Single 18 - 20 something year olds - Feedback Needed

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Hello young adults! I hope your day is going well so far. I would like to get your feedback about Sunday School. Read the following from one of our Ambassadors. If you are 16 or 17 and want to give your input, please PM me since you need to be 18 to post here.

Quoted:
"Hi everyone, thanks for reading! I could really use help from maybe 20-somethings?

I'm starting a Sunday school class for high school students in a few weeks.

Instead of getting a boxed curriculum, I'd rather find out what teens want from Church classes. I was hoping some of you might be willing to share with me what made you want to keep coming to Sunday School, or what was it that made you not want to come? What was valuable to you in moving forward into adulthood and being responsible for your spiritual development yourself, and so on?

I'm also interested to know what challenges you or someone you know might have faced or what issues concerned you, what speaks to you, how to equip young people and strengthen them in their faith.

I'd like any ideas about how class should function so that they can get the most out of it, and most importantly (to me) give them the tools they need to go forward in the world as Christians, and also help ensure they don't abandon their faith at a time when many do.

But I can do this a whole lot better with input from teens and 20-somethings, I think, instead of just trying to do whatever I think they need.

Thanks!!!"

 

[blackribbon]

I am not in the age you requested advice from but I have input. There was a youth group in my small town when I was in high school that attracted kids from all the churches. What made it unique was that we taught the lessons and volunteered to lead each week. There was no canned curriculum. We studied topics that we found interesting and relevant. The Bible was our only study guide. There was a couple Bibilically strong adult leaders who oversaw the group but only put input in if they felt someone was going outside Biblical teaching. Ironically, the group kept growing and someone always was volunteering to lead the next week...often multiple people.

I know that my son (age 21) has been searching for something like this for a long time. Most groups don't get deep enough for his desire to learn. My daughter became completely turned off from church youth groups because all they ever talked about is boy/girl relationships. I believe she would have been interested if she was taught more meat instead.

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

Since a percentage of them are going to be going to secular college once they get their diplomas, I would say what needs to be presented is content that will help build their faith once the onslaught of anti-Christ professors attempt to overthrow their beliefs.

You can do the homework on that yourself. But one thing I will say on that is there are key teachings that these people hone in on to try and blow young Christians' faith out of the water. One being that the earth was created in a mere few thousand years. Yes, unfortunately, young earth creationists face tremendous challenges in the face of the facts. (that those professors will all too well bring up in the light of science)

Other than that, (if you choose or are unequipped yourself to handle these matters) just provide an environment where intimacy with Jesus is celebrated and propagated. Because once temptations and trials beset and the pull of the flesh and the world seem like welcoming enticements, they'll need to remember any cherished memories of not only their hope in the gospel; but those moments when the closeness of the Master was real to them.

 

[MournfulWatcher]

Open discussion about topics was very important to me in a youth class. Young adults are trying to find the truth of of the world and of their faith, and it's important to cultivate an environment in which they can feel free to ask questions that they are sometimes too afraid to ask. Young people are living in a world that is telling them that our faith is irrational and unfounded, that it is bigoted and hateful, and this causes a deep struggle within them. We need an open environment that allows us to ask the questions the world is assaulting us with while having a leader that can keep us feeling spiritually rooted.

 

[blackribbon]

Since a percentage of them are going to be going to secular college once they get their diplomas, I would say what needs to be presented is content that will help build their faith once the onslaught of anti-Christ professors attempt to overthrow their beliefs.

You can do the homework on that yourself. But one thing I will say on that is there are key teachings that these people hone in on to try and blow young Christians' faith out of the water. One being that the earth was created in a mere few thousand years. Yes, unfortunately, young earth creationists face tremendous challenges in the face of the facts. (that those professors will all too well bring up in the light of science)

Other than that, (if you choose or are unequipped yourself to handle these matters) just provide an environment where intimacy with Jesus is celebrated and propagated. Because once temptations and trials beset and the pull of the flesh and the world seem like welcoming enticements, they'll need to remember any cherished memories of not only their hope in the gospel; but those moments when the closeness of the Master was real to them.

Sorry. My post was made on the assumption that this was a different thread.

However, I have issues when a study group teaches religious reason for creation but doesn't prepare them to discuss it from the science side that is being challenged. I think this would be a better dealt with in a special topic oriented group that can also teach science. I do think that more young Christians need to be taught that no origin of life theory can be scientifically proven and that everyone is basing their belief on some sort of faith of the unknown.

 

[Saucy]

I'm in my 30s, but led young adult and teen ministries for over a decade, so I hope I can provide some feedback here.

I think we have to look at some of the more pressing issues in their lives at the time, which is usually sex and relationships. Honestly, I wish this area of the forum was a bit more relaxed on the rules discussing sex (in a biblical context, of course) because most of us struggle with it, whether single or in a relationship.

I agree with MournfulWatcher as well, having a platform to discuss issues without having them forced down their throats. Let them ask what they want to talk about.

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Great feedback so far. Thanks. I look forward to reading more from everyone.

 

[salt-n-light]

I think in general, the things that had helped me in my childhood was being able to recite verses. I think there is a lack of encouragement on that end when you start to get to a certain age in comparison to the younger ages where you are expected to memorize a verse.

That is also two-fold, because I felt that I was given alot of lessons and scripture that i didn't know how to apply in real life. There was a disconnect between the accounts in the Bible and how it relates to today, so even when I would publicly acknowledge it as history, it still felt like just a storytale. So the easier route I guess would be to find hot topics to bridge that learning of text. Since these are college kids its usually sex, relationship, money, school.

But more importantly, I would try to understand where each of them stand in their faith, have them understand what it means to be a christian, and encourage them to get a study buddy or make activities outside church time to bond (bowling,movies, etc.). They need to know that they have a community they can fall back on and be vulnerable with with any issues. The most common thing they experience is loneliness. The sunday school, since they are spending time, should be that resource to find deep fellowship with.

 

[Gell]

I’ll be brief. I’ll go for discussions specifically in real life applications of the scriptures and areas of life.
The leader at our church uses expository teaching as well as Observation, meaning and application. But what they lack is getting insights from each of the attendees. Some might not have anything to share and some might have something profound.
God bless you on your new ministry Kristen!

 

[timewerx]

I used to spend a lot of time with youths. I think the #1 issue is bad influence like from bad company and from entertainment media.

Youths need to get out more. Spend more time outside, learn about nature and less time on social media and their phones

When I visit my teenage cousins, I always take some time to give them a little field trip in the woods. I don't get this opportunity anymore because the nearest park in my place is several hours drive away!

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

I’ll be brief. I’ll go for discussions specifically in real life applications of the scriptures and areas of life.
The leader at our church uses expository teaching as well as Observation, meaning and application. But what they lack is getting insights from each of the attendees. Some might not have anything to share and some might have something profound.
God bless you on your new ministry Kristen!

Thank you for your input. It is for one of our Ambassadors who will be doing this. I'm just the facilitator here of receiving input.

 

[ReesePiece23]

There's really no point in playing things safe and giving the students a Steady Eddy. You want someone who previously wasn't Christian - who lived a less than desirable life, to come in and lead. Somebody, who FIRST HAND, understands the ramifications of sin, and the journey it takes to fully repent and turn to God. (Rags to riches, if you will...)

In my early journey, I had a mentor who had (in a past life) done time in prison for burglary and GBH. He was also a chronic drugs user, slept with prostitutes and attempted suicide twice. His level of gratitude and his unconditional dedication to his faith - as well as the human race, would honestly bring tears to your eyes. If you were backsliding or having a crisis a faith, just half an hour in a room with him would get you pumped up and right back on the path again.

Because of his previous struggles, his words meant something. He wasn't just rattling off bumper sticker slogans and reiterating verses we've all heard a hundred times; he went into the dark and dirty facets of his life and laid all of his cards out for everyone to see - in turn, I'd do the same. And together we'd highlight all the pitfalls and recognise themes and behavioural patterns, taking immediate action with a detailed action plan, prayer (he never said 'amen' - all prayers blended into one continuous thread) and elimination of anything contributory to my sins - for example, my prayers and rituals at the time were occult style, and not in the way a Christian should pray. Crystals, candles, images, etc. Sin was recognised as ANY practise which prevented one from becoming their very best version. Not something to feel guilty over, just a simple step back from the proverbial bowl of marbles.

Shame is an extremely poor motivator. I'm not the one to rate other people's level of faith, or comment on how 'good' of a Christian they are, what I'm suggesting is that you need someone who literally dragged themselves out of the mire to become an accomplished person though faith. Otherwise, you're not really going to get the job done. It's just another puppet flapping their gums about how sinful we all are.

 

[URA]

First of all, it's very good of you to be posting here, looking for input! It shows a lot about what you want for this class, and it speaks well of your efforts for the students. Trust in Jesus, He won't let that effort go to waste.

Good discussion, group activities, community building things like that are always good, but especially at this age group.

I wish we would've gone more into detail about was choosing a Confirmation saint. I looked a little into the lives of the saints, but just looked for "Patron saint of _____", looking up things I was interested in, until I found Albert the Great, patron saint of scientists. l picked a saint, but I didn't really put much effort in, which I wish I would've.

Although, I was talking with a girl who said that she picked her saint just because her birthday & the saint's feast day were the same, but looking more into St. Therese, she really loved her saint! Inspired by that, I realized that Albert the Great was not merely picked by accident, so I looked into him, and found that he fit me very well, too! The first thing I found out about him was that he was a Professor of Theology--my intended career path, that I had no idea about in high school! He also wrote, and much of his writings were sociological, and I'm currently a psych major, concentrating in social psychology! Then I found out that he put a lot of effort into unifying science & religion--something I've been thinking about for years! The more I looked, the more he fit me so well.

That was a little off-track, and I don't know if Confirmation saints are a thing outside of the Catholic church, but I thought I'd offer my input & a side story.

Thank you for wanting the best for your students.

God be with you.

 

[URA]

And one thing that totally changed my life that I never knew about in high school is the Theology of the Body. Look up Jason Evert on YouTube, and you'll see some amazing talks about saying "Yes!" to something greater, instead of just hearing the bad.

Another great speaker of this is Chris Stefanick. His CD "The New Sexual Revolution" is incredible, and I've included the link for where you can buy it for a few dollars per CD; make sure each teen has a copy to keep. I think of all my high school Sunday school, this CD was the single biggest positive influence in my life. Don't worry about it being from a Catholic company, most of the information could even be appreciated by aetheists, it's not anti-Biblical at all.
https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/the-new-sexual-revolution