5 Creative Ways to Make the Most of NextGen in the New Year

With 2022 just around the corner, new goals and new year’s resolutions are starting to take shape. Perhaps you might be drawn to learning more about the Bible and wanting to step into a ministry where you can teach and share the Good News. If this is you, then NextGen is the ideal training course to get you started for the new year ahead. Here are just five creative ways that you can maximise your learning and make the most of NextGen.

1. Train individually or in groups

While we recommend doing your NextGen training with others in a group and having a leader oversee the course, it is also possible for you to do it at your own pace in your own time with the help of a leader or minister.

If you’re wanting to be part of a group but your church isn’t offering a group training setting, you can reach out to other churches around your area and see if you can join them. Or you can contact the KCC office and we can help you partner with another church who would happily welcome you to join them.

If you’re looking to train individually but need some guidance with some tasks, talk to your Senior Minister or Pastor about catching up with you every now and then. Ask them if they’re willing to discuss some of the questions you have from the course or even help oversee your work to see if you’re on the right track.

2. Make a plan for how long you want to do your training

NextGen officially starts in January each year. As an online and on-demand course, this means you can do it anytime, anywhere, and complete as many of the short courses as quickly or as slowly as you like. You can do it your way, in five days or five months!

Think about your schedule for 2022 and set aside the right amount of time you need to adequately complete your training. NextGen has provided some sample programs and timetables, with examples on timings for an all-week training program or even a weekend only program, which you can access here.

3. Create a shortlist of workshops you want to complete

NextGen 2022 will feature 11 brand-new workshops designed to bring real-life application to the core materials, with useful, relevant skills and topics. For the first time at NextGen, your ticket will include access to all 11 workshops, so you’re not just limited to sticking with two.

Nevertheless, completing all 11 workshops can sound a bit daunting, and not all workshops may be relevant to your training goals. So, just like planning your schedule and how long you plan to train for, consider creating a shortlist of the workshops that you want to prioritise. Choose the workshops, however many or little as you want, that you want to complete over the course of your training and leave the rest to complete as a bonus when you have free time.

To see an overview of what workshops are on offer and who is presenting on them, visit https://nextgen.kcc.org.au/speakers/#titles

4. Grab some extra books and resources to further your learning

The NextGen training helps give you the right tools and skills to know the Bible and teach it well, but it’s equally important to have the right resources to complement your experience so you’re even more equipped.

When you purchase your ticket for NextGen, you’ll also have the option to add on a children’s or youth ministry book bundle (for $99 with free shipping!), filled with book titles to help you further your learning.

The Children’s Ministry Book Bundle includes:

Psalms of Praise: A Movement Primer by Danielle Hitchen
Bible Stories Every Child Should Know Written by Kenneth N. Taylor, Illustrated by Jenny Brake
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims Book by Rebecca McLaughlin
Children’s Ministry on the Front Foot by Zachary Veron
30 Prophecies: One Story: How the Old Testament Points to Jesus by Paul Reynolds

The Youth Ministry Book Bundle includes:

10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
A Dozen Disappointing Disciples: How to Do Stupid Stuff and Still Change the World by Tom French
The Secular Creed: Engaging Five Contemporary Claims Book by Rebecca McLaughlin
Days of Your Youth by George Statheos
Choosing Love in a Broken World by Heidi Johnston
Talks That Don’t Suck: How to Write and Give Bible Talks for Teenagers by Tom French

5. Set goals for post-training

Your NextGen training shouldn’t stop immediately after you finish completing the course. Based on what you learnt, set some goals for putting it all into practise, or set goals for how to further your learnings. Are there workshops worth revisiting or workshops you haven’t yet watched that you can catch up on? Are there any books you need to read or purchase to complement your NextGen experience? Are there people you could meet 1 to 1 with to start the teaching process and build up confidence before moving into other areas of teaching ministry? Whatever goals you set after you finish training, look at how you can start developing the right building blocks so you can readily move onto the next core strand.

So, are you ready to become equipped in God’s Word, to learn the right tools to share the Bible well? Read more on what’s on offer for NextGen 2022, including information about our speakers, workshops and core strand materials.

Receive a Free Gift When You Register for NextGen 2022!

Receive a FREE gift with your NextGen22 registration, while stocks last! Choose between a NextGen tote bag or water bottle when you purchase your NextGen ticket. Don’t miss out. Register today: https://bit.ly/3CaIMH2

Register by the 6th December to receive your hardcopy strand booklet by 1st January 2022.

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Article by Heidi Tai

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