Branches of Service: Youth Group Leader

When approached by Plants & Pillars to write an article about being a youth leader, it made me reflect on the past two years of leading a young adults group within my church and seeing how the Lord has blessed our group. Two years ago, the youth advisory committee of our church and some young adults decided to restructure the young adults group at our church. Instead of meeting in the evening on Sundays at one location, we decided to go from house to house with the group and share a meal and then do a study, led by ourselves. Sharing a meal together before our study allowed for fellowship and getting to know one another better. Meals are usually a potluck style with host families providing the main course. The studies have included “When People are Big and God is Small” by Ed Welsch and the letter to the Ephesians through a study guide from Crossway. The young adults are encouraged to prepare beforehand by reading the chapter and writing down their thoughts and reflections.

At the beginning we were not sure how this would work, but over the course of the first year, there was more enthusiasm, and our group became closer, creating many friendships. Throughout the year, we organized social events within our group, such as pumpkin carving, a gingerbread house contest, and events with other young people in the area, like a trivia night and skating. This year we have seen our group double in size! It has been a privilege to be part of the young adults group.

During our meetings, we break up into smaller groups to encourage more discussion. A smaller group makes it more comfortable to have deeper discussions and everyone can participate. The leadership of these groups is shared among four young adults and others stepping up to help lead the discussions. Often the host families will sit in on the study, which has been a blessing for us as a group to hear their thoughts on the topics that we discuss. Over the last couple years, we have learned from God’s word together, and been challenged in our faith and to put it into practice. It has been a blessing to study and grow together as young adults. Following the Bible study, we all meet back together and end the evening in singing together.

As a leader in my young adults' group, my role is mainly administrative, as I take care of organizing and sending out messages and arranging host families throughout the months. Often this will include sending out bulletin announcements and planning and arranging regular meetings and social events. For the meetings and discussions, I make sure I’ve read the study material ahead of time, and have answered the questions, so that I can help to facilitate and encourage conversation during the discussion.

Youth groups and young adult groups are very important as they help form us for life and leadership as confessing Christians in the church and in the world. What is special about the young adults' group that I am a part of is that we are self-run. This gives an opportunity for individuals to step up in particular ways and we have seen that over the past two years. We hope and pray that the Lord will bless this time in our lives by His grace and to His glory.