What is the most difficult struggle for Junior High students?
Thinking back to when I was in middle school, one of the most difficult struggles I faced was my search for identity. I was desperately looking for anyone or anything that could tell me who I was, where I fit in, and who I was supposed to become. Today, not much has changed on that front. Students are watching TV, reading magazines, joining online communities and listening to a multitude of voices (each with their own motive) all trying to tell them who they are and who they should be.
Last summer I met a middle school boy named Joe while speaking at a New England camp. One night at a campfire I found Joe sitting alone, sobbing hysterically. He told me his parents were getting a divorce and they were fighting over him. But they weren't fighting over who would get to keep him, instead they were fighting about who would have to take him. Joe felt worthless and alone, and couldn't understand why God would want a relationship with him when no one else did.
In a world where students are continually marketed to, and many feel worthless even in their home, it is more vital than ever to expose them to the love and truth of God. Genesis 1:27 says that we were created "in God's image". Knowing that God loves them enough to create them in His image can have a profound effect on a student's sense of identity. Another important truth for students to hear is that God created them to be in community together. Show students how the early church in Acts worked and lived together, and give encourage them to build relationships together based on living out the "one another's" found in the Bible (love one another, encourage one another, accept one another, etc.). That's the kind of environment students need as they begin to figure out who they are, and who God created them to become.
Conversation
I agree with much of
I agree with much of Alicia's commentary, but just to add on...: I wonder if you have ever had a class where the students can "sound off" about what is making them angry, especially if they are doing it regularly? Perhaps assign the role of "secretary" to one of the other students and have the class all talk about what makes them angry in class. It doesn't have to be just a compaint session, but a chance for them to put in their own words how they are feeling. You can also show them you are open to hearing them. Paolo Freire has an excellent book called "Pedagogy of the Oppressed," which speaks directly to the need to hear our students. It gives them a more active role in their own Christian education and we also gain a more active role in theirs. When the teacher and the students start to "butt heads together" instead of communicating, then the relationship will also weaken. This is a new opportunity to grow in discipleship for both students and teacher. God bless you in your perseverence and in your love for these kids.
Hello Inje: Working with
Hello Inje:
Working with Junior High is a great Challenge, but it can also be a great blessing if you continuially pray for your students and ask the Lord to help you remember what it was like being their age, and that you will be able to understand them instead of being so angry with them. Even thou they do not show much enthusiam in learning the Word, beleive me, they are listening and absorbing even thou they might act like they are not interested, or act silly. They are going through a growth process also. They are in a stage where they act like imature children, yet they do not want to be treated like imature children, but still they are not mature enough to be treated like grown adults. Believe me, this is a big challenge at that age. Ask the Lord to lead you in how to reach out to them. They seek for someone who will understand them and accept them as they are, Let the Holy Spirit guide you and teach you ways to reach out to them. I have been teaching Junior High and High School kids together and that is really a big challenge, because I have different ages and stages of growing up. As I said, ask the Lord to open your heart and eyes, to remind you what it was like at that time of your life, what it felt to be like them, what were your silliness, what made you sad, confused, etc. Were you able to find someone who you can trust? We tend to forget our past once we become adults, and remember their spirituallity is not at the same level as you are. Do you remember when you too were not interested in spiritual things? Learn to Love your students, and show it with a kind arm around them when you tell them to please behave in class, etc. Ask the Lord. I know your culture is different from mines, but the hearts of Junior Highs are all the same, no matter what nationality they are. I teach Latin American kids and they are no different from yours believe me. God bless you and remember Colossians 3:23-24
Hi its nice to read your
Hi its nice to read your article.
i wanna ask you 1 question, i hope you'll answer me quickly.
i am a junior high minister and i teach christian religion too. sometimes, my students getting me angry because of few things and i'm getting angry with them. after that i look up to myself and i realize that it's not a good response for what they do in the class.
how you think bout this? because i think when i'm getting angry with them, i just make my relationship with them get worst.
would answer my question? thank you so much before..
inje, Indonesia
Post new comment