Young Adults and Life Issues Session

Preparation

• Ask teachers to bring their copy of this resource or print the articles in the section "Young Adult and Life Issues" and make copies for your participants.
  
  
• Gather five shoe boxes, several recent newspapers and magazines, glue sticks, markers, and scissors.
  
  
• Place one shoe box and materials in each corner and the center of the room.
  
  
• Assign each area one of the life issues: Marriage, Single Young Adults, Maturity, Philosophies, and Change.

Reflect and Practice

1. Open the session with prayer.
   
   
2. Ask your participants to be creative during this session. Say, "Select an issue in one of the corners or the center of our room. Go to that area and start working on a collage dealing with that issue. Cut out pictures and key words that illustrate the implications of the issue and effective ways to deal with that issue. Glue them to the box. Prepare two questions to lead the group in a time of reflection on your issue.
   
   
3. Let the participants work in their groups. At the appropriate time ask them to come back together and begin the presentations and reflections.
   
   
4. Conclude the session by identifying ways teachers and leaders can minister to people in their groups regarding these issues. Ask, "What can our study group do to influence our church leaders to respond to these issues in our church and community?"
   
   
5. If this is your last session, spend a few moments reflecting on the experiences participants have had with this study. Ask, "What difference has this experience had on the way you teach and minister? What actions can we take to encourage our church family to be more intentional in ministering to young adults?"
   
   
6. Close with a concert of prayer where teachers and leaders verbalize the names of young adults in their groups at the same time. Open the prayer time for specific requests and concerns about understanding young adults in your church and community.