Contagious MAX (14-19’s)

A typical day

We have a busy morning so every Conference has a filling breakfast with cooked and continental options. Then after breakfast is our SUS group time. This is time in small groups studying the Bible together.

Next, we spend the rest of the morning in two Seminars with a break in the middle. Seminars are interactive sessions where we dig deeper into God’s word together. They are where we see the big picture of what God’s word has to say about a subject.

We then have lunch and afterwards it is into afternoon activities. The activities are usually split into two (or three) slots and are a mix of all-together activities and options. We then have dinner together.

In the evening we have our Big Teaches. These are meetings that include games, singing, interviews and the reading and preaching of God’s word. Finally, a day at Contagious MAX then ends with some after hours activities and before lights out at 10.45pm.

Teaching

Contagious MAX are Bible-based youth conferences for 14-19s. Therefore we are committed to teaching the Bible to young people in a way that applies the truth of God’s Word to their lives.  We aim to give young people a deeper understanding of Bible and thereby grow their relationship with Jesus.  Teaching takes place to help young people learn, explore and apply the truth to their lives.

sus Groups

“SUS groups were incredibly helpful with being able to pray about and discuss our responses to the teaching in our own lives.” – Young person, MAX West

Sometimes a large group of people can be daunting. Therefore everyone in Contagious MAX belongs to a small group called a SUS group. You will quickly get to know new friends and build a good team spirit.

Two experienced leaders are responsible for our SUS groups. They are the pastoral support for each young person in their SUS group. Each day we spend time in the Bible together in SUS groups. This is an ideal time for you to ask questions and discuss the teaching in a relaxed setting.

Seminars

“I loved going back to parts of the old testament and seeing where the things in Revelation had already been prophesied thousands of years earlier, and it has definitely strengthened my belief in the Bible’s authenticity and the truth of its message.” – Naomi, 16

Each morning we dig deep into the Bible to find out what it says.  Seminars teach the Bible in creative and engaging ways to help you capture what it says in your heart. Some of the time we will teach from the front or you will look up verses in SUS groups. Other times there will be games, competitions, drama, songs or visuals to illustrate the teaching point.

You won’t be expected to read out loud if that makes you uncomfortable. Just let us know beforehand if that is the case. If you have any particular learning needs, please tell us and we will endeavour to provide some additional support.

Big Teaches

“I think all of it was so engaging and interesting and I really enjoyed the big talks at the end of each day.” – Mya, 15

The ‘Big Teach’ is the climax of each day where an experienced preacher will apply the Bible to our lives. Everyone gathers together in a large group for great worship, interviews, ice-breaker games, prayers before the preach.

We give young people the chance to speak to experienced leaders afterwards for support, encouragement and prayer. Many young people say that the ‘Big Teach’ is the highlight of their week!

Singing

“The music group were awesome, and we sang some really good songs… It was so good to be surrounded by so many other Christians, and to be reassured we are not alone in this world.” – Young person, MAX East

We love to sing and worship God with a mix of modern songs and traditional hymns. Singing is an important way to take what we have learnt and express our love for God from our hearts. 

We seek to avoid making the worship too different from what most young people will experience in their home churches. This is to encourage them to enjoy praising God all year round.

One-to-ones

“The teaching and one on ones were very helpful for me… I particularly appreciated the opportunity to talk to a leader after the big teach as this personally helped me a lot.” – Carys

Everyone is offered an opportunity for a one to one with your SUS Group Leader. This will be your opportunity to share how you are feeling, ask any questions and pray together. Find out more about this in our Contagious One-to-Ones guidance notes.

One-to-ones are always done in a public space and according to our Contagious Safeguarding Policy. We respect privacy but do not promise confidentiality and always act with the young person’s best interests first.

Question Time

“Q&A was the highlight for me, lots of good answers to difficult questions.” – Joshua, 18

Each conference raises many questions that the young people have so we give everyone an opportunity to ask their questions and hear experienced team leaders provide biblical answers.

Activities

There are usually two activity slots each afternoon, divided into ‘all-in’ activities where everyone at the Conference joins in an activity together (wide games, SUS challenge, water games…) and optional activities (a choice of 3-5 different activities are run at the same time so that young people can choose which activity they would like to do). We then have further activities in the evening. Activities can include SUS challenges, sports, water games, baking, wide games, rounders, football, swimming, craft, ceilidhs, choir, and time to chill.