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What Makes a Youth Ministry Curriculum Truly Engaging?

what makes a youth ministry curriculum truly engaging? 4 signs to look for

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 […]

The Case for Long-Term Curriculum Planning in Youth Ministry

the case for long term curriculum planning in youth ministry

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 […]

The Role Of Discipleship In Youth Ministry Curriculum

the role of discipleship in youth ministry curriculum

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 […]

Why Teaching Style Matters In Youth Ministry Curriculum

why teaching style matters in youth ministry curriculum

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. […]

Why Some Youth Ministry Curriculums Miss The Mark

why some youth ministry curriculums miss the mark

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 […]

What To Look For In A Youth Ministry Curriculum: 5 Key Factors

what to look for in a youth ministry curriculum

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 […]

How To Structure A Yearlong Teaching Plan For Your Youth Group (Without Burning Out)

how to structure a yearlong teaching plan for your youth group

Every youth pastor has been there—it’s Tuesday, and you have no idea what you’re preaching on Wednesday. Maybe you’ve been too busy to plan ahead. Maybe you like the freedom of picking topics week to week. It’s possible your students ask great questions, and you just want to follow their lead. But here’s the thing: […]

3 Different Ways To Teach Small G Lessons

3 different ways to teach small g lessons

I got involved in youth ministry, somewhat, by accident. There was no goal of vocational ministry, no seminary training, no intentional seeking of a job. Rather, there was a military move, a new church just getting its feet off the ground, and a group of students needing to be discipled. There was no man-made plan, […]

What Makes A Great Youth Ministry Curriculum? 5 Essential Qualities To Look For

what makes a great youth ministry curriculum

I’m a huge basketball fan, so I love it when the shot clock is winding down. The pressure feels good. It’s dramatic and enrapturing. But feeling the shot clock winding down on Wednesday night youth group prep probably doesn’t feel as cool, does it? And, of course, when I say “Wednesday night”, I just mean […]

The Case For Structured Teaching In Youth Ministry: Why It Matters More Than Ever

the case for structured teaching in youth ministry

I’m an Enneagram 3. In case that means nothing to you, it means I function as someone who values high achievement and the appearance of perfection–looking well-put-together. That’s probably why I’ve always been a big believer in strong systems within a youth ministry. And one of the biggest debates in youth ministry is how structured […]