Changing Lives Forever 1 Knowing Teens

Purpose of this training is to focus on Teens. Each meeting will help us know how to better relate to teens so that we can effectively reach them for Jesus Christ.

We will learn three skills.

Loving Teens

Listening to Teens

Leading Teens to Christ

Learning Names

The Name Game

Sharing Personal Items. Share three things you have on your person that say something about you as a person.

Partner Introductions

Partner up and get some background information about your partner and report on it.

3x5 Card Report

Take a 3x5 card and fold it. On the outside write 4 or 5 observable characteristics of you and your life. On the inside, write 4 to 5 phrases that describe things in yor life that are not observable.

Leader Talk

Having real influence on the lives of teenagers will require an investment on your part… both of time and taking risks. Helping teens is fun, rewarding, frustrating and sometimes will drive you crazy.

1 Thessalonians 2:7–9 NLT

7 As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but instead we were like children among you. Or we were like a mother feeding and caring for her own children. 8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you.

1 Thess

List some of the things Paul says about his relationship with the people here.

What qualities should we have in our relationships with kids?

Paul took risks, worked hard and share both the Gospel and his life with them. This is what you are called to do with teenagers.

Loving Teens means many things. It means reaching out to them, sharing our thoughts, our beliefs, and our very lives with them. It means sharing the truth of the Gospel of Christ with them. It means standing with them when they make mistakes. It means reaching out to them and getting to know them.

It means reaching out to them

I want to help you develop the skills to minister to teens. You can do this by helping in the youth ministry, meeting with kids, leading a small group, helping out on activities...

Who has influenced us?

Think about who all has influenced you in coming to Christ and in your faith walk. Describe that person and the qualities in your relationship that made a difference.

Focus on Teens

There are many different types and groups of teens in the world, just like there are many different types and groups of adults. You will find that you will be attracted to some types or groups more than others. It’s important for you to discover which type of teen or adult you relate to the best. It doesn’t mean that you cannot relate to other types or groups, but it will be the one you identify with the best.

Hand out a list of characteristics of teens. Check beside the ones that interest you the most.

Angry Learning disabled Political Shy Aggressive Affluent Poor Low Self Esteem Well Groomed Clean Respectful Interested in bible Atheist Young mother Bored Active Athletic Attractive Worldly Uninformed Funny Attentive Good Listener Alcoholic Adopted From Broken Family Leader Musical Dramatic Intellectual Rebellious Curious Verbal Needy Successful Drug User Tobacco user Sexually Active Popular

Discuss the characteristics you checked.

Learning disabled

Assignement

Political

Shy

Write out the names of three teens you already know and 6 characteristics of each. We will discuss this next week.

Agressive

Aff