This is a two session guide to start focusing teens on larger issues. It is intended to be used by new youth groups or apathetic youth groups who might be reluctanct at first to discuss "religious themes."

Materials:

• Case studies on various subjects.
• Enough bibles for everyone.
• Pads and pens.

Procedure: Start each session with a case study (see various Christian publishers for books of case studies). Depending on how many people you have, either split them into groups and explore the same or different scenario or explore one scenario all together. I would recommend splitting them up if there are more than ten. Allow 20 min. tops for discussion. Say you'll give them 15. If they are in groups, have each group explain to the rest what their scenario was and what they talked about.

After the case study have participants spread out and sit comfortably, i.e. on the floor, couch etc.. Give each participant a pad and paper. Read the questions to them one question at a time. Allow approx. 5 minutes for them to answer before going on to the next one. After all questions are answered share responses. Feel free to explore answers; just don't judge them!

Session 1
Case Study (30 - 45 min)

Questions:

• What is the most important thing in my life right now? Why?(pause briefly)
  [Things to think about . . .my parents,my friends,God,school/my career,the Church,my boyfriend/girlfriend,children the world]
• What do I think will be the most important thing in my life 5 years from now?
• What do I think will be the most important thing in my life 10 years from now?
• What am I going to do to make sure that these things which are important to me get taken care of?
• I just found out that I/my girlfriend am/is pregnant. Go back and re-answer the top three questions. Another option is to say that you found out that you have AIDS.
• What do I think God wants my life to be like 5 years from now? 10 years from now?

Session 2
Case Study (30 - 45 min)
Questions

• When I die, how do I want people to remember me?
• When I die, how do I want God to know me?
• We pray "Memory Eternal" when people die. What memories do I want God to remember of me for all eternity?
• What do you want to be your epitaph. Look though the bible (psalms and proverbs are especially good). Find a phrase that you would want on your tombstone.

		Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Orthodox Church in America PO Box 675 Syosset, NY 11791 http://yya.oca.org yyacm@oca.org The Hub | Back to top