Zion Student Ministries
ZSM - ZION STUDENT MINISTRIES, GRADES 7-12
Believe it or not, there is actual intent behind most everything we do with regard to Student Ministry at Zion. For a few years now, we have used the following things as our guiding principles when planning events and classes. Our student ministries at Zion revolve around 5 purposes: worship, fellowship, service, evangelism, and discipleship. Our events and programming for our 7-12 grade students are geared to meet one or more of these purposes at any given time. Here is a brief overview of the methodology behind our on-going student ministry events...
WORSHIP -- Sunday mornings, Wednesday nights. Our students are encouraged to attend and participate in worship, by their presence, volunteering in the band or sound booth, ushering, and by being a part of our Student band. Worship is more than just songs, it is an attitude that permeates all of our events as we encounter the Living God in study, scripture, song, and being together.
FELLOWSHIP -- This is a churchy way of saying we spend time together! Our Wednesday night student ministries center around this time together, incorporating teaching and small group discussion time in which students have a chance to talk about the lessons and share their lives. Our 7/8 students meet in the Jr. High Student Center, while our 9-12 students are in the Sr. High Center. We also try to provide quarterly scheduled time of together for both age groups; check the Zion website, Zion Student Facebook Page, and the weekly bulletin for more information on those events.
SERVICE -- We believe that we serve Jesus by serving others, and that service is a way of life where we are putting faith into action! Our students are encouraged to take part in our Homeless Outreach Meal program that meets on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Reggie’s Place, the Iowa Homeless Youth Center outreach spot located downtown, is a place that adults and students have volunteered at for 5 years. A group meets to head to Reggie s on the 3rd Saturday evening of every month as well. Additionally, our students volunteer around Zion in a variety of ways, helping to show that being part of a church is more than showing up and being a consumer on Sunday or Wednesday!
EVANGELISM -- Bring a Friend. BAF. This is a rallying cry for our students, as we encourage them to bring a friend to each and every event we do. We strive to be open, welcoming, and love when new faces come to hear about Jesus. Evangelism happens wherever relationships occur, and that includes our student ministries here at Zion! With this in mind, our volunteers are consistently reminding our students that where they live and go to school is their mission field! We also encourage our students to get involved in the outreach to Douglas Terrace Apartments, as well as Vacation Bible School and other outreach oriented events.
DISCIPLESHIP -- Another churchy word, essentially meaning that our students are encouraged and pushed to be learning and growing in their relationship with Jesus! All of our Sunday and Wednesday programming for all age groups includes a discipleship piece, where students are challenged with the truths of the Scriptures and encouraged to find where that connects with their lives. We also have some smaller discipleship groups that meet for those students who express a desire for something more challenging, less life topic, and more Bible study. If you have ideas, questions, or comments with regard to how we do what we do and why, our Student Ministry team would love to hear from you! And we are always looking for people with a heart for Jesus and for students to join our team.
Jr. High Ministries (7-8th grade)
Confirmation: Great teaching, fun atmosphere, growing in faith and love!The Zion Student team is excited to be back at it this fall! Here are the Wednesday weekly events you can count on... 7/8 Wed nights: Class meets in the 7/8 student center starting at 6:30 pm on 9/8! We ll have some fun teaching this year centered on the basics of what we believe and what it means to follow Jesus, followed by small group discussion time. Food, fun, friends! Class ends at 7:45 pm.
7/8 Sunday!: Experiencing the places where everyday life and faith intersect! Students will gather for some great time together, with honest discussion, laughs, and food on occasion! The class meets in the 7/8 Student Center on Sundays, starting at 9:15 am and ending at 10:15 am. This year will focus on living what you believe, and growing in your love for Jesus. Join us for all the excitement...and bring a friend!
Sr. High Ministries (9-12th grade)
9-12 Fun Nights: Wednesday nights continue with real discussions on real topics real students just like you are facing! 6:30-7:45 pm in the Sr. High Student Center. This year we will be working a few service nights to put our faith in action, as well as some social nights to hang out and have some less-structured fun! Bring a friend!
9/12 Sundays: Food, fun, and real relevant conversation drives our 9-12 Sunday mornings. We have some great new topics and approaches to seeing God all around us...the discussion begins at 9:15 am in the Sr. High Student Center, and ends around 10:15 am. Come, be challenged, and bring a friend!
ZSM is volunteer driven, prayerfully planned out, and directed by Brent Osborne, Intern Pastor & Director of Youth Discipleship. For more information you can contact Brent Osborne by e-mail or phone the Church at 515-270-8142.
Check out Brent Osborne's blog at: http://zionundone.blogspot.com