At the NATIONAL YOUTH WORKERS CONVENTION, we stopped youth workers from all across the U.S. and asked them to share a 10-second youth ministry tip.

THE 10-SECOND TIP:

Go to movies with your students. It’s a great way to connect culturally with them.

MY ADDED THOUGHTS:

Like all forms of creative expression, some movies can be a great conversation starter for your students. Assuming that you’ve already done the legwork to choose a movie that is appropriate for students (i.e.- not “50 Shades of Deadpool”), here are a few other things to be thinking about when you plan your next hangout at the movies:

1. Do a little research or even watch the movie once beforehand to prepare yourself for the main message. This will help you get in the mindset of the writers and directors to know what key themes you can look for.
2. Take a few quick notes on your phone during the movie. As important things happen or potential discussion questions come to mind, go ahead and type them into a note on your phone so that you can remember them later.
3. Plan hangout time after the movie. Build a hangout at your favorite ice cream shop into the schedule after the movie so that you intentionally create time for discussion.
4. You should be prepared to let the post-movie interaction take whatever form the students want. Sometimes, great conversations will spark right after the movie. Other times, your students might just want to hangout and eat ice cream. Be OK with either option.

Join us this year for the National Youth Workers Convention in Cincinnati, OH for way more tips and ministry ideas from the 50+ seminars and training opportunities. Register early for NYWC to save BIG: NYWC.COM.