Practicum Report #5

To: Stephen Howlett
From: Kevin Aaron
Subject: Practicum Report #5
Time: 4 Hours
Preparation: We had our youth group's annual fall festival the other night. This fall festival is a time of pumpkin painting, food, hay rides and a bonfire. I had to help come up with songs to sing as well as my usual chant. It was my task to get some college age youth to come help supervise the event. But my biggest task was to prepare the study for that night. I always love doing this event. It is a youth favorite and a chance for me to have the youth's attention. In preparation, I sat for a few minutes praying about the study. I searched my mind for things I had heard recently or things that might get the youth's attention. I was quickly drawn to a few passages I had used many times before in studies and love dearly: 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Study: I had the chance to do the study around the fire in the evening. I started off by reciting the verse to them and telling them to focus on a seemingly insignificant word repeated throughout the verse. The first part of the verse goes, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God...". I had them focus on the word "a". This word is important because it does not signify different chosen individuals or priests. It indicates one unified people, priesthood and nation. I focused hard on the idea of community and what a youth group can mean to each other. I used Matthew 18:20, which discusses the idea that where two or more are gathered, God is there with them. I also referenced a verse in the old testament that says one person is easily defeated, while a strand of 2 can be easily broken, but a cord of 3 is not easily broken. My point was that as our youth group takes on new directions and a new youth pastor soon, it is up to them to come together and make great things happen. I looked at the fire and talked about how if I were to take one coal out and throw it in the grass that coal would go cold. But when kept in the fire it stays warm, keeps other coals warm, and may even start another fire. The idea is simple, we are those coals. Alone we can easily succumb to temptation and our religious fervor can cool off. But united as brothers and sisters in Christ, we can strengthen each others' faith and fight temptation. Together, the youth group can do amazing things. And that was where I left it with them. I left them with the question of how they were going to respond to the new opportunities that lie ahead of them as a youth group.
Questions: How can I use such a study to ignite the group and encourage community?
Was there a better way to finish off such a study?
Should I have gotten the youth more involved rather than have it seem more like a devotion or sermon?