more lenient than you think if you will admit that you’re wrong! Remember that the surer you are about what you believe, the sweeter you can be when someone differs with you. It’s when you’re not sure that you tend to come unglued when you’re challenged.

Bluff
You must remember that each parent alive has already been along the road you’re traveling. They’ve already used all those same excuses, rationalized just like you do, told “those little white lies” and half truths. Do you ever wonder how in the world they caught on? Well, teenager, they’ve been there before and know all the road signs! Bluffing probably does more to make a parent tend not to trust their teenager than anything else.

Be Negative
Don’t make up your mind that you’re not going to like the thing that your parent will suggest! Or that just because your parents like a certain friend, an idea, or a situation it will be the worst possible thing that could happen to you! When you’re in your early twenties, you’re going to be surprised at how smart your parents have become! Remember that your parents are people, and that they’re probably doing the best that they know how to do! Now, they may make some glaring mistakes, but they do love you and want you not to make the same mistakes they did!

Can you take a difference of opinion as a teenager?
How do you act when your parents differ with you as to whether you should do something or not? Do you throw a fit and froth at the mouth? Don’t you know a compromise can be reached much better if you remain calm and try to talk it over? It’ll be hard to control yourself, but it surely pays off in the long run! Do you greet your parents with the phrase “Everybody’s doing it.” and can’t understand their fury and their retort, “I don’t care what everybody’s doing. I’m just responsible for you!” Well, you see, because everybody’s doing it really isn’t a very valid reason for you to do it, now is it? Don’t you know some things that everybody’s doing that you know isn’t good or right to do?

Refuse to listen to your parent’s music!
No telling what you may find out about your parents when you listen to their music! Do they like the real dreamy, romantic, type of music? Well, do you see why? Because they’re that type of person!

Adapted from “Speak Out with Marge” by Marge Caldwell (Broadman Press)

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Youth Ministry

Ways to Lose Communication with Teens

September 29, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Use Sarcasm
“Anybody ought to know better than that!” -“You’re acting just like you’re two years old! Where’s your baby bottle?” It’s devastating to a teenager to be “put down” (talked sarcastically to) in front of his peers. Wait until alone with a teenager to discipline him or her if it is at all possible! Take them aside if needed.

Publicly Embarrass Them
If you know that show of affection in public is embarrassing to them, refrain from it. Do not try to monopolize conversation with their friends. Be sure that you are friendly, yet not trying to be “cute” and entertain their friends.

Register Shock
Under no conditions register shock by raised eyebrows, quickly drawn in breath, grimacing (various facial expressions that betray). Teens will be hesitant to be honest with you the next time.

Be Dogmatic
The more sure we are about our stand on a subject, the less dogmatic we have to be. If you feel that you are being reasonable, then you can more easily listen to the opinions of others. There is a lot of difference between the courage of our convictions and just plain stubbornness. When we’re wrong, we should admit our mistakes, not rationalize. They already see through it, and to say “I’m sorry” is one of the greatest tests of maturity! We grow ten feet tall in the eyes of a teenager.

Bluff
One of the most disgusting things you can do is bluff a teenager, As I said before, they know when you do this, they can spot it a country mile! We tend to lose respect for the opinions of those who bluff their way around!

Be Negative
Youth is so wonderful because they have not learned to say “It won’t work” or “We’ve never done it this way before.” One of their most thrilling attributes is that they are positive and enthusiastic and full of optimism. They will automatically reject negativism.

Mold them into your own image
Challenge them as youth to be the best person they possibly can be, but don’t seek to make them a reflection of yourself or the person you’d hoped to be! They were born to be a dynamic expression of their own personhood. Challenge them to be their best!

Make all the Rules
How are the rules of discipline decided? Remember that if you make the rules together and decide on the discipline together, most of the time the teenager will be harder on himself than you would have been on him. They are mighty fair when they have a part in the rule-making. Each side will have to give a little. Remember that if you give in on some of the more insignificant things, that when the big issues are at stake, teenagers will be more amenable to compromise.

Be In a Hurry
It takes time for kids to mature! Expect teens to be teens and help them to mature. Look for those teachable moments and listen when they have those moments they want to share, no matter how busy you are. Don’t look at your watch as if you can spare only a few moments more when a teenager is telling you something very important.

Betray a Confidence
It is a sinful thing to betray a teenager’s confidence. This will close more doors than you possibly imagine! Never use a previous moment of confidence by a teenager to press home a point. This makes them sorry they ever confided in you at all!

Criticize their music!
Listen to their music. There are many signals as to what is going on in the young person’s mind as we listen to their music! The loneliness, the frustration, the fear of so many things, they’re all there! Teens also do not appreciate something with which they are not familiar. Instead of complaining about their music, see that some uplifting music is played within their hearing.

Adapted from “Speak Out with Marge” by Marge Caldwell (Broadman Press)

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Youth Ministry

Paradoxical Commandments of Teaching

September 21, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Youth are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Develop a trusting, caring relationship anyway.
If you develop an unconditional philosophy in loving your youth, you may be accused of selfish motives. Love without hooks anyway.
If you are sucessful in your teaching, you may generate jealousy and envy from some people. Succeed anyway.
The little things you do for your youth will be forgotten tomorrow. Do the little things anyway.
Having uncompromizeable convictions and beliefs make you old fashioned. Have them anyway.
Prophets of gloom and doom are eager to let you know there is no hope. Have hope anyway.
People center on negatives and few positives. Develop a positive mental attitude anyway.
The energies you expend in being successful can be destroyed overnight. Be energetic anyway.
Your youth really need guidance, but may reject you. Give guidance anyway.
Give your youth the best you have and you will experience mixed gratitude. Give them the best you have anyway.

Adapted from Gene A. Bedley, Former USA National educator of the year

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Parents Ministry, Youth Ministry

The 5 C’s of Building Strong Families

September 20, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Center on God
Make all of life God-saturated. Make the Bible the most important book in your home and something the family reads everyday together. Pray with them and for them daily. Youth need to see the Word of God “fleshed out” in your life.

Care
This is “agape” love “that is unconditional, sacrificial, and unshakable.” We all need to be appreciated. Compliment your youth daily. Make it genuine and specific. Praise is the greatest motivation in the world for learning.

Connect
You must spend time with your youth. You can not buy your their affection. Youth are quite happy to exchange the luxury of “things” for their parents physical presence. You must be in physical proximity with your youth. Take them with you to the office or on an errand. If you travel spend as much of your “home time” with your youth as possible. Show your youth appropriate physical affection. A pat on the shoulder, a hug, a kiss, a hand held are means of touch that powerfully convey your approval. Discipline is also important but guard against abuse of any kind. Help them apply the principles that you have learned from God’s word.

Communicate
The less time spent in front of the TV the stronger the family. When the TV is off there is greater chance for conversation. Be spontaneous, be a good listener, be positive in your communication. Deut. 6:4-9 reminds all parents to teach God’s Commandments.

Commit
“Commitment is our resolve to always keep our families centered on God, to always love, to always build bridges to our children, and to always communicate to the best of our ability. It is a commitment to be a family no matter what circumstances or situations arise” (pp.16-29).

Source: Dr. William Mitchell and Michael Mitchell in “Building Strong Families”

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Youth Ministry

Tips from Youth for Youth Leaders

September 18, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Be yourself and don’t try to impress me with your education.
TIME ….I can’t know you without spending time with you.
Return phone calls! And return them promptly
Give me honest answers, even if neither of us like what you have to say.
Realize that I wouldn’t be talking to you about my problem if I thought I could handle it myself. I’m depending on you for direction.
Be honest with me about your own life and struggles.
Don’t try to be a youth; we have enough of those around.
If you are old enough to have a teenager of your own, approach me as a fellow struggler. If you don’t have a teen of your own, then approach me as one who is genuinely trying to understand.
Stay current with resources you can recommend to me. I may need to read more about a subject and will expect you to know where to send me for help.
Ask my opinion and allow others to help you develop the programs, trips, and so on.

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Youth Ministry

Tips from Parents for Youth Leaders

September 17, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Don’t try to do it all yourself. Learn the fine art of delegation.
Remember that we were here before you and may be here after you.
Don’t throw me or my opinions out just because I represent leadership from the former youth minister. Help me help you grow a successful youth ministry in our church.
We may need to change, but gently help us change instead of forcing change on us without understanding.
Don’t wait for a crisis to occur before we meet. My family needs to know you care even when life is going smoothly.
Help me be a better worker by being organized and prepared.
Don’t be afraid of my experience as a youth worker. I may know as much or more than you do about working with teenagers, but I still want YOU to be their leader. Allow me to help you.
Just listen sometimes instead of always having the “right” answer to my problem. I may just need to know somebody cares enough to listen to me.
You teach me about the importance of prayer, so actually pray with me one-on-one.
Praise me for the good things I’ve done.

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Youth Ministry

Why include Recreation and Games in Youth Ministry?

September 15, 2006 kensapp Leave a comment

Youth programs that are “too spiritual” for recreation probably will not achieve those spiritual goals. Recreation is an essential part of youth ministry for several reasons:

Life-changing youth ministry primarily takes place in the context of relationships. Most young people’s lives are changed by gospel truth as that truth is interpreted in relationships. Games and recreation build relationships
Youth in churches that only permit very serious study sessions seldom discover trusting friendships that can lead to discipling. Recreation and games build trust.
Recreation can provide a way for teenagers to express hidden abilities, leading to an observable change in feelings of self-worth.
Quality recreation also can help troubled youth cope with stress. Contemporary teenagers are pressured to grow up quickly. Stress is a daily part of most teenagers lives. Laughing and enjoying a game of volleyball car significantly reduce the stress which these teenagers carried when they arrived at your youth meeting.

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