Some youth groups are small, and some have 60+ kids. Some are best friends and some are just acquaintances, but all youth groups have a few things in common.
1. Youth Trips
Don't get me wrong, youth trips are my favorite part of the year. The new atmosphere makes for great worship settings, and, depending on where the trip is, you get a chance to learn and see new things and make memories. The memories are the best part! Whether they are scary stories at night in a cabin in the middle of the woods, getting chewed up by chiggers, or maybe jumping off rope swings, the memories are what make everything worth it. But we all know by the end of the week you are probably ready to kill every other member of your youth group.
2. Group Games
Whether your group is playing kickball, never have I ever, or some new crazy game involving shaving cream and fruit loops, youth games are crazy and hectic. There are always those one or two people who treat the games like they are competing for a national championship, and then there are people who refuse to play. But youth group games help to make even more memories and good stories down the road.
3. Worship
No matter what church denomination you grew up in, I can almost guarantee that your youth group sang "How He Loves" and "Gods Not Dead" a time or two. Sometimes worship seems boring or like a routine, but remembering that God is working in somebody's heart in that room helps a lot to keep you focused on praising God.
4. Weekend Plans
Friend: "What are you doing Friday night?"
You: "Oh, I have a church league softball game."
Friend: "Oh, what about Saturday? Wanna go to the beach?"
You: "Sorry, I have to help cook for an event at church for that night."
Friend: "Sunday?"
You: "Come on man, church."
Friend: "All day?"
You: "Yeah well I get there around 9 and leave about 12. Then have different practices from 1-4, then youth from 5-7 so yeah kinda."
When asked what your plans are for the weekend you probably have some type of church activities. Whether it be church league sports, practicing for a drama performance, or just having bible study, most of your weekend plans probably revolve around church.
5. Driving
Car rides probably consist of everyone in the vehicle screaming Taylor Swift songs or a Disney soundtrack at the top of their lungs.
6. The awkward side hug
You all know what I'm talking about. Is it just a youth pastor thing? Or do other people do it and we don't know it? Is there a youth pastoring handbook that says all youth pastors have to hug from one side of their body? Why are awkward side hugs a thing?
7. Best Friends
No one really understands the bond within the group except for the other people in the group. The youth group is more of a family. Everybody is so close, more like brothers and sisters than friends. Spending time with them makes your week much better, even if only for one hour every Wednesday night.
8. If you didn't get a free t-shirt, it didn't happen.
Enough said.
9. You have probably played a game involving disgusting foods.
10. You've heard the phrase "modest is hottest" a few times.
11. Bathing Suits
Girls, you know what I'm talking about. "Why do we have to wear t-shirts and guys don't?"
I still don't know the answer to this, but we are all in the same boat.
12. VBS
From preschool to 5th grade you participated in VBS, and now that you're in youth, you have moved up to group leader. (And whether you admit it or not, VBS week is probably your favorite week of the whole summer).
13. Bonfires
As soon as you pulled up to your youth event and saw that everyone was outside in the middle of November, you knew you were having smores!
14. Youth Rooms
For some of us this is a youth building, but I can bet your youth building had really old couches with some type of plaid and/or floral print on it.
You also probably have snacks hidden somewhere and maybe a foosball table or ping pong set up in the back of the room. There is probably a basketball goal nearby, too.
15. Friends
Everyone makes amazing friendships that will last a laugh time, including the friendship between you and your youth pastor!
