Things have changed. The Truth has not. The 1950's are gone forever. The days of the Sunday school attendance award and the much-loved Sunday school picnic have faded into oblivion. Yet some youth ministries still operate as if today's kids are living in a vacuum, unaffected by the changing morals of today's society. How can we reach these kids with the truth of the gospel? More than fifty of America's youth experts give advice and encouragement to those who long to see this generation kno...

On Christmas Eve in 1985, a hunter found a young boy's body along an icy corn field in Nebraska. The residents of Chester, Nebraska buried him as "Little Boy Blue," unclaimed and unidentified-- until a phone call from Ohio two years later led authorities to Eli Stutzman, the boy's father.Eli Stutzman, the son of an Amish bishop, was by all appearances a dedicated farmer and family man in the country's strictest religious sect. But behind his quiet façade was a man involved with por...

Broaden your spiritual horizons.How has spirituality changed in the last 500, 1,000, or even 2,000 years? How can ancient approaches to faith help my relationship with God today?In The Sacred Way, popular author and speaker Tony Jones mines the rich history of 16 spiritual disciplines that have flourished throughout the ages and offers practical tips for implementing them in your daily life. Find encouragement and challenge through time-tested disciplines such as:•Silence and solitude •The...

Many people run scared from the middle school youth room. But (thankfully!) there are people out there who are actually drawn to those young teens. Although often times they’re not equipped to deal with the unique challenges that middle school ministry presents, or they’re just not sure what to do when a room full of young teens (who are “part child, but not quite adult”) are running around the youth room. Finally, there’s a comprehensive guide to middle school ministry, from two veterans ...

How often have you struggled to help your students really grasp God’s love? How often have you been frustrated by their Sunday school answers when you try to draw them into the depths of God’s story? You’re not alone. Many students (and even youth workers brave enough to admit it) are experiencing emptiness, lack of passion, and a growing inability to hear from God.But there is hope. Just use your imagination…God created our imaginations. Why not harness them to encounter our creative God ...

Anger is a regular part of every middle school girl’s world. Often times, this anger can appear as open aggression where girls bully one another, or they can unhealthily suppress their anger. But there are godly and appropriate ways students can respond to situations that make them angry. Deal With It gives youth leaders the tools to help middle school girls deal with their anger. Through activities that include reading and responding to stories about Maria, a fictional teen, students will...

Whenever I talk with youth workers at big events, I see the same look in their eyes. It's the look of, "I want to pull off an event like this." I regularly get phone calls from youth workers around the country saying, "We've never done anything like this before, but we wanted to do a big evangelism event . . ." At 80% of the events I speak at each year it seems as if the youth worker in charge expected large numbers, only to get a fourth of his or her expectations. The heart is there and t...

While most youth pastors are being regularly evaluated (or even scrutinized) for what they’re doing right now in the youth group, the reality is that the most important thing they are doing won’t actually be evident until much later. That’s because the biggest challenge for any youth ministry is helping teens embrace a whole-hearted devotion to God that lasts far beyond their years in the youth room. Unfortunately, much of youth ministry seems to be designed on the model of setting teenage...

The Trinity can be one of the most difficult ideas in the Bible to understand. How can our God be made up of three different people? Andrew Hedges answers this question in Creative Bible Lessons on the Trinity, an in-depth guide perfect for small groups and student discussions. Divided into three sections, one for each aspect of the Trinity, this book presents students with a clear understanding of the role each part plays. Biblical evidence is supplemented with discussion questions so you...

There are so many benefits to being a youth worker: You get to hang out with teenagers, watch their lives transform, and help them become adults who live for and love Jesus. But when you signed on the dotted line to work in youth ministry, nobody mentioned the negative side effects: isolation, criticism, a general feeling of being constantly overwhelmed, relentless questioning from parents and church leaders. The list can go on… But your frustration doesn’t have to overtake you, or take yo...

That’s NOT All, Folks!Cartoons feature fun characters, catchy music, and hilarious stories¬¬, but if that’s all you think they’re good for––you’re missing out! Behind the wacky dramas and laugh-out-loud gags, cartoons can teach viewers a little something about life, about themselves, even about God.Author Steven Case explores the world of cartoons for subtle spiritual principles. He gives these modern fables the respect they’re due by calling attention to important topics such as:-Friendsh...

You may have an amazing program and be well connected to your students, but that doesn’t always guarantee a problem-free ministry. Whether it’s the guy in the back of the room who’s always causing trouble, or the girl in the corner with a look of indifference, disruptive and apathetic students can hinder the effectiveness of your ministry. But you don’t have to let discipline problems drive you out of youth ministry (or out of your mind!).In this practical book, youth ministry veteran Les ...