Chris Hilken Talks About Four Great Activities for Church Youth Groups

Youth groups that are a part of churches give young children a place to grow, connect, and deepen their faith in an environment that is supportive and nurturing. One of the significant parts of youth groups is all the different activities they do, and these activities play a big role in creating that space that makes them feel safe. Chris Hilken talks about four different activities you can do in church youth groups.

Service Projects

Having young individuals do service projects can significantly impact development and skills. Service projects have them working together on initiatives like organizing a fundraiser for a charitable cause, volunteering, or participating in a community clean-up. Service projects can foster empathy, compassion, and responsibility. They give the young individuals the value of giving back and also let them see the true impact they have.

Interactive Bible Studies

Activities like interactive bible studies are a great way to get young individuals into scriptures while making it fun, interactive, and engaging. You can use modern technology, group activities, discussions, and multimedia to make things more relatable and compelling to them. You should encourage open dialogue and make the space safe for them to ask questions and different perspectives so they can connect deeply with their faith and understand what it means to them in their life.

Creative Arts Workshops

For young individuals who love to be artistic and creative, a creative arts workshop could be perfect for them. These workshops are powerful in showing self-expression and their spiritual exploration. You can host different workshops for music, drama, writing, and painting in the youth group, and they might unleash hidden talents they never knew they had. These talents can be a way for them to express their faith in a new and innovative way. Creative arts workshops encourage creativity and give a more profound reflection and interpretation of religion.

Outdoor Retreats and Adventures

Being outdoors for retreats and adventures can give young individuals a nice break from the daily routine and a chance for spiritual rejuvenation and bonding. This can be hiking, retreats, or camping trips in a natural setting, giving an excellent backdrop for everyone to connect with nature and their faith.

Conclusion

Including these diverse activities in your youth group can ensure that your group will be a place for them to not only learn about their faith but also be able to live it through their daily lives. They can create a strong future foundation as members of the community. All four activities can facilitate spiritual growth and create lasting friendships and memories, making the experience transformative.

About Chris Hilken:

North Coast Church is a multi-site church that frequently ranks among America’s biggest and most creative congregations. Christopher Hilken was part of a three-person teaching team that cycled weekend duties for live classes that were also broadcast to our distant campuses. During his tenure at North Coast, Chris led junior and young adult ministries. On the Vista campus of his church, Chris Hilken founded ElevenTwelve, a high school ministry program for 11th and 12th graders. He started with two volunteers and thirty attendees. When he passed the torch to his successor, Chris had built the project to over 60 volunteers, seven staff members, and over 300 participants. Christopher was also a significant part of the church’s growth. He helped the young adult ministry expand to a multi-venue location with 800 members. Chris Hilken is a San Diego, CA, pastor who also works as a professor teaching Systematic Theology at Summit Bible College. Chris helps his students explore the systemic approach toward the substance and framework of religion.