Tonight's theme for youth group was "unplugged". We focused on distractions. The opening exercise was to have them get in groups and talk about something while many distractions were going on. Then, they switched groups and the distractions were eliminated. When I asked them both at middle school and high school times to share how each one was different, both groups couldn't tell me. They are so used to having distractions surrounding them that they don't notice them anymore. This isn't the first time I've done something like that and got the same results. So, the discussion material didn't all make sense. Instead we spent time taking about the fact of being surrounded by distractions and what we can do to still work towards getting closer to God.
Last week was the first week using this Lenten curriculum and it felt awkward. This week, because the discussion wouldn't have made sense, I was able to change it based on their lives as we went on. We ended up having a really great discussion and they were able to see how some distractions are keeping them from God. They were also able to figure out things that can help remind them of God's presence in their lives. Each person picked something as a reminder of God's love for them or as a reminder to spend some time talking to God throughout this week. One youth will be talking to God twice a day while she brushes her teeth, another will be reminded God loves her when she sees the color blue, another will think of God when he sees a random act of kindness. There were so many different ways they will be reminded this week. One even chose their main distraction as their reminder of God. I love when a discussion really clicks and they find ways to use it right away.
I brought up starting my day with sending them scripture and how it's my goal to send it every weekday, but sometimes I get distracted, too. I was surprised at their strong reaction to that. When I started doing it, I wasn't sure they would like it. I thought maybe it would end up being an annoyance, almost like their daily spam text. But, as it turns out, they look forward to it and are really bummed when I don't send it for some reason. I told them to let me know and that I was human and distracted sometimes so I need to be held accountable too. I'm almost tempted to not send it just to see how many reminder texts I'll get tomorrow! But, I will send it. And, I find it encouraging to know they look forward to that moment in their day to read the Word of God. I feel blessed to share it with them.
So, where was God today? He was in our discussion and He led it tonight since it went the way He needed it to go and the way my youth needed it to go so that they could work towards a closer relationship with Him.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Last week was the first week using this Lenten curriculum and it felt awkward. This week, because the discussion wouldn't have made sense, I was able to change it based on their lives as we went on. We ended up having a really great discussion and they were able to see how some distractions are keeping them from God. They were also able to figure out things that can help remind them of God's presence in their lives. Each person picked something as a reminder of God's love for them or as a reminder to spend some time talking to God throughout this week. One youth will be talking to God twice a day while she brushes her teeth, another will be reminded God loves her when she sees the color blue, another will think of God when he sees a random act of kindness. There were so many different ways they will be reminded this week. One even chose their main distraction as their reminder of God. I love when a discussion really clicks and they find ways to use it right away.
I brought up starting my day with sending them scripture and how it's my goal to send it every weekday, but sometimes I get distracted, too. I was surprised at their strong reaction to that. When I started doing it, I wasn't sure they would like it. I thought maybe it would end up being an annoyance, almost like their daily spam text. But, as it turns out, they look forward to it and are really bummed when I don't send it for some reason. I told them to let me know and that I was human and distracted sometimes so I need to be held accountable too. I'm almost tempted to not send it just to see how many reminder texts I'll get tomorrow! But, I will send it. And, I find it encouraging to know they look forward to that moment in their day to read the Word of God. I feel blessed to share it with them.
So, where was God today? He was in our discussion and He led it tonight since it went the way He needed it to go and the way my youth needed it to go so that they could work towards a closer relationship with Him.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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