Some Basic Guidelines For Leading A Student Ministry Discussion

Don’t be afraid of silence

Let the students sit for a moment and think.

Do Value Student Input
Do whatever it takes to affirm the comments of student input, but do not be artificial with your praise. Be delicate with answers that are clearly wrong (you probably don’t want to put a big red “idiot” stamp on their forehead). Do not feel like you have to finish, complete, or correct a student’s answer.

Don’t feel like you have to know all the answers

We are human, and it’s good for your students to see that you are limited. You are, but most of them don’t think so.  Don’t pretend like you have every theological answer.  Here is a great line: I don’t know.

Don’t read questions off the leader’s guide

Understand the questions and be prepared to ask them in your own terms. Feel free to generate your own questions during your preparation AND even “on the spot.”

Don’t talk more than the students

Ask questions to generate discussion, ask students to explain their answers and go into more depth. Allow multiple students to respond, even if the first person gets the “right” answer.  We love to hear our selves talk too.

Do ask students if they have questions

Encourage them to deal with the material on their own terms. Create a climate where people feel the freedom to ask any question.

Do echo some responses to your questions

If a student’s answer or comment is long-winded or unclear, repeat it back (summarize it) for clarity. This proves you are listening and it keeps the attention of the rest of the group.

Don’t move to a new question too quickly

After a student answers a question, ask, “Would anyone like to add to that?” or “Does everyone agree/disagree with that?”

Do keep the group focused and on purpose

Don’t go down a rabbit trail and leave the topics and/or Scripture passages unless something “big time” comes up (e.g., a family crisis). Be sensitive to the Spirit (but that’s not an excuse to be lazy and let the group wander). Wandering is easy, being a leader isn’t!

Do require and maintain confidentiality

This allows students to open up because they feel their environment is safe. However, don’t keep potentially dangerous information to yourself (e.g. abuse, suicide, destructive intentions, etc.)

Don’t be discouraged

Welcome to my youth ministry career.  Even if you don’t have enough students for your own small group . . . we will give you phone numbers of students to call and invite to your small group.

AGAIN Don’t be discouraged

When (not IF) you have a “bad night.” There is not a small group leader alive in the world that hasn’t had bad nights.

Preaching and teaching in youth ministry is fun but a very difficult task. I am love looking for improving my communication and homelitical methods that engage not only the student, but the Word. I am communicator who heavy relies on the ethos and pathos.

In my youth ministry communication resource tool belt, I rely on 5 teaching methods.

SCORRE (my least favorite) – Subject, Central theme, Objective, Rationale, Resources, and Evaluation.

Homiletical Plot – Eugene L. Lowry argues that in a plot there are five essential stages: 1) opps, 2) ugh 3) aha 4) Whee and 5) yea.

Essentially the preacher takes his/her audience on a journey. It is imperative to off set the equilibrium (opps). The second and third stages are analyzing the discrepancy (ugh) and disclosing the clue to resolution (aha). The fourth stage is all about experiencing the gospel ( Whee) while the consequences/resolution (yea) is presented in a “how to” format.

Communication for Change (Andy Stanley’s book) – Andy and the North Point crew has an attractive and easy method for a communicator to internalize. Andy suggest there are five movements in a talk: 1) Me (share personal story relating to the central theme), 2) WE (what does culture say against the central theme. This section builds the tension), 3) God’s Word (what does God say?), 4) WE (what is the application to your context audience?), and 5) Landing (how do we apply the scriptural principle? )

The Power of Story – My buddy Drew Sams enlightened me on the 8 ingredient story method.

Ingredient #1 – Point of View
Ingredient #2 – Setting
Ingredient #3 – Characters
Ingredient #4 – Protagonists
Ingredient #5 – Antagonists
Ingredient #6 – Conflict
Ingredient #7 – Climax (Turning Point)
Ingredient #8 – Denoument (Resolution)

Socratic Method – is dialogue focused that pursues a balance (positive and negative) inquiry. I typically start by asking a series of questions surrounding a central issue, and answering questions of the others involved. I encourage different perspectives. The best way to land the conversation is to make the opponent contradict themselves in some way that proves my own theological point.

What are some other youth ministry communication methods?