Teaching: Ministering outside of the lesson

Ministering outside of the lesson:

As youth leaders, one of the most difficult things is to prepare and deliver our lessons. While it is true that the content of our teachings are central to providing information to the youth, which we hope can follow with transformation, there is much more to it than just doing your best during your teaching time. In fact, if you are aware of the opportunities, much more is accomplished when there is unplanned time during your meeting.

If your meetings are similar to others, there is plenty of free time while students are arriving. They are waiting for everyone to arrive and others are running late but you are eating donuts and playing a game. How can you maximize this time?

Similarly, when they finish the lesson, and it is time for them to go, there are many times when some stay for a while. There are always two or three who are always waiting for someone to pick them up. Perhaps you are in the habit of taking one or two young people home. Are you doing your ministry or caring for the young people during that time?

The time before and after the meeting is a good time to minister to the students. Below are some practical ways to use every opportunity to influence students about Christ.

- Build relationships
Instead of just sitting back and letting the youth talk to each other, be part of the conversation. Don't be rude, but ask them questions about their week and talk a little more about their families, learn more about who they are. Not only will it help you get to know them better, but they will get to know you a little better.  It will also give you direction on how you can teach them something that is relevant when you know what is going on in their lives.

- Give encouragement
As long as you are involved in students' lives, there are going to be plenty of opportunities to help students grow. Make it a habit to give a complement to a student who isn't noticed much. If you heard from their parents or if you read about something your students did, write them a note or just let them know that you know a little about their success. That can show them that they care about you.

- Give advice
When you stay behind with a student, you can ask them questions, take your time when sharing scripture with them and their particular situations. Take a few moments to share a time in your life when something similar happened. Help them as you can because they are going to appreciate that more than your lesson (and that's okay!).

- Prayer
What happens when your before and after time looks more like a prayer vigil instead of a competition to see who can eat the most cookies? What if instead of telling the student, "I'm sorry," you could take some time to pray with them? These random acts of prayer can be remembered by them seeing that you care about them and it teaches them that when they are going through difficult times, they can pray for those times.

- Involve children who are not connected.
Before the meeting begins, it is a good time to introduce new students. Help them discover things they have in common and make sure they feel comfortable.

- Creatively support your teaching
Make the before and after part of the lesson. Instead of thinking about how to teach the lesson that takes 30 minutes, think about the learning experience that begins when students walk in the door. We tried this once and it worked well. It got the kids thinking about what was going to happen next and while they don't think it has to do with anything, they are going to see that it is connected to their teaching time afterwards (just so you know, this wasn't my idea, so I can't take credit but I hope you like this idea).

A disclaimer - never, under any circumstances, bring an individual student into your home, car, or classroom alone, make sure it is where others can see you. In our world today, it is important for the Church to be above reproach in sensitive areas of ministry.

There are probably other ways you can be effective in the moments before and after the meetings begin. Sit down and brainstorm ways you can do a little more with your ministry in the lesson time until all the time you have. You will have lots of ideas and the results will be amazing!