What is Middle School Ministry All About?
Middle
school students are eagerly trying to figure out “who they are” and
“how they fit in” to the world. Some days they still want to be a kid.
Some days they want to be an adult. Most days it’s both. Nothing fits
right, everything feels awkward, and there will never be a time where
they feel more pressure to know their identity.
Our goal is to help middle school students discover that their value
is found in the image of the one and only God who created them with
care. We want them not just to fit in with their peers but to inspire
others around them to live for something more than what they see today.
The pressure to conform is strong, but through decades of youth
ministry, we have found that middle school students will rise above peer
pressure and thrive if they are actively, consistently involved in
three key environments designed to build a strong foundation for life.
Three Environments
LARGE GROUP:
Jesus University, Sundays, 9:30-10:30 am in the Student Building
This is a place where our middle school students gather for a relevant message, worship, and interactive activities. We deliberately keep this time high energy, fun and engaging, so this is a place of encouragement for our current students and a welcoming introduction to Christian life for new students.
SMALL COMMUNITY:
Wednesday Nights, 7 – 8:30 pm in the Student Building
This is where our students get a chance to wrestle with what God says about their lives (using the Bible), ask questions, and get real answers. These small group communities are deliberately small so that:
- Every student has a voice;
- Students can develop close friendships with others;
- Leaders can speak into the lives of students.
SERVING TEAMS:
Sunday Mornings, 10:30 am – 12 pm at Bethel Church
Learning key issues of the faith and wrestling with how to live it out are both necessary for students to have a strong foundation for a solid faith. But without serving others regularly, not only do we miss how that knowledge connects with others, but a key piece of our Christian identity is never developed. Jesus, who we serve, said to His disciples that he “came to serve, not be be served.” As Christians, our lives must imitate that attitude.
For our Middle Schoolers, we provide:
- Weekly opportunities to serve on a team in the Church (this is hugely important)
- Regular opportunities to serve in the community