Creating the Unexpected

Over the last four weeks of my church’s high school program we have taken time to step away from the normal flow of the night. In fact, the last four weeks have looked very different even from each other. The reason for this is because while routine can be good, it is good to step out of the regular ebb-and-flow of the expected. I have noticed that when groups take time to change things up, that it has a way of creating space for God to move in the mist of the unexpected.

Just think of Jesus’ disciples out on the boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, just before Jesus left them on the shore he told them he would meet up with them later. I doubt that one of those men thought that Jesus meant he would meet up with them in the middle of the sea. Yet, Jesus changes things up on them, and in doing so meets them in a new way as he creates space for a new lesson on the Kingdom of God.

When youth groups, churches, or camps, try new and expected things they allow for God to move in a new way. The unexpected has the ability to make students uneasy, and let’s just face it that is a good thing sometimes.

I remember this time at summer camp when the camp dropped something on the students that no one expected. Many of my students had been to so many Christian camps in their life that they knew the routine of Christian camp talks. Start with something easy and lively, then as the week goes on start to get to the good stuff that really encourages change.

After the second night of camp, I sat in a small group meeting with seven quite High School boys when one looks at me and says, “I didn’t expect this to happen to me this early in the week.” The camp had thrown off these students, and in doing so, had created space for God to move.

It can be easy to do this. Sometimes it is as easy as offering some time of reflection after a sermon or talk. It can also be as large as changing up the whole youth group by offering a “worship night” where you create a new mood by bringing in some candles, having some worship reflection exercises, and little to no talking. Or maybe you can change it up by having a “conversation night” on a specific topic that students are struggling with, or on a specific theological topic such as “is Jesus the only way?”

At first students might be a little uneasy, but once you direct them and set the tone for them, students are great at adapting to the situation in front of them.

Therefore, I encourage you to take a step into an expected place with students this week or in the coming months. In so doing so, I hope that you see God move in a mighty and unexpected way.