Youth Meeting Activities to Help Teenagers Get to Know One Another
Youth group activities are designed to help students bond with other members of the group. During these meetings, teenagers often open up to others in ways they do not at home.
For example, ice-breakers allow members to discuss sensitive subjects like their sexual orientation. This helps build lasting friendships.
One-Verse Bible Study
A Bible study that focuses on one verse encourages discussion, creativity and allows the group to move naturally from analysis to application. Using a verse that is often misunderstood or verses from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) gives participants a chance to explore different interpretations of the same events.
Having some fun and getting to know each other is a vital part of youth meeting activities. Organizing get-to-know-you games can break down barriers that keep teens from opening up to each other.
For example, have participants write their name on a piece of paper and then draw something they like, such as their favorite book or TV character. They then share their drawing with the group and others try to guess who wrote their name. This icebreaker also promotes teamwork and collaboration. Another option is to have students discuss current events to encourage the church to address the issues facing its members and the wider world.
Prayer Meeting
The Prayer Meeting is a time for your group to share personal prayer requests and concerns. It is a great way to encourage fellowship between members of your youth group, especially those who may not feel comfortable praying aloud. In addition to sharing personal requests, you can also pray for specific situations in your city or country. You can use a variety of prayer methods to make your prayer meetings more interesting and help people connect with God in a new way.
Start by selecting Scripture verses that prompt adoration, confession and thanksgiving. Then lead the prayer time with a brief meditation. You can read a Bible passage or a written mediation, but the best option is to have someone from your youth group write the meditation ahead of time. This enables your young people to take ownership of the meeting and helps them learn to think biblically and communicate clearly. You can also incorporate worship music to welcome the Holy Spirit and inspire faith.
Kick-Off Event
If you have a youth group, a kick-off event is a great opportunity to start the year with some new energy. Kick-off events also help the members connect and learn more about one another. For example, some groups have a separate night for girls and a separate night for guys to discuss different topics that may interest each other. Some groups focus on specific Bible books, characters or Christian-living subjects, while others target a particular demographic such as singles and young adults, parents, widows and widowers.
A kick-off meeting is also a good time to assign roles and introduce any new team members. For example, some youth groups appoint senior high students as mentors for incoming junior high students. This helps the younger kids feel welcome and gives the older ones a sense of responsibility. Also, by having the kick-off event in your church community, you can easily promote the event to potential members who may not have heard of your group.
Skeeball Machine
This game is fun and competitive, and it will help your youth get to know each other. You will need a few small objects that you pass around the room while music plays, and when the music stops the person left holding the object loses. This is a great icebreaker game and it can also be used for team building.
Gather index cards, pens and a dunking tank. Each youth gets a turn to ask you, the senior pastor, Bible questions. Each wrong answer earns them a chance to dunk you.
Invite the youth to take photos of strangers in public places and text or e-mail them to you. The youth can then share their photos in your next meeting and pray for each person. This is a way to show the love of Jesus and encourage people who are isolated or going through difficult times in life. It can also serve as a springboard for discussing mission work and prayer.