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As a high school teacher, I have become more than intrigued with the whole concept of learning styles. There are eight or nine basic styles, depending on the expert you talk to. From an educator’s standpoint, there is one truth that astounds, yet doesn’t surprise me. The least effective form of teaching is to put a book or printed paper in front of a student and simply say ‘read.’

That’s pretty ironic, considering that’s how most of us spent our own days in school. I’m thrilled to see that educators and even entire school districts are finally realizing that there are better ways to get a message through to our youth.

The same applies in the Sunday school or youth room. It’s no wonder that not many youth can just sit down and read their Bible on their own. It’s not that they aren’t interested. It’s simply that most don’t learn that way. Couple that with some long stretches of fairly dry reading, (wonder why most attempts at reading the Bible straight through die in Leviticus?) and it’s a no-brainer that we need to do more to make sure the messages, stories and truths of the Bible hit home.

That’s where I see an opportunity in movies. Not only movies, but activities and discussions that involve the students and make them active learners. The more involved your kids are, and the more ownership you give them in the lesson and the meeting as a whole, the more they will take from it. Including movies offers that sense of ownership as it brings in a world that students are more familiar with and can talk about with understanding and authority.

We’re all that way, though, if we think about it. Isn't that at least one reason why we’re in youth ministry? We’d rather jump in with both feet then stand on the sidelines. We’d rather take chances and share in the victories and failures alike. We’d rather be an interactive part of our student’s lives then to just know from a distance.

My philosophy towards ministry has always been simple. Whatever it takes. It’s a simple matter of knowing your students and finding the best way to reach them. Let go of how things have always been done. Even let go of what worked best for you. It’s all about the students God has placed in your hands, because he trusts you with them. It’s all about teaching them God’s love and showing them your own.

  
 
- Aaron