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How to integrate incoming 6th graders into youth group?
I have a few incoming 6th graders this year. If I had numbers for this I'd split and have some middle and high school small groups, but I don't. What kinds of things do you guys do (events/ lessons/ etc.) that will help incorporate them with the youth AND the youth with them?
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- davidsa...
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- 2 years ago
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We are trying some new things this year. First we have a preview service where the 6th graders and their families join us for our Jr High worship service. They are integrated in as best we can during the service. Afterward I meet with the adults/students to talk about the upcoming year. Once school is out, they are allowed to attend any of our Jr High events but not our worship service or Sunday school. This gives them limited exposure while still making them a part. Then in August we have a 6th grade party and they are "officially" moved up into the youth group. We are also looking at assigning them a Sr High mentor to help them during the year. |
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We are like southtown. We have promotion Sunday first Sunday in June and they move to their new classes. (from the nursery to the youth room, ALL ages) |
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I had about 6 move up into youth this year which is the biggest I've had in a few years. Their actual first Sunday in 'Youth' was this past Sunday. That morning I did a "what to expect in Youth group" and a bit of vision casting regarding community and Christ centeredness that all my students needed to hear. |
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Going into the summer we integrate the ones that are moving up, that way they get to participate in anything that we have going on, and the regular weekly service. Our summer is toned down to be more relational, I am having all of the youth over to my house for the next few weeks instead of at the church. This lets everyone get used to each other and mingle. But different approaches work for different churches/groups. |
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The brief heads up is that I first hold a special night just for the sixth graders in May where we do a fairly similar type night to normal, where they can see what we do, and get to meet and interact with some of our leaders/staff. Then, for one or two nights in June, they're invited to the normal program where they interact with other students, and the leaders they recently met. Sometimes I have their old children's ministry leaders or sunday school teacher come up too so there's a little more familiarity. Then, over the summer, they're invited to some of the random programs we do like pool parties. At that point, the transition is much easier when September rolls around and we lose less students in the mix. |
