What are some of the common things we say that stifle communication with youth and create barriers to further communication?

1. Youth Ministry Lesson - Barriers
to Communication With Youth
What are some of the common things we say
that stifle communication with youth and
create barriers to further communication?
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com
www.CreativeSermonIdeas.com

2. Ordering
Telling the youth what he/she should do. For example,
“Stop complaining that your Spanish teacher gave you a
failing grade. Go into school tomorrow and talk to her
about it.”
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www.CreativeSermonIdeas.com

3. Threatening
Telling a youth to do something, “or else . . .” – suggesting
there’s only one acceptable course of action. For example,
“If you don’t start studying more, I’m not going to work
with you on your school work any more.”
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www.CreativeSermonIdeas.com

4. Preaching
Telling youth how to act or behave – usually
has a moralistic, ‘this is the right thing to do’
tone. For example, “You shouldn’t talk about
other people like that.”
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www.CreativeSermonIdeas.com

5. Avoiding
Trying to avoid problems or uncomfortable situations in
the hope that they may go away on their own. For
example, “Oh, let’s not talk about that. It’s so
depressing! Let’s try to find something happy to think
about.”
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www.CreativeSermonIdeas.com

6. Pacifying
Trying to make a youth feel better without really addressing the
problem. For example: if a youth says, “I feel bad because I was
really mean to my little sister!” You reply, “Oh, don’t worry about
it, I did the same thing many times.” Even though you may be
sincere, you haven’t helped the youth resolve the issue.
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7. Lecturing
Giving your youth unsolicited advise. For example, “If you
want to get ahead in life you must really go to college. You
should really work harder in school so that you can get
into college.”
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8. Creative Youth Ideas
Camp Bible Study Series
“Who Do You Say that I AM?”
www.creativeyouthideas.com/resources/whodoyousay.html
-> Tell me about “Who Do You Say that I AM?”
Jesus asked the disciples, "Who do others
say that I am?" It was easy to answer
because it required no conviction, no
commitment, and no risk. But then he
follows that question with another, "Who
do YOU say that I am?"
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9. Live the Fruitful, Abundant Life
Jesus Promised. Great for youth camps or
weekly Youth Bible Study. There are 7
Primary Bible study Sessions in the series.
www.creativeyouthideas.com/resources/fruitofthespirit.html
-> Tell me about “Fruit Of the Spirit”
Creative Youth Ideas
Youth Camp Bible Study Series
“Fruit Of the Spirit”
www.CreativeYouthIdeas.com