Over 20 years ago, before I received any formal training in seminary, I was doing something in youth ministry that as I look back on it now, I wish I had done more of it later. Youth Ministry expert Kara Powell has noted how we in the church are often guilty of doing ministry to and for our youth versus with and by our youth. What I was doing 20 years ago was allowing my youth to teach. I did more than allow them to tell their story or their testimony. I let them teach the Word of God to the group.
There’s no doubt that when one has to teach, they learn more than they would if they didn’t have to. I’m convinced we need to wrap our arms around our youth today and guide them in this process called teaching. As noted above, let the ministry be done by them as we help them with it. We can’t just say teach. We also have to show them how. Then we have to let them. As they make mistakes and they will, then we coach them how to teach better.
Someone said, “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.” Leadership guru John Maxwell five steps of equipping are (1) I do it, (2) I do it while you watch me, (3) You do it while I watch you, (4) You do it, and (5) You do it and somebody is with you. We have to let youth lead. We also have to be WITH them as they do!
Don’t give youth another lecture to listen to; give them an experience they’ll never forget. This is why summer camps and short-term mission trips are so powerful. They allow youth to experience the gospel!
So, it’s October. What could you do this month to give youth an experience they’ll never forget? I’m so glad you asked!! Why not sign your group up for an escape room. They’ll experience a problem or a puzzle that they have to work together to figure out. You will too! You will be with them helping them all along the way. Good luck!
But when you finish or should I say escape, don’t leave it at that. Debrief the event. Tell all your students that we are born trapped in sin. From the day we are born, we are looking for a way out. We can look far and wide but until we find Jesus, the answer remains elusive. He is our only way of escape!
Who knows??—You might just witness one of your students escaping the bonds of sin while being made free to worship the Lord!