bible study for youth ministry

In the following interview (part one of a two part series), a nationally recognized expert on youth ministry explains why it is so important for churches to put real effort into the building of youth ministries.

You are consulting with churches nationally. Tell us about the greatest needs that you are finding in local churches today.

Mark: As you know, most churches are looking for the quick fix.  One church, who had been through 5 youth directors in 4 years, called us and asked if we could help them find a “youth ministry superstar.”  That hope fits the expectations of most churches…they are hoping for just the perfect person, just the perfect program model, just the perfect youth space to build a thriving youth ministry.  The problem is typically not with the sincerity of the leaders or with the components of the ministry; the problems is that there is no system, no process that moves the disconnected pieces of the ministry forward in a single direction.     

What has been the most encouraging trend that you have seen recently concerning student ministry?

Mark: Churches desperately want to have a thriving youth ministry.  Very few churches need to be convinced any more about how important youth ministry is.  Churches are beginning to admit that they just might need a little help rethinking youth ministry.

Do you feel that churches are catching the vision to involve parents and truly partnering with them in discipleship?

Mark: Oh I wish they were.  Most churches still see parents as ancillary to the real work of the youth ministry.  I’ve read one youth ministry professor even suggest that youth workers who focus on family ministry are misguided, that they should focus on students and let the adult ministry staff worry about parents.  At the same time, there is a groundswell of interest from a growing number of professionals, volunteers and parents involved in youth ministry that unless we equip and partner with parents, the long-term impact of our ministries will be severely compromised.  

What are the indicators that most trouble or concern you with what is happening in many student ministries today?

Mark: My concern is not “events” per se.  My concern is that events are approached episodically rather than systemically.  A church does a Discipleship Now that is totally disconnected from the small group program which is totally disconnected from the Girls of Grace Conference which is totally disconnected from Acquire the Fire, which is totally disconnected from the summer mission trips.  Each of those components are fine…usually better than fine.  They usually touch kids’ lives deeply.  What they fail to do though is to draw kids into a trajectory of faithfulness that integrates the transforming “moments” into truly transformed lives.

Youth Ministry Architects, founded by Mark DeVries, is one of the country’s top youth ministry consulting firms.

Best-Ever Games for Youth Ministry $13.03 From The Publisher: Your youth ministry is about to get the most amazing kick-start you’ve ever seen! This time-saving resource is packed with nearly 200 incredible and practical games for your youth group, Bible study, retreat, or summer camp. Includes suggestions on how to lead games, select games, and save games gone bad. Get your group revved up and ready to interact, discuss and participate during your next youth meeting!

Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry $19.99 Whether Bible studies are a regular part of your ministry, or you’re thinking about how to bring Bible study into your ministry in a more significant way, chances are that you want to help your students enter into God’s word in a way that challenges them and changes their lives. That’s a goal worth working towards…but sometimes you will feel like it’s a goal that you may never reach. Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry is designed to help you develop a Bible study approach that engages students on a deeper level—even if you’re an avid curriculum user or someone who creates all your own discipleship materials from scratch. As you devour the wisdom Barry Shafer brings from decades of student ministry and engage in your own study of God’s Word, you’ll discover that Bible study for your students can be taken to a whole new level. In the pages of this book you’ll: ·Get beyond the typical Bible discussions and learn to confidently engage students in an in-depth search of God’s Word ·Teach teens how to study the Bible on their own ·Be invigorated in your own personal interaction with the Bible ·Gain confidence and competence in leading teens deeper in Bible studies, and much more! If you want to take your students deeper into the Bible, discover what it takes to unleash God’s Word in your own ministry and watch your students and youth ministry be transformed.

Fireside Catholic Youth Study Bible-Nab $21.49 Fireside Catholic Youth Study Bible-Nab

How to Understand the Bible: Study Course for Youth and Adults $10.63 How to Understand the Bible: Study Course for Youth and Adults

B.I.B.L.E. Be Involved Bible Learners Everyone: A Children’s Bible Study $6.33 B.I.B.L.E. Be Involved Bible Learners Everyone is an excellent resource for clergy, Sunday school teachers, or anyone involved in children and youth ministry, instilling in your children wisdom from the Bible that will last a lifetime

The Ministry of the Bible $23.59 The Ministry of the Bible

Youth Cells and Youth Ministry $5.99 Youth Cells and Youth Ministry

Equipping Graduates for Youth Ministry $17.9 Approximately one in six churches employ a youth worker. Despite falling attendance amongst young people, the growing number of full-time church-based youth workers suggests increased commitment to youth ministry. Peat explores the issues around preparing graduates for youth ministry. She analyses and evaluates the extent to which graduates are prepared and the impact this has upon the young people and churches concerned. This research enables all colleges and seminaries to reflect on their own programs and thereby better equip those entering youth ministry. The hypothesis is that many graduates are insufficiently prepared or not suited for such positions. This has resulted in the youth worker experiencing failure and, the church, disappointment. The research outcome provides improved insight for seminaries in relation to the effectiveness of academic study, practical mission and placement experience, community life and tutorial contact in preparing graduates for youth ministry.

Youth Ministry That Transforms $19.99 Revealing results from an in-depth study of Protestant youth ministries

Junior High Ministry $15.99 Rowdy, restless, silly, out of control, moody, vulgar, disrespectful, unpredictable — this may be the junior high stereotype, writes youth ministry expert Wayne Rice. But early adolescents’ enthusiasm, loyalty, energy, candidness, and willingness to learn — these more than compensate for the well-publicized hazards of working with middle schoolers. In this edition of Junior High Ministry — updated and expanded to reflect the realities of middle school ministry at the turn of the century — the cofounder of Youth Specialties takes a comprehensive look at the early adolescent experience: – A case for junior high ministry — and what it takes to work effectively with junior highers. – New material of turn-of-the-century trends in the youth culture — and on programming for kids living in this culture. – A chapter each on the five pivotal areas of development — physical, social, intellectual, psycho-emotional, and faith — among junior highers. – Altogether new chapters on parental involvement and mentoring in the context of junior high ministry . . . all topped off with 50 creative and practical ideas — fun and games, Bible study openers, mixers, entire events — that are tailored for junior highers in Sunday school, the youth room, or your living room. Whether you’re training for youth work or a trainer of youth workers, Junior High Ministry will keep finding its dog-eared way to the top of your most used resources.

East End Youth Ministry 1880-1957 $18.95 The 19th-century was a crucial time for the development of youth ministry. The East End of London was a hothouse for radical thinking and pioneering practice. This book traces the history of youth ministry during this period to the middle of the 20th-century. It focusses on the Canning Town area and the Docklands Settlement Movement in particular as a case study

Believe It Or Not Bible Studies For Youth Ministry $18.99 Believe-It-or-Not Bible Studies highlights 13 wild—but true—Bible stories that pack powerful points. With attention-grabbing true Bible stories, outrageous, memorable activities and intense scriptural truths, your teens will learn the Bible like they never have before…and love every minute of it! Guaranteed to provoke discussion in any group, these easy-to-prepare lessons are flexible enough for 30-, 45- or 60-minute lessons. CONTENTS INCLUDE: Introduction An Unusual Messenger: Balaam’s Donkey – God Knows our heart Forgiving God, Forever Loyal: Ehud & the Fat King – God Forgives Using the Unexpected: Jael and the Tent Peg – God can use anyone An Odd Weapon: Samson and the Donkey Jaw – Nothing is impossible with God Gods Rightful Place: Dagon’s Fall – We must honor God Unbelievable Power Elisha and the Bears – God has amazing power Healing Water: Naaman’s Baths – We can trust God Amazing God: Ezekiel’s Vision – God’s glory is beyond our comprehension Dead Bones Rise: The Valley of Dry Bones – God alone bring us life A Marriage with a message: Hosea’s Marriage – God is faithful Sight and Salvation: Jesus places spit on a Blind Man – God makes us whole Falling andFailings: Eutychus’ Fatal Nap – God is full of Grace Snake Attack: Paul and the Snake – God Protects us Scripture Index.

Jesus Said It: An Experiential Multimedia Small Group Bible Study for Youth $40.61 Jesus Said It: An Experiential Multimedia Small Group Bible Study for Youth

Top 20 Messages For Youth Ministry $19.99 Complete, cutting-edge messages your youth group will never forget! No matter what your speaking ability, you’ll find what you need in The Top 20 Messages for Youth Ministry. This incredibly useful resource contains 20 complete, power-packed message outlines to slice and dice and make your own. Featuring: clear, topical outlines with Bible-based points; over 20 great stories and illustrations; more than 20 great movie clip illustration ideas; over 50 quick and easy ideas for involving group members in your message, and; a boatload of extra ideas! Take your speaking to the next level with The Top Twenty Messages for Youth Ministry.

Sustainable Youth Ministry $14.4 Sustainable Youth Ministry

New Kind Of Youth Ministry $14.39 New Kind Of Youth Ministry

Purpose Driven Youth Ministry $14.99 Purpose Driven Youth Ministry