7 Helpful Tips for Working with Teens during VBS
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Teenagers were at VBS themselves not long ago, or were at least the same age as the youngsters they will help welcome to Vacation Bible School. They have good ideas to offer, they remember what was fun, what flopped, and what they found most challenging. Some are even mature enough to recognize the rewards of service. Amber Pike encourages leaders: “If you are not already utilizing your teens in VBS, stop what you are doing right now and talk to your teens. Seriously — go talk to some teens!”
There are pros and cons to working with any group of people, but teens come with certain challenges specifically related to their age. On the other hand, being so young, they can contribute certain traits that an older person is less likely to bring.
Here are seven helpful tips for working with teens during VBS.
1. Delegate with Dignity
One or more responsible adults must always be present with the little participants and the pre-teens. But that does not mean teenage helpers must be relegated to only the nasty and boring jobs like collecting garbage, cleaning faces covered in ice cream, carrying sports equipment, and cleaning up glue at the craft station. In fact, you really need these young, energetic people.
Adults have to handle emergency situations with children who are disruptive, distressed, or injured. Meanwhile, teens can dive into many of the meaty jobs. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Vacation Bible School usually features crafts, music, sports or games, and food. Give your teens a chance to shine in areas where they are strong. Find out their hobbies, what ages they like working with, and whether they have aptitude for teaching origami or coaching soccer. Arrange for teens to work directly with youngsters on athletic drills. Have them choreograph and perform their own dance routines for the Bible memory music portion.
If you have multiple helpers and one of your students needs extra attention, consider pairing a patient and considerate teenager with this one youngster. You could be initiating a long-standing mentoring relationship. Remember that the youngest kids at VBS miss their mothers and fathers and to them, the strange adults leading them can be scary. Children tend to relate better to people closer to their age.
2. Build a Relationship
“My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26).
A child will often do just that, while older Christians forget that heart and head are both required for Christian living and understanding. Teens share a fresh perspective on what the Lord is doing in and around them, and they have things to teach grown-ups. So ask about their experiences and listen – you might learn something. There is a good chance your teen’s theology needs correcting somewhere, too, so be praying for wisdom.
When it comes to teaching Scripture at VBS, this is the leader’s job. You want to be sure that the kids are hearing biblical truth adapted for their age group. A good job for the teenager, however, is to share a bit of his or her experience with the youngsters. They are bound to have questions: leaders are best suited to answer, but teenagers can still share life experience if they are willing and the subject matter is age appropriate.
For example, a group of very young strangers does not need to know about a traumatic story of abuse or their parents’ divorce. What they might find helpful is a story about how they handled bullying at school. Talk ahead of time about what your teen might like to share, offering your assistant an opportunity to be prepared and give the subject adequate thought.
This could be valuable mentoring time for leaders and their young assistants ahead of the week’s coming chaos. At orientation (and there should be an opportunity to meet before VBS starts), get to know your assistants. Spend some time learning about why they want to hang out with kids for a week during the summer. If they know the answer, let them tell you all about it. If they are unsure what drew them there or their motives have more to do with parental pressure, thank them for being there anyway.
Try to make a connection – a real one. One writer reminds readers: “Relationships mean everything to teens. VBS provides an excellent platform for teens to build relationships with positive role models within the church as well as deepen their relationship with God.” Adults: recognize the influence you have over these youngsters.
3. Be Vigilant with Your Teens
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).
There are VBS camps for older kids, too. Whether they are attending or volunteering as helpers, youth get distracted when they see friends or members of the opposite sex they think are cute. And then there are youngsters attending or helping because of parents’ pressure, so their attitudes can be challenging.
Adult leaders have many people to look after, so you need to be clear about your expectations. Teen participants or volunteers are your responsibility along with the much younger children. You cannot be searching for wayward teens and also keep the whole group safe. Meanwhile, a bad attitude can spread to pre-teens who like to copy, leading to disrespect, even chaos as they follow the teen and ignore the leader. This is unsafe and unpleasant, ultimately, for the kids who really want to be there and are distressed by the troublemakers’ antics.
Be loving but firm if discipline is required. You might even find that a teenager is craving your boundaries because there are none at home. Although it is important to offer help where you see the need, they will have to go home if bad behavior happens again. You can always keep the lines of communication open for another time and place.
Get a sense of your teens’ dynamics at an orientation meeting. Clarify the house rules before anything starts. While building teams and assigning locations, split up best friends or boys and girls who like each other too much. Do not be afraid to tell a student that they might be ready next year, but not this time around. A short-staffed event is better than one where your attention is constantly divided: there is just one week to share the gospel with participants. Volunteers are there to support this work, not distract from it.
4. Remember What Teens Get out of VBS
Although VBS is typically for K-6 kids, teenage helpers get a lot out of their week with the youngsters as well. Pike writes “there may be teens at your church who will be called into the ministry while serving at VBS like I was. Maybe there will be teens who discover their gift while serving. Maybe a teen who is not yet walking with Christ will hear something while helping at VBS (because all their friends are there), and it will change his or her eternity.” When we serve, something miraculous happens: we also receive a gift.
"Render service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord" (Ephesians 6:7-8).
Often, what the servant receives back is simply that beautiful feeling of having done a good and satisfying thing and being appreciated for it. Better still, let your young volunteers know that God loves it when we humble ourselves to the point of service. Galatians 5:13 exhorts Christians: “through love serve one another." It feels good when your love for these little children is returned so simply and generously. Remember that mentoring scenario – teens gain a great sense of responsibility while loving the children they are assigned to care for.
Encourage your teens by telling them how grateful you are for their service. It can be difficult to wake up early during the summer holidays, saying “no” to friends who are doing something exciting while you work. Your gratitude will help to make the event more enjoyable when the teens are tired or suddenly regret that they are working, not hanging out at the beach. If you show your gratitude, this is likely to motivate helpers, encourage them to stay focused, and make them feel valued.
5. Make VBS Fun
Teens are still kids, and work can be fun – for them or for you. Although you want your teenage helpers to take their jobs seriously, so much of what they are doing could also be genuinely pleasurable. If you are the sort of person who likes to keep a tidy station and dislikes spontaneity, it might be time to reevaluate what is making you uneasy about “fun.”
Let the teens initiate wacky hair day, dress-up day, or something equally fun, and then get in on the act. Adults can learn about fun from their young volunteers. As long as your teenagers are not hurting each other, behaving inappropriately, or scaring the children, let them hold the hose.
Encourage them to get themselves and everyone else soaking wet on a blazing hot day in summer. Let the parents know that your kids will need a change of clothing, and they will probably get dirty. Let teens have a say about what the children might like to do, such as toppings that would be good at the ice cream station and the names of their teams, or the “camp” names they give their teammates. Let them help you choose games they know will be a hit with this age group. You have the last say, of course, but they were 8 years old a little while ago while, for you, 8 years old is a distant memory.
6. Be Sensitive to Their Youth
The fact that teenagers are still, legally, children should remind you that teen volunteers at VBS are only inching towards adulthood. The teenage years should represent a slow transition and you – as the adult leader – are part of making that process a smooth, successful one.
One way to mentor is to remember that you are the leader and your teen is the assistant. You are one of this teenager’s early “managers,” even a possible reference when your VBS volunteer goes looking for a job. As the leader, remember that your teen wants you there calling the shots while possibly yearning for a bit more authority and responsibility at the same time. They will only know how much responsibility they are comfortable with when they try, so consider ahead of time where you feel comfortable letting go of the reins.
But do not make it too easy for your teen either. VBS is a safe place to try something outside of his or her comfort zone; a place where there should be grace. If the little ones cannot follow your teenager’s choreography, or the games they choose are not well received, try again the next day. The week is all about teaching the gospel to children, not about winning or losing.
One important note: be sure to tell your student leaders that some things are for the adults to deal with. In particular, if a child reveals information about abuse at home, a teenager must tell a grown-up and identify the young person who is having trouble. Adults must be prepared to handle the situation professionally, calmly, and firmly. Remember the teenager, too, will need a chance to share his or her feelings about what just happened.
7. Pray for Your Teens
Take time to pray with your student before your short pre-VBS session is over. What are their challenges in life, besides VBS? What makes them grateful? Why do they love Jesus and, if they do not love Jesus, why are they here? What questions might they have?
They need your prayers more than anything else, just like every other participant. Resolve to pray for this young person before, during, and after VBS: for transformation, joy, and closeness with God. Learn enough about your teenage helper so that your prayers are meaningful and personal.
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