http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/tags/middle-school Orange Leaders Forum en-US Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:39:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/search.php http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/how-do-i-engage-students-to-serve#post-20 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:20:06 +0000 Beth Nelson 20@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>Students need consistent opportunities to develop their faith, and it's critical to allow them to see God show up as they do ministry and influence others. One of the best ways to stimulate faith is to give students an opportunity to have a personal ministry within your church and to expose them to the larger story of faith developing around them. </p> <ul> <li>Encourage your students to sponsor a child through Compassion or another group. Show them the influence they can have on a child in another country, then help them see the influence they can have on children within your church. </li> <li>Plan for students to serve as the volunteer team for a special children's event. </li> <li>You may have to rearrange your Sunday morning schedule to allow students to serve. Students can be a great help with technical support, drama, leading worship, and even leading children's small groups. </li> </ul> http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/when-do-you-start-plugging-kids-in-to-serve#post-18 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:53:26 +0000 Beth Nelson 18@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>Kids as young as third grade can be given light, age-appropriate responsibilities. Older elementary kids can begin to serve on a kids' singing team or as helpers who welcome new kids and help them feel like they belong). Middle schoolers can continue as singers, but can also start to intern in tech and behind-the-scenes roles. High school students can begin to lead small groups, become vocalists, or take speaking roles in productions, as well as take on primary roles in other capacities. In some cases they can become an adult leader’s best ally: they may have more relevant insight into tech and can create an awesome vibe in various environments. </p> http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/how-do-you-engage-middle-and-high-school-students#post-7 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:28:20 +0000 Beth Nelson 7@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>We have always taught the importance of relevant environments. I actually think the word <em>relevant</em> means a dozen different things depending on who you ask. It is important to have fun and to be creative, but neither of these is the same thing as relevance. When what you have done has helped children or students understand how a spiritual truth applies or to make the right connection relationally, you have been relevant. It involves the way you present truth and what happens in their relationships. In John 1 it was obvious that Jesus came to do two things:</p> <ol> <li>Turn on a Light – spiritually </li> <li>Build a bridge – relationally </li> </ol> <p>He engaged an entire generation because of how He did both of those things. Every time you gather with teenagers you should ask, “Did we turn on a light?” and “Did we build a bridge?” Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you have to spend thousands on technology to engage students. Also remember that teenagers need to be challenged to do something significant and to learn through engaging experiences. Refuse to only think in terms of teaching or presentation. An irresistible environment teaches truth that is relevant, builds strong relationships, and creates memorable experiences. </p>