HERD, For the Ride Home
Bing Nieh | Feb 19, 2010
This past Wednesday, our ministry held our first, “HERD For the Ride Home” evening. It was a night where parents were encouraged and invited to experience our typical Middle School youth group evening. The purpose of the evening was to set up an intentional time for parents and students to discuss the evening during “the ride home.”
In probably the most monumental study performed on the religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers, the postscript reminds us that youth will be more involved and serious about their faith when their parents are more involved in and serious about their faith (The results of this study are found in Soul Searching, by Christian Smith, published by Oxford Press, 2005). For our students to thrive spiritually largely hinges upon the parent.
For this reason, the youth ministry here at the Orchard aims to empower the parent to do the true “youth ministry.” We encourage you the parent to continually follow up with your middle school student after each Wednesday evening, Sunday morning, large event or service project. Reinforcing things that they experience and learn are a key component to forging a genuine faith within them. Here are some general questions, when applicable, that are good to ask:
1. What was the main point of the sermon?
2. What did you learn about God? What did you learn about humanity/yourself?
3. In light of the things you heard, what do you sense God would want you to change in your life?
4. (After returning from a service project) Why do you think it is so important for a Christian to be involved in serving?
5. (After returning from a large event) What is one moment that you will probably never forget?
6. (After returning from a large event) How did you experience God’s presence over the course of the weekend/week? What are specific examples?
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