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How to deal with disrespectful junior high students?
I know, if anyone knew how to absolutely fix this they'd write a book and make millions. But, I could use your insight.
I'm starting to see a pattern of disrespect within our junior high ministry. Things like being squirrely and getting off-topic I can handle. Even the occasional refusal to participate. But after playing a game last week some of the students said to a female leader, "Too much McDonald's, huh? Maybe that's why you are fat and couldn't catch us." That's not okay.
So, moving passed the "won't help but I'd feel better" solution of sitting on their heads until they apologize, how should I handle reminding the students of the need for respect in our group?
- 4 Answers
- In Leadership
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- by
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- Luke
- 794 Views
- 1 year ago
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I'm not a big fan of overly emphasizing rules. I think youth group should be a place that is fun and where kids can be themselves. But boundaries need to be established. One thing I've seen is a group had a 1-word rule. "Respect". That meant students respected 1) God, 2)adult leaders, 3) the church facility) 4)each other. We approached this in a less simplistic way. We had some issues like this and I had the students tell me how they thought we should act at meetings. They told me some things. I compiled them in a covenant that we agreed upon. then I spent 4 weeks teaching through the covenant from the Bible. |
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I'm not a big fan of overly emphasizing rules. I think youth group should be a place that is fun and where kids can be themselves. But boundaries need to be established. One thing I've seen is a group had a 1-word rule. "Respect". That meant students respected 1) God, 2)adult leaders, 3) the church facility) 4)each other. We approached this in a less simplistic way. We had some issues like this and I had the students tell me how they thought we should act at meetings. They told me some things. I compiled them in a covenant that we agreed upon. then I spent 4 weeks teaching through the covenant from the Bible. |
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To extend what Paul is saying, I've never had to make a contract with kids, but Ive tried to keep that sort of idea out of our big group meetings, small groups are different. But Id just stress the 1 on 1 meeting with the kids, or mayve just you and the leaders of that disrespectful group to work out a solution. Its a tough situation , im not sure if their families are in the church,but if they are obviously you can see fit as to the involvement of the parents (dont want the parents to go overboard on the kids) but if their families arent in the church then you have to be careful to not make the students feel unwelcome at group again. |
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We had to implement a 'contract' (see link for a copy) with a group that we work with. So we drew one up WITH the young people. Then had a meeting with them where we explained the contract and said the results of breaking it. Also I try to meet 1 2 1 with particular young people who are disruptive and I ask them to help me (giving them the power) in inproving the group and asking suggestions. Link Details: 1 year ago
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