Is it better for students to know what topics coming up, or be surprised when they get there? - MinistryQuestions.com | Ministry questions, answers, advice, and input from other ministry workers

Resolved Question

Votes

Resolved

Is it better for students to know what topics coming up, or be surprised when they get there?

Our Sunday lesson plans are set for the year and students know what we're talking about. The question, then, is what about Wednesday nights? Should we tell them in advance what we're talking about, or should they be surprised each week when they arrive?

9 Answers

In Youth Ministry
- by
- Luke
498 Views
2 years ago

Question resolved! You can't answer the question

Best Answer

Votes

I tend to not tell them what the next series is until the night it starts. Then I don't tell them when it is going to end either. I think the spontaneity of not knowing doesn't allow them the opportunity of thinking it is boring or not relevant to them.

However, I may preview a series with graphic announcement or something if I think it is going to be something that will bring them just for the teaching. But I don't do a lot of topical stuff so that is a little harder to do with a book study.

Hope that helps.

Bruiseman

2 years ago

Answers

0 Votes I like to preach in series i think it helps them coming back for more, or the continued message. Telling in advance I think helps them to prepare. I do not like fly by the seat of my pants planning. I like to plan well in advance, but also allow for the Holy Spirit to MOVE and change the direction. Also keeping in mind that JESUS CHRIST is the center and HE is the focus in what we do. by Pastor Joe 2 years ago by Pastor Joe 2 years ago
0 Votes Like Tim, we also announce the entire semester plans on our website. We also send out an email to parents and announce it at our weekly meeting right before each series. This is to excite them about what is going on, but to also help them know what is coming up (so they are not in the dark). It also helps them know what to tell their friends when they invite them to come. They hardly ever know what activity or game we are going to play each week, though, which is a great surprise. by SteveCu... 2 years ago by SteveCullum 2 years ago
0 Votes I usually announce it because, assuming our ministry is tracking with where they're at spiritually, it should excite them to come learn and discuss the spiritual direction/issue/topic we're covering. by Tim Sch... 2 years ago by Tim Schmoyer 2 years ago
0 Votes We announce series in advance and I usually talk about the next weeks lesson in the current lesson. We have a team that works to bring the music, drama, dance, etc together. I think there is a benefit for the students to know what is coming up. There are times when I do one-time lessons that the students don't hear about before hand but those only happen every couple months. by Soulshaper 2 years ago by Soulshaper 2 years ago
0 Votes I think there is some place for spontaneity (I also think that it can be dangerous) and teenager culture loves it. Personally I have a full program sorted for each term that we give to the crew and parents. It also makes a difference on how you structure your talk series (topics or exegetically). Kids may enjoy not know, but their parents don't. It is worth considering giving good information to parents about what you are looking at. Especially so that you can encourage Christian parents to actively disciple their teens at home. Attached is a link to this terms program Link Details: The Ark Program 2 years ago by Duke 2 years ago by Duke 2 years ago
0 Votes I typically tell them about 2 weeks before the next series.... I use it in hopes for them to see topics they can be excited about or invite their friend who might be going through or interested in what were talking about here is a copy of our next series by TCN 2 years ago Attachments: (1) by TCN 2 years ago
0 Votes Welcome to a double sided sword. You could keep it a surprise and then no one is open to talk about it, because they may feel uncomfortable, so letting them know before hand can let a student think about it and maybe have some questions to ask. If you let them know, maybe they think it is stupid and do not come, so by not telling them gives it a mystery and maybe you can give them a verse as mention earlier to do a pre-discussion scavenger hunt. GOOD LUCK! by DBurk 2 years ago by DBurk 2 years ago
0 Votes I typically give a purposefully vague answer when students ask what we're talking about. Often I'll say something along the lines of "we're continuing our Love out Loud series" or "We'll be looking at Matthew 19:16-26." This way it gives a hint and they'll know what to expect. Hopefully they'll go read Matthew 19 before the night. This gives me the flexibility to change things up a little depending on where I feel God is leading me before the event. by BtheYou... 2 years ago by BtheYouthGuy 2 years ago

Votes

I like to preach in series i think it helps them coming back for more, or the continued message.

Telling in advance I think helps them to prepare. I do not like fly by the seat of my pants planning. I like to plan well in advance, but also allow for the Holy Spirit to MOVE and change the direction. Also keeping in mind that JESUS CHRIST is the center and HE is the focus in what we do.

Pastor Joe

2 years ago

Votes

Like Tim, we also announce the entire semester plans on our website. We also send out an email to parents and announce it at our weekly meeting right before each series.

This is to excite them about what is going on, but to also help them know what is coming up (so they are not in the dark). It also helps them know what to tell their friends when they invite them to come.

They hardly ever know what activity or game we are going to play each week, though, which is a great surprise.

SteveCu...

2 years ago

Votes

I usually announce it because, assuming our ministry is tracking with where they're at spiritually, it should excite them to come learn and discuss the spiritual direction/issue/topic we're covering.

Tim Sch...

2 years ago

Votes

We announce series in advance and I usually talk about the next weeks lesson in the current lesson. We have a team that works to bring the music, drama, dance, etc together.
I think there is a benefit for the students to know what is coming up. There are times when I do one-time lessons that the students don't hear about before hand but those only happen every couple months.

Soulshaper

2 years ago

Votes

I think there is some place for spontaneity (I also think that it can be dangerous) and teenager culture loves it.
Personally I have a full program sorted for each term that we give to the crew and parents. It also makes a difference on how you structure your talk series (topics or exegetically).
Kids may enjoy not know, but their parents don't. It is worth considering giving good information to parents about what you are looking at. Especially so that you can encourage Christian parents to actively disciple their teens at home.

Attached is a link to this terms program

Link Details:

The Ark Program

2 years ago

Duke

2 years ago

Votes

I typically tell them about 2 weeks before the next series.... I use it in hopes for them to see topics they can be excited about or invite their friend who might be going through or interested in what were talking about
here is a copy of our next series

TCN

2 years ago

Attachments:
- (1)

Votes

Welcome to a double sided sword. You could keep it a surprise and then no one is open to talk about it, because they may feel uncomfortable, so letting them know before hand can let a student think about it and maybe have some questions to ask.

If you let them know, maybe they think it is stupid and do not come, so by not telling them gives it a mystery and maybe you can give them a verse as mention earlier to do a pre-discussion scavenger hunt. GOOD LUCK!

DBurk

2 years ago

Votes

I typically give a purposefully vague answer when students ask what we're talking about. Often I'll say something along the lines of "we're continuing our Love out Loud series" or "We'll be looking at Matthew 19:16-26." This way it gives a hint and they'll know what to expect. Hopefully they'll go read Matthew 19 before the night. This gives me the flexibility to change things up a little depending on where I feel God is leading me before the event.

BtheYou...

2 years ago

MinistryQuestions.com

Navigational Links

Unanswered Questions

Categories

Top Tags

Resolved Question

Best Answer

Answers

Miscellaneous Navigational Links