Articles For Youth Workers

Articles

A Biblical View Of Marriage

  • A cool article that offers in depth knowledge of the Bible's view on Marriage

Abortion And The Law

  • A great article that lays out ways a christian can support defending the rights of unborn children while being lawful and biblical.

Abraham Piper’s Testimony + Suggestions to help reach out to wayward children

  • A great testimony by 22 Words blog creator and son of John Piper that is really encouraging for parents being affected by prodigal sons and daughters. The article also has some great steps to not losing faith and effectively ministering to our prodigal sons and daughters.

A Father’s Covenant

  • A great article by Hilary Tompkins, where she tells of the powerful decision her husband and her decided to make.

Attention All Youth Workers, You Must See The Perks of Being A Wallflower

  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a must-see movie for youth leaders, according to President of Youthfront, Mike King. Read about it here:

Australian Prime Minister Does It Again

  • A really encouraging article where the God fearing prime minister of Australia cracks down on the Muslims and Anti-Christians in Australia.

Be slow to speak (or tweet, or post on Facebook…)

  • Mike Everett reminds us of the power our words in both real life and on social media.

The Best of the Best for Middle School Ministry

  • A short article by Jeff Tillson, a Junior High Pastor in Texas. There are a couple points in the article that could be very encouraging or helpful to someone involved in youth ministry.

Bet It All

  • A challenging article by Donald Zimmerman that compares our walk with God to “going all in” like you do when gambling.

The Bible and The Super Bowl….

  • The Bible and the Super Bowl… what do they have in common? Youth Pastor Walt Mueller writes about how, as Christians, we should watch things like the Super Bowl with a specific purpose in mind, as John Stott wrote in his book The Contemporary Christian, “We stand between the Word and the world with consequent obligation to listen to both. We listen to the Word to discover even more of the riches of Christ. We listen to the world in order to discern which of Christ’s riches are needed most and how to present them in their best light.”

The Big Problem of Teen Suicide

  • An informative and helpful article about teens and suicide

Boundaries For Youth Workers

  • Veteran Youth Pastor Walt Mueller shares his wisdom on a few simple boundaries youth workers should make sure are in place. "They aren't confining. They're life-giving.”

Boys hitting puberty younger alongside girls

  • As parents & youth leaders, it’s important that we know that new studies show that puberty ages in boys are dropping, as they have been in girls.

Breaking Out Of Youth Ministry Survival Mode

  • Great advice on how to bust out of “survival mode” thinking and start planning ahead for your small group.

Bringing More Creativity To Your Youth Ministry

  • Creativity is essential in adding a spark to our youth ministries. Whether you’re blessed with the gift of creativity, or if thinking creatively is a struggle, there are some basic things everyone can do to add a little flair to any event or Bible study.

Broken Homes in the Bible

  • You will be encouraged after reading this thoughtful article by Richard Pratt about one of the most devastating problems in the modern world.

The Bull’s-Eye of the Gospel

  • Matthew 11:28-30 offers Jesus’ view of what the gospel is and it’s this: Jesus offers rest and relief to the broken and weighed-down. This is an encouraging article about Jesus’ ability to give us rest and his amazing ability to do the work for us.

Called to Youth Ministry

  • A short and encouraging article where 2 men reflect on how they were called to do youth ministry.

Campus Ministry Corner: Churchpotle

  • An encouraging article by Rob Maxey that describes how his wife and he began a ministry by buying kids chipotle burritos.

A challenge to youth leaders to pray

  • Have you understood the value God places on those in your care? Pastor and Father Al Hewetson discusses the power of prayer and explains why we need to pray for our ministry.

Christian Worship: Are You Prepared, Participating, And Practicing?

  • This article is on Worship and is a good resource if you are talking about worship to your group and you need somewhere to start with your message.

10 Christmas Story Takeaways Your Students Need To Know

  • Here are 10 Christmas Story takeaways your students need to know. Use them to plan your Christmas season Bible studies.

Six Considerations for Leaders Who Are Not Steve Jobs

  • An insightful article by Pastor Thom Rainer that offers 6 great things we can learn from Steve Jobs Life.

Culture's Biggest Lies

  • A list of ten lies that the world tries to teach our students. It is a good idea to know biblical standpoints to the items on these lists in order convey them to our students.

Cyberbullying: Scourge of the Internet

  • Cyberbullying is a hot topic. Check out this article for some surprising statistics.

Dad's Advice Could Be Key to Teens' Sexual Activity

  • When it comes to pre-marital sex, new studies suggest that adolescents have less sex if their fathers talk to them more about sexual matters. What students’ parents say about sex outweighs all the efforts of schools and health-care providers to change students’ sexual behavior.

Dealing with Disrespectful Teenagers

  • An insightful article on dealing with disrespect from your students.

The 10 Don’ts of Being A Small Group Leader

  • The title says it all: this is a GREAT and very practical article that can really help your ministry grow.

Easter and Lent Ideas

6 excuses to avoid reading the Bible

  • Speaker and writer Mitch Miller brings to attention some common excuses used for not reading the bible.

Don’t get comfortable

  • This is an article that urges us to examine ourselves and our participation in ministry. It encourages us to make sure we haven't grown comfortable in the places we serve, but our still stepping outside the limits of our comfort.

The Demise of Guys

  • A really insightful article from a secular news website talking about how video games and pornography are drastically affecting todays youth.

Excessive praise 'risks turning kids into bullies'

  • A study was recently published that showed that the high emphasis on self-esteem for kids was more common in bullies than a lack of self-esteem. This movement of excessive praise and push for high self-esteem in children could hurt more than help.

Exposure to Sexual Content…

  • Here is a very insightful scientific study that shows that exposure to sexual contents in movies predicts sexual behavior in adolescents.

Feedback Is Scary—But You Need It

  • This great article written by Justin Buzzard is aimed at Pastors and leaders, but has very applicable and important concepts for all of us to understand.

Find the Snake, Listen for His Lies

  • Here is a great article discussing the importance of recognizing the lies of the enemy and dealing with them biblically with your own life, as well as in others.

The Forgotten Victims in Suicide

  • An article by youth pastor Brent Lacy that provides some insight into who suicides affect the most.

Formulation of Faith in the Family

  • A Blog entry on how to encourage the formulation of faith in the family.

The Frustration of Youth Workers

  • An article that could drastically help you in your efforts to lead youth to Christ.

God has a lot to say about finances

  • This is a fantastic article showing in the bible what God has to say about our finances.

Good News vs. Good Advice

  • An article by Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan New York, that discusses a great issue. It talks about how the bible is news because it’s historical fact and it talks about the bible being more than just a good suggestion.

Hiding Chin Zits

  • A short blog on the importance of being transparent.

How to Deal with Conflict

  • Conflict surrounds those of us in ministry, we need to be prepared on how we're going to respond

How to live for God’s glory

  • Here is a great article that addresses and encourages the individual to live for God's glory. We are to be like Jesus, so we too must live like Him.

How to Reach the Hyperactive Child

  • An article that gives some cool tips on how to deal with hyper kids in youth ministry.

How to Write a Message: Part 2

  • Here are some very helpful hints on giving an effective message to junior highers.

The Hunger Games. . . .

  • Whether or not you've seen it or read it, chances are you've heard of it. So what's the big deal? Experienced youth pastor Walt Mueller gives his take on this latest phenomenon.

10 “I can do that” steps toward developing student leaders

  • Seasoned Youth Pastor Doug Fields relays his method for developing student leaders.

10 Ideas to Help Kids Practice Spiritual Disciplines

  • Many of the Spiritual Disciplines are hard for us, and getting students to experience them can be even harder.  Here are a few ideas to help.

The Idolatry of Individualism

  • Biblical counselor Elyse M. Fitzpatrick addresses a sin that some of us our quite unaware of; the sin of privacy and individualism.

If Facebook Tempts You

  • A great and practical article that offers insightful views on how facebook can affect our identity in Christ.

I Love You Air Conditionally

  • A great article about God’s Unconditional love by Justin Holcomb.

In Christ, I’m not a sinner

  • An article by Dane Ortlund, the Bible Publishing Director at Crossway Books, that explains how Christians can be sinners and cleansed.

Inside the Teenage Vocab of Y.O.L.O.

  • Author Jonathan McKee gives pointers on how to use the newest slang term to steer students to the truth of the Gospel.

The Impact of Technology on Teenagers

  • This is a great article discussing the increase of media consumption by teens over the past several years. It includes lots of data and the importance of our need to respond to this heavy media saturation.

The Importance Of Fathers

  • An insightful article By UYWI(Urban Youth Workers Institute) about how important fathers are to both boys and girls growing up.

The #1 Hits of 2011 (Part One)

  • The top hits of 2011 are analyzed by Jonathan Mckee.

The #1 Hits of 2011 (Part Two)

  • The top hits of 2011 are analyzed by Jonathan Mckee.

Intentionally Celebrating Lent & Easter as a Family

  • Easter, specifically Jesus' death and resurrection, is the foundation of our faith. Here are some great ways for you to be more intentioned about celebrating this season with your students.

Is the World Ready for a Facebook Church? Teen Attendance in Decline

  • Teen church attendance is declining - is Facebook to blame? Read this interesting article for more info.

It Is OK Not to be Good At Things

  • A terrific article on the importance of delegation.

Jeremy Lin goes to lunch with ESPN editor who was fired over headline

  • Christian NBA star Jeremy Lin shows God’s grace by going to lunch with the editor that was recently fired from ESPN for writing an article that had a racially insensitive headline directed towards Lin.

Kanye West Christianity

  • Does the focus belong to you or to God? This article speaks about a very relevant issue that can really accelerate your walk with God.

Keely's Chivalry series

Learning Contentment in Suffering

  • A touching and point of view changing article about a couple who got married knowing that the husband doesn’t have long to live. If you enjoy this article, there are two previous articles in relation to this one at the top of the article’s page.

Lecrae on the Absence of Fathers in the World

  • Christian Hip Hip/Rap artist Lecrae offers his view on how the lack of fathers is damaging this generation.

Let Me Help - Here's My iPod

  • How Kids Use and are Influenced by Music

Lions, Tigers, and God’s Power—Oh My!

  • Pastor Miles Mcpherson of the Rock church in San Diego discusses a change in thought that will help us as christians.

Losing Control: Too Many Teens Enslaved by Substance Abuse

  • Substance abuse among teens is far more widespread than you might think. This article gives some of the latest statistics, plus some ideas on how to help.

Loving the Unlovable

  • An insightful article by Todd Outcalt that addresses a very helpful and relevant topic.

Mandatory Mentoring

  • Aaron Stief offers his reasons for why mentoring is mandatory.

7 marks of healthy small groups

  • This article lists 7 marks of a healthy small group as outlined in Acts 2. It is great to use this as a checklist for your small group and start thinking about ways you can add these points into your small group if you haven't already.

Mistake #13: When we allow talking to replace listening

  • Here is a great article that reminds us to listen. Often we want to simply list off advice and forget to lend that listening ear.

model leaves victoria’s secret to honor God, her husband…and be a better role model

  • Model Kylie Bisutti chose to quit being a Victoria’s Secret lingerie model because she feels that she was not honoring God or her husband by doing it. This is a really encouraging article that is a great read.

Motherhood Is a Calling (And Where Your Children Rank)

  • A refreshing and encouraging article by Rachel Jankovic. She offers a biblical viewpoint on being a Christian mother in this day and age.

Mother Nature, who’s your daddy?

  • An article by William Lane Craig and Sean McDowell that explains why the Big Bang points to the existence of God.

The necessary ministry of the Holy Spirit

  • Justin Holcomb discusses a great biblical truth for our ministry.

5 Notes on Dating for the Guys

  • An article by Brandon Anderson that bluntly addresses a difficult topic. These 5 notes can really help Christian men view dating in a biblical way.

On Celebrating the Death of Evil People

  • A really insightful article by Dennis Sprager that explains how we should biblically react and respond to the death of evil people.

The Perfect Youth Ministry Volunteer

  • Ever question your ability to effectively minister to youth? Youth Pastor Chris Dortch in North Carolina shares myths and realities about The Perfect Youth Ministry Volunteer.

Puff or pass: Should Christians smoke pot or not?

  • An article by Mark Driscoll that tackles a relevant and difficult topic.

Resources for Discussing Faith and Doubt

  • Recent studies have shown that “the more a student perceives his or her youth group to be an open and safe place to express doubt, questions, and problems, the more likely the student is to have a positive spiritual transition to college.” Here are resources for discussing faith and doubt in your small group. Though some of these resources are geared toward High School students, you can easily edit them to use with your Junior High Students.

Saying Nice Things about People With Whom You Disagree

  • A great article about respecting people with differences. This is a great resource to use in our personal lives as well as teach to our students.

School Shooting: Things to Discuss with your Students

  • After the recent shooting at Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, Youth Specialties offers some topics to discuss with your students during difficult times like this.

Social Media Mania: Americans – Young & Old – Captivated by Facebook

  • An interesting article about students' Facebook usage.

So You Don’t Know The Answer...

  • What do you do when your students ask questions that stump you? Fake it? Send them to someone else? This article contains good advice on the best way to handle questions you don’t know the answer to.

STAGES in Christian Dating/Courtship Relationship

  • An article that shows the correct movement of a Christian relationship.

10 steps toward developing student leaders

  • Here are some great steps that could help you transform your students into leaders by God’s grace.

Straight-Line Gospel

  • The word gospel means “good news.” And it is. But we must not stop there. This article talks about the two different kinds of good news, and about how important it is for us to keep straight in our minds which kind is which.

The Strength of Meekness

  • The bible refers to meekness and weakness as desirable things, Author Trisha Wilkerson discusses the concept of meekness.

Stress management: Re-examine your stress reactions

  • How do you react to stress?  Knowing how you relate to stress is helpful to your productivity and leadership.  If you aren’t sure what your usual stress reaction is, ask a friend or co-worker. Many people think they know how they react, but sometimes those around us have a better perspective on our behavior. Then check out this article from the Mayo clinic about healthy versus unhealthy responses to stress.

"Success" Is a Hollow Goal

  • This article, written by Matt Chandler, looks at the need to refocus our goals from success centered to Christ centered. It easy to become distracted by assessing our ministry and life in success of numbers or our material gain, but this shift in vision distracts us from our original goal and sole purpose of serving Christ.

Teenagers Want Face Time More Than Texting Time

  • As much as we think teens are pure techno-junkies, a recent study shows teens value face-to-face interaction above all. It's great to check in with your student via text & Facebook, but don't let that take the place of simply hanging out together.

That’s not fair?

  • The very big topic of winning and losing is tackled by author Barnabas Piper. He offers great insight of how we should understand the topic and how we  can raise our children to have a correct view on the topic.

4 Things Every Kid Needs to Know about the Bible

  • A to-the-point article by Trevin Wax that explains what four truths are absolutely necessary for our children to know.

9 Things Forgiveness Is Not

  • This is a great article written by Mark Driscoll discussing what forgiveness is not. He clarifies many misconceptions relating to sin and forgiveness, and also outlines a clearer picture of what it really is.

21 Things Leaders Need To Stop Doing

  • An article written by entrepreneur and blogger Scott Williams that offers 21 things for leaders to stop doing. Although many of these points are meant for a business owner, the majority of these could be really beneficial to your ministry.

5 Things Mentors Should Model

  • A great article that says exactly what the title says. This could really help those of you trying to be a good influence in your student’s life.

7 Things You Might Not Know about Grumbling

  • Here is a great article that addresses 7 issues that come with grumbling and how when we participate in it, it really points to being discontent in our God. It is a great topic to address with ourselves so we can develop gratitude instead of grumbling.

9 Things You Should Know About Duck Dynasty

  • Duck Dynasty is a series on A&E that shows the lives of the Robertson family, a Louisiana clan who became wealthy from their family-operated duck call business. Here are nine things you should know about reality television's most gospel-centric family.

5 Tips For Starting The School Year Right

  • Here are some great tips to help your students start the school year off with a bang!

Top 10 Easy Christian Guitar Songs For Beginners

  • These 10 songs are a great place to start for any new worship leader!

Top 10 Free Fundraising Ideas

  • Over the years, many small groups have decided to hold fundraisers to gather money for a special event – small group Christmas party, graduation party, camp scholarships, a trip to an amusement park, etc.  Here are some fun ideas you might be able to adapt to raise money for your group.

Two Golden Words

  • A refreshing article by Dave Kraft that offers the importance of simplicity and sincerity in our personal walks with God.

Seven Ways to Connect with Teenagers This Summer

  • Let’s face it, summer brings an entirely new menu of ministry venues: camps, trips, pool parties and late nights. Plenty of opportunities for ministry during these few months. Check out  these great suggestions of plenty of ways to connect with teenagers.

Visual Theology

  • Click on this link to check out a new teaching method – visual theology – using infographics to display theology in a helpful and visually-appealing way.

7 Ways to Engage Parents

  • It is so important that we connect with the parents of our students. Here are 7 ways to engage the parents whose students you are working with.

9 Ways to Fight the Temptation of Pornography

  • A really good article for you and everyone you know.

5 Ways to Make Your Kids Hate Church

  • A very practical article that offers some great advice on how to help your children love church.

15 Ways to Remember Names

  • Students respond best when they know we love them… but what if we can’t even remember their names? Here are 15 memory tricks to help remember students’ names.

29+3 Ways To Stay Creative

  • Want to become a more creative person? Check out this article & inspirational video.

What Do the Religions Teach About God?

  • There’s a very popular view going around view called religious pluralism which says that there are many ways to God. There’s a huge problem with that, because Jesus claims that He is THE way to God. This article offers an insightful view of where we should stand in regards to other religions.

What's Wrong with the Teenage Mind?

  • Children today reach puberty earlier and adulthood later. The result: A lot of teenage weirdness. A very interesting article on the possibilities of readjusting adolescence.

When comparison replaces contentment

  • Author and pastor Dave Kraft discusses a common problem that a lot of Christians and ministry leaders face.

When Is A Youth Minister Too Old To Be Effective?

  • If you start thinking “I’m getting too old for this,” read this article first… an encouraging look at why you should stick it out.

When we allow discouragement to replace dreaming

  • This is a great article discussing the importance of turning to Christ during periods of discouragement so that we do not lose hope.

Why Memorize Scripture?

  • There is so much value in memorizing the Word of God and this article, written by John Piper, breaks down why it is so important to commit scripture to memory.

Why my kids won’t use social media any time soon.

  • Internet blogger Jon Acuff states his reasons for why his children won’t be using social media soon.

Why Science Needs the Christian Worldview

  • Fact: Science requires a significant number of philosophical assumptions just to conduct empirical investigation. The Christian worldview is necessary for a scientific understanding.

Why the Gospel Is Offensive

  • This article by Dustin Kensrue does a great job of simplifying one of the main reasons people don’t want to hear the word of God and offers a solution.

Why Your Self-Image Won't Make You Happy

  • This is a great article reminding us that our self-image isn't what defines us, but the fact that we are created in the image of God.

35 words added to the oxford dictionary

  • When in a position where you’ll be dealing with a lot of youth, it is crucial to stay up to date with teen culture. One thing we need to understand is the slang words that teens use today. Here is what Oxford Dictionary online added to their online dictionary this past year. There are some funny words.

Worship Is a War Song

  • This article reiterates the beauty of worship to our God and supports the importance of developing the youth of today to be worshippers of God because in that there is victory.

The Youth Culture Report

  • Get a glimpse of the culture today's teens are living in; this webpage is actually a link to dozens of articles, essays & blogs that relate to current youth culture.

A Youth Leader's Guide to Money

  • Youth Pastor Keith Cotton explains in a short article a couple great tips to help youth leaders save money.