Junior High Characteristics and how to use them.

Today I’m going through my binders and trying to clear space and re-organize.  Going through I saw this I use for my training of leaders to work with Junior High.

We all know junior high students are crazy, immature, challenged followers of Christ. Maybe that’s why I love them! Junior high students will come through again and again. Most movements in the bible were by those in this age group. But dealing with such an awesome group takes some understanding.

Physical Characteristics
They grow rapidly. Girls are about a year to eighteen months ahead of guys. Their coordination suffers because of rapid growth.  They have altering periods of energy and fatigue.

How to relate: Be patient with their clumsiness. Don’t make activity too competitive, keep a balance.

Mental Characteristics
The like adventure and discovery and have active imaginations. They are capable of serious thinking and have a new ability to think abstractly as well as concretely. However, their knowledge is growing faster than experience.  They enjoy humor.

How to relate: Appeal to these characteristics. Help them use their imaginations to make the Bible come alive. Guide them in thinking through problems for themselves. Direct them to Scripture to find answers to tough questions. Learn to laugh with them and don’t be afraid to use humor.

Social Characteristics
Junior highers want to be grown up and independent of adults. And yet in many ways they still act childish. They want to belong to the gang and have a strong sense of loyalty to peers.  At the same time, they are extremely self conscious.  For a quick do’s and don’ts of junior high ministry, click here.  They are also hero-worshipers.

How to relate: Never call them children or kids. Give them responsibilities but don’t be disappointed if they act irresponsible. Remember to respect their peer loyalty. Cliques are to be expected but encourage them to choose good friends. Whenever possible, direct their loyalty to the Lord. Avoid teasing or sarcastic remarks by showing each of them that you like and care about them as individuals. Be worthy of their respect, but don’t set yourself on a pedestal-you might fall off.

Emotional Characteristics
Their emotions are intense and frequently fluctuate. They have little control over their emotions because they are closely tied to many changes taking place in their bodies. This cause a feeling that no one understands them.

How to relate: Make a special effort to understand them. Check out blogs, resources, and teachers to educate yourself on trends and  behavior. Avoid causing emotional disturbances. Don’t schedule a  rowdy game right before a serious devotion time, they won’t be able to settle down that quickly.  Take time to get to know each one personally. If you have a large group, small groups are a great way to get to know the students one group at a time. Show them that you appreciate their unique talents and interests.

Spiritual Characteristics
They want practical religion. More often than not, Sunday morning messages (for adults) go over their head. (soap box: It’s important to make your messages whenever you preach on Sunday, easy to follow by all age groups). They often have religion doubts. With the age of technology, everything pointed to them is fiction. They come to the bible with the same expectation of a video game.

How to relate: Always show that Biblical truths are relevant to their life situation. Doubts is not a bad thing, it’s what we do with those doubts that will determine our belief.  Accept these doubts as part of the growing process.  Welcome them as a sign that the students are making the faith their own and not just part of the heritage from their parents. Meet the doubts with honest answers.