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Whether you see it as a waste of time, a danger to society, a tool of a foreign government, or just the next version of Myspace that will go as quickly as it came, TikTok has your students’ eyes and attention. According to the Pew Research Center, TikTok claimed the #2 spot in the rankings of online platforms used by U.S. teens in 2023, surpassing the former powerhouses of Snapchat and Instagram. As we look at engaging our students and creating opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, the question isn’t if TikTok will be banned or sold but how youth workers will redeem it and utilize it for the Glory of God. In part three of this three-part TikTok series, I want to share with you some ways to create engaging content while utilizing this social media platform in your ministry.

Whether you see it as a waste of time, a danger to society, a tool of a foreign government, or just the next version of Myspace that will go as quickly as it came, TikTok has your students’ eyes and attention. According to the Pew Research Center, TikTok claimed the #2 spot in the rankings of online platforms used by U.S. teens in 2023, surpassing the former powerhouses of Snapchat and Instagram. As we look at engaging our students and creating opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, the question isn’t if TikTok will be banned or sold but how youth workers will redeem it and utilize it for the Glory of God. In part two of this three-part TikTok series, I want to share with you the cons of utilizing this social media platform in your ministry.

Whether you see it as a waste of time, a danger to society, a tool of a foreign government, or just the next version of Myspace that will go as quickly as it came, TikTok has your students’ eyes and attention. According to the Pew Research Center, TikTok claimed the #2 spot in the rankings of online platforms used by U.S. teens in 2023, surpassing the former powerhouses of Snapchat and Instagram. As we look at engaging our students and creating opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, the question isn’t if TikTok will be banned or sold but how youth workers will redeem it and utilize it for the Glory of God. In part one of this three-part TikTok series, I want to share with you the pros of utilizing this social media platform in your ministry.

Over the years, there has been one particular student ministry event that has excited my students more than most and blown away my expectations each and every time. Not to mention that it’s proven to be a winner regardless of the size of the youth ministry I’ve been a part of or the ministry’s typical participation rate. Curious? Well, that event is a silent disco...in particular, a glow night silent disco. Sound fun? That’s because it is! So, let me walk you through all the ins and outs of hosting your own glow night silent disco for your ministry.

Youth ministry is truly an incredible calling, but unfortunately, it is not void of its times of struggle and disappointment. In fact, serving as a youth worker seems to come with some struggles and disappointments that are uniquely its own. So, what are we supposed to do when things don’t go as planned? How are we supposed to respond when we start to wonder if all this work and effort are returning void? How do we keep moving forward in our service to the Lord through youth ministry when we feel like we are walking through thick mud? I don’t have all the answers, but I do want to share some thoughts and four things that have helped me navigate my own encounters with disappointment over the years. My hope is that if you are struggling right now, something in this video reminds you of who you are, whose you are, and that what you do matters.

Could disruption and doubt be gifts of the Spirit that move us (and the students we work with) beyond our comfortable categories and into a wild and holy trek taking us “further up” and “further in”? Could the desperation so many churches and youth workers feel about their future and the uncontrolled velocity of our culture be the ants in the pants the church needs to move us beyond a Gospel that has been reduced to showing up for meetings and not causing a stir? In part one of this three-part module, author Brock Morgan tackles the consistent elements of yesterday and today, like character development, individuation, and doubt; but he invites all of us along as the capital-C “Church” into greater collaboration as we partner with students to creatively form the ministry of tomorrow. You’ll find yourself encouraged by how you are practicing youth ministry and challenged to think differently, so you don’t hold on too tightly.

We know we want to have our students living a life on mission. Yet, oftentimes, we find ourselves providing “one-off” trips that create Instagram memories and some great stories…but little more. So, how do we create lasting opportunities that call students to “live on mission” far beyond the specific mission trip? Corey Watson will dig a little deeper in this three-lesson module and explore that answers to that question.

As youth workers, we are in a tough spot these days. On the one hand, we're finding that teenagers who have little to no church background and Bible literacy tend to be hyper tolerant of all religious views except for Christianity. On the other hand, students who grew up in the church and have heard all of the right answers are still struggling to articulate their beliefs and live them out day to day.

When these two realities combine in youth ministry, they can make teaching teenagers about spiritual things an infuriating experience. It can feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall. So maybe it s time we try something different when it comes to teaching theology to our students.Maybe it’s time we shift from being a content dispenser to a conversation cultivator. Maybe it's time we stop treating teenagers like consumers and instead start creating learning environments that lead to faith exploration and ownership.

Step into the time machine and journey back through the decades with "Retro Trivia" – the ultimate blast from the past game through four iconic decades, each filled with its own unique style and culture. From disco fever to neon lights, grunge rock to Y2K fears, every round is a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Players are presented with a series of trivia questions, each offering two options to choose from. Will they pick the rad choice or the totally tubular one? Whether you have them play solo or against rivals, turn it into a full-on night of old school fun for everyone!

Watermelon may be the ultimate refreshing snack, but can your students separate the juicy truth from the fruity fibs? Dive into this watermelon-themed true or false screen game and add a splash of fun to your program or event. You’ll find out how much everyone really knows about the fruit… or is it a vegetable? Students will get the chance to guess at that along with other questions that challenge them to pick “true” or “false.” 

Serve up this game as an stage game with one student per round, a player-versus-player showdown, or let the whole group join in on the melon madness. For an extra slice of excitement, serve watermelon slices to the players or teams if they get a question right. Get ready to see who knows their stuff and who’s just full of rind!

Veteran youth worker Kurt Johnston writes, "Getting better at youth ministry is worth the effort because teenagers are worth the effort." With that in mind, he put together this compact, practical, and approachable book for youth ministry volunteers, brimming with insights and wisdom from his decades in youth ministry—including some memorable and hilarious stories of the mistakes that taught him along the way.

You will be given four brands names. Simply determine which category of product they provide. Example: Crest, Colgate, Aquafresh, & Sensodyne. Category = TOOTHPASTE.

Jesus’s intent is to bring all people into the community of faith—and to give each person a significant role to play. What does this mean for you as a student leader? Through real-life anecdotes, practical tips, and key passages of Scripture, Becoming a Student Leader will help you discover more about who you are and the purpose you serve.

Take your group on an epic journey through iconic catchphrases from TV shows that are ingrained in everyday culture. Test their knowledge (or get them guessing) at all the nostalgia through this fun trivia game that will transport students through decades of television magic!

Some things are hard to figure out when you’re too close to them… kind of like this game. Use it as a fun icebreaker/competition, or as a primer to a message on perspective. Students will have three tries to guess the answer and earn points accordingly, whether competing up front or with the person next to them.

There have been a lot of famous dogs in the history of pop culture. See how many of these dogs you can correctly name.

It's a trivia game about Fortnite. That's it.

Sitcoms let us have a good time laughing at ourselves or our favorite characters. See how well your group can guess between two shoes which came first as you cover different eras of TV. Play it as a face-off or as a turn-to-your-neighbor icebreaker as you ask, “WHICH CAME FIRST?”

There are so many classic games we’ve all played, but how well have you paid attention to the official instructions? See if your group can tell where the rule given comes from! If they can’t name it outright, use the hint to trigger their memory! You play this as an all-play, or create teams to face off on who can get it first.

We've all heard horrible Dad Jokes, but how well can you remember the punchlines? You will be given the question part of the joke, you give the answer.

How well can your group identify facts about our U.S. Military branches? Bring them up on stage to find out. If they get it right, have the audience give them a real salute!

You will be given the name of a famous NBA player. Simply guess how many teams that player played on during their career.

Are you ready to challenge your students with a second round of science trivia? Check out the question and have them decide if it's "Fact" or "Fiction." You can play the game by having students indicate an answer by moving from one side of the room to the other, or by bringing students up on stage to face off on who gets the right answer first.

All those P.E. classes are about to pay off! See how well your group can identify which exercise works which muscle groups. Play it as a face-off, as an all-play, or as a move-to-a-side-of-the-room icebreaker!

Can you match these famous frontmen with the bands they are a part of? Let's find out.

Everyone grows up with a mix of awkward phases and shining moments. See if your students can recognize what some of their favorite celebrities looked like back then. Play it as an icebreaker, in teams or as a face-off!

There have been a lot of famous cats in the history of pop culture. See how many of these cats you can correctly name.

Simply guess "Yes" or "No" if you think these items hit the target weight of 50 pounds.

Can your group recognize which animals that are Omnivores (that eat meat and plants)? Test their knowledge on this multiple-choice quiz. Play it as a face-off or having everyone stand and vote (winners stay standing, losers sit down). Enjoy!

See who can get the closest to the actual answer.

Every Disney movie has some recognizable symbol. Have a couple of players face off to see who can guess the name of the movie (not the character) first!

For anyone who has ever felt unqualified to share the Good News, this training is for you. My Eight: Embrace and Engage in the Wonder of Evangelism uses Scripture and stories from Dr. Newton’s life to make plain how not only are we, as Christ-followers, more than capable of sharing the Gospel, but we are also called to do so. It does away with the idea that you must have a microphone or a stage to make Jesus known, but instead invites us to see the beauty and joy of embracing and engaging in evangelism everyday.

Youth ministry changes quickly depending on what's going on in the church, what's happening in the culture, the makeup of the current students involved in the ministry, and literally hundreds of other factors. These changes often go unnoticed because we, as youth ministry leaders, are too busy or assume nothing has changed. If we don't take a step back and assess our ministry, we are in danger of becoming less effective in our reach and discipleship. Having recently stepped into a couple of new ministry environments, each with its own unique contexts, I learned just how much value there is in the ability to quickly and accurately assess each context. With my degree in business combined with a fair amount of youth ministry experience, it occurred to me that the ability to perform a SWOT analysis could be a real game-changer for youth ministry leaders. So, in this five-lesson module, I will break down a SWOT analysis for you and discuss how to apply it to your youth ministry. 

In the journey of faith, the decision to be baptized marks a significant milestone for many individuals, particularly students, who are embarking on their spiritual path. It is a moment of profound significance, signifying their commitment to follow Christ and embrace the teachings of Christianity. In navigating the complexities of guiding students through the baptismal journey, a multifaceted approach that prioritizes timely action, is intentional with inclusive discussions, and one that sits on a solid foundation rooted in Scripture is indispensable. In this three-lesson module, we will discuss how to create a baptism counseling strategy that approaches the subject of baptism with humility, openness, and reverence—one that engages in meaningful dialogue, listening attentively to the voices of tradition, Scripture, and the Spirit. And one that extends grace and hospitality to all who seek to explore the depths of faith.

No matter the size of your ministry. No matter how long you’ve been there or what type of church you participate in, chances are, you’ve had experiences with parents who may be a little bit more “needy” than other families in your ministry. These are the families who are a little more opinionated or maybe more willing to share their opinions with you (and everyone else) more than the rest. We’re talking about the families whose emails you leave unread just a little bit longer because, honestly, you’re not totally sure how to respond. The families that call your phone you may send them to voicemail because you want to hear what they have to say before you answer or call back. It’s the family that on a Sunday after service, you’re standing in the lobby, and you see somebody walk into you, and you go, “Ohh man, that’s so and so, and I’m not sure I’m ready to have this conversation.” We all have families in our ministry who we just struggle with, right? We don’t hate them. We don’t dislike them. However, at the end of the day, they just make life a little bit more difficult for you, and we want to know how to navigate, how to engage, and how to care for these families really well because God has entrusted us with that task. God has placed those families in our church, so we don’t just want tactics or tips and tricks to figure out how to avoid these families or just pass them off to someone else. We want to be pastors. In fact, God has invited us into this as pastors, and we have a responsibility and, hopefully, a desire to care well for the people that God has placed in our ministry context. So, in this single-session Masterclass, Josh talks about difficult parents and five things to consider when choosing to pastor them well.