7 Faith Activities for Youth to Engage Your Group

Posted on Dec 21, 2023

7 Faith Activities for Youth to Engage Your Group

Are you struggling to keep your youth group members engaged? Know you’re not alone. Many leaders have difficulty juggling diverse interests, combating distractions, and brainstorming ideas that resonate with today’s youth. But you shouldn’t let this discourage you. Going beyond conventional faith activities for youth can get members excited to participate and deepen their relationship with God! 

Why You Should Plan Different Faith Activities for Youth

They say variety is the spice of life, and that’s just as true for youth ministry as anything else. In fact, it’s the key to unlocking a vibrant and thriving community of young believers! Of course, traditional Bible study still has a place in groups. But you shouldn’t stop there…   

Roughly 77% of U.S. teens want to learn more about Jesus. They want to become established in their faith. As Colossians 2:6-7 says, “… continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” With that desire comes the opportunity for you to support their spiritual growth. It’s just a matter of delivering a wide assortment of meaningful experiences that teach them how to walk in Christ. 

Here are a few specific reasons to incorporate a mix of faith activities for youth:

• It helps you meet every member’s unique needs. 

We teach our children to accept and embrace our differences. Shouldn’t we apply that lesson to our youth groups? After all, no two members are exactly the same. Each has a unique learning style, set of interests, and more. By hosting different activities, you can meet every member’s needs. That way, you can ensure no one feels left out or uninspired.   

• It prevents monotony in your group. 

It’s easy to fall into a pattern when planning faith activities for youth. But doing the same thing week after week gets boring. And bored members quickly become disengaged members. It’s not that every session needs to be more exciting than the last. Just changing things up can help you prevent monotony and drive interest.

• It fosters a holistic spiritual growth experience. 

Varying your group activities is also essential to taking a well-rounded approach. It gives members different ways to connect with their faith. It encourages them to view God’s Word with fresh eyes. And it can help them in applying biblical lessons to their everyday lives. Ultimately, it benefits your members’ spiritual growth as a whole.   

7 Faith Activities for Youth to Consider

Coming up with new faith activities for youth can be challenging. In some cases, the creative spark just isn’t there; in others, you realize your idea won’t have the desired impact. As a result, you fall back on your usual practices and outings. The good news is we’re here to lend a helping hand! 

Below are some ideas worth implementing in your youth group schedule. 

1. Game Nights

If your group doesn’t have a regular game night, it may be time to start. Games are not only fun but also beneficial for your members. Plus, you can keep things interesting by choosing a new game each time. 

• Encourage collaboration with a Bible-themed scavenger hunt.
• Enhance learning with a few rounds of Bible trivia.  
• Deepen biblical understanding by playing “Explain the Verse.”
• Foster teamwork by pairing up members for biblical Pictionary.

The possibilities are endless!  

 

2. Service Projects

One thing that makes church (and youth group) appealing to young people is the chance to find meaningful purpose. They want to take on major issues and do more to serve God. They want to contribute to something bigger than themselves. So, why not nurture each heart to help others?

Start by asking your members what causes they care about. Then, design relevant service projects. You can rally your group to volunteer at a food drive, raise funds for those in need, or participate in a community cleanup. The more invested your members are, the more engaged they’ll be!

 

3. Bible Skits

Seeing a Bible story played out can bring a new level of understanding. Plus, it can make a lesson more fun and memorable. Instead of just listening to someone read, members get involved by acting out the scenes. That’s why it’s worth including Bible skits in your list of faith activities for youth. 

Of course, keeping each member’s comfort in mind is important. Putting a shy person in a lead role can overwhelm them. When engagement is the goal, you want to encourage participation, not force it. 

 

4. Social Media Challenges

There’s no question young people are drawn to social media. Many leaders are wary of it, but it can be an incredibly powerful way to engage youth group members. You just have to connect it to faith and focus on creating healthy interactions.

Here are some fun challenges you can pose to your group:

• “Find a meme that relates to your favorite Bible verse.”

• “Film a TikTok about how you spent time with God this week.”

• “Share a worship song from a band you love.”

These are small activities compared to others. However, they can help you break down walls between you and your members. Leveraging social media shows you understand their interests and habits. And it can even change the way they interact with it. 

 

5. Open Discussions

Young people want to be heard. They want to speak freely without fear of judgment. Often, youth group members start to withdraw when they can’t ask questions, challenge beliefs, or talk about their issues. You can address this by making open discussion a regular activity. Give your members the floor to share what’s bothering them. You can even make this a broader discussion by tackling current events. 

 

6. Weekend Retreats

When it comes to faith activities for youth, weekend retreats are among the most transformative. They offer a break from the routine. Further, they give participants the space to reflect, recharge, and forge friendships. 

Typically, a retreat consists of the following:

• A guest speaker
• Group exercises
• Singing
• Collective prayer
• Bible study
• Thoughtful discussions

A weekend retreat requires more planning than other activities. This means it’s not something your group can do regularly. However, there are also ready-made events for youth, such as Quake. All you have to do is sign up and show up with your group! 

 

7. Nature Adventures

Getting away from everyday distractions can go a long way for your group. And embarking on nature adventures is a great way to do just that. Your itinerary can include anything from teamwork exercises to plant identification. Away from their screens, your members will be encouraged to breathe in the fresh air and marvel at God’s creation!  

Ready to Engage Your Group?

At the end of the day, you want youth group members to leave feeling encouraged and empowered, seeing they are valued and loved by Jesus. Think about adopting a new approach to keep them engaged. Try out the faith activities for youth suggested above and add some of your own. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Any exercise that helps them grow in their faith is a good one.

If you’re interested in taking your group on a weekend retreat, learn more about our Quake events today!