T H E M AGAZ INE
FALL 2018 ISSUE 11
THE LEADERSHIP ISSUE WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERSHIP IN THE MARINE CORPS | THOUGHTS ON BEING A GREAT LEADER ARE YOU AN UNAPPROACHABLE LEADER?
BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM
INTRODUCING
THE FOUNDATION& FORMATION SERIES YM360 is excited to introduce a complete six-year Gospel-centered, Bible-based Bible study strategy with easy-to-use lesson plans, teacher prep videos, social media posts, weekly devotions, customizable parent pages, and more. CHOOSE THE BEST FIT! SELECT THE 6-YEAR, 3-YEAR, OR SINGLE-YEAR PLAN BASED ON YOUR MINISTRIES NEEDS AND YOUR OVERALL STRATEGY FOR WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY.
THE FOUNDATION SERIES Do you want to help students grasp the essential truths of their faith? Then the Foundation Series is for you. Over the course of three years, your students will learn the big-picture story of the Bible as well as 25 core concepts of what it means to be a Christ-follower. The Foundation Series leads your students on a journey of faith-development based on the powerful truths of God’s Word.
THE FORMATION SERIES Do you want to see your students impact the world around them for the sake of the Gospel? If so, you’ll want to check out YM360’s Formation Series. The Formation Series immerses your students in the Gospel, teaching them who Jesus was, what He taught, and how He changed the world through His life, death, and resurrection. Students will experience what it looks like to live boldly as a follower of Christ.
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IT SHALL NOT BE SO AMONG YOU. BUT WHOEVER WOULD B E G R E AT A M O N G YO U MUST BE YOUR S E RVA N T. M ATT H E W 2 0 : 2 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 TRENDS & CULTURE 2 STUDENT LEADERSHIP: THE KEY TO BUILDING OWNERSHIP IN YOUR YOUTH MINISTRY 4 WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERSHIP IN THE MARINE CORPS 8 ARE YOU AN UNAPPROACHABLE LEADER? 10 CHRIS TRENT ARTICLE 12 THE THREE D’S OF DELEGATION 14 GENERATE CAMP BY YM360 - 2019 DATES NOW AVAILABLE! .
Friends, Think about your life for a moment and identify the first great leader that comes to your mind. What makes him or her such a proficient leader? Was it her attitude? Was it his communication skills? Did she present a strong front in the face of adversity? Did he inspire people to achieve great things? Great leaders leave an indelible mark on us. And unfortunately, the same can be said for weak leaders. Leadership is a valuable skill, especially in our youth ministries.
A NOTE FROM ANDY
We are excited to present this edition of YM360 The Magazine focusing entirely on leadership. Our prayer is that you will benefit from the practical and experienced perspectives within, and that your leadership will empower and encourage those around you. You’ll also find more than just leadership articles in this edition of the YM360 The Magazine. Inside, you’ll find an overview of some of our ministry resources and events. One of our values is that we empower discipleship. Everything we do, whether it’s a 52-week Bible study, a 4-week devotion, or GENERATE, is aimed at leading teenagers closer to Christ. We want to partner with you to do this more effectively. If you see something we can help you with, don’t hesitate to call, email, or LiveChat. On behalf of the YM360 Team, thanks for the privilege of serving you. Lead Well, Andy Blanks Publisher/Co-Founder YM360
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TRENDS & CULTURE
KIDS IN HIGH-RISK SITUATIONS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BECOME VIOLENT ADULTS
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A new study is showing for the first time that high-risk situations are having a negative impact on students much later in life. “High-risk situations” are defined as “living in big cities, experiencing physical or sexual abuse, migration, cannabis consumption, or problematic alcohol use as a child or teen.” The study shows that these scenarios lead to a higher risk of becoming a violently aggressive adult. The study done by the Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine in Germany found that children and adolescents who grow up with one or more of these environmental risk factors are “likely to resort to violence, aggression, and crime as adults, regardless of an underlying mental illness.” These high-risk conditions led to a “five times’ higher likelihood of a person being hospitalized” because of violent behavior. Source: https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/05/27/study-kids-in-high-risk-situations-more-likely-to-become-violentadults/135676.html
WHAT’S FOR BREAKFAST?
and lunch? and dinner?
According to a new study of 2,000 families, the average 13- to 19-year-old spends almost 135 hours per year thinking about food and what the next meal will be. (This is not news to anyone who has been on a church retreat with middle school boys.) This means that over the seven years of the typical teenage lifespan, teenagers will rack up 945 hours, or 39 solid days, with food on their brains. The culprit may not be what you think. As many as 46 percent of teens included in the study said they watch cooking shows to gain food inspiration, and 70% said their parents are the most significant source of their food knowledge. Source: http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2018/05/31/teenagers-constantly-think-about-food-and-what-their-next-meals-will-be-study-finds.html
NO , REALLY, YOUR TEENAGERS PROBABLY
AREN’T ON FACEBOOK
In the last three years, Facebook has seen a loss of over 20% of its US teenage users. Barely half of all teenagers report using Facebook at all, a decline from 71% in 2015. Compare that to 85% of teenagers who say they use YouTube. Annual household income seems to be a predictor of Facebook usage. The lower the family income, the more likely a teenager is to use Facebook. Barely a quarter of students whose annual household income was over $75,000 reported being active on Facebook. Source: https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/survey-51-of-teenagers-now-say-they-use-facebook-down-from-71-in-2014-2015
DO SMART PHONES
& VIDEO GAMES MAKE TEENAGERS
SADDER? MAYBE.
There is some new research that strengthens the existing evidence that smartphones and video games can lead to a decrease in mental health in teenagers. But this study comes at it from a different angle. Researchers at Stony Brook University studied data from a survey of nearly 3,000 teens from 2014 to 2017. They asked how much time they spent on four different types of screen activities: watching TV, gaming, messaging their friends on social networking sites, and using the internet. Here’s what the study found that is interesting on several levels: “As with other research, the authors found that more screen time in any shape or form was associated with a greater risk of reporting depressive symptoms. But in this analysis, the relationship between screen time and depression was explained by the teens’ reported insomnia or relatively less sleep. In other words, the more screen time someone reported, the less time they reported sleeping, which was then associated with greater feelings of depression.” SOURCE: independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/popular-teenagers-anxious-adults-more-likely-mental-health-study-child-development-university-a7906481.html
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2
ARTICLE
STUDENT LEADERSHIP:
THE KEYT TO
BUILDING OWNERSHIP
IN YOUR YOUTH MINISTRY
Student leadership is an often overlooked but essential element of youth ministry. Why do we neglect it? Maybe it’s the time, energy, and investment involved versus the sometimes-intangible payoffs. However, even though student leadership may play a small part of most youth groups, it’s the key to building ownership in your student ministry. Here are four ways to think about increasing ownership in your ministry through establishing student leadership groups.
ENLIST STUDENTS TO BE IN LEADERSHIP
The best leaders are not always the first to volunteer. Many students with leadership potential are already serving in other areas. They may be hesitant to sign up for something else. The same students that serve in leadership at the church where I serve are also leaders in athletics, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and First Priority clubs at school. So, you might consider enlisting students vs. waiting for volunteers. Look around you for students who are stepping up and showing leadership potential. Incorporate your ministry team in helping you identify potential student leaders.
EXPLAIN THE COST AND RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP
Students and youth workers alike must understand that leadership comes with a cost. Students are responsible to God and others for how they lead. To present the cost and responsibility of leadership to students, I have developed a leadership covenant. This is a single page document that each student takes home and prays over before signing. It underscores the importance of prayer, Bible study, modeling Christian character, developing spiritual gifts, and witnessing. After the first meeting, students are given an opportunity to step away if God is not leading them to serve.
EXPLORE STUDENTS’ SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Serving as a leader is not going to look the same for every student. Different students have different strengths and
weaknesses. This is why student leadership serves an essential role in developing students through personal growth and discipleship. As students learn their strengths and weaknesses, they will grow as individuals. This is why student leadership often does not have immediate, tangible results. As youth leaders, we will never know the impact that we have had on a student concerning their growth both spiritually and in leadership.
EMPOWER STUDENTS TO SERVE
Empowering students to serve is the final step in developing student leaders. This is a phase that many youth leaders struggle with. At this point, some level of control and responsibility must be given over to students. This can be a messy but rewarding process. It’s crucial in this process to create spaces for students to serve based on their spiritual gifts. In doing this, we allow students to play to their strengths and to have success in leadership endeavors. Setting students up for success is essential in helping them step out and lead in the future. Through this process, the connection of ownership occurs. The movement from “the youth group down the street” to “the youth group which I attend,” to “my youth group” is accomplished while encouraging, teaching, and empowering students to lead. And that is worth the effort to developing student leaders.
BEN BIRDSONG serves as the minister of students at Meadow Brook Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. He has served in church and para-church student ministry for over 10 years. He is currently a Doctor of Ministry student focusing in Ministry to Emerging Generations at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Ben is married to Liz. He enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, and blogging at benbirdsong.com
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WE EMPOWER DISCIPLESHIP AT YM360, WE KNOW YOU WANT YOUR TEENAGERS TO KNOW GOD & MAKE HIM KNOWN. IN A WORD, YOU WANT TO SEE THEM BECOME DISCIPLES. Meet youth ministry’s most used student devotionals. NEW, NEXT & NOW create the Youth Ministry Discipleship Bundle. This bundle provides three powerful devotional experiences that help your students grow into authentic disciples of Jesus.
When students give their lives to Christ, the Bible is pretty clear: THEY. ARE. NEW! But what does it mean to be NEW? What does it mean to see God in a NEW way? What does it mean to live out the call to follow Christ? These questions can be daunting ones in the lives of the new or “young” Christ-followers in your youth ministry. NEW: FIRST STEPS FOR CHRISTFOLLOWERS is a powerful experiential journal that will help answer these questions and will help students take the first steps on their new journey with Christ.
AS LOW AS $7.99/EA
What if there was a resource to help students take ownership of their faith? Well, now there is. Introducing NEXT: GROWING A FAITH THAT LASTS. It is a four-week devotional journal that helps challenge and equip your students to take ownership of growing deeper in their faith. NEXT will teach your students why it’s important to own their faith, what their life’s purpose has to do with God’s mission, how to build spiritual habits that last a lifetime, how to use the influence they already have for Christ, and more.
Teenagers have the amazing potential to impact their world for Christ, for Christ, and not just some time way out in the future. But right NOW. Today. Their worlds are rich with opportunities to share the hopeful message of the Gospel and to show people the amazing difference Christ can make in their lives. NOW! IMPACTING YOUR WORLD FOR CHRIST (RIGHT NOW.) will help students understand the PURPOSE God has in store for them, catch God’s VISION for exactly how He wants to use them, and practice real, PRACTICAL ways to impact their world.
THE DISCIPLESHIP BUNDLE (ALL 3) AS LOW AS $15.99/EA
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FEATURE
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERSHIP IN THE MARINE CORPS BY ANDY BLANKS
Once upon a time, I served in the Marines. I enjoyed those years a lot, and remember the experiences fondly. I had a conversation not too long ago with a youth worker who also served in the Marines. We had a good time reflecting on some of the things we did and learned. Through this conversation, I realized, once again, how blessed I was to serve under some remarkable leaders.
TRUTH 1: LEADERS MUST EQUIP THEIR PEOPLE WITH THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO BE PROFICIENT.
This conversation got my wheels turning a bit, and I found myself trying to define what made these men’s leadership so remarkable.
In the Marines, I was the team leader of a mortar crew. Time and time again, our platoon commander went out of his way to provide us the tools to do our job with
I was able to condense my thoughts into three points I thought I’d pass along. For those of you who lead youth ministry assistants, interns, and adult volunteers, I hope these truths will give you something to think about.
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FEATURE excellence. Sometimes he lobbied for extra rounds so we could train more. Sometimes he arranged space for us on a truck, so we didn’t have to march with all our gear. Regardless of the circumstance, this leader made sure we had what was necessary not just to do our job at a baseline level, but to excel at what we did. Equipping Marines looks a little different than equipping staff or adult volunteers. (You’re probably not out securing high-explosives for your small group teachers. Though your junior high boys would love you forever if you did.) What does equipping look like in your context? Here are a few thoughts: Training (Staff)—You need to provide training for your staff. This could be conferences for your team, like CLEAR by YM360. Or if budget is an issue, why not send one team member and have him or her come back and give presentations of what was learned? Training (Volunteers)—Volunteers need to be trained. After all, many are expert accountants, teachers, mechanics, etc., but may not be expert small group Bible study teachers. It’s up to you to equip them with the right training. Books—What if you fought for a little budget money to provide books or e-books to your volunteers and staff? There is a wealth of knowledge available to help equip your people to be successful in leading students.
TRUTH 2: EQUIP YOUR PEOPLE. THEN GET OUT OF THE WAY. Marines believe in their training. Marines train hard so that when the time comes to make it happen, they are absolutely prepared to get the job done. We had a particularly “colorful” group of guys that made up the three mortar teams in our squad. We were a little rough around the edges, especially by Marine standards. We didn’t do things the conventional way. And maybe our uniforms weren’t always in the best shape. But, we were EXPERTS at the actual task of getting effective fire on an enemy target. There weren’t many teams better than us in the Marines, something I’m still proud of today. Now, our leaders could have insisted that we conformed a little tighter to standard operating procedures. But our platoon sergeant and our platoon commander realized we were performing at a high rate of proficiency. We were trained well. We were motivated. And we got the job done. It is imperative to have the right people on your team. And it is essential to equip them. But once you do, it is vitally important to get the heck out of their way and let them do their job. Micro-managing has no
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place in the military or your ministry. Teach your team how you expect the job to be done. Then, allow them to complete the task following their personality, giftings, and priorities. As long as the work is completed at or above the standards you have set, don’t let yourself get bogged down in how it was finished.
TRUTH 3: INFORMATION IS POWER. SHARE IT. One of the single most significant issues I noticed with leadership in the Marines (and I imagine this spans across all branches of the military) is that far too many leaders misused the power of information. Information is powerful in a positive sense when you pass it along to those you lead. Information is also powerful when it is not passed on. But it can have an adverse effect. Why do some leaders withhold information? Hoarding information inflates a leader’s feeling of importance. These leaders want people to have an exaggerated sense of reliance on them. However, this situation creates undesirable attitudes in those being led: feelings of uncertainty, low morale, and distrust often result. Our goal should be to be as open as possible with information. The open communication of information creates motivated, informed team members, whether that is staff members or volunteers. Individuals who feel like a leader is a conduit for important info are much more likely to embrace the direction and vision communicated by such a leader. You will find that open communication of information leads to heightened feelings of trust between leaders and those whom they lead. (Before you say it, I am acutely aware that there is information that simply cannot be passed down to those you lead. However, if you are in the habit of sharing information, your team will understand when it becomes apparent you were withholding specific knowledge from them.) So these are a few things I learned from great Marine Corps leaders. How can you take these truths and incorporate them into how you lead? ANDY BLANKS is the co-founder and Publisher for YM360. He lives in Birmingham, AL with his wonderful wife Brendt, their three daughters, and one son. When he’s not hanging out with his family or volunteering at his church’s youth ministry, you can find Andy trail running or mountain biking. Follow Andy on Instagram (@ andy_blanks) or Twitter (@andyblanks).
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BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM YM360 IS EXCITED TO INTRODUCE
A COMPLETE SIX-YEAR GOSPEL-CENTERED, BIBLE-BASED BIBLE STUDY STRATEGY COMPLETE WITH EASY-TO-USE LESSON PLANS, TEACHER PREP VIDEOS, SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, CUSTOMIZABLE PARENT PAGES AND MORE. CHOOSE THE BEST FIT! SELECT THE 6-YEAR, 3-YEAR, OR 52-WEEK PLAN BASED ON YOUR MINISTRY’S NEEDS AND YOUR OVERALL STRATEGY FOR WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY.
THE FOUNDATION SERIES THE THREAD: DISCOVERING THE THREAD OF THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE BIG-PICTURE STORY OF THE BIBLE Help students understand the narrative of the Bible and how God has woven the truth of the Gospel through all of Scripture. NEW
NEW
ACTIVATE: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF FAITH Help students lay the foundation of a lasting relationship with God through a study of the core concepts of their faith.
AMPLIFY: GROWING A FAITH THAT LASTS Equip students to grow a dynamic faith by studying a variety of core spiritual truths.
VOLUNTEER TEACHER APPROVED! Our adult teachers are very impressed with the lessons in your studies, and the students enjoy it as well. Thank you for providing excellence in your ministry! - Pam
Let me say that my leaders (and students) are enjoying our YM360 Bible study series. It’s practical, and my leaders are finding it easy to teach! - Clay
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BIBLE STUDIES ARE OPTIMIZED FOR YOUR MINISTRY Created for your weekly Bible study gatherings.
Mix and match between Junior and Senior High.
Use in large and small group settings.
Unlimited, because why wouldn’t it be? Your church owns it. Also, there’s no limit to the number of teachers who can use.
EACH STUDY FEATURES: Weekly Student Devotions Weekly Parent Pages Teacher Prep Videos
Easy-to-Use Leader’s Guide + Bible Backgrounds Social Media Guide for each lesson Background Images for your presentation software Promotional Artwork
THE FORMATION SERIES THE JESUS STUDIES Designed to cut through the confusion, teaching your students a Christ-centered look at the major issues they deal with in their daily lives. THE RESCUE: DISCOVERING HOW THE GOSPEL RESCUES AND REDEEMS US Help students understand what the Gospel is, how it changes them, and how God uses the Gospel, and them, to impact the world. THE LIFE: EMBRACING THE LIFE OF A CHRIST-FOLLOWER Show students exactly what it looks like to live a life of discipleship.
CONNECT WITH AMY AMY HOWELL is here to learn about your youth ministry and assist you in discovering how our Bible Studies can help your students grow deeper in their faith week in and week out.
866.323.6673 // AMY@YM360.COM // OR AT YM360.COM/CURRICULUM
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8
ARTICLE
THOUGHTS ON BEING A GREAT LEADER One of the favorite aspects of my role in my years of ministry has been equipping and encouraging young leaders. I try to put as many tools in their toolbox as possible while they serve in our ministry. I love seeing them sent out to serve elsewhere and I pray that our time together has helped advance them in their leadership abilities. Here are 18 of the reminders I share with them on being a great leader. 1. IF YOU ARE TO LEAD OTHERS, YOU MUST FIRST LEAD YOURSELF. Often the first reason that a leader is unsuccessful in their role and mission is their inability to lead themselves. Before we are effective at leading others, we must become effective at managing and leading the person in the mirror. 2. IF SERVING IS BENEATH YOU, LEADING IS ABOVE YOU. There are three types of leaders, those that put on a crown, a cape, or an apron. Jesus showed us the apron is the best way. I am reminded of Phil 2:1-11 and the example we were given in Christ. He humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. 3. A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT WILL KILL YOU, BUT SEEKING WISDOM FROM ABOVE WILL GROW YOU. James 3:13-18 reminds us that wisdom from above is first pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason (teachable) full of mercy, produces good fruits (similar to fruits of the spirit), and is impartial and sincere. Years ago, I heard this little nugget from by Dr. Bill Bright and it has always stuck with me: “Pride is the doorway to every other sin.” 4. LEADERSHIP CAN ONLY FILL THE SPACE THAT YOUR EGO HAS SURRENDERED. When John the Baptist sees the long-awaited Messiah he clearly understands that he needs to step back. It is time for him to decrease so Christ can increase. (John 3:30) If we want wisdom from above, we have to set aside our ego. 5. SET THE PACE. Great leaders don’t run merely to see how fast they can go; they set the pace for those following them. I picked up the motto somewhere along my leadership journey, “A true leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
6. CREATE THE RIGHT KIND OF CULTURE. Culture is a vital ingredient to any winning team or organization. It usually starts with leadership but has to be owned by teams to matter. Culture is more than just putting up sayings on the wall; it is what your team is guided by daily. 7. GREAT LEADERS LISTEN. Real leaders know that time spent listing is well invested. This does not come easily to many of us. Remember this: always listen, but still lead. 8. GREAT LEADERS DON’T MAKE ALL THE DECISIONS. You don’t have to be a dictator to be effective. Guide your team toward success. Remember, many hands make a load light. But, again, don’t vacate the role of leadership for consensus. 9. LEADERS SEE AROUND CORNERS. To be successful in leadership, you should be able to see what needs to happen before everyone else does. Be prepared and think ahead. 10. EVERYONE WANTS A CHAMPION. Teams, companies, platoons…everyone wants to know they have a leader that has their back. This does not mean always agreeing with them, but still championing them. In the end, if you want loyal teams, be loyal to your teams. As you lead, work at this skill every day. Find ways to apply some of these basic principles to your leadership and see where the Lord takes you and your teams. We are cheering you on! J. ROGER DAVIS is the President & leader of all live events at YM360, and Executive Director of Servant Life. He has been creating & giving leadership to excellent, gospel-centered ministry events since 1993. He’s energized creating moments that matter for people. Roger bleeds Tennessee orange & is a big Dallas Cowboys & SA Spurs fan (where he used to be a ball boy.) He and his wife, Becca (a former YM) live in Birmingham with their 4 kids. Follow Roger on Twitter/ Instagram; @jrogerdavis
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THE ALL-IN-ONE YOUTH MINISTRY EVENTS SOLUTION DESIGNED FOR DISCIPLE NOW & RETREAT WEEKENDS, WINTER WEEKENDS, BACK-TO-SCHOOL RETREATS & CAMPS. Used by 3,500+ youth groups and designed by our team of trusted content creators, these Gospel-driven studies and resources will equip you to lead students to know Christ and make Him known through your event.
EACH
STUDY
ONLY
Every purchase of an Event Resources study includes a FREE STUDENT SUPER BUNDLE which includes an Interactive Student Book, 4-week Follow-up Journal, and a theme t-shirt!
SEE ALL 12 STUDIES ON PAGE 23
$69 TO GET
STARTED
BUY YOUR STUDY AND YOU’LL GET: 4 Small Group Lessons! Streamlined, easy-to-teach lessons for your volunteer leaders 4 Large Group Outlines! Designed for your speaker - choose from simple or detailed - these help your large group sessions work perfectly with small groups Large Group Media! Session videos to kick off and wrap up your weekend, background loops, presentation images, and a countdown clock Interactive Student Book! These full color Student Books are designed to help your small groups have maximum impact for your students 4 Devotions! Included in our Student Books, these four devotions can be used during or after your Event Follow-Up Journals! These 4-week devotional journals help your students continue growing long after the weekend Themed T-Shirts! Authentic. Themed Design. These shirts offer your group a sweet look for your weekend. We'll even customize them for you if you'd like! Custom Designed T-Shirts! Let our team create something awesome just for you. Call 866.323.6673 for more info! "We had a great weekend, and the material, books, and devotion books were a huge part of the successful time we had. Everyone was highly engaged with the student books and lessons. Our leaders and I loved the layout of the teacher lessons and the student books. You guys did a great job with making the lesson seamless." Justin Schultz, Student Pastor, at Catawba Heights Church Belmont, NC
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10 ARTICLE
ARE
YOU AN
UNAPPROACHABLE
LEADER?
One of the things I’ve noticed as I’ve gotten older is the difference in how ministers and parents approach me. When I first started in ministry, I felt that parents looked down at me because of my youth. And I felt other ministers didn’t always give me the benefit of the doubt. What this created was a passive aggressive interaction with the people I needed the most. I was often on the defense. As I grew older, got married, and joined the ranks of parenthood, I felt my interactions with adults, both parents and other ministers, needed to improve. And, over time, they did. However, for me to solely attribute this change to the fact that I’m older, married, and a parent would be naive. The change hasn’t come because of time but because of a personality makeover. Here are a few transitions I had to undergo to make myself more approachable as a leader:
FROM PRIDEFUL TO HUMBLE
I used to make it all about me. Whenever someone gave feedback or shared an idea, I got defensive. I thought they
were telling me to change, and in my early twenties I had it all together (lol!). I realized that if I wanted the church to grow, I can’t make it about me, I have to make it about God. And the way to make it about God is to let the whole church in on the process, not just one member. Are all ideas good ones? No. But then again the great ones that others have brought to the table have taken us to a new level.
FROM TALKING TO LISTENING
Whenever people came to me with a complaint or to vent, I thought I needed to solve the problem. But there are a lot of issues we don’t need to resolve but need to acknowledge. There have been a lot of parents, and even ministers who have come to me just wanting to be heard and I have needed to be there to merely offer them compassion. I’m not saying we shouldn’t try and be a part of the solution where possible, but the best thing to do at many times is to listen.
FROM SUSPICION TO TRUST
When I first started ministry I had this insane thought that people could read my mind. So when it came to expectations and responsibilities, communication was sometimes lacking. This lack of communication leads to disappointment and frustration. In turn, a void was created which was an open door for assumptions. If we don’t communicate clearly to our ministers and parents, they will create an expectation of us. Things won’t get done. People won’t ask you questions because they think if they can’t get it right, you’ll only be mad at them. This way is not fair for others and not fair for you. The takeaway from all of this is a simple question. We need to continuously ask ourselves, “Am I approachable”? If we can’t build a reputation for humility, compassion, and trust, then we aren’t leaders worth following. The best way to work on those attributes is prayer, accountability, and constant communication with those whom we trust. CHRIS WESLEY is the founder of Marathon Youth Ministry, a consulting company for youth workers looking to grow healthier ministries. He is also the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at St. Joseph Parish in Cockeysville, Maryland. He is married to his beautiful wife Kate, and together they have two amazing sons Matthew and Benjamin. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, working in his garden, hiking, and, most especially, running. You can learn more about Chris at marathonyouthministry.com
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TRY EVERY GAME FREE FOR 14 DAYS. Does your youth group play games? Do you want to play something a little more fun than PowerPoint trivia games? When it comes to games for churches, you might notice that there are tons to choose from, but the quality is hit or miss. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to have misses than hits. Your youth ministry deserves world-class games that will play week after week!
S E K A M T WHA S E M A G OUR ? T N E R E F DIF
NEW
GAMES
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12 ARTICLE
THE THREE D’S OF DELEGATION It’s not news to anyone that delegation is a crucial aspect of leadership. But it’s also one of the areas where people seem to get stuck. How often have you known you’ve needed to delegate something but didn’t because you couldn’t seem to let go? You can probably also remember a time when you delegated something, and it turned out so poorly that you A) ended up having to do it yourself, and B) decided that you were done delegating. DELEGATION DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SUCH A HIT-ORMISS PROPOSITION. IT CAN BE DONE WELL. AND WHEN IT IS DONE WELL, IT’S A POWERFUL TOOL IN THE LEADER’S TOOLBOX. How can we begin to think about delegation in a way that moves us toward success? Here are three suggestions (The 3 D’s of Delegation) that should help to get you heading in the right direction: DEFINE SUCCESS Part of why delegation goes so poorly is that we don’t clearly define what success looks like for the individual to whom we’ve delegated a task. What is the end goal? What are our expectations? What metrics will determine successful completion of the task? Are there specific considerations or rules that must be observed while accomplishing the task? Defining success is the first part of making sure delegation is fruitful.
DETERMINE NOT TO MICROMANAGE One of the critical leadership principles I’ve learned through the years is to “surround yourself with good people, train them to succeed, and let them serve according to their unique capabilities.” This means that very often, the task you delegate will not be done exactly like you would do it. As leaders, we have to be OK with this. Our way is not the only way. We empower people by clearly defining success, then freeing them to achieve success in their way. DEBRIEF THE RESULT Because many of us are moving so fast, we don’t often take the time to debrief delegated projects. It’s a shame because this is how we build proficiency in those we lead. By affirming proficiency and graciously pointing out inefficiency, we help those we lead become experts at the tasks we delegate. When we fail to debrief, we leave our team members unsure of how well the task was completed and could lead them to repeat ineffective or inefficient practices as a result. For some people delegating may be the trickiest part of leadership. But with intentionality and a good plan, it doesn’t have to be. BY ANDY BLANKS
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BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM
TWO NEW
52-WEEK BIBLE STUDIES
ARE HERE
Since 2010, Bible Study Curriculum by YM360 has been taught to thousands of teenagers weekly all over the globe. We are excited to bring two new 52-week Gospel-centered, Bible-based, Easy-to-Use, and Amazingly Priced curriculum to youth pastors and Bible study teachers.
NEW
NEW
ACTIVATE: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF FAITH
AMPLIFY: GROWING A FAITH THAT LASTS
This new study will lay the foundation of a lasting relationship with God through a study of the core concepts of their faith. Over the course of 52 weeks, Activate examines 17 foundational elements of faith, each using a unique 3-lesson framework.
This powerful study will equip students to grow a dynamic faith by studying a variety of core spiritual truths. Over the course of 52 weeks, Amplify examines 17 foundational elements of faith, each using a unique three-lesson framework.
Your students will journey through the following concepts: The Trinity, God’s Glory, Salvation, God’s Love, God’s Judgment, Grace, God’s Mission, Discipleship, The Church, God’s Kingdom, Persecution, Compassion, God’s Faithfulness, Forgiveness, God’s Presence (Omnipresence), God’s Knowledge (Omniscience), God’s Power (God’s Omnipotence)
Your students will journey through the following concepts: The Holy Spirit, Worship, God’s Word, Obedience, God’s Mercy, Evangelism, God’s Sovereignty, Suffering, God’s Righteousness, Holiness, Spiritual Gifts, Service, Humility, Knowing God (Knowability), Prayer, Stewardship, The Unchanging God (Immutability)
If you want to give your students a lasting faith foundation, teach Activate.
If you want to empower your students to grow a faith that will last, teach Amplify.
ACTIVE AND AMPLIFY EACH INCLUDE: Access for unlimited teachers within your church #budgetsaver Lesson plans with Bible Backgrounds Weekly Teacher Prep Videos allowing your teachers to prep easier 3 Digital Devotions for weekly posting on social media, your blog, or church website Weekly Customizable Parent Pages for helping parents stay connected and be equipped to do at-home discipleship Weekly Social Media Suggestions for helping you stay connected with your students during the week Presentation background images and Promo Artwork (web banners and a printable poster)
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R EG ISTER NOW JOIN US IN 2019 G E N E R A T E S T U D E N T S.C O M
A S L OW A S
CAM P AT A VALUE
$129 PER PERSON
T H AT YOUR PA R E N TS & YOUR PASTORS WILL LOVE
MEALS
Eleven meals on campus or a boxed lunch for the SERVE and EXPLORE options.
LODGING
You sleep in beds! Either in dorms or lodges. Housing priority is based on when your group deposit is paid.
CURRICULUM
Our team at YM360 provides biblically sound lesson plans for small groups. Every student receives a student book with Bible Study and quiet times.
PROGRAMMING
Worship, Kickstart, and First Light are all designed to allow the Word to do the work. Your students will experience quality preaching, worship, and live production elements in a relevant way.
DEDICATED TIME WITH YOUR STUDENTS
Moments throughout the day are crafted for you to spend quality time with your students as we take care of the details.
T-SHIRT
Everyone in your group will get a themed t-shirt!
KIDS ACADEMY OF AWESOMENESS
Bring your family to camp with you! While you spend the day with your students, in the Kids Academy, children who have completed kindergarten through 5th grade, will have a Bible lesson, sing songs, and play games and will be led by two GENERATE staff members. (Kids Academy of Awesomeness is not available at beach locations).
FULL DETAILS ABOUT GENERATE CAN BE FOUND AT G E N E R A T E S T U D E N T S.C O M
At GENERATE, we believe in letting YOU CHOOSE what is best for your group. So, at every week of camp, you have five options to choose from for your group to take part in.
LEAD TEAM
PTIO
MP
O
C
CHOOSE YOU R OPTION
NS
5 A
CONNECT
SERVE
POPULAR
POPULAR
CONNECT is a great option for community building within your group. Groups in this option (called “villages”) will be in Bible Study for part of the day and will also participate in recreational games. The Bible Study will be led by your adult leaders.
SERVE allows your group to get off campus and serve at a mission project for much of the day with one of our Community Partners (our team will take care of the details).
EXPLORE
Do you have adults who are willing to come to camp but don’t want to teach the Bible Study? If so, GUIDE is for you. Instead of your adults leading your students in Bible Study, recreation group building activities, and worship pre-gatherings, one of our Village Guides (a GENERATE staff member) will do so.
EXPLORE allows you to decide how you want to spend your day from 10:00 am through dinner. If you want to be off campus enjoying what the area has to offer, go for it!
GUIDE
One of the best ways to learn to be a disciple-maker is to learn alongside other disciple-makers, and LEAD TEAM perfectly displays that. Your group (10th grade students and older) will participate in staff devotions, meetings, development, worship, and areas of concentration such as production, recreation, and support roles. (Max of 20 people per week.)
DON’T MISS IT!
BEACH CAMP
ORANGE BEACH, AL SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX
JUNE 10 - 14 JUNE 24 - 28
Join us for a week of worship, Bible Study, and bonding on the beach! Worship services, beach recreation, small group Bible study material, and t-shirts are all provided. Lodging and meal options are available!
REGISTER NOW JOIN US IN 2019 G E N E R A T E S T U D E N T S.C O M
H 4
2:9
“BEHOLD, THE FORMER THINGS HAVE COME TO PASS, AND NEW THINGS I NOW DECLARE; BEFORE THEY SPRING FORTH I TELL YOU OF THEM.”
A
I
SAI
JOI N US IN 2019 AS W E
JOURNEY THROUGH
REDEFINED DAY 1
REDEFINING OUR EXISTENCE (GOD AS CREATOR AND LIFE-GIVER)
DAY 2 REDEFINING OUR REALITY (THE CROSS AND SALVATION)
DAY 3 BECAUSE GOD LOVES US GREATLY, WE RISE ABOVE THE WORLD AND LOVE AT ALL COSTS.
DAY 4 REDEFINING OUR IDENTITY (ADOPTION INTO GOD’S FAMILY)
DAY 5 REDEFINING OUR IDENTITY (ADOPTION INTO GOD’S FAMILY)
REGISTER NOW JOIN US IN 2019 G E N E R A T E S T U D E N T S.C O M
LEA D I NG THE WAY WORS H IP WIT H
REGISTER NOW JOIN US IN 2019 G E N E R A T E S T U D E N T S.C O M
SU
M MER
&
DAT ES LOCATION S
2019
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, GA CLEVELAND, TN MAY 27-MAY 31 JUNE 3-JUNE 7
WINSTON-SALEM, NC
JULY 1-JULY 5 JULY 6-JULY 10
JUNE 17-JUNE 21
JULY 10-JULY 14
DELAND, FL
JULY 15-JULY 19
JUNE 17-JUNE 21
JULY 19-JULY 23 JULY 23-JULY 27
RUSTON, LA LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO JUNE 10-JUNE 14 JULY 22-JULY 26 WHEATON, IL DURANGO, CO JUNE 24-JUNE 28
MARSHALL, TX
JUNE 3-JUNE 7 JULY 1-JULY 5
BEACH CAMP
JULY 8-JULY 12
ESTES PARK, CO JULY 15-JULY 19
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX WILMORE, KY BEACH CAMP
JUNE 24-28
JULY 29 - AUG 2
ORANGE BEACH, AL SILOAM SPRINGS, AR JUNE 10-14
JULY 29-AUGUST 2
TO SECU R E YOUR S PACE FO R 2 0 1 9 !
CONTACT OUR TEAM G E N E R A T E S T U D E N T S.C O M
20 YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES
YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES TO SERVE YOU AND YOUR MINISTRY
YM360 is the premiere provider of youth ministry resources, training events, and live student events. We are committed to providing youth workers, like you, with an ever-expanding offering of Gospel-centered, Bible based, easy-to-use, and amazingly priced resources which are innovative, creative, and relevant. From Sundays to Retreats and all in between, YM360 is here to serve you with great resources.
FOR YOU AND YOUR LEADERS THE 7 BEST PRACTICES FOR TEACHING TEENAGERS THE BIBLE
CONSIDER THIS
To say “Youth ministry can be challenging” is an understatement. Few callings have as many variables. Discipling teenagers is a tough calling. But what about the dynamics with the staff and leadership of your church? What about the challenges of engaging with your students’ parents? And let’s not get started on the way that ministry impacts your family. Youth ministry is not for the faint of heart. Especially if you’re just getting started which is why Consider This is such an important book.
We know you desire to lead students closer to God. Many ask, “What’s the most effective way to do this?” We believe it is by teaching students the Word of God. The Bible is God’s main way of making Himself and His ways known, and your students need sound Bible teaching now more than ever. This resource offers you seven ultra-practical and deeply meaningful “practices” you can use to help teach the Bible in a transformative and dynamic way. This is a perfect book to place in the hands of your leaders.
As low as $8.49/ea
As low as $7.99/ea
FROM THE PEN TO PALACE
DISCIPLE: THE ORDINARY PERSON’S GUIDE TO DISCIPLING TEENAGERS
This is your youth ministry evangelism and discipleship strategy for a post-Christian culture. If your ministry desires to reach teenagers growing up in the post-Christian culture we find ourselves in, you and your entire team will benefit greatly from this resource. Benjamin Kerns uses a thought-provoking twist on a beloved parable as the framework for a rich examination of the cultural landscape, helping you reach lost students and know how to begin discipling them.
Written by one of the leading voices in youth ministry, Dr. Allen Jackson, Disciple is a practical, down-to-earth guide for leading teenagers to pursue Christ. No matter if you’re a veteran or a newbie, Disciple will help challenge and equip you and your team to get serious about disciple-making.
As low as $8.49/ea
As low as $9.99/ea
.COM/STORE
OR
CALL 866.323.6673
FREE SHIPPING ON MOST ORDERS OVER $99 • VISIT US ONLINE. SAMPLES FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND MORE YOU DON’T.
YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES
21
BIBLE STUDY CURRICULUM
You have a passion to develop your student’s faith, knowlege, and hear for others; WE DO IT! All Bible Study Curriculum by YM360 is created for Sunday morning Bible studies and mid-week small group experiences.
NEW
NEW
THE FOUNDATION AND FORMATION SERIES
A complete six-year Bible study strategy with a Gospel-centered scope and sequence solution. This includes the complete Foundation Series (The Thread, Activate, and Amplify) and Formation Series (The Jesus Studies, The Rescue, and The Life) at a significant discount.
$2,094 $1,799 YM360.com/Bible-study
NEW
NEW
THE FOUNDATION SERIES
A three-year complete Bible study strategy where your students will learn the big-picture story of the Bible as well as 34 core concepts of what it means to be a Christ-follower. The Foundation Series leads your students on a journey of faith-development based on the powerful truths of God’s Word. Includes The Thread, Activate, Amplify.
$1,047 $999 YM360.com/foundation-series
NEW
NEW
THE FORMATION SERIES
A three-year complete Bible study strategy where your students are immersed in the Gospel, teaching them who Jesus was, what He taught, and how He radically changed them and the world through His life, death, and resurrection. This series equips your students with the knowledge they need to live bold lives for Christ. Includes Jesus Studies, The Rescue, and The Life.
$1,047 $999 YM360.com/foundation-series
NEW
NEW
ACTIVATE: THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF FAITH
This 52-lesson Bible study, using a unique 3-lesson framework, helps students lay the foundation of a lasting relationship with God as they experience the core concepts of their faith. These concepts include The Trinity, God’s Glory, Salvation, God’s Love, God’s Judgment, Grace, God’s Mission, Discipleship, and more.
$349 | Each 3-lesson series: $21.99 YM360.com/activate
NEW
NEW
AMPLIFY: GROWING A FAITH THAT LASTS
This 52-lesson Bible study helps equip your students to grow a dynamic faith by studying a variety of core spiritual truths. Your students will journey through the following concepts The Holy Spirit, Worship, God’s Word, Obedience, God’s Mercy, Evangelism, God’s Sovereignty, Suffering, and more.
$349 | Each 3-lesson series: $21.99 YM360.com/activate
THE LIFE: EMBRACING THE LIFE OF A CHRIST-FOLLOWER
This 52-lesson, unit based, Bible study curriculum equips your students to understand exactly what it means to live as a follower of Christ. It makes the case for discipleship as the expected norm of all Christians, and then helps your students know what this practically looks like in their lives.
$349 YM360.com/life
THE RESCUE: DISCOVERING HOW THE GOSPEL RESCUES AND REDEEMS US
This 52-lesson, unit based, curriculum gives your students a comprehensive and transformative view of exactly what the Gospel is, how it radically changes their lives, and how their lives will in turn be used to change the world. It gives your students a rich, in-depth view of the Gospel and its impact in a way which many of them have never seen before. Includes 10 The Rescue: An interactive devotional journal physical 52-week devos. You can add more at a discount.
$420.90 YM360.com/rescue-devo-bundle
Curriculum only is $349
THE THREAD: DISCOVERING THE THREAD OF THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE BIG-PICTURE STORY OF THE BIBLE
This 52-lesson, Scope and Sequence, Bible study was created to help students discover the life-changing narrative of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. But most important, show them how the thread of the Gospel is woven through every story. Includes 10 Tracing the Thread physical 52-week devos. You can add more at a discount.
$420.90 YM360.com/thread-devo-bundle
Curriculum only is $349
THE JESUS STUDIES ALL-ACCESS
This offers 52-weeks of Jesus-centered Bible study designed to cut through the confusion, teaching your students a Christ-centered look at the major issues they deal with in their daily lives.
$349 All-Access Bundle | Each 4-lesson series: $29.99 YM360.com/Jesus-studies
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OR
CALL 866.323.6673
FREE SHIPPING ON MOST ORDERS OVER $99 • VISIT US ONLINE. SAMPLES FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND MORE YOU DON’T.
22 YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES
STUDENT BOOKS & DEVOTIONALS HELPING YOU RESOURCE STUDENTS TO GROW DEEPER IN THEIR FAITH THROUGH THEIR PERSONAL STUDY OF GOD’S WORD.
.COM/FOR-STUDENTS MOST USED NEW
BELIEVER
RESOURCE
NEW: FIRST STEPS FOR CHRIST FOLLOWERS
HOW TO BE A MAN: A 40-DAY DEVOTION STUDENT EDITION
is the most used and trusted new believer resource in youth ministry. This powerful four-week devotional experience will help your new believers get off to a strong start on their new journey with Christ.
is designed to challenge and empower teenage guys to pursue a Christ-centered masculinity.
As low as $9.99/ea
As low as $7.99/ea
NEW
NEXT: GROWING A FAITH THAT LASTS
is a four-week devotional journal that challenges and equips your students to take ownership of growing deeper in their faith.
As low as $7.99/ea
ANCHOR: A 6-WEEK DEVOTIONAL
Using Biblical characters as the backdrop, “Anchor: Standing Secure In Who God Is” is a timely resource for students and young adults to dive deeper into what it means to be steadfast as believers.
As low as $9.99/ea
NOW: IMPACTING YOUR WORLD FOR CHRIST RIGHT NOW!
NEW
is a four-week devotional experience helping your students understand the PURPOSE God has in store for them, catch God’s VISION for exactly how He wants to use them, and practice real, PRACTICAL ways to impact their world.
IMMANUEL: A CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
25-daily devotions for the Christmas/Advent Season is a thoughtful Christmas/Advent devotion that would work well for both individuals and as a family. Order early as this title sells out each year.
As low as $4.99/ea Ships in November. PRE-ORDER TODAY
As low as $7.99/ea
(EXTRA)ORDINARY
is a 365-day devotional journal your students will actually read. With three different sections, students choose where they want to pick up each day based on what they are going through in life: Ordinary Times, Crazy Times, and Holiday Times!
TWO 4-WEEK INTERACTIVE MISSION TRIP JOURNALS FOR YOU TO CHOOSE FROM.
Each is a 4-week journal designed to prepare students for their mission trip, process their trip, and build on their experience moving forward. It is a must have resource for your upcoming mission trip.
As low as $17.99/ea
As low as $7.99/ea
WELCOME TO MIDDLE SCHOOL BUNDLE
FACING YOUR FEARS: A 40-DAY DEVOTIONAL
includes two bite-sized devotional journals that make a perfect bundle to give your incoming middle schoolers! 99 Thoughts for Junior Highers and (OT)Encounters: Devotions on (awesome) Old Testament People.
is a devotional experience for students which allows the Lord to reveal where fear has taken hold of their lives and guide them to put an end to these strongholds through a powerful, Scripture-driven experience
$13.98 $10.99
As low as $9.99/ea
.COM/STORE
OR
CALL 866.323.6673
FREE SHIPPING ON MOST ORDERS OVER $99 • VISIT US ONLINE. SAMPLES FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND MORE YOU DON’T.
YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES
23
EACH
STUDY
RETREATS, DNOWS, WINTER ONLY WEEKENDS, SPECIAL EVENTS. $69
A Retreat, Disciple Now, Winter Weekend, Back-to-School Event, and the like will have an incredible impact on your students, your ministry, and church. We know planning and executing your next event should be intentional, easy, and streamlined. EVENT RESOURCES will do just that through powerful curriculum, all the student resources you need, and built-in tools and training for your small group teachers. NEW
BUNDLE
NEW
THE UPRISING
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” - Colossians 3:1. If you’re ready for your students to rise up because of Jesus, then THE UPRISING is for you.
RELENTLESS
“For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” - Acts 4:20 Help your students pursue Christ at all costs today by teaching RELENTLESS.
FOLLOWER
INCLUDES A
SUPER
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” - Matthew 16:24. Teach FOLLOWER and help your teens understand what real faith looks like and how to live it out.
TOGETHER
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. . . ” - Acts 4:32. Teach TOGETHER and challenge your students to embrace a Christ-centered community.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17. If you're ready to show your students how nothing can ever be the same with Jesus, then THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING is for you.
EXCHANGE
ONE
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5. Teach EXCHANGE and challenge your students to radically embrace the power of the “exchanged life.”
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” - Ephesians 4:4-6. Teach ONE and help your students see the amazing message of what God wants to do in and through them.
IMITATOR
THE PAUSE
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” - Ephesians 5:1. IMITATOR challenges students to live the life of a God-imitator, helping them understand what this looks like in the world they live in.
.COM/STORE
“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” - Psalm 119:10-11. THE PAUSE will teach students to “hit pause” and spend time growing their relationship with God.
OR
CALL 866.323.6673
FEARLESS
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” - 2 Timothy 1:7. If you’re ready to challenge your students to confidently embrace the plan God has for them, then FEARLESS is for you.
LIVE DIFFERENT
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.”1 Thessalonians 4:3-5. Teach LIVE DIFFERENT and help challenge your students with God’s call to live a life of holiness in a world of sexual immorality.
NEXT
“...Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” - Hebrews 12:1-2. If you want your students to take greater ownership of their faith, NEXT is for you.
FREE SHIPPING ON MOST ORDERS OVER $99 • VISIT US ONLINE. SAMPLES FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND MORE YOU DON’T.
24 YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES
BIBLE STUDIES
Feature-packed 3, 4, and 6 week Bible study options perfect for your short term Bible study goals.
JESUS AND YOUR FAITH
JESUS AND IDENTITY
JESUS AND CULTURE
JESUS AND INFLUENCE
Teach Jesus and Your Faith and help students discover what true faith in Christ looks like.
Teach Jesus and Identity to help your students discover who Jesus intends them to be.
Teach Jesus And Culture to help your students see what Christ had to say about culture through a biblical lens.
Teach Jesus and Influence to challenge your teens to make a difference in their worlds.
$29.99
$29.99
$29.99
$29.99
JESUS AND TOUGH TIMES
JESUS AND YOUR IMAGE
$29.99
$29.99
Teach Jesus and Tough Times to your students and challenge them to seek God out when life gets rough.
JESUS AND STRESS
Teach Jesus and Your Image to your students and help them project a Christ-centered image to the world.
JESUS AND RELATIONSHIPS
Teach Jesus and Stress and help students see that God is the source of their peace and assurance in a stressful world.
JESUS AND LOVING OTHERS
Teach Jesus and Your Future to help your students welcome their future with a God-driven confidence.
$29.99
$29.99
$29.99
JESUS AND FORGIVENESS
JESUS AND YOUR FUTURE
Teach Jesus and Loving Others to your students to help challenge them to embrace a life of loving others.
JESUS AND MEAN PEOPLE
JESUS AND STUFF
Teach Jesus and Relationships to help your students grasp what it means to have Christ-centered relationships.
Teach Jesus and Forgiveness to your students and help them impact the world through forgiving others.
Teach Jesus and Mean People to equip students to deal with the mean people in their lives with a Christ-like response.
Teach Jesus and Stuff to help students embrace a Christ-centered attitude toward their stuff.
$29.99
$29.99
$29.99
$29.99
CHECK YM360.COM FOR 34 BRAND NEW THREE-LESSON BIBLE STUDIES. VIDEO DRIVEN
we walk in the light, as he is in the light, e fellowship with one another, and the f Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” - 1 John 1:7
drive, and in many ways define, teenagers’ lives. Friendships are vital to how nction in their culture. This is especially so with Christ-centered friendships.
kindred
among Christ-followers take on a much deeper meaning. Or at least, they students are called to Christ-centered friendships, where Jesus is at the they engage with one another. And when this is fully realized, your students riendships take on greater meaning, and greater purpose. Christian fellowship the comradery of friends; it is a coalition of saints, called to the highest God. Friendship becomes kinship. This is the message of KINDRED.
a 4-session, video-driven Bible study, will challenge your students to see ndship as believers is dependent on the centrality of Christ in all they do.
o-driven Bible study includes the following features:
4-part short film that drives the Bible study
scussion Guides for building a Bible study around the movie
kindred Discovering Christ-centered Friendship
omotional Art and PowerPoint backgrounds
arent Pages and Student Devotions to keep the conversation ing out of class
ith our friends at:
8
58558
youthministry360.com 1.888.969.6360
00230
0
A 4-LESSON VIDEO-DRIVEN STUDY
KINDRED
A four-session, video-driven Bible Study that will challenge your students to see how their friendships as believers is dependent on the centrality of Christ in all they do.
VIDEO DRIVEN
DRIVE
A four-session, video-driven Bible Study that will help your students see the relentless nature of God’s love and how we are changed by it.
As low as $39
As low as $39
VIVID
See web for current sale pricing
See web for current sale pricing
PROOF
THE LEAST OF THESE
A six-week study on the Gospel of John. Proof helps your students see exactly who Christ is through His powerful teaching, His amazing miracles, and His death and resurrection.
See web for current sale pricing
A six-week study on the Book of Colossians. This study will teach your students that Christ is to be the focus of who they are, the very center of their attention and affection. Teach Focus to help your students' lives reflect a single-minded devotion to Christ.
See web for current sale pricing
REACH
A six-week study on the Book of James. Do your students' lives reflect their beliefs? The Book of James calls us to live a life that looks like Christ. In a word, James is a book of action. James calls his readers to live a life of vivid faith! Help them know how.
FOCUS
A six-week study on the Book of Psalms. This study will show students how "alive" their communication with God can be by looking at examples of various ways they can reach out to God. Use Reach to show students what an active and dynamic relationship with God can look like.
A four-lesson study that shows that no matter where you go in this world, you’ll find poverty and suffering. And for many this is one of the main reasons for rejecting God. “Why would God allow suffering?” The Least of These helps your students answer this question and much more.
See web for current sale pricing
.COM/STORE
OR
ENGAGE
A four-lesson study that will teach students that the world they live in is almost universally opposed to the basic principles of God’s Kingdom. So how do they respond? Do they immerse themselves in culture? Do they flee from it? Or do they engage their world with the light of the Gospel? This study challenges them to live for Christ.
See web for current sale pricing
LIVE DIFFERENT
A four-lesson study, Live Different teaches students God's intent for sex and how God views sex outside of this intent. But most importantly, Live Different will challenge your students with God's call to live a holy life in a world of sexual immorality.
See web for current sale pricing
CALL 866.323.6673
FREE SHIPPING ON MOST ORDERS OVER $99 • VISIT US ONLINE. SAMPLES FOR EVERYTHING YOU SEE AND MORE YOU DON’T.
E V I S U EXCL
MINISTRY PARTNER
I Can Only Imagine is the inspiring and unknown true story behind MercyMe's beloved, chart topping song that brings ultimate hope to so many. The song "I Can Only Imagine" not only topped the Christian music charts, it was also a major hit on country and contemporary radio stations as well. Before he became the lead singer of MercyMe, Bart Millard suffered through a painful childhood, which led to him building walls around his heart, and ultimately to the writing of this song. Based on a true story, this powerful movie deals with the relationship between Millard and his father. It is a gripping story of forgiveness, redemption, and salvation. Show I Can Only Imagine to your church, youth group, and community with the I Can Only Imagine Movie License and teach the I Can Only Imagine 4-session Bible study in your youth ministry for a powerful experience exploring brokenness and redemption, rejection and forgiveness, and the ultimate hope of the Gospel. Pricing varies by church size.
Use the EXCLUSIVE YOUTH MINISTRY I Can Only Imagine 4-session Bible study with the I Can Only Imagine Student Devotions in your youth ministry for a powerful experience exploring brokenness and redemption, rejection and forgiveness, and the ultimate hope of the Gospel. Includes 10 Student Devotions.
$169.45
See web for details.
THE IMAGINE 4-SESSION BIBLE STUDY INCLUDES:
$119.95
THE IMAGINE 4-SESSION BIBLE STUDY INCLUDES:
The I Can Only Imagine Student Devotional Journal is a 4-week, interactive journal designed to help students explore the themes of the movie. The concept of journaling is spotlighted in I Can Only Imagine and is an important part of Bart’s journey to forgiveness. Equip your students to spend meaningful time with God each day by purchasing the I Can Only Imagine devotional journal.
• 4 Downloadable Movie Clips • 4 Downloadable Leader's Guides (one for each lesson) • 3 Out-of-class Devotions for each session • 3 Digital Devotions for weekly posting on social media, your blog, or church website • Parent Pages for each lesson • Promotional Artwork, including Instagram images • Background Image Slides
The journal features four weeks of interactive daily Bible study. The themes of each week parallel the themes of the movie. • Week 1: Imagine A Loving Father • Week 2: Imagine Forgiveness • Week 3: Imagine Redemption • Week 4: Imagine Going Home
$49.95 when not in the bundle
$11.95/ea when not in the bundle
Since 2010, YM360’s Bible Study Curriculum has been taught to thousands of students weekly all over the globe. We are here to help you find the right Bible Study fit for your youth ministry. AMY HOWELL is here to learn about your youth ministry and assist you in discovering how our Bible Studies can help your students grow deeper in their faith week in and week out.
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