disciplesyouth.com : upcoming events: youth Sunday: planning

Youth Sunday Resources

• Overview
• Planning and Preparation
• Scripture Suggestions and Themes
• Litany for Congregations
• Meditation for Congregations
• 2007 Worship Service Model (PDF file)
• 2006 Worship Service Model (PDF file)
• 2005 Worship Service Model (PDF file)

Planning and Preparation: Youth Sunday Timeline

1. Get date for Youth Sunday on the church calendar as soon as possible

2. Two months before Youth Sunday—Meet with leadership group

• this may be Seniors, or officers, or a small group of active youth
  
• let them know that their opinions matters
  
• in this meeting do the following:
  
  • share faith stories
    
• person who shaped your faith?
  
• favorite scripture of hymn?
  
• time you felt closest to God?
  • look for common experiences from the faith stories
  • Choose a theme based on those common bonds
  • Choose a main scripture that goes with theme
• Share the theme to the youth group for approval
• Share the theme with the church to start promotion

3. Five weeks before Youth Sunday—Study the theme

• Read the theme scripture to the group(s).
  
• Read the theme scripture again.
  
  • ask everyone to listen for a word or few words that jump out
    
  • allow time to share
    
• Read the theme scripture again.
  
  • ask everyone to think about how this scripture touches their life
    
• How does it challenge them?
  
• How does it comfort them?
  
• How does it strengthen them?
  
  • allow time to share
    
• Read the theme scripture again.
  
  • ask how this theme and scripture could help the church.
    
• How does it challenge them?
  
• How does it comfort them?
  
• How does it strengthen them?

4. Four weeks before Youth Sunday - Choose parts / Design the service

• A big decision that must be made is the order of worship.
  
  • Will the youth design their own?
    
  • Will they use the traditional service of the congregation?
    
  • Will they do something in between?
    
• Another issue is who gets what parts.
  
  • Seniority is often an easy way (Oldest youth pick first).
    
  • Maybe each group has part of the service.
    
• Seniors preach,
  
• Middle school does communion,
  
• Younger youth do offering, etc.
  
• Make sure to include gifts of the youth.
  
  • Dance
    
  • Drama
    
  • Art
    
  • Poetry
    
  • Storytelling
    
  • Technology and audio-visual

5. Three weeks before Youth Sunday—Write and develop parts

• Once parts have been divided up, start writing
  
• Adult sponsors can ask questions to help get things started.
  
  • Use the study of the theme for help.
    
  • Ask what the theme means to that individual youth who is writing
    
  • Ask what is important about their part in the service
    
• Make sure NOT to write parts for youth.
  
  • This is very important!!!
    
  • Too often adults write Youth Sunday
    
  • The congregation can tell the difference between youth who are well practiced and those who are scripted!
    
  • Repeat back to the youth what they tell you.
    
  • Ask questions to help them clarify their thoughts.
    
  • Do NOT write parts for youth! (Did that get said already?)

6. Two weeks before Youth Sunday—Practice

• Go over parts one at a time from the place they will speak on Sunday.
  
• Be encouraging but honest.

7. One week before Youth Sunday—Practice Again!

• Use live Microphones if you can.
  Go in order so that everyone knows who they follow in the service.

8. 1 Day Before Youth Sunday - Practice Again!

• Have seats marked
  
• Have everyone's part typed and printed (extra copy just in case!)
  
• Walk through the service from beginning to end.
  
  • Stop to go over cues for movement to and from seats
    
  • Stop to talk about slowing down or being louder.
    
• Walk through the service again with NO cues / helps.
  
• Remind youth when to show up the next day and where to meet.

9. On Youth Sunday—Practice Again!

• Have youth show up early enough to run through once quickly
  
• Provide breakfast or what ever is needed to help parents get youth there.
  
• Gather for prayer (maybe invite ministers or elders) before service.

10. Go lead the people in worship!

11. After Youth Sunday—Celebrate

• Plan something to celebrate the work that was done.
  
  • Maybe gather to watch the service on video or just go bowling.

12. Evaluate and make notes for next year.

• Keep records of planning process and final draft of service
  
  • Assume someone else will be in charge next year when you make notes

Youth Sunday Timeline written by Lee Yates, co-pastor, First Christian Church, Maryville, Mo.

YOUth News: Read more about YOUth here.

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