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As youth workers, we know full well that "...all have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God...." (Romans 3:23 ESV). But one of the more difficult parts of youth ministry, in a practical sense, is how we walk alongside a teenager and their parents when that teenager has been caught in sin. Allow me to share with you four practical ways we partner with parents through a student's sin in our ministry.

Partnering with parents doesn't have to be rocket science. Sure, your steps towards a partnership need to be thoughtful, but they can also be as simple as they are purposeful. For example, here's a little secret that isn't that much of a secret at all: Parents love people who love their kids. Let me share with you some ways that I take some first steps towards a partnership with parents in my ministry by intentionally encouraging parents along the way.

“Because in Christ - Today and forevermore. We are redefined.'” 

A spoken word piece that takes a look into our beginning through Genesis 1, how the beginning was redefined in John 1, and where this redefinition takes us in Titus 3. A great piece to open a conference/DNOW weekend. 

• Author: Emily Willson 
• Length: approximately 3 minutes 
• Actor Needs: 3 actors, but can be edited for more or less 
• Theme Verses: Genesis 1; John 1; Titus 3
• Downloadable PDF

Life can change in an unexpected moment. Eli suffered a traumatic brain injury as an 8th grader. In a coma for multiple weeks, Eli’s family prayed and watched God perform miracle after miracle, surprising even the medical team. Through God’s power and strength, Eli continues to improve and recover and rely on God to help him navigate life years after the injury. 

Length: 6:41 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

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.

Working with teenagers, especially post-pandemic, you are most likely fully aware that adolescent mental health issues are as significant and debilitating as they are widespread (and growing). In fact, according to the Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy, “The average high school student today has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the early 1950s.” So what can we do, as youth ministry leaders, to lean in and help our students who are coping with or struggling to navigate mental health issues? In this single-session Masterclass, Jon provides seven thoughts to help you get started.

Mission trips can be incredibly impactful and provide opportunities for significant spiritual growth for your students. That said, mission trips can also be overwhelming. In this one-session Masterclass, we will go on a trip together to discover the benefits of taking students on a mission trip, how to plan for a mission trip, tips for fundraising, and some best practices while on the trip.

Middle school ministry is not the dressed up kids ministry or dumbed down high school ministry, and we need to intentionally pray, plan, program and present in ways that are effectively meeting the unique needs of these students. Especially after a national pandemic and cultural changes, now more than ever is the time to understand middle years ministry to the emerging Generation Alpha entering our student ministry.

Now more than ever, teens are struggling with stress, anxiety, and fear. The issues young people are facing are complex and wide-ranging. So how can parents and youth workers understand them better? What are the best ways to meet young people where they are and help them feel seen, loved, and known—by our youth ministries, by their parents, and ultimately by the God who cares for them so deeply? Coming off of his latest book, The Anxious Teen, Brock will provide in this seminar a context to help us understand today’s anxiety-ridden reality, he will teach skills and practices that will impact our youth ministries as well as help parents guide their children in moving forward in a lasting and healthy faith and life.

Written by Corey Watson. Every ministry has them. Maybe you created them. Maybe you inherited them. We all have them, though. What are "they"? Sacred cows. Events, programs, or calendar moments that maybe you wish weren't on the calendar, but you also feel like you HAVE to have them on there. How do you get rid of them if they need to go? What do you do if you can't get rid of them? What do you do to change them if you keep them? This three-lesson module will explore how to deal effectively with sacred cows in your ministry.

Hey youth pastor, you've worked hard to create an incredible first time experience for guests. That's great! But how are you following up with those guests and assimilating them into your ministry? Let me share with you two ways we do it.

Written by Dr. Noel Forlini Burt. The Book of Hosea sits squarely within the corpus of the Minor Prophets, what many scholars refer to as The Book of the Twelve. This collection spans many centuries of history in the lives of God’s people, Israel. This history covers the collapse of Israel, the northern half of the kingdom, to the nation of Assyria; the exile and displacement of Judah, the southern half of the kingdom, to the nation of Babylon; and the return of the exiled Judahites back to their land and the subsequent rebuilding of their lives following that return. Over the course of this six-lesson module, we will explore the wilderness tradition together through one of its primary intertexts—the prophet Hosea’s use of wilderness imagery in the 8th century BCE. In particular, Saint Jerome’s statement about the barrenness of the desert experience. 

By Team YM360. If you start with "The Bible says," or in some way assume they already know much about the Gospel, you are, in effect, asking them to understand a clear that you understand clearly, but they don't, and they have no picture giving them a framework to start with. Not having a big picture to help put the pieces of life in perspective can be frustrating. Thankfully, God never intended for us to be without a clear picture of our life's purpose and direction. Instead, God gave us a big picture of life in order that we could live according to His design. It's only when we live according to this bigger picture, God's story, that our individual piece of the story makes sense. That's why understanding the Gospel story is vital to our witness. But it's also vital to teach this to our students today. This learn module will walk you through how to do just that!

By Dr. Noel Forlini Burt. Over the six lessons of this module, we’re going to explore what it means to abide in Christ in good times and in our seasons of spiritual dryness. These six lessons will cover many different topics: childlike reading of Scripture as a means of abiding in Christ, persistence in prayer, and even recalibrating how we teach our own students during dry ministerial seasons. Each of these elements is, I argue, a different way in which we can abide in the One who loves us so much that He gave His life for us.

A mom and her daughter have an honest conversation about college and God’s plan for her life. 

Length: 3:47 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

Material: Elastic, 2-sided polyester stretchy band

Size: 2"x3.5"

Size: 3"x3"

Drop your group into a comic-book world where they must decide if a ridiculous ability is a real power Superman once had, or is something totally made up. Each round, players vote TRUE or FALSE to then discover the wild (and often strange) truth pulled from comic or movie history. It’s fast, visual, and guaranteed to get the room locked in and laughing!

This game turns up the energy by challenging students to think fast and choose even faster. Each round presents multiple options, and the goal is simple—lock in your answer before anyone else. The fast pace keeps the room buzzing, creates hype, and pushes students to stay fully engaged from start to finish.

Wear the Call. More than a shirt—it’s a daily reminder that we are called to follow.

Discipleship isn’t just taught, it’s lived. This shirt helps students carry that identity with them wherever they go.

Discover a practical approach to parenting with great insight into overcoming the distractions life throws at every family. Brian Housman gives broad principles that incorporate spiritual truths vital to maintaining spiritual engagement even through the difficult teen years. Readers are encouraged to let go of the mistakes of the past and keep moving forward towards building a lasting relationship and launching your child into adulthood with a love for God Brian Housman reminds parents of the vital role they play in loving and leading children with the ultimate goal of leaving a spiritual legacy. Housman gives hopeful and inspiring advice to parents laced with personal stories that will inspire readers to evaluate what matters most in life. He also provides tools for parents to stay connected to their kids and emphasizes the need for parents to remind kids of their deep love for them. More importantly he reminds parents that no matter where they are in the parenting journey, it is never too late to start being the parents God desires them to be.

Ready for a wild game where you never know who will say what next? Get two volunteers to come up and face off to see who can tell the best 30-second story first based on a prompt. You can then award points and keep them up there, or give the winner a prize (based on audience feedback) as you invite up two new volunteers. Or, have the whole room play it as a mixer where they turn to someone (or more) nearby to play against them. It's the perfect game to get everyone talking and discover some crazy stories you didn't know!

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Unpacking the text of Psalm 23, real students share their life experiences viewed through the words and principles of Psalm 23. While we know Scripture guides our lives, so many times it’s hard to take His Word off the page, and live it out day by day. Hear students share how Psalm 23 becomes real in the everyday moments of life.

Length: 4:09 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4

The world can be tempting. God has given us a path to walk in this world with clear outlines of what’s right and wrong. Sometimes we can be tempted to veer from the path to chase what the world offers. When we stray from the path the the Father has outlined for us, we face fear, loss, and danger. But the Father is always searching, inviting us to find our way home, safe in the arms of our Father. 

Length: 5:17 | Format: 1920 x 1080 MP4