We had a good time chatting. We didn't always stay on-topic, but that's okay! We started with a game of "switch sides if..." It's a pretty simple game. The youth pick a wall from two opposite walls. The leader reads out a statement, such as "Switch sides if you prefer cake over pie." If you like cake better, you walk to the other side of the room. If you like pie better, you stay where you are. After each statement, those who moved talked about why they moved. We learned quite a bit about each other, and had fun, to boot.
One of our congregation's members is very sick and has been in the hospital for several weeks, and will continue to be there for at least another few weeks. The youth spent time creating cards for her. They are also sponsoring a card shower for the congregation to participate in, as well. The youth will be collecting cards next week to be delivered along with the ones they made.
While they were creating, we talked about what it means to be a friend, and how to make new friends. We also talked about Jonathan & David's friendship, as well as Ruth & Naomi's - both Biblical friendships. One youth suggested that being reliable was a mark of friendship, and another countered saying that reliability isn't necessary for true friendship. I then asked if they might consider Peter a friend to Jesus and we discussed why or why not.
The discussion didn't go quite as I had expected, or planned, but that isn't the important part. The most important thing, to me, is that the youth find a space to ask questions and get honest, theologically-grounded, answers.
We ended the evening with "popcorn prayers." That is, one person starts off, and those who want to pray follow in succession. There is no true order, just prayers as they flow. It's a great way to pray, but it becomes difficult when not everyone wants to pray. For our next meeting, I want to have something that can be passed from person to person. The idea behind this is that everyone gets a moment to hold onto the object. They can pass it along if they don't want to pray out loud, but then I have a visual cue that everyone has been able to pray before the prayer wraps up.
The free-flow discussion format seems to work well with this group, although there are some who are rather quiet in group. For next week, I want to keep this format - start with a fun game, move into discussion, finish with prayer. I want to add an anonymous questions jar, and begin addressing the questions on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
One of our congregation's members is very sick and has been in the hospital for several weeks, and will continue to be there for at least another few weeks. The youth spent time creating cards for her. They are also sponsoring a card shower for the congregation to participate in, as well. The youth will be collecting cards next week to be delivered along with the ones they made.
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| I didn't take pictures of the card-making process. But here's some lovely homemade cards. http://bit.ly/1XqT4rQ |
While they were creating, we talked about what it means to be a friend, and how to make new friends. We also talked about Jonathan & David's friendship, as well as Ruth & Naomi's - both Biblical friendships. One youth suggested that being reliable was a mark of friendship, and another countered saying that reliability isn't necessary for true friendship. I then asked if they might consider Peter a friend to Jesus and we discussed why or why not.
The discussion didn't go quite as I had expected, or planned, but that isn't the important part. The most important thing, to me, is that the youth find a space to ask questions and get honest, theologically-grounded, answers.
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| Photo source: http://bit.ly/1oJALlL |
We ended the evening with "popcorn prayers." That is, one person starts off, and those who want to pray follow in succession. There is no true order, just prayers as they flow. It's a great way to pray, but it becomes difficult when not everyone wants to pray. For our next meeting, I want to have something that can be passed from person to person. The idea behind this is that everyone gets a moment to hold onto the object. They can pass it along if they don't want to pray out loud, but then I have a visual cue that everyone has been able to pray before the prayer wraps up.
The free-flow discussion format seems to work well with this group, although there are some who are rather quiet in group. For next week, I want to keep this format - start with a fun game, move into discussion, finish with prayer. I want to add an anonymous questions jar, and begin addressing the questions on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.
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