Tip #4: Step aside
June 30, 2008 – 9:18 am
Youth ministry is definitely in the action and adventure genre, especially during school breaks and vacations. There is a need (or is it a temptation?) to pack those times where students are available full of activities. I understand; I’ve done it too. I wonder, though, if the whirlwind schedule of pool parties, picnics and theme parks - all of which make for valuable relationship and memory building time - can serve to defeat the purpose we’re with these students in the first place.
While you’re having tremendous fun together, be intentional about finding a time and place to step aside together and pray. Here’s one example of a way to raise awareness of people around you at a theme park; of course, there are loads of ways to adapt this to your group’s personality. As always, please offer your ideas too!
Before your group scatters into the park, give them this instruction: as you stand in line, ride the rides, and enjoy feeling like you’re about to hurl, look around you at the other people who are here today. Do you see people who are lonely, or hurting, or in some sort of need? Do you see frustrated children or parents? I’m just asking that you keep your eyes open to what’s going on with the people around you.
At [time] we’re going to take a break to eat and get out of the sun for a short time. Be prepared to tell about your people observations, and we’re going to take a little time to pray for the folks you saw.
Jesus took the disciples aside to pray in the midst of the ordinary. Help your students know what it is to be a disciple by developing their eye for opportunities all around them, and leading them aside to pray.
