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Youth Leaders

Want Youth Group Transformation? Start Here.

"Of the 20-plus books I’ve written over the past 20-plus years, Gospelize Your Youth Ministry is the most important."

Spiritual Works of Mercy: 17 Bible-Based Acts for Youth Groups

What are spiritual works of mercy? And how can youth groups participate? Discover 17 ways teen can be selfless servants.

Opening Letter to Parents: What Your Teenagers Need

Use this opening letter to parents to thank, educate, encourage, and inspire parents of teens at your church.

Your Youth Ministry Philosophy Cheat Sheet

Having a clear philosophy enables you to focus on what’s truly important for your youth group and weed out what’s not.

Reasons Not to Smoke Weed (Even if It’s Legal in Your State)

These days, many U.S. teens need to hear reasons not to smoke weed. Share these 10 arguments against using marijuana with kids in your youth ministry.

On Making an Emotional Decision for Christ

Some people, nervous about the sheer shock value of biblical truths, will gently rebuke me with statements like, “Well, we need to make sure our teens aren’t just making an emotional decision for Christ.”

3 Reasons To Stop Treating Youth Pastors Like the JV Team

Youth ministry is some of the most important work a person could do. Further, it’s some of the most important work a church could support. Here are three reasons to start treating youth pastors like “real” pastors.

Is Manifesting a Sin? A Biblical Look at This Psychological Trend

Is manifesting a sin? The concept is trendy among teens and young adults. Learn about manifesting and explore what the Bible says about it.

Transgender Student: Heartfelt Thoughts From a Youth Pastor

If a transgender student attends your youth group or a nearby school, what will you tell them? Consider this approach, in one youth minister's heartfelt letter.

Sunday School Games: 8 Fun, Ageless Activities for Youth Groups

Although these Sunday school games are designed for children, older kids are sure to enjoy them too. Adapt these 8 fun games for teens in your youth group!

Youth Ministers: Watch Out for These 6 Attacks From the Devil

If I were the devil, I'd have a field day with youth ministers. Discover six vulnerabilities of youth workers, and consider ways to bolster your spiritual armor!

Street Apologetics

Street apologetics is a term I use to describe insights I learned while doing evangelism on the streets. Christians can use these strategies on social media, in the halls of schools, and of course, on actual streets!

Youth Group Games: 3 Go-to Games Your Teens Will Love

Need some quick youth group games? When time is short, what do you do? Chances are, you pull out an old standby that works time and time again. Here are 3 easy, classic youth group games.

Movies About Bullying: 12 Films to Get Teens Talking

Movies about bullying can help spark important discussions among teens and preteens. Use films about bullies to introduce the topic, generate conversations, and teach biblical lessons.

Lawnmower Parents and Their Impact on Snowflake Spirituality

Have you heard of lawnmower parents? They “mow down all of a child’s challenges, discomforts and struggles.” And they're taking a toll on young people's faith.

How to Revive a Dying Youth Ministry: 5 Biblical Pointers

At some point, most youth leaders wonder how to revive a dying youth ministry. Or, if their group isn't dying, it might need a huge dose of revival. Use these 5 Bible-based pointers for renewal!

Is Smoking Weed a Sin? How to Address This Issue Biblically

Is smoking weed a sin? This question comes up more and more these days. As marijuana use moves inward from the fringes of societal view, the church must be ready with a biblical response.

Youth Ministry Hacks: 10 Simple Ways to Grow Your Group

Youth ministry hacks are helpful for a variety of tasks. But they're also useful for spurring growth, both numerical and spiritual. Healthy things grow.

Student Ministry Often Falls Short: Discover Some Reasons and Fixes

Find out what you can do now to fix student ministry at your church.

One Billion Lost Sheep

There are one billion sheep in the world, and each one matters to a shepherd somewhere. There are one billion teenagers in the world, and each matters to the Shepherd of our souls. And they should matter to us too.
Michael Tait

‘I Make No Excuses’—Michael Tait Breaks Silence About Drug Abuse, Sexual...

On Tuesday, June 10, former Newsboys frontman and DC Talk member Michael Tait spoke publicly for the first time since being accused of grooming and sexually assaulting three men.
Joby Martin

Joby Martin: What Happens When Pastors Finally Understand Grace

Joby Martin joins “The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast” to discuss what happens when a church leader has truly been run over by the “grace train" and understands the profound love and grace of God.

Youth Leaders