There’s a common belief floating around church circles: that teenagers can’t handle deep theology. But, actually, they can. And they want to. I think most of us know that as youth pastors. So let’s talk about why theological depth matters in youth ministry curriculum. The problem isn’t student capacity. It’s the assumption that deep theological […]
If you’ve been around youth ministry for any amount of time, you know middle schoolers are in a totally unique phase of life. They’re figuring out who they are, where they fit in, and what they believe about God. So when a new 7th grader walks into your group, it’s a chance to help them […]
When it comes to youth ministry curriculum, some leaders want total flexibility. “I don’t want to be locked into a rigid script.”“I just follow the Holy Spirit—I don’t need structure.”“My students check out if things feel too planned.” And while it’s true that youth ministry needs to be adaptable, it’s also true that a lack […]
Getting ready for a new semester in youth ministry is a lot like gearing up for a big road trip. You need the right tools, a solid plan for where you’re headed, and a little flexibility for whatever surprises pop up along the way. When you’re leading students through a semester of growth, joy, challenge, […]
Let’s be honest—some youth ministry curriculums just don’t connect. Some are dry and lifeless. Others feel more like TED Talks than gospel-centered sermons. Some try to be entertaining but lose depth. And when a curriculum fails to engage, it doesn’t matter how well it’s packaged—students won’t connect with it. So what actually makes a youth […]
For many youth pastors, lesson planning feels like a week-to-week scramble. Monday: What should I teach this week?Tuesday: Maybe I’ll do something on identity… or faith… or maybe relationships?Wednesday: I should probably pick a passage. I’ll figure it out later.Thursday: Oh no, I need to finish this lesson now. Sound familiar? Many youth pastors live […]
I’ve been in youth ministry for a long time. Over the course of that decade-plus tenure, I’ve had to come to grips with a difficult truth. It’s one that feels unpopular, and it’s one I’ve had to reconcile with my desire to create the best resources for the youth ministry community. Many youth pastors wonder […]
Let’s be real—students don’t check out because preaching is bad. They check out because bad preaching is bad. Somewhere along the way, youth pastors started believing that preaching doesn’t work for teenagers. That they don’t have the attention span. That they need object lessons, endless interaction, and games built into the message to stay engaged. […]
Let’s be real: Not all youth ministry curriculums are created equal. Some youth ministry curriculums simply miss the mark. If you’ve ever tried a curriculum and thought: …then you know the struggle. Some curriculums sound good on paper but don’t actually help students grow. So what makes a curriculum fall short, and how do you […]
Youth pastors know the weight of choosing the right curriculum. Pick a curriculum that’s biblically weak, and your students miss out on depth. Choose a curriculum that’s too heady, and your students check out entirely. Find a curriculum that’s too generic, and your students never connect. So what should you be looking for? A great […]
