6 Thoughts on Teens, Jesus, and COVID-19
God uses all seasons - even this one (which, by the way, feels like it came straight out of a movie!) All I can say is that we aren’t in control, but God is.
I can honestly say that I know I am still in the process of learning (or more like, barely scratched the surface), growing, and praying for wisdom and guidance. I think the reality is that, though things can look different around us, God can make a scene of chaos even more beautiful than we can imagine.
Here are some thoughts I been considering along the way.
Thought #1: There is no better time for Discipleship, Equipping, and Giving Opportunities to Students!
Honestly, other than school work, video games, eating, and bike rides, there isn’t much else to do! So, this is the best time to deepen in faith, grow in knowledge, and step out! At Anthem, we have had the opportunity to get teens to lead devotions, put together worship segments, and run Youth Alphas via Zoom during this time! One on one discipleship has been incredible to go over ideas, thoughts, and God’s word together.
Usually, youth have so much on the go and there is no better time than to know and share Jesus.
Thought #2: Teens Will Still Invite Their Friends!
We have heard this many times and know the validity of this statement when Youth was on site, and we can still see a ripple effect today.
Even in the middle of COVID-19, it can happen too! God is still at work, and teens can still invite their friends (I mean, they have nothing else to do - I’ve heard that even video games aren’t cutting it anymore).
At Anthem, we realize that teens invite their friends to Zoom only if they can have a sense of ownership and know that it’s okay to invite friends! The one thing I have been learning is that growth is not just about sustainability but belief in God.
Ownership can look different, but allowing them to be part of the Zoom call, in various ways, makes a difference. Get them to lead devotions, participate in rap battles, random contests, and more! If they are an active participant on the Zoom call and it’s a highlight of their day, it makes for an amazing invite! Plus, their friend doesn’t even have to leave the house. We want them to be able to create opportunities to reach their friends!
Zoom calls can be awkward, so we are learning to make it as amazing as our hangout room at Youth! Things that we do to make this better is by having icebreakers, games, conversations and leaders sharing stories! Dead silence shouldn’t be a thing. Nobody wants to invite their friend to a staring contest on a screen with 30 people looking at them!
Thought #3: What About Those Kids that Came Once, Twice, or Maybe Five Times, Two Years Ago?
Everyone has had those teens that come once or twice or those teens that used to come! I know that our databases are full of contact info from teens! But one thing this season has been fantastic for is showing me that there is still a life that needs to know the love of Christ represented within each name in that database.
There isn’t much going on right now, which means that there’s no better time than to send a text or an email reminding them of that time they came and encourage them to get connected again if they so choose! They are looking for things online to entertain themselves. It is an opportune time to reach out and invite them into a community! Over the past several weeks, we are beginning to see this happen, and it has been amazing to see kids from years past engaging again!
Thought #4: Leaders are so Valuable in this Season!
We love our leaders at Anthem and they have been doing a great job investing in the lives of teens! For example, our leaders have been running online movie nights, small groups, gaming, and much more. It’s a rough season to be an adult right now, and our leaders need to know that they are loved. We have had the opportunity to drop off coffees, other treats, encouraging cards, and sometimes just social distance visits. Our leaders are a blessing and need to be reminded of that, especially in this season!
Thought #5: Human Interaction Right Now is Worth a MILLION Bucks or at Least Season Tickets at Rogers Place.
Zoom is fantastic and online content is awesome, but right now, people are craving face to face interaction. Every week at Anthem, we pick about 10-20 kids, and these kids get a hand-delivered order of Mcdonalds or Tims that is left on the porch for them (gloves, sanitizer, and permission from parents are required) Often once we have placed the item on the porch and backed away about 20 feet, it becomes an excellent opportunity for conversation. Lately, I have been keeping a camping chair in my car, so I can pull it out and sit on sidewalks, driveways, and lawns and have great visits with students!
It has also been an amazing connection point with community kids and their families! You can also use this opportunity to check in with their parents and see how they are doing as well. Sometimes I have had it where the parents stay for the entire hour and chat, and this has been an incredible way to invite them to watch church online and let them know that they are loved.
Thought #6: Love a Teen; Love a Family! Show a Teen Jesus; Show a Family Jesus!
This statement is more real now than ever before! This is the most amazing time to love a teen, spend time with them, and check-in with their families. The conversations and connections with families that I never thought were possible are happening because God is opening hearts during a time where fear may be crippling. We are given an opportunity for engagement that is beyond the walls of a building. When we are sitting on a chair (that we bring, of course) on their lawn, we are bringing the love of Jesus right to their doorsteps!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Guest Post by Hope Thomas. Hope Thomas is one of the Youth Pastors at North Pointe Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta.
