Need help, input, suggestions.

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shotgunner

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Hello everyone. I've recently been thrust into the position of teaching a Wed. night class for teens and a Sunday school class as well. I'm use to teaching adults but not teens. We have about 25-30 teens that attend Wed night, many do not attend Sunday and their parents don't attend. These are a good bunch that come because they want to. I feel I'm having trouble keeping their attention. Several seem very interested but some are so distracted that I don't know if they are learning anything.

I need some suggestions on how to make this one hour class interesting. They desperately need to learn all bible truths. The previous leaders didn't seem to even use a bible. I want to teach the Word to these kids but make it interesting enough to keep their attention. Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
 
I would say allow teens to discuss and be honest. Make it a safe zone for them to feel like they can discuss anything with you and their group. Find out their feelings on certain topic and issues and go from there. Engage them. Talk about hot topics and be a little humorous. Relate it to their personal lives and experiences. Do activities related to what you teach. That's something I can suggest off the top of my head, but at the end of the day, they aren't children anymore, they have to make up their decisions to study the bible or pursue the word so if they don't pay attention it falls on their head.
 
That's been my thinking as well. My problem so far, and I've only taught 3 classes, is that I've inherited a class that has never been disciplined at all. They want to look at their phones and quietly talk among themselves while I'm teaching. I'm going to put a stop to it but I wanted them to recover from loosing their two long time youth pastors before just dropping the axe. I was hoping they would be able to get to know me and maybe even respect me first. Maybe I have been too easy so far. I just haven't been use to anyone not showing respect to someone teaching. I wouldn't have dreamed of it at their age. It's not all just a few that need to be dealt with. I may loose them but that might even be necessary for the benefit of all.
 
Max Lucado devotionals.... Awesome. You are the Shepard of these sheep. It's alright to demand attention. I loved having a part in youth night. Give the attentive ones opportunity to speak one night. Find a way they can share their talents and get deeper rooted in their faith. If you notice someone not participating or goofing off make it a point to ask what you could do to help them get all they can out of your time with them.
 
Well - you only just have to look in the teen threads here. One of my teen bros or sisters will say something knowing they risk being stomped on, ridiculed, or made to feel stupid by an adult. If they or anyone stands up for themselves they are told they are rude. Lots of teens here, including me, have had extreme physical and sexual abuse at the hands of adults older than 40. Even here I get PMs from men that are creepy to say the least.

If teens have come together as a group they may trust each other but maybe less so an adult. Don't imagine you can immediately assume you have their trust - if u are gentle n sincere and unconditional, they will begin to trust. If you are ever sarcastic, cynical, or cant listen to them without causing them regret for speaking then - give it up now.
 
Having said all that. Its awesome you came here to the teen room and ask our opinion. That shows me that you're a great guy and are interested in us. I wish some of my spiritual teachers had asked me what I wanted to know - what was happening for me and how it connects with what I believed spiritually and what the bible teaches. I'm not so good with a style of teaching that's basically...ok listen up to me Zoii for the next hour n pay attention. Even if I really wanted to I just don't find that method stimulating. And I don't think its an effective way to learn
 
Warning though - If you do adjust your style to be more like... Ok whats going on with you guys and lets discuss it - you might open up a heavy can of worms coz a few in that group are bound to have some heavy stuff that might need to be unpacked very skilfully or not at all.
 
zoii
Thanks very much for all that input. I've been praying about this and what I seem to be getting is to engage them and get them participating in the discussion. I know it might open up those cans of worms so to speak ,but maybe they need to be opened. I don't see how we can grow unless we can honestly face issues they may have and discuss things openly. I'm not a judgmental person. I was a teen once and likely faced many of the same issues. I sowed plenty of wild oats and have already been honest with them about some hard times in my life and how God helped me through them.

I asked a couple of the teens tonight at a church function we had to help me come up with topics that they would be interested to discuss. I think we are going to tackle homosexuality soon but not before I know exactly how to convey God's word in such a manner that it will be seen as a better way, rather than just a rule that must not be broken unless you want to go to Hell. I want God's word to convey a new identity in Christ and new way of thinking more than just laying out a set of rules to live by, or else.
 
Lots of teens are bi. Some are gay. They all have a good idea what the bible says about it. They also know what a lot of society says about it. Lots are so so so fragile about it. Some are depressed and some are suicidal or self harming. I know about self harmers and I know how close a rope for their neck can be - guys especially go for a rope. Just a thought when you broach the topic.
 
zoii said:
Lots of teens are bi. Some are gay. They all have a good idea what the bible says about it. They also know what a lot of society says about it. Lots are so so so fragile about it. Some are depressed and some are suicidal or self harming. I know about self harmers and I know how close a rope for their neck can be - guys especially go for a rope. Just a thought when you broach the topic.
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I agree, which is why I want to approach the subject using God's word, not just the scriptures that speak against homosexuality but the scriptures that impart new identity. I don't want to just condemn them into repenting but to give them a life line,and a place to run to for help.
 
I really encourage you to look through some of the teen threads. Since your topic is the gay topic - have a look at the last thread on coming out by a guy who is so fragile and has expressed in recent threads self harming. Also look at a lovely teen girl who lept to his side. Now look at the responses. Noone acknowledged just how vulnerable and excruciating things were for the OP. Someone could have started by saying - how are you doing - this must be so flippin hard what your facing - are you getting help - u must feel like screaming or crying. He knew what the view was but was in such turmoil he was reaching out in all sorts of directions.... but what did he get - there were a lot of adults that chose to slaughter him even saying - well why did u post here - you knew what you'd get. The lovely girl that lept to help him also got a slap (and I'm not referring to me though I got my share too). I'm not saying this as a whinge - I'm saying it for u to read through and judge for yourself those responses that may have helped and those that were just aimed at being aggressive, cynical, smug; and perhaps that will help u judge your own responses.

There are some teens here who are very very strong in their faith who would be good to tap into - I'll ask them if they will reply to u. I trust them 1000%. One is just 13 n theres two others that are 19.
 
zoii said:
I really encourage you to look through some of the teen threads. Since your topic is the gay topic - have a look at the last thread on coming out by a guy who is so fragile and has expressed in recent threads self harming. Also look at a lovely teen girl who lept to his side. Now look at the responses. Noone acknowledged just how vulnerable and excruciating things were for the OP. Someone could have started by saying - how are you doing - this must be so flippin hard what your facing - are you getting help - u must feel like screaming or crying. He knew what the view was but was in such turmoil he was reaching out in all sorts of directions.... but what did he get - there were a lot of adults that chose to slaughter him even saying - well why did u post here - you knew what you'd get. The lovely girl that lept to help him also got a slap (and I'm not referring to me though I got my share too). I'm not saying this as a whinge - I'm saying it for u to read through and judge for yourself those responses that may have helped and those that were just aimed at being aggressive, cynical, smug; and perhaps that will help u judge your own responses.

There are some teens here who are very very strong in their faith who would be good to tap into - I'll ask them if they will reply to u. I trust them 1000%. One is just 13 n theres two others that are 19.
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I really would appreciate any help and I have greatly benefited from what you have posted so far. My heart goes out to anyone dealing with same sex attraction issues. What you just told me breaks my heart and brings me to tears as I type. I know now why God has layed this issue on my heart.

Thank you so much and God bless
Randy
 
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He Shotgunner,

Good that you've come to this site :) Pray to our God for help, He can help you!
Also, teenagers mostly need some clear information. Try to make things as clear as possible.
I believe you can do it with God :)

Success! Channa
 
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