Leading youth worship night lets teens deepen their faith and grow as leaders. Praise bands are an effective approach, but teens can worship in many ways. Students have amazing God-given gifts. And they can use them to minister powerfully to others!
Try some of these ideas that have kids leading youth worship night.
10 Ideas for Leading Youth Worship Night
1. Use a theme to set the tone.
First choose a biblical theme to connect all elements of worship. Series are a hit with young people, as are cultural issues. Or you can work through a book of the Bible in your youth services.
2. Let teens express themselves.
Yes, music is central to many worship experiences. But teens can engage in many other forms of worship too. Examples include:
Creative Arts Worship
- Spoken Word Poetry: Challenge teens to write and perform poetry that reflects their faith or the worship theme.
- Dance: Through movement, teens can praise God physically.
- Art Stations: Let kids paint, sketch, or craft as they reflect on Scripture. Then display the creations as a gallery of praise.
Prayer Experiences
- Interactive Prayer Walls: Provide sticky notes and pens. Then teens can write and display prayer requests and praises.
- Guided Prayer Walks: Lead teens around your church or neighborhood. Along the way, stop to focus on different aspects of prayer (e.g., confession, thanksgiving, intercession).
- Scripture Journaling: Provide journals and suggest specific Bible verses or topics for reflection.
3. Let teens lead worship.
Next, remember to empower teens. Young people can serve in a variety of roles.
- Musicians: Many kids are skilled singers or instrumentalists. Help them prepare thematic, teen-friendly songs.
- Tech Team: Recruit tech-savvy teens to manage sound, lighting, and visuals.
- Hosts and MCs: Kids can serve as greeters and readers at any church service.
- Testimonies: Encourage teens to share their faith stories. A brief account can inspire others and show how God is working.
4. Create quiet moments.
Worship is both public and personal. So along with corporate praise, include quiet times for reflection. Play soft music as teens pray. Suggest prompts like “What is God saying to you?” Or “How can you trust Jesus more?”
After the main worship time, form small groups. Then discuss the theme, Scripture, or a devotion. Equip small-group leaders (teens or adults) with questions like:
- What stood out to you during worship?
- How can you live out what you learned?
5. Make worship accessible.
Ensure everyone feels welcome and can participate. A warm greeting at the door sets the tone. Also use decor and lighting to make the environment inviting.
Select songs that are easy to sing and understand. Choose a mix of familiar favorites and newer songs. When you ask teens for input, they feel more ownership.
