Participate! - Strategies for Involving 9-14s in the Life of the Church Wider Community

Participate! is an exciting seven-week programme designed to enable 9-14s to gain the understanding and skills needed to live out their Christian lives within the local church and wider community. The material takes the approach that young people often find it difficult to establish their identity and role within the local church in the transition between being part of the children's group and settling in to a youth group. The resource provides practical guidance to help the whole church community think about their shared responsibility towards children aged 9-14 and to be involved in helping young people find their place in the church and community. Each session takes the young person on a journey of discovery about God, themselves and their role within the church and community. After the first six sessions the young people are given the opportunity to choose a task that they are interested in trying as a voluntary placement. Under guidance, they then work alongside someone who is already performing the task and encouraged to reflect on the role undertaken and what it means to serve others and God in that way.