We started going to a new church about 18 months ago and I've been waiting to see where God would have me serve. A couple of months ago, a need came up in the Youth Sunday school hour to help out with 7th grade boys. I thought this would be a good time to get involved. We have 12 boys in our class. Me and another gentleman tag team in working with these boys for about 25 minutes per week.
Its been a crazy transition as these boys are quite unruly. There is a mix of educational backgrounds: about 1/3rd are home schooled, 1/3rd go to Christian schools, and 1/3rd go to public schools. For the most part, behaviorally, I don't see any difference between the home schooled, Christian school, and public school kids. Many of the kids have been church-ified most of their life, so they know most answers to the questions. But, my challenge with them and with anyone is to go beyond the text and doctrine and get into application. They all struggle seeing the big picture, so I understand it is going to be a process of re-training them (I Timothy 4:7-8).
Prior to getting to our time, they have gone to a worship time lasting about 10 minutes with all the other youth and then had a short devotional by the middle school pastor which last about 20 minutes. They get to us thinking it should last about 15-20 minutes.
However, our sessions have been lasting 25-30 minutes. Now, I'm sure those reading this are thinking, "Wow, that is awesome. You must be getting into some great conversations with them."
Well actually, to be honest, at this point in the training process, I'm just trying to see them get through the basic information I have to present. And that info comprises about 5 minutes of talking. The problem is that I spend another 30 minutes with them because most of the time is spent on crowd control.
I've gotten all of them Bibles. The first class I think 2 had a Bible. So, we now have everyone with a Bible and we read several verses and passages in class. We go over ground rules of "Only one person speaks at a time" and disruptive kids sit on the outer edge of our big room. Naturally, they see isolation as a reward and completely ignore the 1 person at a time speaking, so it continues to be a challenge to selectively discipline.
This past week we were talking about the surrendering your life; that you can't truly live until you surrender. The mid school pastor did a nice presentation. I then asked them in our small group time, what was the one key word that was said in the large group presentation? It starts with an "S."
One of the boys said, "Science?"
I tell you, I busted up laughing at that and had trouble getting serious after that. Another kid said "Solomon." I was trying to get them to say "Surrender."
There was another boy who in the middle of me talking, interrupts and says, "Is it time to leave?" I said, "Let me give you a clue. At the end is a prayer, when you hear me talk about 'closing in prayer,' then you can be ready to leave." Just amazing to me these kids. I know they can be a good. They are just not trained to be good in this setting, I believe.
Overall, though, it is a fun time with them. There are 2 or 3 that are totally uninterested and are constantly searching for ways to distract themselves or the class. At the end of October, we are having a "disciple now" weekend where I will spend a whole weekend with them at someone's house teaching them.
I hope we can have some individual time. I can't help but think that many of them are partly uninterested because they don't have a relationship with Jesus. And so are just being sent "through the motions." So, I guess they are representative of the church as a whole.
Good times.
Marching on.
