Make The Most Of Your Teens

Teenagers most often drop out of Sunday school because they feel it is unimportant in their lives. If you will involve your teens in the work of your Sunday school, it will make a big difference in how they feel about it. Teens like to feel that they are contributing something. Use your youth in the worship programs of your various Sunday school departments. Younger children will respond well to them and the teens will enjoy a worship program provided by their own peers. It is important to discover the unique talents of your Sunday school members and give them assignments that will allow them to use their talents and will provide them with a task that they will feel comfortable performing. This should not prevent them from being involved in the actual lesson time in their own class and will encourage well-planned worship periods for each department in the Sunday school. Teens can also help in other areas of Sunday school administration, such as following up absentees, manning the Sunday school library, or helping to plan special events and social activities. Using teens on a limited, once-a-month basis as teachers' helpers in the Children’s Department can also help get the youth involved in the work of the Sunday school and help train them as the teachers and leaders of tomorrow. The secret to keeping teens in the Sunday school is to get them involved.

(This article appeared in the "Winter, 1998-99" issue of "The Herald.")