A Junior High Sunday School Idea

At St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waverly, we have started a new kind of program for junior high Sunday school. We call it Drama and Devos. Every Sunday during education hour, junior high students meet for this fun group. We start each time with some singing, using some of the groups favorites and letting a student or two pick a song they want to sing. Then we do a lesson, generally based of off one of that week's lessons, involving a short bible study and discussion. We also usually do some type of activity to go along with the lesson, whether it is a group builder or game that we can tie into our discussion. Then we have the group's favorite part: we rehearse and prepare a short skit or drama to present at the confirmation opening time on Wednesday nights. We have even presented dramas to the congregation at two worship services. The students love the chance to act and share what we have been doing with
their friends. At the end, we share highs and lows for the week and pray together. It is a great opportunity for the junior high kids to spend time with each other, get a little silly sometimes, and learn more about God and each other.

Here's what some of our regular attendee's have to say about Drama and Devos:

"The skits are really fun. It's fun to hang out with people and you learn a lot" - 7th grade boy

"My favorite things are the singing, friends, acting, and learning about God. It's FUN!" - 8th grade girl

"I like the friends, skits, and the treats. It's FUN!" - 7th grade girl

"For me, the singing, skits, friends, and learning more about God are the best parts of Drama and Devos." - 8th grade girl

We get the materials for the skits from books and on-line. We try to make them tie into that weeks lesson so the kids have a different way of getting the message.