Key Elements to Youth Ministry

Key Elements to Reaching Young People from Warren Bevacqua

How To Plan a Programming/Teaching Calendar

Planning is key to any successful Young People’s Ministry program. A lot of people think that you can just throw something together and that that’s good enough, however, what I have found that the old adage is true “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Here are a few suggestions to get you started on planning a programming/teaching calendar.

Consider Working in “Thirds” - break down your calendar into categories. One example might be: 1) Christian Education; 2) Life Skills; 3) Felt Need. By doing this you will balance your programming/teaching calendar so that you do not focus on any one category too much.

Consider Series/Themes - if you’re leading a program or teaching a Bible study or Small Group choose a series that you will follow for 3 to 6 weeks. A lot of research has been done that the ideal timeframe for a series is no greater than 6 weeks. There are a few exceptions (confirmation class, disciple Bible study, etc.) but for the most part determining theme/series for a season of time is helpful. If you get really good at it you can plan a whole year in advance.

The most important thing to remember about planning is not to get lost in the plan. It is okay to get off schedule. The planning just helps you kind of like a roadmap. It helps students, parents and other leaders know where you are going so that they can plan their lives accordingly.

What do you think is the most important thing when it comes to planning ?

3 Ways to Make Your Message Stick

I often wonder as I teach and preach, "How much of this is sticking?" I work very hard to prayerfully craft a message that reflects what the passage is about, while at the same time keeping it interesting for young people to be engaged. Here are 3 things that I've learned to do to make my message stick.

1) Be Concrete - A lot of our faith is based on abstract ideas. It’s hard for children, as well as young people, to grasp some of these abstract ideas without relating them to something that they can experience with their senses (touch, smell, taste, hear, and see). For example, if your teaching young people about the doctrine of the Trinity, it can be quite confusing unless you find an example that they can relate to.

2) Be Vulnerable - Young people can’t relate to someone if they’re not willing to be open and honest with them. Furthermore, young people can see right through someone who is fake. The more open and honest you are with your young people about who you are, chances are the more open and honest they will be with you. I take this example from Jesus. Jesus was very open and honest with his 12 disciples and formed deep long-lasting relationships with them. The same can be said in developing healthy and meaningful young people’s ministry. Young people are starving for real relationships, so be vulnerable with them.

3) Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) - This is my favorite! Nothing helps a message stick with a young person than if you keep it simple. They are not looking for graduate level discussions or someone who can regurgitate doctrinal statements of faith. They are looking for simple, no-nonsense ways of living and being in relationship with others and God. So whatever you teacher or preach KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!

3 Practical Teaching Tips When Speaking to Students

One of the key roles of a youth worker is speaking to teenagers. For some this is a gift that comes naturally—lots of youth workers are gifted speakers, while others have had to learn how to communicate effectively to an audience. Regardless of your skill level, these tips will either affirm what you’re already doing or help you push forward in your skills to speaking/preaching/teaching.

Find Your Own Preferred Style

Everyone has a preferred style of taking notes or jotting down reminders. Whatever your preferred style, go into a meeting with the student with some key points that you want to address with them. These could be questions, concerns, etc. If you must, you can out a manuscript so that you don’t miss anything, however, this seems less spontaneous and more like a lecture so be careful.

Practice It Once or Twice By Yourself

Prepare your lesson early enough to provide time to run over the talk out loud as if you were giving it live on stage. Work on your delivery, and add new thoughts and ideas to your outline as you progress through the run-through. So often great lines, dramatic pauses, or a fresh idea come through when you’re practicing. Too often what looks good on paper doesn’t work verbally, so get the kinks out before you’re in front of your students.

Debrief Your Talk

There’s nothing more valuable than being able to critique your self after a talk. Find someone that you trust and will in a loving but direct way share with you their thoughts about your talk. Debriefing your talk can help you improve how you give future talks, so this is very important. I find that my wife is a good person to do this with. She serves as a pastor and is a very good speaker herself. You may even want to get one of your youth leaders to help you with this process. However you debrief your talk… Do it! You’ll improve greatly if you open yourself up for honest feedback. The truth of the matter is this: People are critiquing you anyway; why not give them permission to share their observations!

(I got these ideas from a weekly e-mail that I get about youth and young adult ministry.)