How would I go about starting a young person's group or bible study in my area

benjammin · #1 Jul 31, '12, 6:50 pm

I'd really love to start a young persons group (people between 18 and maybe 30) in my area. I live in a somewhat low population rural area, but I feel that there are enough people within a half hour of where i am at to start a young person's group or bible study. I feel there is a need for this since in my area there isn't a lot of support for young catholics and most young people see church as an old people thing The thing is I don't know where to start. First of all, who would I ask to lead it. I'd love to have a priest help, but my local parish priest and I don't have the best relationship (we get along but he never has been close with my family or me, even though we are in a REALLY small parish) and I don't know how I would ask a priest to lead this.

Secondly, how do I get people to join. I know this seems simple, but its tough. A lot of catholic young people in my area are cultural catholics who only go because their parents and grandparents went and would rather drink and party and be promiscuous than go to a young adults group and eve, and I'm not really the greatest evangelizer or great at talking to people and i'm worried even if I do try to set up a group that no one will be interested.

I really feel this is something that is needed in my area, but I don't know how to get it started. I know I probably need more prayer and guidance, but I feel such a need for this group. I know I always loved having a group in college where people could talk and share their faith and have a little fun as well, and I love that sense of community and feel that most people my age would.

So, any suggestions?

findingmyself08 · #2 Jul 31, '12, 8:14 pm

How small is your parish? Is there another parish nearby? Because I would really suggest talking with either your parish priest or one from the surrounding area about the Bible study/youth group. I think that would be your first step. If you feel uncomfortable talking with your parish priest I would suggest talking to the Director of Religious Education (or the DRE) in your parish/area. They are in charge of the religious education for children in your parish.

The priest or DRE should be able to answer your questions about starting the Bible study/youth group including finding a person to lead the group. Besides helping you find someone to lead it, they could also help provide ways to promote the Bible study/youth group by announcing it in church or putting it in the church bulletin.

Otherwise, the only other thing I can suggest is to continue to pray about it. If it is meant to happen, it'll happen.

God Bless,
Stacey

AlTheCollegeGal · #3 Jul 31, '12, 8:30 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjammin

I'd really love to start a young persons group (people between 18 and maybe 30) in my area. I live in a somewhat low population rural area, but I feel that there are enough people within a half hour of where i am at to start a young person's group or bible study. I feel there is a need for this since in my area there isn't a lot of support for young catholics and most young people see church as an old people thing The thing is I don't know where to start. First of all, who would I ask to lead it. I'd love to have a priest help, but my local parish priest and I don't have the best relationship (we get along but he never has been close with my family or me, even though we are in a REALLY small parish) and I don't know how I would ask a priest to lead this.

Secondly, how do I get people to join. I know this seems simple, but its tough. A lot of catholic young people in my area are cultural catholics who only go because their parents and grandparents went and would rather drink and party and be promiscuous than go to a young adults group and eve, and I'm not really the greatest evangelizer or great at talking to people and i'm worried even if I do try to set up a group that no one will be interested.

I really feel this is something that is needed in my area, but I don't know how to get it started. I know I probably need more prayer and guidance, but I feel such a need for this group. I know I always loved having a group in college where people could talk and share their faith and have a little fun as well, and I love that sense of community and feel that most people my age would.

So, any suggestions?

Well, I agree with the above poster that talking to your local priest is the first step. I do know, however, that a local youth group I know has their own website with updates as well as a Facebook page. In this era of technological advancement, utilize the readily available options. Facebook and Twitter are feasible options, for there are many who would be able to see these postings and who would be interested. You would attract a whole demographic of people who are perhaps unsure about going to a youth group, but have decided to upon viewing your page/posting comments.

benjammin · #4 Jul 31, '12, 8:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by findingmyself08

How small is your parish? Is there another parish nearby? Because I would really suggest talking with either your parish priest or one from the surrounding area about the Bible study/youth group. I think that would be your first step. If you feel uncomfortable talking with your parish priest I would suggest talking to the Director of Religious Education (or the DRE) in your parish/area. They are in charge of the religious education for children in your parish.

The priest or DRE should be able to answer your questions about starting the Bible study/youth group including finding a person to lead the group. Besides helping you find someone to lead it, they could also help provide ways to promote the Bible study/youth group by announcing it in church or putting it in the church bulletin.

Otherwise, the only other thing I can suggest is to continue to pray about it. If it is meant to happen, it'll happen.

God Bless,
Stacey

Welp, my parish is really small (only about 100 families, most of whom are elderly married couples, which is typical in rural nebraska). The closest large parish does have more young people , but as i said many don't go to church anymore. I also don't think we have a DRE, since we have a catholic high school and most people unfortunately think that the Catholic school will do the work (which it does, it's a very orthodox high school) and don't really practice their faith other than giving money to the school or church. Also i don't want to talk to my priest because he puts me off (for example I became a lector in march and he never once talked to me about lecturing at mass I don't like to talk about it because he is a priest, and if he doesn't think i'm important enough than he must feel he has better things to do, and I still respect him as a priest, but its hard). I might talk to another priest, but I don't know if they sense the need as much as I do

findingmyself08 · #5 Jul 31, '12, 9:15 pm

My parish is probably around the same size.

Have you considered talking to the principal of the Catholic high school in your area? If there is no DRE, I am sure the principal would be the next person you could talk to about it. They also could help promote the group and possibly find a person to lead it (maybe even a teacher). Also, is it possible that one of the older married couples in your parish would be willing to lead the group?

If you really don't want to talk to your priest about it, I would still suggest talking to another priest (possibly the next closest large parish). While he might not be as interested in or see the importance as much as you do, he could be a source of good advice on who to go to and who to talk with about starting such a group. Maybe he would be willing to start a group covering both parishes. Maybe there is already a group, but it just doesn't have the support it needs.

I'd ask around just to find out.

God Bless,
Stacey

benjammin · #6 Aug 1, '12, 7:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by findingmyself08

My parish is probably around the same size.

Have you considered talking to the principal of the Catholic high school in your area? If there is no DRE, I am sure the principal would be the next person you could talk to about it. They also could help promote the group and possibly find a person to lead it (maybe even a teacher). Also, is it possible that one of the older married couples in your parish would be willing to lead the group?

If you really don't want to talk to your priest about it, I would still suggest talking to another priest (possibly the next closest large parish). While he might not be as interested in or see the importance as much as you do, he could be a source of good advice on who to go to and who to talk with about starting such a group. Maybe he would be willing to start a group covering both parishes. Maybe there is already a group, but it just doesn't have the support it needs.

I'd ask around just to find out.

Thanks, I will ask the school principal, but he's more concerned with the school. Also this is a group for people out of high school and college, so I want it to be more of a young adults group, but i will ask

God Bless,
Stacey

findingmyself08 · #7 Aug 1, '12, 9:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by benjammin

Thanks, I will ask the school principal, but he's more concerned with the school. Also this is a group for people out of high school and college, so I want it to be more of a young adults group, but i will ask

The principal may be more concerned with the school, but he may be able to help you find someone willing to help you organize the young adults group. And I wouldn't try to limit the group to only people out of high school and college because some high school students could really benefit from the Bible study.

benjammin · #8 Aug 1, '12, 3:23 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by findingmyself08

The principal may be more concerned with the school, but he may be able to help you find someone willing to help you organize the young adults group. And I wouldn't try to limit the group to only people out of high school and college because some high school students could really benefit from the Bible study.