Ø      Personal testimonies

Ø      Video clips

Ø      Have them make their own video responses on topic

Ø      Variety of games and activities

Ø      Start with something active and leads into the lesson

Ø      Food

Ø      Dramas

Ø      Small group discussion

Ø      Student presentations

Ø      Singing

Ø      Stories

Ø      Personal discovery

Ø      Object lessons

Ø      Group crafts/creation

Ø      Build a prayer

Ø      Skits

Ø      Four corners

Ø      Think/pair/share

Ø      Student input

Ø      Take home items

Ø      Break out groups

Ø      Action/movement of response

Ø      Ask direct questions

Ø      Appreciate/affirm each person

Ø      Cooperative learning

Ø      Comfortable environment

Ø      Ice breaker

Ø      Prizes/competition/candy

Ø      Written responses

Ø      What if…

Ø      Relevant questions with biblical implications

Ø      Pray for their requests

Ø      Groups writing a fictional account of a Bible story

Ø      Journal time

Ø      Silent time

Ø      Send scriptures home for daily devotional use

Ø      Speaking prompts (agree/disagree paper and response)

Our youthworkers’ greatest challenges and ways to address them:

 Schedule—too busy

Plan far ahead

Have a consistent schedule

Work with what we have

Have activities on different days of the week

Lack of student commitment

Involve students in church /group leadership and  
council meetings

Ask students to bring specific items or lead part of the lesson

Bible study (or lack of)

 Involve student leadership

Devote specific time to “Bible study time” verses “fun time”

Food provides an incentive to attend

Fringe Kids

Keep trying

Recognize you can’t “fix” it; it’s God’s work

Try to have at least one adult connect with each youth; not everyone will be able to build a significant relationship

Techno-Battle

Ban these things at youth group

Partner with parents to address this

The Public/Private School Chasm

Keeping telling and loving

Encourage involvement in non-school activities

Tend to avoid school-based/sponsored activities

Sponsors attend activities of all youth

 Mix up into small groups

 Personal invitations to public school youth

Name commonalities of school experience (public, private, homeschool)

Geographic Location of some youth

Rotate locations for youth activities

Hold small group meetings in different areas with monthly joint meetings

Meet after church for lunch

Preventing Cliques

Create opportunities for kids to interact with those they might not otherwise

Get large group together for extended periods of time

Group service projects

Interactive activities that split up cliques

Stretching comfort zones

Demonstrating and developing “real” faith

Random acts of kindness

Individual sharing

Service projects that put faith into action

Lack of Respect

Take initiative to make each youth feel important

Raise behavior expectations; youth will often live up to them

Involve adults in youth sessions, by having them strategically placed throughout

the room or participate as small group members

Contact parents     

Family Issues

Develop a plan of action in cooperation with the congregational pastor

Meet one-on-one with affected youth

Select a sensitive mentor for the youth

Safe Atmosphere for Sharing

Personal testimony and confession

Meeting more frequently

Participation/actual discipleship

Personal spiritual growth

True Community/Accountability

Small groups

Specialized Bible studies

Mentors

 Intentional one-to-one time with youth

Go to activities youth are involved in outside of church

Take individual youth to a public place for ice cream or coffee

Engagement

Small groups

Fun activities

Awareness of events/activities

Helping kids have a sense of belonging

Seating arrangement

Candy/rewards

Connecting (adult to youth)

Send snail mail note

Call in the middle of the week

Send packages/treats to school            

Outside Influences

Discuss the influences openly and honestly

Become familiar with youth culture so you can address it with youth

Different Backgrounds

Sharing stories

Being open

Agree to disagree and move on together

Parental Involvement

Plan occasional activities that include parents

Involve parents in providing snacks, planning and staffing special events

Communicate with parents so they know the youth activities schedule

 Immaturity (social deficit, fringe kids, rebelliousness)

Take aside individuals and address the problem

Recognize and acknowledge kids’ strengths

Involve them with helping and leading