Both Sunday morning and Wednesday evening Bible classes are separated into junior
high ( 7th - 8th ) and senior high( 9th - 12th ), which meet in the 2nd story of
the educational wing. The junior high teachers are rotated under the direction of
our educational deacons and the senior high class is taught by our Associate Minister.
Our current curriculum is in tandem with the congregation-wide study, which fosters
growth in family studies within the home.
Every Sunday night, after evening assembly, our teens ( 7th - 12th ) meet at a host
home for singing, food, fellowship and a devotional thought usually brought by one
of the young men in the youth group. It is an open atmosphere where inviting friends
is strongly encouraged.
On school nights, the devotionals generally conclude by 8:45 PM.
Every other Monday night, during the school year, our 9th-12th graders meet at the
building to engage in an in-depth look into God's word on a variety of subjects
that our teenagers are currently questioning. Afterward, we engage the visitors
and/or members of our youth program through personal visits, phone calls, or sending
cards. It is a great way to strengthen those with limited connection to the youth
group. Engage goes from 7-9 PM.
These studies create bonds within our younger age group as we meet together at a
host home to look at issues related to their questions and/or faith development.
No question is too foolish to ask for the answers are never discovered otherwise.
The environment is a perfect place to invite friends. After the study, we have time
left over for snacks and fellowship (hanging out). FNBS is from 7-9 PM, every other
Friday night, during the school year.
Classroom attractiveness, teen bulletin boards, monthly and/or yearly calendars
are included in this category. As for the classrooms, relevant posters and/or wall
creations are encouraged from the teen perspective. The only limitation is "no
painting of the walls."
The teen bulletin boards (located in the main hallway and in the classrooms) are
stocked with information (such as calendars of activities) that needs to be continually
maintained and updated.
Bible Bowl is a competition in which participants (7th grade through adult) take
a series of tests over a chosen book of the Bible. The event is sponsored by Abilene
Christian University and awards are given to individuals and teams. Regardless of
the recognition received, every participant is blessed in knowing the Word of Life
on a more intimate level. Group study times are generally held on Sunday afternoons
from September to April.
Creating opportunities for our teens to reach beyond their own comfort zones in
serving the needs of the community is the practical side of Christianity. There
are as many ways to serve as there are people in this world, so the slate is wide
open. Events such as the "Adopt-a-Highway" program and "Random Acts
of Kindness Days" can be as simple or elaborate as the imagination allows.
Basically, anything that moves us from the theoretical to the practical is what
will shape us in becoming more Christ-like.
Spending time together is essential to developing relationships. Providing opportunities
for our teens to "just hang out" will go a long way in opening doors of
mutual edification and encouragement because the more we know one another, the easier
it is to deepen our common bond in Christ. Any avenue in which to get the group
together works wonders and the church building facilities provide ample space to
accomplish this end.
Deciding on a college to attend is a tough choice for any teenager. Church-sponsored
trips to various college campuses gives teens an inside look at what some colleges
have to offer and counselors are always on hand to provide further follow-up information.
While it is impossible to visit every campus out there, at least the process of
evaluation can be put into motion.
Families like to get together and celebrate the holidays and the youth group is
a family. Sponsoring parties in conjunction with certain holidays gives teens a
chance to celebrate together in their own unique way. Plus, the terms "teenager"
and "party" go hand-in-hand and celebrating together with your spiritual
peers becomes as treasured as the holiday itself.
At various times throughout the year, it's nice to get away from the routine
of home. Taking time away to rest on a camping trip, to pour out on a service trip,
or to be filled up by a youth rally in another city is always a refreshing experience.
Obviously, some of our activities are already considered to be in this category
but others periodically spring up for which organization needs to be implemented.
Creating and maintaining peer relationships with other youth groups in the area.
The activity behind this word is youth groups ( 7th - 12th ) from the surrounding
Bay Area meeting together at hosting congregations for a night of praise, edification
and encouragement. Generally, every Monday night during the summer months is reserved
for these devotionals. As well, two youth rallies are held (one in the Spring and
one in the Fall) to kick-off and wrap-up the themes of each year.
We provide an alternative to the senior high prom for those who do not wish to be
involved with the atmosphere of the school-sponsored event. Also known as a "Senior
Trip," the senior class invites the junior class to attend an elegant dinner
with their dates (optional of course) on a Friday night. Afterward, the seniors
travel together to a destination of their choice for a weekend of activities, all
of which are planned and coordinated by their own efforts.
Around graduation, the congregation likes to honor the 12th graders with a special
celebration luncheon and reception. Life transitions are as difficult as they are
rewarding and before our seniors head out on their own, the church family extends
some final blessings as they begin their new journey in life. Pictures and videos
of captured moments are shared as are some good-natured roasting, and a "Last
Will & Testament" given by each senior.
While it is never the intention of drawing teenagers away from time-honored family
celebrations, Easter weekend provides the perfect time of year for our spring retreat.
Camp Hensel (for 7th - 12th graders) is located close to Lake Travis, just north
of Austin. It is a weekend experience of intense spiritual learning, unlike and
unmatched by any other retreat of the year. Structured Bible study, recreation,
and devotionals drive home the goal of becoming more Christ-like in our faith walk.
Traditionally, our summer camp session (for 7th - 12th grade) is the 2nd full week
in June at Camp Bandina, just north of San Antonio. This unique summer camp is non-stop
activity; from dawn to dusk and sometimes beyond! It is guaranteed to challenge
the faith of our growing teens. Twice daily Bible classes, nightly sermons, amazing
singing and wacky sports fill the week. Over a dozen other youth groups join us
in this camp. Friendships made here are renewed throughout the year.
Technically, this category isn't part of our youth group activities. Nonetheless,
it is under the oversight of our youth program as a precursor to youth group life.
This 5-day camp is provided for our 3 through 6 graders and is located in Corsicana,
TX. The purpose of this camp is to establish relationships with other youth groups
in a structured atmosphere of growing closer to God and one another, while learning
more about what kind of person God expects us to be.
The League City congregation has a long-standing tradition of supporting the mission
fields, and not just financially. Our campaigns include trips to Dominica (in the
Caribbean), Singapore and Belarus, sometimes in the same year. Many of our young
people have received their start in ministry due to these efforts. Learning to effectively
share the Gospel is not only for the purpose of converting the lost overseas but
reaching the lost in our own backyards as well.
Our Fall retreats are typically a weekend trip aimed at developing closer relationships
within our own group while creating deeper ties to the Lord.
Our senior high retreat (9th - 12th grade) is usually held at Gulf Coast Christian
Camp, located just outside Columbus (that would be in Texas) but sometimes we resort
to "in house." Our junior high retreat (6th -8th grade) rotates
between 3 state parks, all within a 2-hour drive.
These all-night events are designed for intense learning and physically draining
fun. Hugely popular with teenagers, Lock-ins often last 12 hours, either at the
beginning or end of school and/or the New Year. However, many requests are often
made of having more of them.
With the pressures of life constantly bombarding teenagers, the chance to refocus,
regroup, and re-energize at a Lock-in provides much needed relief and encouragement.
Every youth group creates its own dynamics with its own resources of ideas that
fit the group at the time. The following is a list of old and new ideas this youth
program has used or wants to use with your help. These ideas are special in and
of themselves or can be added to our existing list of activities.
- Wilderness Trek
A 5-day backpacking trip in the Colorado mountains during the summer months with
professional guides who teach leader- ship skills, personal and group accountability,
and incredible spiritual applications
- Spring Break Ski Trip
A fun time for those interested, but usually an activity not planned in the same
year as Trek for the sake of cost
- Singing at Baywind Nursing Home
On the first Wednesday night of the month, in lieu of Bible class, the teens sing
hymns for the residents
- March Madness Basketball Tournament
- Turkey Bowl (flag football game)
- Guys & Girls Nights (obviously separated)
- Movie Nights
- Saturday Picnic & Bible Study
- Bring A Friend Day
- Breakfast Devos (SonRise)
- Planning & Leading of PM Assembly
- Cereal Night
- Beach Cookout
- Hosting Devos for Younger Grades
- Grade Specific Activities
