Youth are an exciting group to work with. Helping them to mature in faith and to make faith their own is a real challenge. Teens are moving from family-based to peer-based influences and need careful guidance to make good choices. On the other hand, their growing ability to use good judgement must be respected. How do we go about teaching them while keeping this balance?
I asked members of the Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park (CYC) about their favorite devotions. Their answers showed some common threads.
Teens, it seems, like to have their imaginations engaged. Many enjoy visualizing things as they learn. Tell a Bible story slowly, asking them to close their eyes and imagine they are an onlooker. The story of the woman caught in adultery works well as do the feeding of the five thousand or any other miracle story. As you tell the story, add in descriptions of the setting -- sights, sounds, smells. Describe what an onlooker may be doing. After, hold an open discussion of their thoughts and feelings during the story. This works best in small groups. In larger groups the Dean of CYC has very successfully used "Obscure Bible Stories." He chooses a less well known passage of scripture and has students act it out. This requires a a charismatic leader with a sense of humor to work best. Plus, you need to know your audience somewhat so you can pick students who will fill roles well and enjoy the attention.
Another memorable large group activity engaged imaginations in a different way. A bowl of clear water was placed on an overhead projector. Students were asked to call out things that were mucking up their lives. Some of these were sins or internal struggles. Some were family, school or work situations. Health problems and disabilities were also listed. For each thing stated, a drop of food coloring was put into the water. Different colors were used and the water soon turned murky. When the kids were done, inspirational music was played and a drop of glycerin was put into the water. The colors slowly disappeared and the water became clear again. This can be used to show how Jesus can work in our lives. Though it was used many years ago, one of our alumna still remembers it as being "beautiful and touching."
Kids like hands on stuff, too. One of our counselors uses a devotion in which she teaches her cabin to turn broken glass into cement art. She talks to the campers about how God can take our brokeness and turn it into art.
Of course we use all the traditional stuff, too. Discussions and sermons and skits They work well with some kids, especially if order is kept. One of the alumni remembers his favorite devotions as being "All of the ones that the 'PAY ATTENTION' rule was in effect for." Don't forget, too, that teens can lead. We encourage students to lead devotions in cabins and classes and to help up front. One of the responses I got on favorite devotions, from a current student, was: "The one I lead my second year. About God's promises to us. For example Jeremiah 29:11." What they teach, they remember.
One of our Chaplains also constantly reminded us, "Don't coddle teenagers." It's good to challenge youth. They can do so much! They can also handle tough topics in a mature way. Some of them have first hand experience with topics such as life-threatening illness and abuse. Don't shy away, but do be sensitive and supportive. And remember, if you love and respect the youth you work with your genuine faith will shine through, whatever methods you use. God bless your ministry!
What have you found effective in working with teenagers?
Christian Youth Conference at Ocean Park is a two week ecumenical conference for high school students held in August on the beautiful southern coast of Maine. The theme for the 2011 conference is "Face to Face" and will look at restoring relationships between God and individuals, and amongst people. Click here for more information.
Teaching Teens to Grow Closer to God
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