YOUTH GROUP

Reaching youth is very different than reaching children

You have to really earn their trust and respect before they will listen to you. Each of our youth groups are vastly different.

Here are a few things that we have learned:

Gathering:

You have to gather for EVERYTHING (see nuts & bolts section)

Music:

You have to find music that will appeal to your youth (whether or not it’s your favorite style!). Some Gospel Rap artists will pack more doctrine in a single flow than most churches can handle in a year. You can go to our links page to find some quality urban music alternatives.

Games:

Games depend upon your group. Some groups won’t get into group games and others love them. You have to figure out what works best for your group.

Bible Lesson:

It has to be made relevant to them.

It can't be too long (it is a sin to bore a youth with the Gospel). That does not mean it has to be shallow. They are much smarter than the world realizes. Go deep but do it in a 15-30 minute lesson.

Hang out Time:

Having time to just hang out with your youth is vital. It can be playing basketball, making a craft, playing a board game or just chatting with them. Snack and hang out time is a good way to end youth group. More ministry often happens during this

Events:

Youth love to get off property. Yes it is hard and it costs, but it is worth every minute and dollar to do it. They do not have to be all fun things. Youth love to serve. We try to balance one service project followed by one fun outing. They have to do the service project to go on the fun outing.

Service

Senior Citizen Home
Birthday Party for all the kids in the homeless shelter
Community clean up day.
Work Projects.

Fun Outing

Amusement Park Trip (see special events)
Picnic at the Park
Pizza Buffet

A word on Disciplining Youth

· It is much different than children.

· Do it in love.

· You can take away trip privileges (this is huge they have to really mess up)

· Often the older youth keep the younger youth in line, but when necessary, we do send them home. At times it is important to talk to a parent later but is very humiliating for them to be walked home.