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 […]
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: […]
One of the beautiful things about the Church is its diversity. We serve different groups of people with different needs. That’s especially true when it comes to serving teenagers. That’s part of why we created the Small G Plan, because small churches need a plan built just for you. But even within small youth groups, […]
Choosing a youth ministry curriculum isn’t just about finding something that fills time on Wednesday nights—it’s about choosing a tool that shapes students’ faith. But with so many options, how do you know which curriculum is actually worth investing in? The reality is, not all curriculum is created equal. Some are engaging but shallow. Others […]
One of the biggest debates in youth ministry is how structured teaching should be. Some leaders prefer a laid-back, discussion-based approach, while others believe in following a structured teaching plan. But here’s the reality: Students thrive when there’s a plan.Faith grows deeper with intentional teaching.A structured approach doesn’t kill flexibility—it enhances it. So what does […]
Youth ministry looks different in a small church. You probably don’t have a big production budget. That’s probably an understatement.You might have students spread across multiple grades. Some of them might not even be in middle school yet.You likely have a small (or even volunteer-only) leadership team. Nobody’s getting paid to do this. So why […]
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 […]
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 […]
Every few years, the landscape of youth ministry shifts in major ways. Sometimes, it’s because of cultural movements. Other times, it’s the result of changes in technology, education, or even church leadership strategies. But 2025? This year is different. This year, we’re standing at a major crossroads for youth ministry curriculum. Churches are re-evaluating their […]
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 […]
