Challenge them to change their world
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Dictionary: to invite or summon someone to do something, to make demands on, to stimulate, a call to engage in something. Thesaurus: to arouse, call out, dare, provoke, require, test.
Young people both love, need and respond to a challenge.
In the country I grew up in (England) there is a nationwide scheme called the Duke of Edinburgh awards (named after the husband of the
Queen of England). It challenges young people in 4 sections at 3 levels - service, expeditions skills and physical recreation (www.theaward.org) - all in a non competitive environment.
There is also Youth Challenge International (www.yci.org) in Canada, Australia, Guyana and Costa Rica. Youth Challenge is in Singapore (www.youthchallenge.org.sg). and they are just from the first page of a Google search!
Whole organisations exist to challenge young people to make a difference. One of the websites has this slogan - ‘Life is a challenge - meet it’.
Coupled with the love of a challenge and wanting to be stretched and asked to go beyond - far beyond - their perceived potential is the inner desire to make a difference to their world.
My suggestion is that you harness these motivations and develop your youth group at the same time. If you plan and think creatively it could also produce some publicity for your group and open avenues for increased funding.
There are many areas worthy of investigation - here are some starter suggestions:
Environment
- Clean up a local park or lake or street or mall
- Plant trees, shrubs or a rose garden
- Work with an animal shelter
In this area you don’t need to reinvent the wheel - offer the
willing hands of your group to an existing project or scheme. Local
press will have details or contact your local government office for a list of possibilities.
Community Service
- Work with an aged care facility
- A kindergarten or nursery
- Care for people with disabilities
Overseas/Interstate project
There is an additional dynamic when you include a travel component even if it is to a neighbouring city and working in partnership with another youth group.
Evangelistic Challenge
You can also issue a spiritual challenge requesting your group reach out to others either locally or as part of a travel project. They could do drama or dance, a full-scale production or host a dinner - the list is endless. You might also want to check out www.youth-challenge.org for ideas.
Summary
Make your youth group the happening place, challenge them to feed the hungry, visit the prisoner because in doing so ….
