Yes, God Does Speak to Junior High Students

I sighed, inwardly groaning. It was the final day of junior high summer camp and my campers were not listening during the final cabin discussion out of Acts. To say that we were “discussing” is an overstatement. No one wanted to discuss. No one wanted to read. No one wanted to pray. One charitable student was giving a fake snoring demonstration. Another decided he was tired of the Bible and refused to open it. The rest were either mildly interested or began asking bizarre questions about Halo and lunch.

Frustration was slowly rolling over me. Why didn’t they see how exciting Acts was?

Generally, it had been a great week of summer camp. Worship was powerful, teenagers had come to Christ, and the activities had been injury free. The cabin devotion time, though, had been rough. Despite reading all the verses, doing all the activities, and having thoughtful curriculum most of the guys were constantly distracted or silent. Blank stares or off-topic questions about paintball often greeted each one of my carefully planned discussion questions.

Counselors and other small group leaders often echo these frustrations, especially with junior high. We mourn because students do not seem to care about the biblical study topic. We lose sleep trying to find ways to interest them. Now, I am not an expert on small group ministry, but the Lord used this frustrating camp experience to bring about a few changes to my small group teaching approach.

Sometimes we forget how capable teenagers are. The junior high class I co-teach, for example, is a great reminder of this. Each week it seems like one student shows up and knows exactly how many days and hours it is until he can get his learner’s permit to drive. For some students, this goal is two or three years away, yet they already know that they are ready to drive. For other older students, that goal is coming in a few months and they tell me of their hard study so they can pass the test and receive that coveted permit.

In addition, they often remind me of school and this shows me their capabilities. I hear about writing essays, doing pre-algebra, and even reading some of the classics. These teenagers, though in junior high, are no longer children. They are growing up and are learning more complicated subjects.

In ministry, though, sometimes we forget this. I certainly did during the experience at camp. Sometimes we approach our time with junior high students like we would when we are teaching pre-schoolers. We think our goal is to simply read a verse and then ask questions about the verse so that the group will see a certain point of view and grasp the concept the curriculum is teaching. Sometimes, this is necessary, but if we do this constantly, then we forget something very important: God can speak to junior high students.

Josiah became king when he was only eight years old, meaning that he was king through the “junior high” years. While he probably consulted wiser people for help, the Word tells us in 2 Chronicles 34:3 that he began to seek God early in life. Moreover, we see similar examples of God speaking to young people like Samuel (1 Samuel 3) and Jesus (Luke 2). God, our sovereign Lord, can speak to junior high students and make them passionate about His Word.

Clearly, we all know this. I knew it at camp. Yet, my teaching “style” did not reflect this knowledge. I expected the campers to simply sit and answer questions about a text and then answer more questions about what they “learned” and then listen to me talk about what they actually did learn. Certainly, a place does exist for leaders to talk and to help the group exegete biblical texts, but to do that exclusively is, in my opinion, rather stiff and ignores the fact that God can and does move in the hearts of teenagers outside of church and Sunday school.

Recently, in the junior high Sunday school class I co-teach, we have made a few slight changes in order to recognize this fact. Each week we do have a certain lesson objective that we talk about, usually in a detailed way. We talk about Scripture and we do activities. Each week, though, after reading a section of verses, I simply ask before introducing a topic, “What do you guys learn from this? What jumps out at you? What does God show you through this passage?” Sometimes, silence meets the question and we proceed to the lesson, which is fine. Other times and very often, though, a few students will actually have something to say regarding these verses.

This is actually beneficial for several reasons. First, it shows students that leaders are willing to listen. We show that we actually have an interest in a their lives and what God is doing. If a student does speak up, then we are to give our full attention. We listen intently, giving them our time and respect. We defeat the purpose of this if we fidget around or fill out the roll while they are talking. Many teenagers are quite passionate about things in the Bible, but we rarely give them an opportunity to share these passions. In a way, we look down on them by acting like we know everything and simply not being willing to listen to them talk about Jesus.

Secondly, doing this often brings up issues that are more important and relevant to the group. As teachers, ministers, or counselors, we obsess over trying to make our lessons “relevant.” Yet, this method actually brings these issues to the forefront. Suddenly, students are sharing what God does in their life and even asking questions. This is a biblical concept. 1 Corinthians 7:1 leads off with Paul saying, “About the things you wrote…” Paul devoted part of his letter to answer questions and deal with relevant issues that came directly from the church itself. We should do the same.

Lastly, this can actually be a great time to correct strange and incorrect theology. Many teenagers today are raised with parents of different religions or grew up in different faiths. As a result, sometimes teenagers respond with things that are a little wacky and not in line with Scripture. Leaders, then, can take the opportunity to gently correct and teach from Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16)

I am not an expert on ministry or small group discussion and this “method” is not a quick fix. I have focused more on junior high because that is where I have the most experience. However, this is something the Lord has been showing me and I believe that it can be beneficial for small group discussions of any age, especially junior high and high school. It is also useful for building relationships and simply listening to a small group. Remember, God does speak to junior high students. In fact, He can speak to students of any age. And, what He says is always worth our time and attention.