Youth Programs

[Thoughtful Monk]

Right. The tendency to segregate by age for cell groups/bible study groups/whatever you call it is a mistake (barring young children).

For about 3 to 4 years, I was involved with a successful Bible study group where the ages went from teen to about 70. (Ahh...the good old days. )

I agree with other posts that say the better grouping is by maturity level of the participant. Maybe another way is a group for those who want to grow in their faith and something for the others. With a wants to grow group, the immature who wants to grow is around the mature who want the same.

[One Bad Pig]

Like what bookworm said adult sessions aren't that deep either,so how will grouping us with the adults fix the problem?

Few problems of this nature can be solved with a single solution. The adults need to be fed more meat and less milk. The church needs to focus more on growth in maturity, and less on growth in numbers (though the latter, of course, should not be neglected). The last Protestant church I attended was actually really good at that, and also did periodic sessions that deliberately mixed age groups - it wasn't dissatisfaction with my church that caused me to convert to Orthodoxy.

[Scrawly]

I think a fundamental flaw in some (perhaps the majority) of youth groups is that the "youth leaders" talk to the children with the assumption that they are in fact Christian. I think most of the youth are ignorant of Christian doctrine and have yet to experience the new birth. I think there needs to be a clear articulation of the gospel and bible-based teaching for life and practice, everything else ought to flow from that.

[Teallaura]

I think a fundamental flaw in some (perhaps the majority) of youth groups is that the "youth leaders" talk to the children with the assumption that they are in fact Christian. I think most of the youth are ignorant of Christian doctrine and have yet to experience the new birth. I think there needs to be a clear articulation of the gospel and bible-based teaching for life and practice, everything else ought to flow from that.

I think this can be true but is not always.

[KingsGambit]

In small group type discussions, I prefer entirely adults because when applications come up, I find that adult life experiences aren't the type that younger people can generally relate to, and I don't want us implicitly feeling pressured to limit our discussions to a certain level. There can be a mixture. Perhaps one way on Sunday mornings and the other way on Wednesday nights.

[bling]

The only “youth” program I witnessed working was started by an unpaid college kid. He just befriended some High School young Christian men and met their friends from school. He then invited the the friends of the Christian high School kids to study the Bible with them (often to the surprise of the Christian High School kid). He would have the Christian High School kid devote 7 hours a week to questions he developed on the bible verses they were studying from and pray and fast a day for their friend. The College student had 6 or 7 Bible studies going on each week. With Baptisms of the nonbelievers more friends and families were added to the studies and eventually the new Christians and the old young Christian were having studies on their own without the college student. Three years later there are over 200 High School Kids leading devotionals themselves every morning at the 4 high schools in the city. The College student quit his engineering study to become a full time youth minister. Those kids really knew their Bible.

[Teallaura]

Hey, CM, let me ask you this: why do you object to an integrated approach? I really want to know.

[Cerealman]

Hey, CM, let me ask you this: why do you object to an integrated approach? I really want to know.

Sorry only 2 days left of school and I have the typical Senior issues so I've been busy.

Anyways, I just don't see how bringing both groups together can solve the problem when both have their own issues alone.
I think those should be fixed first though I do like Thoughtful Monk's idea on how the grouping should be done.

[Teallaura]

Sorry only 2 days left of school and I have the typical Senior issues so I've been busy.

Anyways, I just don't see how bringing both groups together can solve the problem when both have their own issues alone.
I think those should be fixed first though I do like Thoughtful Monk's idea on how the grouping should be done.

No, I appreciate the input - and I think I remember finals from way back when...

It can't - but it does address one of the issues that affects both adversely. And absolutely, those other issues must be addressed. Other than that, is there anything you object to in the basic idea?

And don't sweat it if it takes a while to get back to me - I understand.

[Thoughtful Monk]

For about 3 to 4 years, I was involved with a successful Bible study group where the ages went from teen to about 70. (Ahh...the good old days. )

I agree with other posts that say the better grouping is by maturity level of the participant. Maybe another way is a group for those who want to grow in their faith and something for the others. With a wants to grow group, the immature who wants to grow is around the mature who want the same.

Just for a quick expansion, the group for the others should be designed to try to awaken a desire to mature.

[Teallaura]

Just for a quick expansion, the group for the others should be designed to try to awaken a desire to mature.

YES!!!! That's exactly what I was thinking! Our kids have been on milksop their entire Christian lives - you can't suddenly shift to meat and expect good results BUT you have got to have a gameplan to get them from one to the other. That only works if they want it.

I'm convinced most of them have that deeper yearning - but aren't necessarily ready to admit it or able to express it. Can't rush them - but can't let them stagnate, either.

[Irate Canadian]

YES!!!! That's exactly what I was thinking! Our kids have been on milksop their entire Christian lives - you can't suddenly shift to meat and expect good results BUT you have got to have a gameplan to get them from one to the other. That only works if they want it.I'm convinced most of them have that deeper yearning - but aren't necessarily ready to admit it or able to express it. Can't rush them - but can't let them stagnate, either.

Strangely enough, I deepened my faith by discussing and learning with older youth and adults. I don't know why exactly I get so much out of it....

[Thoughtful Monk]

Strangely enough, I deepened my faith by discussing and learning with older youth and adults. I don't know why exactly I get so much out of it....

My guess is that you increased your understanding of it and come to own it as your own instead of something that was just given to you. I think its true that things you work for are more meaningful than mere gifts.

[Teallaura]

Another thing: the 'youth room' should not be done in Early American Toddler. Nor any other classroom for kids over five.