Activities
APPS AND MEDIA
Don't be afraid to use your phone or other digital de-
vice with apps as a tool—it's a great way to speak at
the middle schoolers' level. Search and download apps
for scavenger hunts, icebreaker games, Bible trivia, or
text surveys. (Remember, at this age, not all students
will have a digital device. Include everyone by doing
things in a group or providing a computer or iPad as
necessary.)
INTERVIEW A CHRISTIAN
Create a simple question-and-answer sheet (or have
students come up with their own) and allow students to
choose an adult Christian mentor to interview. Con-
sider making it more challenging by excluding family
members and church staff, or create your own twist.
What does a mature and growing faith in Christ look
like? Think about which adult mentors are put in the
path of these teens at your church and help them make
connections.
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Brainstorm a list of random acts of kindness with stu-
dents and challenge them (in groups or individually) to
complete their list before the next time you meet. Ask
them to record their interactions or take pictures of
themselves doing their acts of kindness.
BOX OF RANDOM OBJECTS
Often, youth rooms have a box full of random (and pos-
sibly silly) objects or props on hand. Such a box can
come in handy for any lesson with this scenario: have
each student reach into the box and choose one item.
Ask them how they can share God's love using that
item. Use the items in the box for skits, talking points,
or other object lessons to help encourage middle
schoolers to think on their feet.
Kaitlin (Unruh) Bauer is a DCE (CUC '09) and has served in two calls
with her DCE husband, Jeremiah. God has taken them and their
two boys from Indianapolis to Florida to Texas. For ten years, Kaitlin
has focused on confirmation and children's ministries. She resides
near Dallas and enjoys watercolor painting, fall weather, music,
volunteering, and being a stay-at-home mom.
About the Author
Middle School • 4 • cph.org • Copyright © 2019 Concordia Publishing House
