Matthew McNutt: How to help a student prepare and give their testimony
Being up front every week, it’s easy for us youth leaders to forget just how terrifying it can be to speak in front of your peers when you’re not experienced with it. Just remember, in polls about people’s fears, death is second only to public speaking. You know the old joke; people would rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy! All that to say, how do we prepare and encourage our teens to take that step and start exercising leadership in front of the group? Set them up for success. Give them every opportunity to have a slam dunk and their confidence will grow, they will find joy in it and they will be ready to continue growing in this area. Here are the steps I take to insure their success:
Show them their potential.
I point out examples that I have noticed in their interactions with others that demonstrate leadership and public speaking potential. If they are outgoing, I praise them for it. If they are thoughtful in their words, I zero in on that. If they are a good listener, I talk about how they will be in tune with those listening to them because they are aware of others. I do everything I can to make them feel confident about their ability.
Require preparation.
I have them write out what they are going to say, whether it’s a prayer or a testimony. They don’t need to read it from up front if they are comfortable enough (they have it if their nerves get the best of them!), but I want them taking the time to specifically think through what they are saying. Being up front is a big deal and they need to appreciate that it warrants preparation.
Rehearse with them.
I go over it with them ahead of time! Anything I can praise I go after. Maybe I have some constructive advice, but for the most part I make sure that they know I am impressed with what they have put together. I want them feeling good about what they are going up front with.
Know your response.
When they’ve finished, I pump them up. It doesn’t matter if it was eloquent or had some mistakes - constructive advice will wait until the NEXT time. For now I make a big deal about it. If I can, I share in “big church” about how I was blessed by so-and-so’s testimony/prayer and how impressed I was that he/she was willing to get up in front of his/her peers and share. I publically praise the time they put into preparing and how I can’t wait to see what they will bring in the future, and I definitely let their parents know what a great job they did!
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