04ctd

got volunteered for Youth Minister

and, it's not a bunch of happy kids,

pretty well down to the last loyal few, and they are BORED

what can i do with them that is decent in this day & time?

i need to get the rest of the kids back in - most of them just go to regular services now.

i wrote up a Test on Car Stereo & Bible stuff, e-mail me if you want it,
or please, SEND me something interesting.

tks


was gonna post this on :
http://www.all-politics.net/index.php

but i need help REAL BAD, and it's kinda lonely over there:

Most users ever online was 122, 04-24-2006 at 05:08 PM.
04ctd, 95ctdE, Andy505, capt.Ron, P.J

Threads: 225, Posts: 3,113, Members: 10,355

Buckshotmckee

Tractor tipping is fun!

We go bowling, minature golfing, to the beach, waterslides, volleyball, baseball, camping, etc... There are tons of things to do. What age group? We have a summer camp that the kids go to every year for a week.

HappyGA

We went to Ocoee ,TN whitewater rafting and they also have rope/team building courses. Went to all the sites in that area. That was our youth trip last year. This year we are going to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. Leave for that trip on the 19th of July.

For week to week. We meet on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30. Start off with some games of some sort. Some times bible related games, sometimes not. After that is the youth's choir time. Not a choir that sings in church, but just sings new age songs that the youth like. I can get you some names of CD's that would be good for yah. We also have a Sunday night every once in a while where the youth choir does sing in front of the church, but that is like once every 6 months.

Then after that is lesson time. Circlem up and have a discussion about what you talked about to them in the lesson.

I just moved away from my church, but I am too far away from them now. 500 miles. This youth trip in two weeks will prolly be the last activity I get to participate in with them. I am in the process of looking for my new church up her in N. ALabama now.

Pray for me on that respect.

PM me if you need any ideas or have any questions. I am 24 and a new christian but was rraised with values.

Beamwalker

instead of sitting around playing games and being bored why not do math 28:19-20

04ctd

well, i really want to do more scripture and study on wednesday - get them the Word.
that is 9th~12th grade

and we are supposed to do an acitivity every month - games, movie, bowl.
that is 12th grade plus any siblings who tag along, so fine.

i doubt i will tackle a trip out of state with them anytime soon.

for Matthew, they have been studying it for ~6 months, they have a DVD that is basically verbatim out of the NKJV, and shows the chapter & verse on the screen. they watch ~10 verses every night, and talk about that.

they are pretty well burnt out on that. was kinda wanting you guys to gimme some pointers on how to put out the Word and keep that interesting too.

HappyGA

I mentioned games, becuase kids between ages 14-18 have a lot of built up energy, and to expand some tof the laughter and what knot you gotta get them to doing something. You really can't expect to get them to sit still for 2 hours like ours last just listening to the Word. It would be awesome if you could, but I also get tired after sitting in one place for about 45 mins just listening.

Now for games, we have a jeapordy set up that we do sometime, where you ask a biblical question, and we have a set of buzzers that they press to be the one tha gets to answer the question. Do this as a team activity, 4 on one team 4 on the other, or break it down into 4 on each team for ever how many you need o every one is involved.

Another one, have them circle up around a tabel and stand up. Pick one kid to be first, and let him/her start with the first book of the bible, and make them recite them in order, but keep going around each person says one book. If someone gets them out of order, then they have to sit down, and the person right beside them starts it over with Genesis and so on. In the end hopefully you will have some kids standing when you get to revelation.

Had some of our kids go to the beach one time, and while they were there, they wanted to witness to people. They wewnt up to one couple and asked them if they could talk to them. When the couple found out what they wanted to talk about, the man of the couple said if you can recite all the book of the Bible in order we can talk. One of the kids ran them off wuickly, the guy just stood there with his mouth open. @0 mins later they were all on their way after they got to talk to them. That was awesome.

There are a lot of things, and websites just for the such. Do a search i google.

Bosshawg600

My dad was a youth pastor for the last 6 years abd he started when the droup was just like yours. They started small with small trips and get-togethers at our house. Then we slowly built up to doing large mission trips. Good luck thouh and God bless you for doin it!

04ctd

well, i did the first lesson tonite...and it went GOOD!!!

had 10 kids, had them all read scripture, and they did GREAT!

i've had the guys on the Boat read during divisional training, those guys in the Navy did not read as good as some of these kids.

thanks for all your input. looks like it is off to a good start, doing some good activities is the next challenge, tks for the ideas above.

and FWIW, we were all over Matthew again tonite...they groaned when i mentioned it, but plowed right through!

96_12V

First off - praying for you in this respect! Having good family in the Lord makes all of life sooooo much more wonderful. I'll pray for a community that will take you and disciple you to grow in Him. Yes, you had a base, and now look at what all the Lord will do within your heart. Keep Isiaih 43:1-5 in mind, pick up something such as The Raggamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning, and let the Lord lead you into the right place.

Now onto the topic of the thread. First of all, what a blessing that you are taking up the responsibility to invest in these young peoples' lives!! Thank you from the depths of my heart for reaching out and caring for them -they need it!

It's a little more general but go ahead and check out the willowcreek.com website for some of thier materials. Look up the minstry of Rob Bell online or do an online search through Google for more materials. You do not mention a denomination - if in a denominational church, consider the teaching materials they may offer - but remember you are not "bound" to use them.

Then - get creative! Research some camps in your area and take them on an outing somewhere. It does not even have to be an overnight thing (and if it is, get a few other adults to go along with you - more on this forthcoming) But head out and do something active. Campfires, water, and simply being in a natural setting do wonders for getting kids of all ages to open up more of who they are to you and to the Lord.

Above all else - listen to them. Let them talk with you, let them know they are heard. You would not believe how much this means to a teenager.

Now - a few logistical things that we must mention due to our day and age (you may have heard some of this from your church, don't let it keep you from reaching out.) First - try not to be alone with the kids, have another adult present. This is tough to do when one of them is wanting to talk with you about personal stuff - but today, it's really not an option. Secondly, be very careful with regards to jokes, comments, and any sort of physical touch. Regardless of male or female. This is a really sensative area today and you need not be discouraged or distracted by this. Just use good discernment and again, try to have another adult present at all times.

Most of all, pray on all occasions for your group and each person in it - as well as the parents represented by them. Show them you care, and instruct them in the truth! Have lots of fun, and let the Lord lead you! Thank you again so much for serving!

Totallyrad

Hey happy, if you get down towards Birmingham you can go with us.

HappyGA

Appreciate the offer.

When I said new in Christ, I meant been in it a couple of years, but at my last church there were people that had been serving him for 60 + years.. So I consider 2-3 very new. haha

ramlovingvet

As the youth Group Leader at our church I highly recommend checking out the Word Of Life ministries. They have a bunch of four week studies called Pressure Points.
Very relevant to today's youth and your Church doesnt have to be a member to order the courses.
Our group (Ambassadors for Christ) do a four week study and then a fun night. BBQ, Movie, Bowling etc seems to work well.
We will add your group to our Prayers.
God Bless
Scott