Middle School students get a bad rep; sadly they get written off as not being able to think critically about life or God. I am continually learning that this is not true and there are gems of knowledge in those heads of theirs. So, I help co-lead a 7th grade girl bible study with two other women and we see that this reputation is not quite true. A few weeks ago our lifegroup curriculum asked our girls to take all that they have been learning this year and to think critically about the concept “Love God. Love People. Period.” The point of this exercise was for the students to think of questions that relate to this theme and then we as a group would think of the answers. We had each girl write down two questions; one of which could be a “silly” question. We collected our note cards and what followed was an amazing list of questions that are relevant not only to teens but to adults as well. So I thought I would list some of the questions for you to ponder how you would respond.
My friends aren’t as religious as I am, they don’t go to church as often and they say their church is boring. How can I help them with that?
Why do people say mean things to others for no reason?
How can I not gossip? Or change the subject?
What other way besides praying can we connect with God on a daily basis?
How can I find a way to make the bible more interesting?
Does God really care about the way we dress?
Is it wrong to have boyfriends at our age?
Is it okay not to talk to people that you don’t like? (like if they are mean)
Why do what brand of clothes you where define who you are?
Why do people start rumors?
Look at these questions; I struggle and ask these same questions in my life. I wish there was a tape recorder that night so that you could hear the answers to their own questions. It was good to hear how they struggle as they are growing up in a world that tells them to live the opposite of how God calls us to live. It is amazing to see these girls grow into young women who really think about God and try and live Him out in their lives.
As we were wrapping up the night our lifegroup came up with a challenge for ourselves; which was to go a whole day without complaining. (Note: this was one of the students ideas, I can’t say I was too excited about the challenge. It’s hard not to complain!) So we as a lifegroup decided Monday was the day; no complaining for the whole day. And on Thursday we made sure to check and see how well we each did at this task.
So this is a testament to the reality that Middle Schoolers are complicated and beautiful. They can think and process the world in such a wonderful way that we lose as we get older. May we all approach the throne of God as children; with childlike faith.
