LWML LOVES TEENS

Friends Into Serving Him groups are forming all across the nation and the women of LWML couldn’t be happier to be “serving the Lord with gladness”….with teens!

Here are some ideas that Friends Into Serving Him groups can use to share their love with those around them this summer.  Use one or use them all! And if you have great ideas of your own, please let us know.  Email them to dephc@lwml.org

Summer Ideas

Let’s head to the great outdoors this summer and think of camping and the beach!  These ideas will help keep your summer fun and in the Word!

Servant Activities

Campground Cleanup

If your group is heading camping this summer, be sure to pick up the area around your tent.  You can also share with other campers that you are helping to care for God’s world.

What’s bugging you?

Start by buying single use packets of bug wipes.  Add a printed message similar to the one below and wrap it around the package. These can then be given out to other campers or any other outdoor event your group attends.

What’s bugging you?
Remember that no matter what problems you may have, no problem is too big for Jesus to handle.
Give Him your problems in prayer.
He cares for you.
Enjoy the blessings He gives.

You may also want to add a few Bible verses such as Matthew 7:7, Philippians 4:6, and I Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Games/Crafts

Friendship bracelets or anklets

It doesn’t matter if you use beads, embroidery floss, or other cord, bracelets are fun to share with friends new and old.  You can add colors that give a Christian message (black-sin, red-Christ’s blood, white-forgiveness, gold-Heaven).  Look on the internet for new designs and instructions.  There are plenty to choose from.

Sand castle contest!

Split your teens into groups and see who can build the tallest sand castle.  You may want to provide “Friends into Serving Him” color changing cups (available in the LWML catalog) to use in the design (or to use as tools!). 

Setting up camp?

If your group likes competition, how about add a little to your tent set up?  Who can set up their tent the fastest?  Keep things light with lots of laughter and be sure to help where it is needed.  Provide Friends into Serving Him gifts from the catalog as prizes. If this goes well, you may want to try a faster fire starter contest as well.

Group Knot

Have the campers stand in a tight circle, with their hands in the center. Then have them grab other hands at random. The puzzle is for the whole group to work together to get themselves untangled. Sometimes you’ll find that the group has actually formed several smaller circles. 

Color Questions

Give each teen a small package of M&Ms or Skittles and instruct them they can eat all but one color. They must then answer the question coded with the color of the candy they saved: (Make up your own questions or use the following)

Red: What is your favorite book and why?
Orange: What was the last movie you watched and how was it?
Yellow: Who is your favorite musical group and which of their songs is your favorite?
Green: Do you have a collection? What is it and how old were you when you started it?
Blue: Which foreign country would you like to visit and why?
Brown: What is the best vacation you've ever been on?

MITEy Ideas

Food bank helps

Food banks across the nation are in short supply.  How can your teens help?  Here are a few ideas to get you going.

Snacks

S’mores! 

A favorite for sure.  Try a few variations.  Try peanut butter cups instead of plain chocolate.  Substitute fudge striped cookies for grahams.  Add a little raspberry jelly with or without chocolate.  Delicious!

Fish in a cup

Start with blue gelatin in clear cups.  Add gummi fish as gelatin starts to set. 

Fruit refresher

Place a scoop of pineapple sherbet in a cup, top with fresh strawberries and blueberries, then add some white grape juice.  A healthy treat to beat the heat!

Bible Study Activity

Baptism Scavenger Hunt

Find as many verses in the Bible as you can regarding Baptism.  Be sure to use questions from Luther’s Catechism on Baptism as well. 

What not to wear

Summer provides the perfect opportunity to discuss modesty issues with teens.  What is appropriate for the pool or beach?   This can be a very touchy subject that may not be discussed at home.  What does the Bible have to say about honoring our bodies?

I Corinthians 6:19-20, I Corinthians 12:23, I Samuel 16:7, I Timothy 2:8-10, Romans 12:2

Bible Stories that connect with camping and the beach.

The Road to Emmaus   Luke 24:13-35

Jesus and the Miraculous Catch of Fish   John 21:1-14

Jonah and the Whale  Jonah 1-4