I'm 17 and starting a youth group, any advice?

Question

I come from a very large family, and most churches around here have asked us not to come back to their church because of different reasons ( some of my sibs are adopted, it's "unGodly" to have this many kids, we raise our hands and dance when we worship), so lately we've just had church with our family. My dad shares a devotional and we all pray and my brother and i lead worship. we have a large basement and there are 6 teenagers and 3 preteens in my family and we gather downstairs with our friends sometimes and have prayer services and praise and worship. we asked our parents if we could start a youth group in our basement and invite kids from our neighborhood and school to come. they are OK with the idea. we'd prolly just pray, have praise and worship, and then take turns sharing devotionals. we're not going to have any youth pastors (that's ok, right?). do you have any advice on how to actually get started and how to run the services (how long it should be, etc.)?

Answer 1

Yes, I have advice. If you are seriously seeking truth (and if you are seeking Jesus, you have to seek truth), sift through the historical rubble, and read for yourself and study the early Church from the first century to the third or fourth. Here are some links:
http://www.fetchbook.info/fwd_description/search_0140445358.html
http://www.fetchbook.info/fwd_description/search_0140444750.html
http://www.fetchbook.info/compare.do?search=0300105983

"To go deep into history is to cease to be a protestant."

Answer 2

Great idea! Had one myself back in the day. First, always invite the parents to come. Make that a standing invitation to the parents of all of the group members. Keep the youth pastors informed and on stand-by. This is to cover yourself just in case someone says something nasty about the group. Second, have a contact/buddy list so that those members (new and established) who want to can carpool, walkpool on thier way to and from the meetings. Its handy for an emergency list as well. Third, respect the members of your group UNCONDITIONALLY. Some might feel left-out or misunderstood because they may be quiet or shy or something. No teasing or pratical jokes....just Jesus!
Fourth, have some planning to go to some special event or something. Its always nice when you can. Its also another case where that buddy list comes in handy. Fundraising will have to be done with the adults/pastor but make the arrangements and save the $$ in an account that only 1-2 persons can acess. Make those people not part of the group (the reverend, perhaps) so there will be no questioning of the $$ for that particular event. Finally, put this group into God's hands and he will take care of it.

Answer 3

I am a pastor, and have recently taken over the youth group (about a year ago). Pertinent "youth" bible stories are of course David & Goliath and Joseph. But there are more. Recently we began reading the Purpose Driven Life as a group. I read it a year ago with some friends, and started a blog for sharing our answers.....some folks who participated were out of the area, and out of state. But anyway, it's a 40 day commitment, so it's not something I'd start right away. One of your first lessons could be the life of Joseph. It would probably take several weeks to complete, and you could get them all involved. As for praise & worship, I would start small......maybe a guitar and a singer or two. Drums maybe. Another fun idea is go to a public park and hang out with an acoustic guitar and sing....maybe make a picnic out of it. Anyway, just a few suggestions. Have a wonderful night, and God bless. :-) Pastor James

Answer 4

FOOD, this is a good way to attract people and have it on a evening, like Tues, Wed, Thursday. Have a FOOD gathering like order pizza or something. Have good music! Also, find a Christian band from school that will come and perform either as a concert or for worship.

The service should be no longer then an hour. But best to run 90 minutes with Worship, Prayer, Devo, Activies, and Free Time.

Answer 5

omigosh! I can't believe churches asked you to leave. That is dumb!! Go you! I am happy that you are thinking of starting a youth group! It sounds like a great idea, and of course you don't need a youth pastor! Just do what you said, pray, read the Bible, praise, worship, sounds like fun!!

Answer 6

God never turns away children, I am sure you would be blessed in Starting a youth group, God would be there to guide and speak through you, He is your pastor and Jesus your teacher.

Share each others troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
God intends for us to experience life together. The Bible calls this shared experience fellowship. ...as a youth group, this a good way to learn.

Mark 12:30

James 4:8
Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Every time you trust God's wisdom and do whatever he Say's, even when you don't understand it, you deepen your friendship with God.
The truth is -you are as close to God as you choose to be.

Perhaps keep notes to see if these sessions is to long or not long enough.
Sounds like a good thing, God bless~!~

Answer 7

First of all I want to take time and say I really thank "God" for you, for your tenacity, your courage, your youth.
I can only give you as the "HOLY SPIRIT" directs.
1st in the spirit "Jesus" wrote to us in Luke 20:21, taking note of the last sentence.
And secondly, read 1 John 2:14, "God" left on record for us that like faith without works is dead-youth with out maturity (parents, older folksstructure etc.) is dead & maturity without youth is dead.
Now the church I attend, we have a dynamic youth department.Our leaders, Mother & Bishop Byrd been married 60 years had 10 children, one died so they adopted a nice,at any rate our leaders (especially Mother Byrd) do not play when it comes to babies, young people, or families large or small.
A youth pastor is needed yes, but maybe not in the sense of
taking over, or someone new or different, or unfamiliar with your group, for the bible says to know those who labour among you (1Thessalonians 5:12)
We do need the structure of a pastor wether youth or otherwise.
There really are so many things wrong with the church, but we need our structure, we need the essence of true holiness,, we need righteousness, we need the word,.
Now, to tell you what is in my heart concerning you, I beleive that you are the youth pastor, maybe you are heavily in "God's" WORD", maybe you are not,I do not know, but I do know "God" wants you in "His" WORD",
And regardless of what you have seen, regardless of the pain you have expirience, "God" says let the wheat("His" Word in this case)grow together with the tares (The hurt and pain and misunderstandings grow together in the field (you and your family are that field), and "I" will seperate saith "God".)
The services you have, continue to do it that way, but you need some sort of structure, some rules, for if you do not you will breed some ugly stuff.
I would venture to say, your dad is the pastor, you are the youth pastor, you need structure, and as I see it, "God" has begun it, so keep it up, just get under an umbrella if possible but at all cost keep what "God" is birthing among you.
service suggestions(suggestions only!)
The services should be an hour or so
structure is important but always be open to the spirit (not a spirit to take over) but "God's" Spirit" for "HE" will interupt at times but "He" loves order (not control).
please e-mail AKNEWM or [e-mail]
by all means stay in touch, let me know if I was any help, or not you can be honest, you do not have to agree with me for me to love you

love
Missionary Shellman
b. k. a
auntie lisa or Sis. Lisa
do you have an e-mail address? I would like to send you an invite

Answer 8

Maybe a question and answer type thing. Ask the people if they have questions, and as a group you discuss them.

Very good idea, it's great to see young people doing something with their lives.

I wish you the best.

Answer 9

that's a great idea. i think the services should be approx. an hour and a half to two hours long. good luck!!! may be your dad could be the youth pastor?

Answer 10

...Remember Jesus said in Mark 10:45 that "He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many".
...Since it is easy to become inwardly-focused, make sure you plan definite service projects for others, i.e., how about helping old folks with yard work?