I have recently began a short series with our Sunday morning high school class. It is called: The Weird Life of The HYM (Hamilton Youth Ministry). I have adapted this series from two great resources. One is Craig Groeschel’s book Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working and the other is the "Purple Gorilla" series by Philip Jenkins. There is a link to both of these resources at the end if you are interested in them.
This has been one of my favorite series’ I have taught with the kids. It began with a discussion on being weird. When first asked, most people do not want to be weird. We want to fit in and be “normal.” When we think about it though, being normal means that I give in to what the world wants me to do. I don’t stand up for God. When someone doesn’t do what everyone else is doing we often say “that’s weird."
The Bible says in Romans 12:2 that we should not be conformed to the world (don’t do what everyone else is doing) but we should be transformed by renewing our minds (be a completely different person than what the world wants us to be). If I do this, I will be weird. People will wonder why I don’t say the things others say and why I don’t act like everyone else. People might look at me as one of those weird people. If they do, I am doing something right!
Each week the teens are challenged to do something a little different. Their first challenge was to pray at every meal. For some this was nothing out of the ordinary, but the challenge didn’t end there. Before they said their prayer, there were to ask someone if they had any prayer requests. A simple but sometimes scary challenge. Their second challenge was to carry their Bible with them everywhere. Have it at school, not hidden away in a locker or backpack, but carrying it with them. The second part of the challenge was to read one chapter a day from their Bible. They could choose any chapter they wanted as long as they read something every day.
There will be more challenges given but I cannot spoil it for anyone by telling what they will be here. For those in the class, they will be hearing more each week about being weird. If you are not in the class, you will have to find someone who is in the class or talk to me later and I will fill you in.
The secret is, we are all weird. It simply means you are different. Christians are supposed to be different. I remind the kids at the end of each class that this is not about being showy. It is about doing things that Christians do, even if it makes you feel a little weird.
Will you do something weird today?
Check Out Philip’s “Purple Gorilla” Series Here
Check Out Craig Groeschel’s Book Here
This has been one of my favorite series’ I have taught with the kids. It began with a discussion on being weird. When first asked, most people do not want to be weird. We want to fit in and be “normal.” When we think about it though, being normal means that I give in to what the world wants me to do. I don’t stand up for God. When someone doesn’t do what everyone else is doing we often say “that’s weird."
The Bible says in Romans 12:2 that we should not be conformed to the world (don’t do what everyone else is doing) but we should be transformed by renewing our minds (be a completely different person than what the world wants us to be). If I do this, I will be weird. People will wonder why I don’t say the things others say and why I don’t act like everyone else. People might look at me as one of those weird people. If they do, I am doing something right!
Each week the teens are challenged to do something a little different. Their first challenge was to pray at every meal. For some this was nothing out of the ordinary, but the challenge didn’t end there. Before they said their prayer, there were to ask someone if they had any prayer requests. A simple but sometimes scary challenge. Their second challenge was to carry their Bible with them everywhere. Have it at school, not hidden away in a locker or backpack, but carrying it with them. The second part of the challenge was to read one chapter a day from their Bible. They could choose any chapter they wanted as long as they read something every day.
There will be more challenges given but I cannot spoil it for anyone by telling what they will be here. For those in the class, they will be hearing more each week about being weird. If you are not in the class, you will have to find someone who is in the class or talk to me later and I will fill you in.
The secret is, we are all weird. It simply means you are different. Christians are supposed to be different. I remind the kids at the end of each class that this is not about being showy. It is about doing things that Christians do, even if it makes you feel a little weird.
Will you do something weird today?
Check Out Philip’s “Purple Gorilla” Series Here
Check Out Craig Groeschel’s Book Here