I would like to see us explore how you would teach tougher topics to junior highers like Spiritual Disciplines.

For a topic....how about teaching Middle School Students Theology without putting them to sleep.

NASHVILLE

1. For choosing topics and coming up with an outline...I would like to learn how this process is shaped more. For example, many time I feel that some of the YS curriculum authors really bend scripture in order to make their point of a lesson while not taking context into importance.
2. So far I am encouraged with the outline. But I will keep you updated on if I gather more ideas.
3. I have only been doing youth min for about 5 years, so I have more experience with struggles than knowledge, especially when it comes to crafting or re-crafting other peoples curriculums and making it work with my group.
4.
a. Hebrews, Acts, or something that takes the group through the story of the OT, almost in a story telling method while keeping a central point to it all (have not figured this out yet). This being encouraged with how Bell tells his story in his most recent book.
b. What is my roll in life? Why don't I fit in, why do I fit in here but not over there. Where should I fit in.
c. What REALLY is a relationship with God. I can't hear or see God. So then what? How come you sense God and I don't?
d. I have a few ...as mentioned above practical theology for middle schoolers. Possibly how an american youth can get involved with furthering the kingdom of God by upholding social justice. Or if there is a way we can teach why church, why do we do church the way it is today, how should we do church or youth group while making it relevant to a middle school student and not losing our job in the process.


These are just all starting points that I am farting out. I am really excited that you are doing this Marko...I wish I would have figured out how to use this sooner.

hey guys -- thanks for commenting. tell ya what -- since no one had interacted for sacramento, and it's THIS week!, i had to "punt" a bit, and re-create how i would make the seminar still collaborative onsite, but without the wrestling i hoped would come here. so let me "test" it there, and i'll get back to you.

Thanks Marko! Perhaps even just giving us a basis of how the process went will help us ahead of time. I imagine they will all be somewhat the same yet still different in their own right.

Look forward to hearing how the first conference goes!

I like the outline of the time. As far as content, my vote would be for Scripture and then social justice. Maybe even how they are connected. My population in MS is 85% boys so I need something that is not sitting around in a circle everyday stuff.

hey all -- our time in sac went well, but i'll make adjustments for n'ville. i led about 15 minutes of group discussion, then did about 45 minutes of teaching on curric development. that only left us about 30 minutes to collaboratively work on coming up with a teaching plan for a lesson on the theme "God's love for you" (see the modification i made to the original post, above). that wasn't enough time -- so i'll make some changes so we have at least half of our time for that process.

Hey guys (er, so far) - I'll be at Nashville, too. Marko, I like the topic. I think the question of "so what?" will be very helpful in this one. My guess is that most junior highers don't even think about this topic yet much, let alone ask the question of "so what?" However, it's something that, once they know it, can feed into their very personality and add to their self esteem.

So, what can we do here? What do you need from us here before the convention? Are you wanting us to fill in some ideas for the modification you made above? or are you wanting some feedback right now on that, and we'll fill in the ideas at the session itself?

sam -- nothing needed before the convention. just come ready to roll your sleeves up and create!