I felt ill prepared to lead such a large group of young people. What did I have to offer? It took me a while to find the reply to that question, but when I did find the answer, my eyes were opened to a thoroughly new world.
I learned that the best youth leaders are those who have youth age children in their homes. This serves as a motivator to those of us who feel they are too old to understand or enumerate to youth. At least, this is what I discovered for myself after taking on the role as youth leader in our church.
My son was a member of the youth group and I felt this would be a way to stay complex in his life. Most youth aged children; mine included, found ways to stay away from their parents. I wanted to continue to be part of his life and understand what he was going through. I think he would agree these times spent together in youth activities drew us closer to one another.
Anthology
Some of the things I discovered and the successes we had as a group are too good not to share. It would be nice if I could tell you that I took this accountability on and was the presume for the successes, but of course, I can't. No one someone can take on such a huge undertaking and not have hold of other leaders to help lead such an active, fun, impressionable group.
After forming a youth council comprising of youth, teachers, parents and other leaders in our church, we started brainstorming about things to do for fun and things to do where the youth could learn. At one point in one of our sessions, a educator discern that they had a Saturday Night Live in a church he attended years ago.
Of course, we wanted to hear more. His report the event intrigued and inspired us. After some planning sessions, our monthly Friday Night Live was born. It's hard to say who enjoyed the monthly get together more, the youth or the leaders.
Our first Friday Night Live was experimental and was a huge success. Here is what we did.
Inserted black light bulbs into the light sockets of the room we chose for the event. I would propose that the room you choose is a room where food is allowed. some of the youth also loaned black poster lights. This served to give the room an ambiance youth enjoy.
We settled rectangle tables in some long rows, surface them in white paper and settled crayons all along the tables. Those youth arriving early created graffiti on the paper. Even those arriving on time had opportunities to generate their art.
We encouraged our youth to bring a guest or request friends to attend. Our night began at 9:00 p.m. This was past most of the leaders' bedtime, but we knew the youth were just getting wound about that time. Upbeat modern Christian music played in the background, a minute too loud for my taste, but just right for the youth.
We planned a talent show. The youth were to be the talent, but the teachers had a surprise for them. We planned to achieve one song. We pantomimed to the Elvis Presley's I just want to be Your Teddy Bear.
We previously build a platform, had canned spot lighting we made ourselves; yes, out of cans. We came out on stage in pajamas and gripping teddy bears. We tried doing a habit and most of us overacted. The youth laughed so much it was difficult for us to finish, but we did.
This took some doing on our part. Most of the leaders were not performers by nature and we had to step way out of our relieve zone. We found though that the youth loved seeing us in a distinct light.
After the talent show, we had games planned. Games such as a tricycle race, bubblegum-blowing bubbles contest and some kid like games. Every person participated and seemed to enjoy the silliness of it all.
After the games, we gathered, sang a few group songs and had a guest speaker who spoke for fifteen minutes or less. This time served as time to encourage and advance the youth as well as a time to present the gospel to the youth who did not know Christ as their personal Savior.
We in case,granted a meal for them. That first night we had sandwiches, chips, and varied junk foods. Other nights we served Pizza, Mexican, and Italian foods.
A lot of work went into these events, but it was worth the efforts. Those youth who have since moved into the young adult phase of their life, continue to make determined comments regarding those fun Friday Night Live nights.
Other Friday Night Live events varied in our presentation and planning; the New Year's Eve event lasted longer than most of the others. Our guest speaker shared in the sanctuary and at the stroke of the New Year, we allowed the youth to take turns ringing our church bell.
I believe these events can be altered to fit any group of youth. Our setting was in a rural country church. The Saturday Night Live the leader talked to us about was in a larger city church. It takes much attempt and great imaginations to pull off such an event. That is why I believe it is leading for every church no matter what size, have a youth council to help plan and prepare for the youth in our world. If we don't reach and teach them, it scares me to think who will.
Fun Ideas For Church Youth Groups
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