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How To Keep Students Engaged In Small Groups: 5 Strategies That Work

how to keep students engaged in small groups

I’m a preacher at heart. I like monologuing. If I said anything different, I’d be lying to you and myself. And sometimes I feel a little bit embarrassed about that. Because while preaching is important, small groups should be one of the most powerful environments in any youth ministry environment. They’re where students go beyond […]

How to Teach Teenagers About Peer Pressure

how to teach teenagers about peer pressure

When I was 12, my neighborhood friend had a pretty older sister. They all knew I had a crush on her, so they dared me to stand outside her window and shout “Zakiya, I love you!!” I did. Zakiya was annoyed. Then I felt ashamed and decided peer pressure was dumb. Peer pressure has been […]

The #1 Mistake Youth Pastors Make In Sermon Prep

the #1 mistake youth pastors make when prepping sermons

Every youth pastor has been there. It’s Wednesday night, your sermon isn’t finished, and the clock is ticking. Maybe you’ve got a solid outline, but something’s missing. Maybe you’re struggling to connect your message to real life. Maybe you’re just hoping students don’t tune out five minutes in. Here’s the hard truth: The way we […]

How To Teach Teenagers About Identity In Christ

how to teach teenagers about identity in christ

Teenagers are sorting through identity all the time, even if they don’t call it that. They’re trying to figure out who they are, how they matter, and where they belong. And the world is more than ready to answer. Social media says identity is how you present yourself. Culture says it’s about achievement, style, or […]

Is Orange Youth Ministry Curriculum Still The Best Choice?

Is orange youth ministry curriculum still the best choice?

If you’re feeling conflicted, hurt, or even a little lost about what’s happening with Orange, you’re not alone. If you’re not aware of what’s happening with Orange right now, here’s the overview: Last year, it came out that there was sexual misconduct and abuse between Orange’s Founder and the President of Orange. Both leaders resigned […]

Defining Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry Curriculum

5 big differentiators for defining gospel centered youth ministry curriculum

In youth ministry, the term “gospel-centered” gets thrown around a lot. Every youth ministry curriculum claims to be Christ-focused, biblically sound, and faith-building. But when you take a closer look, a lot of what’s out there is more behavior modification than true gospel transformation. So what actually makes a youth ministry curriculum gospel-centered? And how […]

Youth Ministry Curriculum Trends for 2025

Why 2025 is a defining year for youth ministry curriculum trends

Remember when The Source 4 Youth Ministry was the place to go online for everything? Or what about the cultural craze within Christian circles when “Purpose-Driven” was the preface to the hottest books, curriculums, and strategies? Every few years, the landscape of ministry (youth ministry in particular) shifts in major ways. Sometimes, it’s because of […]

How To Teach Teenagers About Spiritual Habits

How to teach teenagers about spiritual habits that last

We all recognize that teenagers are creatures of habit. They wake up at the last possible second, grab the same snack every day after school, and somehow manage to rewatch the same three shows on Netflix endlessly. But when it comes to spiritual habits, consistency can feel impossible. Most students want to grow in their […]

Best Curriculum For Youth Pastors: Freeing You To Focus on Students

the top 2 things to look for to find the best curriculum for youth pastors

How the Right Youth Ministry Curriculum Gives You More Time for What Really Counts I don’t have to tell you that youth ministry is demanding. Between planning events, training volunteers, following up with parents, counseling students, and occasionally wondering if your senior pastor remembers you exist, you’ve got a lot on your plate. And then […]

What Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Reveals About The Next Generation

what kendrick lamar's halftime show reveals about the next generation

As I sat there with my family late into the second quarter, disappointed by an underwhelming Super Bowl game, I thought hard about whether or not we would tune into Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show. Even as a youth pastor (and a black one at that), I don’t know Kendrick Lamar’s music very well and felt […]