SCHOOL GROUPS IDEAS PAGE
Why schools groups:
A decreasing number of secondary schools have Christian groups in them. Christians youth are also facing increasing social discrimination and pressure – sometimes being negatively judged due to religious stereotypes given by our media. In this environment it’s important that Christian youth are encouraged and helped to stand together. They should never have to deny their faiths to be accepted or fit in. They also carry a message of hope that is very much needed in this social climate. Let’s get Christian school groups happening again – and lets’ do this in a way that’s clear thinking, respectful and fun!
The core resource:
We will eventually create some ‘school groups training’ videos – just like the ‘equipping’ and ‘youth leadership’ ones already found at this website.
The suggested ethos for school groups:
We suggest that groups areL
(i) Student led, and adult encouraged
(ii) 90% focused on blessing the school / students / teachers, while only 10% about the Christian message — because our message and words need to match (and these efforts are often a bridge to conversation, rather than being the place where the full conversation takes place).
The suggested approach:
(i) Partner — with other students of like mind
(ii) Pray – about what you could do
(iii) Action – do it
(iv) Persevere – keep this process going
Resources:
Below are some ideas. We also note the 101 ideas for school groups magazine from ‘New Generation’ found HERE (or a similar version of the same here).
How to guide: How to lead a city youth leaders network
(Idea - use this as a discussion document at your next youth leaders gathering - or better, invite me to shay the same thing 'in person' via zoom or skype. There are discussion questions at the bottom. dave@shininglights.co.nz) I remember when I led my [...]
Take the Hope Story Challenge
#hopestory challenge This idea is INTERNATIONAL - with the hope of seeing MILLIONS of videos posted, starting May 2020. > See a 1min promo video at youtube here > The reach on social media even just in NZ can be HUGE if 50 or more [...]
Turning Easter into an opportunity
From Raki Wiringi - Godtalk Director Easter is a great opportunity. Here is a list of ideas you may consider as an outreach this Easter season - with a hidden coded message amongst them. Throw an easter egg hunt at your church (Great) Invite [...]
Raki Wiringi New National Director
With some real expectation, we're excited to introduce Raki Wiringi to you. Married to Karen, with 4 children (and even a couple of grandchildren), he's enthusiastic, and even a bit loud sometimes. He's certainly passionate - and couldn't be older than 30 could he? Raki [...]
Regional GODtalk Creative Communication Competitions – could you run one?
(Since writing this blog we have created a Godtalk Talent Quest Programme Planning Manual. It can be downloaded here - while the below still explains the vision concisely). American Idol. Britains Got Talent. Talent quest are a big deal right now! Would it be possible to [...]
Launching an effective school group (MP3 message)
We had Scott McCullock of LifeZone Church in Tauranga do a seminar at Engage Conference about how to launch an effective outreaching school group. Here is the audio via youtube. It's an awesome 39 minutes long message! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIIJr8FnVqc
What Rheannon did in her school
What is and isn't possible in a school? Listen to Rheannon recounting her experience. With her younger siblings in the same school following her, the pattern of this continued. With a respectful — yet clear thinking approach, this one is amazing! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd1HrXw1CFM
We married two 17 year olds at school
I the previous blog I wrote about the benefits of running large group 'connect' programmes in schools, if you're able to get a team together who can do this. The idea simply to attract a crowd, so as to give profile to a message or [...]
Large group lunchtime “Connect Programmes”
For a number of years I mentored a group of Christian students who met weekly during lunchtime in a school classroom. I hope what I share here encourages you to believe that you can make a difference. What the group aimed to achieve each school [...]
Prayer at the gate
Prayer at the Gate is an idea that came out of American churches. Byron Marchant — the head of the Equippers Church Youth in NZ, has been the main one to make this idea 'famous' around New Zealand. The idea is simple, but powerful: Christian [...]
Offer a prayer
You could ask your school friends about things that are going on in their lives and let them know you’re praying for them. You may never know the effect this may have on your friends. Although they may not believe in the power of prayer [...]
Giving out a resource
Conversations can be hard to start, so why not try giving out a resource? Giving out a recourse could be a good technique to use as it won’t chicken out, it communicates clearly what it wants to say every time, and it stays there well [...]
New ideas for you
We are soon to start sharing ideas that people are trying in their schools. Christians should not be embarrassed about being Christians. No one should have to feel like that. Helping you represent Christ in a way that is appropriate - but valid, is [...]