Creating Space for Teenagers to Play in Youth Ministry

If your youth ministry is anything like ours, you’ve probably just finished the summer season of camp, mission trips, and lots of mid-day outings with students. Summer feels like a sweet spot with students—when the stress of homework and sports quiets down, and for a few months, they get to truly be kids. 

In June, our team took 12 high schoolers on a trip near Seattle, Washington. This was a new experience for us, and completely exceeded all of our expectations. While the landscape was beautiful and the church we partnered with was amazing, the detail that struck me the most on this trip was just how much all of our students and leaders seemed to be flourishing. 

Every day while completing our tasks or serving the local community, we all experienced so much joy. We laughed until we had tears streaming down our faces. Bonds that didn’t exist prior to the trip were formed. Students from different cultures got to share in countless games of gaga ball and jump rope. A few students on our team set aside their shyness and beamed with a confidence I’ve never seen in them before. It was by far one of the best trips we’ve ever taken as a church. 

The experience made me realize it is so important to get our students into spaces where they can truly “be kids” and experience the rest that Jesus offers. So, dear fellow youth worker, may my reflections from this trip also help you to create such spaces year-round. 

Making A Joyful Noise

Psalm 100 paints a beautiful picture of the joyful children of God that we are created to be. I believe that during our week out west, our students (and our leaders) experienced the thin veil between heaven and earth. 

Every day when we woke up, it was almost impossible not to thank God for his beautiful creation (especially because we were sleeping outside and would wake up with the sunrise). Every evening, we shared a delicious meal together and then played in a field. Our students created their own version of an obstacle course, spun each other on a tire swing until they were dizzy, and laughed loud enough for all to hear every night until the sun went down. 

I don’t ever want to forget the image of seeing so many of my sweet high school friends living to the full on this trip—living as the full-of-joyful-noise, secure children whom God designed them to be. 

Now What?

Now that we are back home, the momentum from this trip continues to shape new friendships and conversations about Jesus. However, for many of us, it was almost too easy to pick anxiety and fear back up when we returned. 

We’ve probably all experienced this slide back to reality firsthand, and most likely watched some of our students feel this too. What happens when the “mountaintop high” wears off after an amazing trip or week at camp? How do we continue to walk alongside our students to the Wellspring of Life when the cell phones turn back on and the volume of the world is cranked back up?  What does it look like for our weekly gatherings with students to feel inviting and like a breath of fresh air?

We must return and rest in our true identity as adopted sons and daughters of the King (Gal. 4:4-5). Our students unlocked a piece of the answer as they ran around in a field at sunset, played games with their friends, and were given the space to be quiet in the presence of Jesus every morning. Thanks to this identity, we get to say “yes” to an invitation to go, in the words of C.S. Lewis, “further up and further in” with God and with other people. We get to offer our students and families the truth of the gospel in how we have fun, care for each other, and grow.

Return To Rest

As youth ministers, parents, or volunteer leaders, God calls us to enter into the lives of our students and invite them to see the world through a different lens. The good news of the gospel allows them to show up as they are, be free to experience deep joy, and get a glimpse of who they were created to be. Below are some practical tips for creating a space for your students to gather, flourish, and make a joyful noise. 

1. Get outside together. Build a short time before youth group or Bible study for students and leaders to play a game together, toss a frisbee, or simply catch up with one another while getting some fresh air. 

2. Serve together. It’s incredible what serving and focusing on others can do for anxiety and boosting confidence. Take students on a mission trip to serve in a different culture, or even stay local and visit a nonprofit in your city! Working together builds strong bonds and a sense of purpose.

3. Don’t overlook the value of simply spending time together, especially without cell phones. Find creative ways to implement a “phone basket” or designated spot where students can put down their screens and connect face to face. Try taking up phones on bus rides, during camp trips, or even at meals together. It’s so impressive what students come up with to entertain each other when they are free from their devices. 

Free To Flourish

As children of a Good Father, we are safe, not only on a mission trip or at summer camp, but wherever we go, to fully release our fears and insecurities. We can be the kids flourishing in a field at sunset on a mission trip and the blessed sheep in his pasture that we read about in Scripture. In our normal, everyday lives, we can join our students in taking small, shaky steps into true freedom. As these students that we love so dearly figure out what it looks like in all areas of life to “come into the Lord’s presence with singing,” God can’t help but run to them, beaming with delight. 

For more practical tools for gospel-centered youth and family ministry, we hope you’ll join us at Rooted’s annual conference in Chicago, Illinois October 23-25, 2025!