youth

dkhamner · 10-10-2005, 10:49 PM

my pastor asked me sunday if i would start something with the youth in our church. i have felt the calling to do something like this for a whileso i said yes. i know if its the Lords will then it will be a success, if not....well it won't be. does anyone have any suggestions or ideas about youth programs in a church?

Chuck7 · 10-11-2005, 03:37 AM

How old are these youth? I would like to make a few suggestions of pros and cons I have seen and experienced.

Many churches will compromise teh Word to get more numbers.Please don't do that. Make it a sincere Christ centered program.

1. Be careful withthe music you tolerate. Words especially music has a very powerful influence.

2. You can find lots of fun youth games on the internet. Use them and keep the folks active.

3. Volleyball, basketball, carwashes , scavenger hunts through the community is good.

Here are a few out reach programs.....plan a missions trip, drama team for inner city .......Make it God centered and you will be blessed. If it's just a social club where teens hang out.It will not succeed. Being a dad of some which just came out of youth groups...You can find lots of good ideas on the web. Always have a Bible study. Your ultimate goal is to strengthen the folks there , glorify God and reach out to the needy and lost.

Biggest dangers
A. Music disguised as Christian that promotes rebellion.
B. Remember to keep those kids supervised.
C. Don't put up with garbage for the sake of 'numbers'

wesmac68 · 10-11-2005, 09:40 AM

I run our youth program and have been in youth ministry for 10 years now, and I agree that it definitely needs to be Bible based. The Bible is the Truth and we must focus on the Truth!!!!!

I have found that you don't need alot of gimmicks or tricks. We attend two youth conventions a year, one missions trip, and we try to do monthly service projects and or events. Youth will come if you make a loving, caring place that welcomes all youth. Last week wehad a girl come who was very goth and she stood in the doorway for the frist 30 minutes and then slowly made her way in because she felt welcome.

I would suggest doing a Youth Sunday where the youth lead the Sunday Service once a year. The youth love it and the older people of the church love to see them.

Tazman · 10-11-2005, 10:18 AM

A lot of good suggestions so far, I feel that bringing youth together and tasking them with a community outreach project to other youth is an excellent activity. Let them decide with your guidance what they wish to do, they have a better feeling for the youth in your area then we do, they also know better ways af reaching out to kids thier age then you do. Make sure they understand from the get go that this is a Bible inspired project and that they need to back whatever project they propose with scripture and that thier ultimate goals should be to help others and bring others to Christ.

elgallo114 · 10-11-2005, 10:48 AM

I don't know how often you plan to meet, but I think the regular meetings are easy enough. Discussions of the Bible are of course the staple, but remember teens will want to apply it to real life (as they see it). I would focus on one topic each meeting and discuss what the Bible says about it, then give them real life applications and discuss those. Remember, a teens reality may not be the same as an adults.

Also, I think the best programs I've seen out there have involved the kids themselves in coming up with ideas for trips, planning the trips, and actually getting actively involved in the logistics. Tell them that you would like to go on a road trip and want them to come up with the ideas and cost, etc... Just say something like "remember why we meet when you're thinking about what to do or where to go." You'd be surprised at how little direction they need to keep it religiously orientated. Some of the most spiritual trips were the ones planned by the students at my church. Kids have great imaginations, use them.

DaveH · 10-11-2005, 01:25 PM

Our church has an AWANAS program. There are a LOT of kids that come to it that do not even attend our church and it is really Christ centered.

When I was a kid, the church I attended then had a group called "Royal Ambassadors." We loved it. It was like a very Bible based Boy Scouts. We did all kinds of outdoor activities and had a blast.

dkhamner · 10-12-2005, 12:29 PM

thanks for the replies. as of now our church doesn't havea steady youth group, or many youth. i will keep in touch with ya'll for ideas. thanks again and God Bless.

motor · 10-12-2005, 02:53 PM

The Awana's program isa fine one..we have what we call, "Discovery Club" at church every wednesday night..they have their prayer time, then bible study, and then different projects they work on..outside activities are visitation, weiner roasts, and we have several nice parks and places of interest for them to go to..throughout the year..the main focus is on the Bible and teaching them how to be fine young men and ladies..and everyone is welcome not just the church members...good luck and i will be praying for you..

Rebel Hog · 10-12-2005, 04:29 PM

We also have Awana's!Our young pepolehave many activities at church, but have to have a good attendance in Sunday school to be able to paticipate inthe special activities. We have an acadamy from K-1 thru 12th grade and run 7 youth buses on Sundays, so you see we have many youths in our church.