Working with Preteens

After working with Route 56 for the past 7 weeks I realize that the age of 11 and 12 is the end of that sweet and innocent era and the first buds of adolescent complexity. I’ve also come to find that there is a limited amount of information that is targeted toward this age group when it comes to Bible Studies and Bible Teaching in general.

So I’m asking you this question seriously, what exactly is targeted toward 5th and 6th grade boys and girls? Hannah Montana? High School Musical? Or are they already over that? It seems that these students are in that age where they are still wholly kids and at the same time smart enough that you can’t be too silly with them. So I’m learning the ropes and it can be quite frightening.

Every Sunday when I prepare my talk I’m humbled by how little I know. I have these great ideas and the more I dig for answers the more questions I find myself asking. Like who are the “Nephilim” mentioned in Genesis 6? And why are we teased with this supernatural nugget and then denied the dipping sauce? Can I get some more info please?

So what are my current needs? Prayer. Wisdom. Leaders. In that order.

I know God has me in this role for a reason and I’m almost always terrified for the first 6 months after starting a new job because I like to be supremely confident in my abilities, but thankfully I know the verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

So yeah, I’m weak, and God is going to rock it out.