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?
Similar to the Homiletical Plot, check out Joseph Campbell’s works. Hero with a Thousand Faces, Power of Myth, Masks of God. Universal elements of storytelling (that also exist in the Gospel) that connect with subconscious of all people. Because really ‘God’s story’ is ‘the story’ and is meant to become ‘our story.’ Here are the basic elements (you’ll find in everything from Greek mythology, Jewish poetry, the Gospel, to your own life story, to Star Wars):
1. Ordinary World
2. Call to Adventure
3. Refusal
4. Threshold
5. Belly of the Whale
6. Road or Trials
7. Boon (Main Point – One Sentence!)
8. Rescue/Flight