70. I have been helping junior teens for a long time now from Here; they've been my assignment from Jesus and have brought me so much joy. But I've also seen very often the need for more fun, excitement, and challenge in their lives, and that's what I want to talk about here.

71. I'm going to list a number of ideas that may or may not work for you. I'm going to suggest a variety of things, but that's so that you can pick and choose and pray about which ones will work for you in your situation--and, of course‚ you can always adapt or modify the ideas to fit your circumstances. Maybe some of these ideas will spark another fresh inspiration the Lord will give you that's completely different.

72. I know that you're all very busy serving the Lord and doing so much for Him that it can sometimes be hard to think of things on the spot that will challenge your teens, so this is just a little list to get you started:

73. * Instead of having Word time or devotions in your usual setting all the time‚ why not occasionally go somewhere different? Have devotions outside in the beautiful creation or at a nearby park, if the climate permits. Or drive somewhere in your van or car to a nice, secluded, safe spot and read. Have your Word class with the junior teens in the dining room, over a cup of hot chocolate or an icy chocolate milkshake (depending on the weather). Junior teens love variety and being able to do things differently.

74. * Instead of each person doing the same jobs every day (whether it's JJT or whatever), why don't you draw jobs out of a hat every so often for variety so no one gets stuck in a rut?

75. * Take your junior teens out on a special surprise excursion to a previewed movie in the theatre, an ice-skating rink, a roller-skating rink, a provisioned meal out, a wildlife park, mini golf‚ a water park, or something else special or fun that you think your particular teens would enjoy. If you only have one or two junior teens in your Home, try to team up with other Homes in the area for extra fellowship.

76. * Have a stargazing night, either in your back yard or a nearby park. Put down blankets to lie on, and have a fun praise time together while looking at the stars. Bring along a guitar for extra fun and inspiration. Sing some songs of love and praise to Jesus, or some songs that made the Revolution. Bring along a special drink or homemade or provisioned snack to make it even more special.

77. * Give your junior teens the responsibility of praying about and planning an upcoming Bible class or get-together with your sheep. Give them the full responsibility of praying about the theme, making the outline, and doing all the footwork. Of course, if they've never done anything like this before, they'll need your help and guidance; but don't squelch them.

78. * Ask them if they'd be willing to take the responsibility of planning an activity for your Home--a party, dance, fellowship, special dinner, or activity of some sort. Help guide them in the right direction as they pray and discuss it‚ and support them all you can in their efforts. Let them provision something special for it, or help them raise the funds for it, to make it special. Let them do it how they like it, and you'll be amazed at the good ideas and initiative they have.

79. * Have a unique night dedicated to praise and loving the Lord with the teens in your Home or area. Ask each person to bring a picture of Jesus that they especially love (can be from a GN, an older painting, or picture of Jesus, something from one of the posters, or a download from the MO site). Along with their picture, ask each teen to bring with them a song, a verse‚ a new prophecy they received‚ or an excerpt of a published prophecy in a GN to go along with the picture. Or else they can explain what they like about the picture in their own words, and how it makes them think about Jesus. Intersperse a few songs to the Lord during this time as well.

80. * Organize some sports or enjoyable form of exercise for the junior teens to participate in. Most junior teens need some sort of vigorous physical exercise on a regular basis. If you have enough junior teens in your Home or area, organize some united sports get-outs at the local park or in the back yard of one of the Homes. If you don't have enough people in the area for something like this, look into what other forms of exercise your junior teens would enjoy. Maybe bike riding? Maybe there are sports classes in the area that you could provision for your young people, or pray in the funds for.

81. * Go on a long hike or a bush walk, if there's anything like this available in your area. Have everyone bring along a packed lunch in their backpack‚ and enjoy a picnic lunch at your destination.

82. * Climb a local hill or height, and when you get to the top, read "Mountain Men" or some other applicable Letter. It's amazing how reading an old Letter in a new and relatable situation can make it all seem fresh and new.

83. * Have a barbeque dinner or lunch some weekend. Invite the other junior teens in the area. Combine it with an inspiring Word class, a united get-out‚ or both.

84. * Make a campfire in your back yard, on the beach, or in a park (in accordance with local laws), and roast marshmallows. Have an inspiration, tell testimonies, or go around the circle and ask each other questions; get to know each other better. The person planning the activity could come prepared with specific "talk time" type questions‚ such as, "Have you ever seen an angel?" or "What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?"

85. * Make big signs that say radical things about the Endtime or the meaty message you are getting out, and go out witnessing to an area of town where a lot of youth hang out. If you wear clothes that stand out along with the signs, you will attract even more attention. You could even paint your faces. The Lord can help you figure out the specifics that will be both attention-getting as well as effective and acceptable in your particular field. Spend a few hours personal witnessing. Lots of sheep will be drawn to you and the radical message.

86. * Go out and do a Holy Ghost sample in a park, a walking street, or anywhere there are lots of people sure to see you. Practice witnessing skits beforehand and sing radical, revolutionary songs. Dance around and be wild and free. Hand out posters or tracts with our radical message, not just the milky ones. A lot of people might think you're crazy, but others who are searching will be drawn to the Lord's free Spirit.

87. * The junior teens could work on compiling a Word-based quiz for the Home. As they are reading through different Letters, they can mark points of interest and turn them into questions. Once they've gathered a good number, they could host a Quizorama for the Home or area.

88. * Get together one evening and pull out the Daily Dex with the list of Letters and play charades.

89. * Have a board game night. Play games like Scrabble, Pictionary, Bible Pictionary, or other games you have available.

90. * Every so often get together with the junior teens and read (either for devotions or as an evening activity) some of the accounts of Heaven in the GNs or the older Letters. There are spirit trips and cool accounts galore. Close your eyes and try to imagine you're there; ask the Lord to help you to see things in the spirit.

91. * Ask your junior teens if they'd like to plan the next monthly prayer day. You'll be surprised by the fresh ideas they'll have and the new ways to pray they'll use to spice things up.

92. * Have a media question and answer session. Be prepared ahead of time with questions about our doctrines and beliefs, and see how well the junior teens are able to answer. This could be a good springboard for studying the Word on any of the particular areas they are weak in.

93. * Have a question and answer night, where the junior teens bring questions they would like to ask the FGAs or SGAs about things that they're interested in, and the FGAs and SGAs could ask the junior teens questions.

94. Naturally, not all of these will apply to every situation. In some countries you'll have to be more careful about any open witnessing, and it would be wiser not to try the Holy Ghost sample ideas. In other places the weather will compel you to find more inside activities. But if you don't find enough here to get you started, please just ask me for more, because I love to impart ideas that will make our junior teens happy, get them more turned on to the Word, and help them be more fulfilled. So don't hesitate to ask! (End of message from Free.)