Church Youth Meeting Ideas
Church youth groups often serve a dual purpose: to keep young congregants engaged in safe activities and to teach them about the church's core beliefs. Depending on the structure of your group, you may meet weekly, monthly or even less frequently. Either way, you'll need ideas to keep your youth group interested and motivated to continue attending.
Other People Are Reading
-
Traditions Discussion
-
Around significant church holidays, discuss the traditions and symbols associated with each. For example, at a Catholic group's meeting around Easter, discuss the Stations of the Cross and what they represent in the Church.
Competitions
-
Get the youth excited about something and give them a reason to come back by organizing a competition that spans over a few meetings. For example, host a world series of bowling, where each student plays every time and records his score. At the end of three meetings, the student with the highest score either wins a prize or gets to choose the next activity. Choose a competition that suits your group, but remember to keep it friendly.
-
Networking
-
Introduce the attendees to the art of networking. Have them divide into groups, which will be their "companies" -- each based around a religious concept. Encourage the members to mix with the other groups and talk about their respective companies. Ask members to focus on how the other groups they "meet" can be incorporated into company goals. Help members think of creative ways they can help each other carry out their company's messages.
Prayer
-
Use your time with young members of the group to pray and reflect together. Allow group leaders to choose their favorite ways to pray and their favorite prayers. Then, have the young members choose the prayer and style of praying the next time. Rotate every meeting and have someone else lead a prayer each new meeting. Use the group prayer and reflection as a time for group members to bond and learn from each other.
Outreach
-
Teach the youth about outreach activities. Have members brainstorm community service activities they can do as a group or individually. Then, plan to do one per month and help the students execute the plans. Encourage members to reach out to others in the church who may not be attending meetings, but who may be interested. Community outreach might help expand your group's membership.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
