Jr. youth group growing

One of the joys of my weekly schedule is meeting with the Jr. Youth group.  The group has grown from about 10 regular members to over 20 regular members.  They are 9 to 14 year-old kids.  

Our mission together is to study the Bible, and then prepare plays and songs that transmit what we learn together.  We prepared a song for Christmas based on what we learned from Luke's account of the birth of Jesus.  In February we presented a program that taught about the 39 books of the Old Testament.  The kids presented a script that covered the categories of the books and their solitary message of Christ.  They then performed a 'rap' that I wrote in which they recite the 39 books.  They did a fabulous job.  

I remarked that the congregation was silent during the presentation.  I take that as a powerful sign that they anticipate good things from this group and don't want to miss anything.  I'm thankful that we've created that atmosphere.  

In December we ceremonially sent five members of the group 'up' to be members of the official youth group.  Next Sunday, two more kids will 'graduate' into the youth group.  When kids move up, I present them with a copy of the New Testament and a couple of other books plus a personal letter where I encourage them to stay on course during the older teen years.  It's all part of ASAPH Teaching Ministry.