Youth Missions

[LostnFound]

I have recently started working with our Youth Leader, and have noticed that the kids are really not "engaged". Our church uses the Lifeway Bible study materials, but I have been thinking that the kids need a mission, or something to focus on and work toward, in order to focus their minds and learn to practice their young Faith.


I spoke with the Youth leader about this, and she agreed, and gave me the go ahead to do some research on the idea. She has thought about doing a gig with Habitat for Humanity. I love the idea, but don't know if that is something that the kids will be able to get their heads around on a long-term basis.


Do any of you have any suggestions or ideas? I am talking about kids aged 13 to High School graduation.

 

[mesue]

We've had our teens rake leaves for people, shovel sidewalks, spend the day at nursing homes, there are a lot of ways to serve.

 

[LostnFound]

I like the leaf raking idea...maybe for the elderly at home. We have about 6 young men (my son, included!) who seem to have a GREAT deal of energy!! LOL

Keep em coming guys!

 

[SteveR2021]

I like the idea of getting them into the community...it might be good for them to do service.

I am currently working with a group of downtown youth, and I can relate to your struggles. I've tried everything (every kind of game and icebreaker)...and I have only found one way to reach these kids. This may sound 'super spiritual' but its my prayers that have changed these kids. When I started praying for them on a daily basis I began to see changes - plus i usually spend an hour or two before the meeting in prayer and that makes a big difference. God moves in their hearts in ways that I would not have thought possible.

When I started the youth wanted more fun time, and I was told that I shouldn't do a Bible lesson every week - and when I did I was supposed to 'disguise' it so it wouldn't look like a Bible lesson.

Now the youth are asking to extend the meeting by an hour so that we can have worship! And most of the night is taken up by the lesson and prayer...it is so awesome to see God at work!!

Take heart. With God anything is possible...and He will show you exactly what this youth group needs.

Sorry - I haven't offered much practical help there.

 

[PapaLandShark]

Have a big sit down and ask them. Most certainly guide...but one of the most important things I remember of those times of just coming into "adulthood" was starting to be treated as such.

 

[LostnFound]

Stefan and Papa, thank you, both! They are average kids with average issues, and prayer is probably their greatest need in life! Papa - I DO plan to ask them, but I'd also like to have a few ideas under my belt to offer them, if they have an adolescent brain fart! LOL (I can hear it now...."UH...I dunno")

 

[SteveR2021]

LOL. I think you know youth very well. Those very words are this moment ringing in my ears..."I dunno"

I guess American youth are no different from Canadian youth

 

[AuburnMeg]

We've had our teens rake leaves for people, shovel sidewalks, spend the day at nursing homes, there are a lot of ways to serve.

mesue

That's what I was going to suggest too.

The youth group at my church has gone and done yardwork for people several times - both for members of our church who are unable to regularly attend due to disablilites, ect. and people in the community.

 

[mesue]

mesue

Hi honey!
Great minds think alike and great churches minister alike

 

[LostnFound]

I just found the COOLEST site!! I still would love to hear what others are doing, however! Check this out...

http://www.youthministry.com/index.asp

 

[PapaLandShark]

Stefan and Papa, thank you, both! They are average kids with average issues, and prayer is probably their greatest need in life! Papa - I DO plan to ask them, but I'd also like to have a few ideas under my belt to offer them, if they have an adolescent brain fart! LOL (I can hear it now...."UH...I dunno")

Just the kids?

Hehehehe...good point.

 

[LostnFound]

Well...um...yeah! Then there's the old chick...hehehehehe

 

[ZiSunka]

I have recently started working with our Youth Leader, and have noticed that the kids are really not "engaged". Our church uses the Lifeway Bible study materials, but I have been thinking that the kids need a mission, or something to focus on and work toward, in order to focus their minds and learn to practice their young Faith.


I spoke with the Youth leader about this, and she agreed, and gave me the go ahead to do some research on the idea. She has thought about doing a gig with Habitat for Humanity. I love the idea, but don't know if that is something that the kids will be able to get their heads around on a long-term basis.


Do any of you have any suggestions or ideas? I am talking about kids aged 13 to High School graduation.

Not to plug my own ministry, but the kids could easily start up a Bible collection center, where they collect Bibles and Christian books and media of all sorts to send to the millions of Christians around the world that can't get them because they are too poor, too remote or too persecuted to buy them for themselves. Go to www.bf.org (not my ministry, so don't report me to the mods) and find a place near you to donate the books for dispersal around the world. This can be a one-time ministry or an on-going thing.