I totally revamped my approach to small groups in our ministry recently. We have tried a multitude of curriculums, ideas, books, formulas and approaches. It has been topical and as simple as opening the Bible and walking verse by verse. Still I was finding an interesting trend.…
In the past week I have had different youth ask me these questions: What do I say when my parent’s tell me I’m never going to do anything with my life? I think I’m gay, and my parent’s told me they don’t want me to be.…
Freebie: The Art of Tweaking Curriculum – Part 4: Storytelling in Curriculum My final thoughts on curriculum are in regards to the actual small group lesson. Most lessons include a video clip or short scripture with a couple of questions. This is often the point at which we think our students will tell us, “They know it all.” …
Freebie: The Art of Tweaking Curriculum – Part 1: The Intro “What are you doing in your youth group?” I inquired, really just wanting the basic ideas of what this youth guy was trying with his students. His answer was surprising. …
It starts around 9 or 10 years old. It’s like one day you wake up and can truly see for the first time all that you don’t like about your family, your changing body and your life for that matter. Not knowing how to process any of these feelings you just become over-emotional. …
FREEBIE: A Favorite Go-to Small Group Lesson: Closer, Farther OR Bubblegum… In light of the recent VMA awards, I wanted to share with you a favorite “goto” lesson I do often with my students. This works as either part of a series or as a “Quick” in between curriculum.…
Dear Volunteer, It bothers me when you tell me, “I’m not a real youth worker.” Are you kidding? You set up and tear down, prepare small group lessons, and pick up kids and drop them off. You take “vacation” time so that you can trek with us to camp or on a missions trip.…
Picture courtesy of traveldealsnetwork.com I have a love/hate relationship with summer. On the one hand it’s an awesome time of relationship building with students. While, on the other hand it is one of the busiest seasons in our ministry. I can handle the craziness because I know it’s just a “season.”…
As pictures of Oklahoma have crossed my screen, I realize we are just now digging out of the wake of Hurricane Sandy here in the Northeast. Friends in Massachusetts and Newtown, CT are still putting their lives back together. There are times when “tragedy” doesn’t make the news. …
A couple of times a year I survey my teen students about our programming. What do we do well? What needs to change? What topics are we missing? About 8 months ago the overwhelming response was a desire to do more and be more.…
