SimplyYouthMinistry.com NEW Products

Live Curriculum

We've developed the Live Curriculum as a cohesive, four-year plan for your youth ministry, using a 36-week ministry calendar year. The lessons are designed to flow from one topic to the next, and each year builds on the previous years. But since we know every ministry is different we give you the option of taking it apart, shifting around the pieces, and using the lessons in whatever order you'd like. You can prayerfully schedule the lessons as you sense God's direction in your ministry. It's all good!

With a price tag of $499 you will receive all 4 years of material (that's less than $3.50 per week) that can be used in any ministry format and is being taught to age groups ranging from middle school to post high school/college. By making simple adjustments based off your ministry's DNA you can adapt the LIVE curriculum to any or all of these age groups. And with Years 1 & 2 available (Year 3 release date Nov 16 and Year 4 December 17), you'll save yourself countless hours of planning.

But wait! There's more! You'll know what your small groups will be discussing six months from now, so parents will gain more confidence in your ministry, and along the way, you'll provide them with resources to spark conversation and dialogue in the home. I can't think of a better tool to help families grow closer together and closer to God in the process.

You save hours of planning time. Your leaders are trained, communicated with and prepared to teach. Your students are active and involved. And their parents become your biggest supporters. That's a win-win-win-win! (We checked; it's legal to have that much winning anywhere and everywhere!)

Creative Times With God

Let's face it-a lot of kids think the Bible is boring. It was written by old people (like your age, they think), it isn't relevant, and it's hard to read. And many students believe the ONLY way to read it each morning using the same little booklet their mom uses. So not true!

With Creative Times With God, Doug Fields breaks the mold on how students can dig into God's Word. Part devotional, part Q&A, part journal, part critical thinking exercises, and part woolly mammoth, it helps students who don't fit the mold discover the Bible as the relevant, life-changing book it really is.

Some people can read the Bible the same way at the same time each day. Most of us can't. That's the beauty of this book. It will tap into teenagers' creative juices and help them discover the joy-yes, the JOY-of picking up the Bible every day. Each chapter offers a creative, engaging approach to exploring a verse or passage of Scripture and discovering powerful truths from God's Word.

And once teenagers experience flexibility, creativity, freedom, and joy in daily devotions and Bible reading, they're on their way to a lifelong habit that will help them mature and grow in their spiritual journey.

Fresh Start

"'Stuckness,'" Doug writes, "was never part of the abundant life that Jesus promised." Indeed, He came so that we can move forward, "have life . . . and have it to the full" (John 10:10).

But, why is it that so many followers of Jesus are stuck in a life-less life? And, what are some of the common areas of life that seem to grab everyone by the heels and keep them from reaching the abundant life that Jesus offers? They shouldn�t surprise you--Exhaustion. Loneliness. Pride. Regret. Disappointment. Rejection. Anger. Superficial friendships.

What's keeping you from being the person God created you to be? Do you find yourself struggling with a person you can't forgive, a sin you can't conquer, a habit you can't break, or an attitude you can't shake? Are you longing to change but feel as though you're just spinning your wheels and going nowhere?

Doug says, "It's not about trying harder; it's about plugging into God's transforming power." As He did for King David and Isaiah in the Bible, God is eager to provide that power - even more than once.

Fresh Start is your guide to moving from stuck to starting over. And it doesn't take a self-help program, positive thinking, or transcendental glow sticks to achieve it! Doug will demonstrate that when you are willing to cooperate with God and the possible, He has more than enough power to do the impossible and transform your life.

So come on - grab a book (or four and discuss it with some friends)! Take the first step. Your fresh start begins today!

The Red Stuff

The Red Stuff is gonna help out two groups: small group leaders and students. For small group leaders, you'll get everything you need to run five weeks of video-based small group meetings. The video part is especially great if you love the relational part of youth ministry, but either don't have lots of time or aren't so comfortable with "teaching" stuff. The DVD has 5-10 minute talks given by junior high pastor Scott Rubin-freeing you up to lead the follow-up discussions and build relationships, rather than writing sermon notes.

For students, they get to dig in to the words of Jesus himself, the "Red Stuff". They'll take a look at five of Jesus' parables, uncover what His message was, and see how it still applies to their life today.

Lessons cover what Jesus said about:

The Bible
Our Talents
Pride
Persistent Prayer
Eternity

As a leader, you also get all the materials you need to run each meeting including DVD videos, discussion guides, promotional materials, and more-everything you need to save you time while teaching five Biblically-based lessons.

10 Minute Moments - The Red Stuff

If you've got 10 minutes (and I bet you can find them lying around), then you've got enough time to hang out with God.

10-Minute Moments: The Red Stuff is a 31-day devotional and journal that gets you into the words of Jesus - aka "The Red Stuff" - and keeps your spiritual journey on the path. You'll take a look at a short passage, spend a few minutes thinking about it, answer a few questions, and then get some ideas for prayer.

It's totally portable - do 'em on the bus, in the car, or in your room - and easy to understand.

Scott Rubin is the junior high pastor at Willow Creek Church outside of Chicago and has been on the staff there since 1991. The ministry he leads at Willow Creek is called Elevate. He's had a blast writing a few youth ministry resources and encouraging other middle-school ministers to explore what God can do in their ministry.

T3

What would happen if your students took the Parable of the Talents literally for 9 weeks? What would they do if you put money in their hands and told them to exercise some creative stewardship?

Find out with T3, a 9-week small group curriculum based on the life-changing book Kingdom Assignment. You'll help your students see that stewardship isn't just about tithing, but it's about using all that God has given them - their Talent, Treasure & Time - to make a difference for his kingdom.

This resource combines 6 weeks of video curriculum and group discussion with 3 weeks of hands-on action by the students. The Leader Kit includes a DVD of teaching videos, 5 Student Journals, and a CD with PDFs of the Leader Guides and the Student Journal, plus promotional materials, checklists, and a bunch of other resources that will help you easily get this incredible series up and running.

Take your students on the T3 challenge and they'll see the amazing things God can do with a willing heart.

Lesson include:

Week 1 - Uncharted Territory [6:19]
Week 2 - Are You a Steward or an Owner? [7:06]
Week 3 - How Much Is Your Money Worth? [6:59]
Week 4 - Age Is No Limit [6:21]
Week 5 - Surrounded by Opportunities [7:07]
Week 6 - Accepting the Challenge [6:22]
Weeks 7-9 - T3 Challenge!

T3 Student Journal

*This Student Journal accompanies the T3 Kit.

What would happen if your students took the Parable of the Talents literally for 9 weeks? What would they do if you put money in their hands and told them to exercise some creative stewardship?

Find out with T3, a 9-week small group curriculum based on the life-changing book Kingdom Assignment. You'll help your students see that stewardship isn't just about tithing, but it's about using all that God has given them - their Talent, Treasure & Time - to make a difference for his kingdom.

This resource combines 6 weeks of video curriculum and group discussion with 3 weeks of hands-on action by the students.

Take your students on the T3 challenge and they'll see the amazing things God can do with a willing heart.

Lesson include:

Week 1 - Uncharted Territory [6:19]
Week 2 - Are You a Steward or an Owner? [7:06]
Week 3 - How Much Is Your Money Worth? [6:59]
Week 4 - Age Is No Limit [6:21]
Week 5 - Surrounded by Opportunities [7:07]
Week 6 - Accepting the Challenge [6:22]
Weeks 7-9 - T3 Challenge!

Thriving Youth Ministry in Smaller Churches

***This title will ship on December 15, 2009***

Are you in a "small" church? Well, guess what-you're the majority. With the average church in America clocking in around 75 members, there's no reason why "small" has to equal "less" when it comes to healthy, thriving youth ministry.

In this stereotype-busting examination of "smaller" (don't call 'em "small"!) youth ministry, Rick Chromey and Stephanie Caro provide clear biblical and philosophical direction along with a host of practical ideas. You'll discover strengths you didn't know you had, and realize that what you thought were obstacles were only excuses.

Today's teenagers move at the rapid pace of today's society. And a smaller youth ministry has the flexibility and qualities to be nimble and relational, two qualities that will serve your teenagers more than a kickin' stage or a big budget.

Embrace your smallness and create a ministry that teenagers will love to be a part of, no matter how many of you there are.

College Ministry Video Training Bundle

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

These seven videos cover topics essential to creating, sustaining, and expanding a healthy, effective college ministry:

Session 1 - Role of College Ministry
Session 2 - College-Age Pursuits: Identity
Session 3 - College-Age Pursuits: Intimacy
Session 4 - College-Age Pursuits: Meaning & Pleasure
Session 5 - College-Age Pursuits: Truth
Session 6 - Teaching & Discipleship
Session 7 - Ingraining College Ministry Into the Fabric of Your Church

Chuck offers practical ideas and principles for building solid college ministries. He's a veteran who's done it, and he continues to invest his time in other leaders, so you know his words are rooted in experience, a love for college-age people, and a love for the local church.

Use these videos in training sessions with your team of leaders. Watch them with your senior pastor. Create a teaching series based on the ideas and truths in these lessons. No matter how you use these videos, you'll reap incredible benefits from this series and its insights.

***Please note, these videos are in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

The Role of College Ministry

You might be a veteran of junior high and high school ministry. People might even consider you a pro. But are you equipped and prepared for the challenges and opportunities of college ministry?

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

If you want to build for success, start with a solid foundation. This training video will help you define the purpose and develop the structure of a college ministry that fits your congregation. You'll discover the characteristics and long-term effects of this stage of life. You'll uncover tips on avoiding solutions that aren't really solutions - approaches that fail to effectively minister to college-age people in a biblical way.

Use this resource to create a healthy college ministry that prepares students for the transition into adulthood. Show it to new leaders to help them understand your ministry's potential impact. Maybe even let your senior pastor borrow this video - share the vision!

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

College-Age Pursuits - Identity

College-age people don't walk into the first day of college with fully formed identities. Changes in our culture have created changes in the way young people develop, mature, and discover who they truly are.

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

We spend a lot of time discussing and examining the social pressures surrounding junior high and high school students, but college life is filled with its own unique batch of social influencers and atmospheres. The college years can radically shape the identities of college-age people.

This lesson examines five stages college-age people travel through as they formulate their identities. Chuck will give you practical tips on helping college-age people through this adventure. The goal is to walk alongside them as they draw closer to finding their identity in Christ - a step of maturity far beyond that first step of choosing to follow Jesus.

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

College-Age Pursuits - Intimacy

Some of our deepest friendships are formed during the college years. Our days are filled with formative experiences that shape us into responsible adults, and the friends who walk with us during these days are the ones we turn to again and again for the rest of our lives.

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

College-age people need vigorous, vibrant relationships-a reflection of everyone's need for emotional, spiritual, physical, and social intimacy. In this lesson, Chuck examines the role of disclosure and vulnerability in developing healthy relationships. He also tackles five significant hindrances to intimacy among college-age people.

And as Chuck examines the topic of intimacy and deep friendships, he unlocks seven implications for college ministries, including modeling vulnerability, being consistent, and bridging mentor relationships. You'll come back to this video again and again for encouragement and reminders as you see friendships emerge and grow in your college ministry.

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

College-Age Pursuits - Meaning & Pleasure

Our culture defines the college years as a time to get wild and party. College-age people face new challenges with greater personal freedom and the opportunity to avoid responsibility. What role can a college ministry play in the pursuit of meaning and pleasure?

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

In this lesson, Chuck examines the topics of meaning and pleasure, and how a college ministry can help college-age people in these areas. The process of spiritual maturity includes growth in the area of self-discipline. Chuck draws on the words of the Apostle Paul to discover what it means to be disciplined in our actions and attitudes.

College-age people continue to look toward their parents and other adults with life experience for answers and help-but they also look within themselves to discover meaning and purpose. Your college ministry can play a vital role in this process of discovery, determination, and decision.

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

College-Age Pursuits - Truth

How do college-age people view the topic of truth? How can the local church help college-age people examine the Bible in the midst of a shifting, evolving, emerging culture?

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

In this training session, you'll dig deep to examine how today's college-age people view truth. They've been influenced by religion, philosophy, intellectual discussion, and science, and they're at a stage of life where re-evaluation and exploration are the norm. You'll see how each of these influencers shape college-age people' thinking and how they approach the topic of truth.

The goal is to help college-age people reach biblically mature conclusions. A healthy college ministry can help them create a balanced worldview that will guide them for the rest of their lives.

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

Teaching & Discipleship

What does it take to disciple college-age people in today's culture? How can the local church become more effective in its approach to teaching college-age people?

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

College-age people find themselves caught in the middle of two unique teaching struggles: between the church and the late-adolescent mindset, and between the church and the university or professional environment. Churches have the opportunity to rethink how they teach and disciple college-age people.

Chuck will challenge you in this lesson to reconsider and re-examine your perspective. He examines the difference between the linear and nonlinear approaches to teaching and discipleship, and he recommends three major adjustments in how the local church approaches college ministry.

You'll also discover three essential traits for a healthy, effective college ministry leader-traits that tap into college-age people' desire to see God's practical, life-changing impact in people's lives today.

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

Ingraining College Ministry into the Fabric of Your Church

What are some effective strategies for making college ministry a vital part of your church? How can you inject these young leaders into your congregation's lifeblood-and inject the DNA of your church into these college-age people?

Unleash the enthusiasm, momentum, passion, and energy of college-age people with this training video series from Chuck Bomar, the author of 99 Thoughts for College-Age People and College Ministry 101. Drawing on his years of experience in college ministry, Chuck offers practical advice and wisdom that will help you build a college ministry that encourages college-age people to grow and improve and increase their impact. Like everything else produced by Simply Youth Ministry, these College Ministry: Understanding the Strategy and the People videos are easy to use and will increase your effectiveness by saving you time.

A healthy church views college ministry as an integral part of the congregation, as essential as any other ministry to any other age group. As you'll discover in this lesson, your church can promote intergenerational relationships that create settings and moments for other adults to share their wisdom and experiences with college-age people. You'll also have the opportunity to create avenues for connection through service projects, home gatherings, and weekend retreats.

And in this lesson, Chuck will reveal three things to avoid when creating a college ministry - three things that can diminish your effectiveness and cripple your credibility with college-age people.

***Please note, this video is in a .mov (Quicktime) format. If you do not have Quicktime installed on your computer, you can download it for free at www.quicktime.com***

Grapple Jr High Winter 09/10

This resource includes the Grapple Pak which contains the Grapple Guide with leader guide and reproducible Bible studies for your students, plus the Grapple DVD with 3 discussion starter video clips and 3 countdown videos. PLUS, password-protected access to MyGrapple.com for you and your students.

NOTE: Web access is available for 16 weeks each quarter:

Fall - August 15 - December 15
Winter - November 15 - March 15
Spring - February 15 - June 15
Summer - May 15 - September 15

With Grapple Jr. High, you get the most age-relevant and innovative tool available for helping junior highers navigate through and find the answers to their biggest questions about God, others, and themselves. Your junior highers have inquisitive minds and an overwhelming desire for real relationships--give them a place to investigate that speaks their language and makes them feel safe.

With Grapple's help, you can...

Tackle the tough questions your junior highers are asking about their own relationships with God, others, and themselves.
Captivate their attention when you dig into the real-life issues they are dealing with every day.
Engage their participation through attention-grabbing lessons, thought-provoking videos, fun games, and deep, life-changing Bible lessons.
Inspire kids to connect throughout the week with their very own safe and secure online community at MyGrapple.com.
Encourage faith practice with weekly challenges that dare junior highers to apply what they've learned in simple yet effective ways.

Each quarter you get...

12 attention-grabbing, easily adapted Sunday school lessons that plunge junior highers into the Bible to get answers to their biggest questions about relationships. Each topic is approved by a Junior High Panel, so you'll stay relevant, Sunday after Sunday. From Why should I even trust God? to What if I really mess up?, junior highers will grapple with real-life issues.
Grapple DVD featuring 12 discussion-sparking video segments. Also included: 3 opening video countdowns perfect for playing as kids arrive.

My Relationship with God: The Sixth Sense

How Am I Supposed to Know?
What Does God Want?
What's Up With the "Shepherd"?
What if I'm Scared?

My Relationship with Myself: It's My Life

How Do I Say It?
Who Do I Tell?
What Matters?
Can I Say It Wrong?

My Relationship with the World: War and Welfare

Is War Ever OK?
Isn't It Their Fault?
Shouldn't Everyone Be Green?
Are We Really All the Same?

Middle School Ministry

Many people run scared from the middle school youth room. But (thankfully!) there are people out there who are actually drawn to those young teens. Although often times they're not equipped to deal with the unique challenges that middle school ministry presents, or they're just not sure what to do when a room full of young teens (who are "part child, but not quite adult") are running around the youth room. Finally, there's a comprehensive guide to middle school ministry, from two veterans of this unchartered territory.

Mark Oestreicher and Scott Rubin help youth workers understand the importance of middle school ministry, the development process for young teens and their implications for ministry, and how to best minister to these sometimes misunderstood students. They share their experiences (as middle school pastors and parents of middle schoolers), giving youth workers he encouragement, hope, and training they need to succeed in middle school ministry.

Mark Oestreicher (Marko) is the president of Youth Specialties and a life-long youth worker. He has worked with middle schoolers for about 28 years, both in paid and volunteer positions. Marko has written dozens of books for students and youth workers and speaks to thousands around the world each year.

Scott Rubin has been on staff at Willow Creek Community Church for 18 years, and he's currently the director of Elevate, the junior high ministry at Willow Creek. Scott, along with an entirely-fantastic team of staff and volunteer leaders, has the privilege of helping young adolescents follow Jesus. He also co-authored two books in the Middle School Survival Series with Mark Oestreicher.

All My Belongings

There's some serious power in the word "belonging". Cliques, clubs, teams... there is always some group or another that students are trying to belong to in order to be connected and find value. But what the world offers easily is ultimately fleeting. Only what God provides-and the belonging that comes from being in him-can truly satisfy.

In this five-week super-series, you'll expose some of the world's more deceptive lies about belonging. On the flip side, you'll also give them a picture of how the church can be a place where everyone belongs.

Students will be challenged with questions like:

What groups do I automatically associate myself with?
Are my groups healthy? Smart?
What do my choices say about who I am and what I value?
Does God have a better plan for helping me feel loved and cared for?

Lessons include:

Week 1 - Where Do I Belong?
Week 2 - Belonging to God
Week 3 - The Church
Week 4 - Belonging to Me
Week 5 - Belonging to the World

Labels

She's a typical cheerleader. He's a stupid jock. They're nerds. Dorks. Emo. Ghetto. Preppie. Every day, students are being labeled and throwing around labels to define and categorize their peers. The end result? Viewing others and themselves as less than what God intended. In this easy-to-prep and quick-to-teach 2-week series, you'll give your students a God's-eye view of who we were all created to be-loved by him and designed to love like he does.

Lessons include:

Week 1 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Week 2 - Ephesians 2

In the end, your students will have a healthy, caring picture of how God sees us and how we should see others.

Break Free

This series will help students identify and talk about the things in their lives that can inhibit spiritual growth. Obviously, there are different hot buttons of temptation and sin for each person, but these lessons will tackle some root issues that can affect every Christian. Teenagers often feel overwhelmed and trapped as a result of poor choices, temptation, and sin. Simplify the trap and you will simplify their ability to break free. This three-week series will show your students how to recognize traps, avoid traps, and mature in their relationship with God, who possesses the ultimate keys to true freedom.

Lessons include:

Week 1 - The Desire Trap (Romans 1:22-25)
Week 2 - The Word Trap (James 3:2-12)
Week 3 - The Sin Trap (Luke 7:36-50)

Elijah

Elijah was a great man and a great prophet. He performed miracles, followed God's commands, and preached about God. His life has a lot to teach us. This series will look at four stories from his life and help your teenagers learn more about themselves in the process. Looking at two of Elijah's successes-his confidence in God on Mount Carmel and his lifelong service to God-will challenge your teenagers to follow his example. But we also will look at two major struggles Elijah faced: being afraid of Jezebel and feeling lonely. These stories can teach your teenagers about following God during tough times.

By looking at how Elijah dealt with and reacted to the situations around him, your teenagers will gain a better understanding of how they can respond.

Lessons include:

Week 1 - He Was Confident in God (1 Kings 18:16-39)
Week 2 - He Battled Fear (1 Kings 19:1-8)
Week 3 - He Battled Loneliness (1 Kings 19:9-14)
Week 4 - He Was a Lifelong Servant (2 Kings 2:1-11)

Trusting God

Life is difficult. Being a teenager is hard and can be confusing at times. One struggle many teenagers face is trusting others. This series is designed to show students the benefits of trusting God. Teenagers can trust God with the past, the present, and the future. Only with this complete trust will they experience life to the fullest.

It isn't always easy to trust God in these areas. Each lesson focuses on one area and provides practical tips or reasons to fully trust God in that area. Through these lessons, students will discover that God has never broken a promise and never will. Because God can be trusted, students have the opportunity to live their lives in a new way.

Lessons include:

Week 1: With Your Past (1 John 4:10)
Week 2: In the Present (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Week 3: With Your Future (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)

ePods - Blind Faith

Is the Christian faith a blind faith or a reasoned faith?

This stand-alone, video-based resource taps into real conversations with young people from different spiritual backgrounds - a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Seventh Day Adventist, New Ager, Mormon and evangelical Christian - as they delve into the topic of faith and reasoning.

While the existence of God cannot be proved or disproved, there are observable phenomena in the world around us that can help students reach a reasoned conclusion about whether or not to believe in the God of the Bible. This lesson will help your students explore some of the evidences for God found around us and within us. Teens will role play how to share these evidences with their friends.

Each [e]PODS Resource includes a 7-10 minute video and a discussion-driven group curriculum with:

An icebreaker activity
ALT-ernative Discussion Questions
Music/Media Option

This resource will:

Challenge your teens to understand their own beliefs
Motivate and train your teens for outreach
Equip your teens to engage their friends in intentional spiritual conversations

ePods - God's Word

Is the Bible just a bunch of myths or is it truly the inspired Word of God?

Relational, relevant and interactive, this stand-alone, discussion-driven resource will help youth leaders equip their students to share their faith. Watch youth ministry expert Greg Stier discuss the Bible's claim to be inspired by God with young people from a wide range of world views - a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Seventh Day Adventist, New Ager, Mormon and evangelical Christian. Then launch your students into their own discussion, using the fully developed group curriculum.

Explore some of the internal and external evidences for the inspiration of Scripture, including archeology, prophecy, science and the continuity of the Biblical story across centuries of writers. This lesson will challenge teens to take the Bible seriously and share its message with their friends who don't know Jesus.

Each [e]PODS Resource includes a 7-10 minute video and a discussion-driven group curriculum with:

An icebreaker activity
ALT-ernative Discussion Questions
Music/Media Option

This resource will:

Challenge your teens to understand their own beliefs
Motivate and train your teens for outreach
Equip your teens to engage their friends in intentional spiritual conversations

ePods - Trusting Jesus

What is "trusting Jesus" really all about? Many teens call themselves Christians because they were born into a Christian family, not because they've made a conscious choice to trust in Jesus.

Listen in as youth ministry expert Greg Stier discusses "trusting Jesus" with young people from a wide range of spiritual beliefs - a Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, Seventh Day Adventist, New Ager, Mormon and evangelical Christian.

This stand-alone, video-based resource digs deeply into what "trusting" really entails. The fully developed, discussion-driven curriculum will help your teens understand authentic Christian belief and will help them explore the promises in God's Word regarding what happens when someone puts their trust in Jesus. Teens will learn about their position in Christ and be challenged to share this amazing Good News with their friends.

Each [e]PODS Resource includes a 7-10 minute video and a discussion-driven group curriculum with:

An icebreaker activity
ALT-ernative Discussion Questions
Music/Media Option

This resource will:

Challenge your teens to understand their own beliefs
Motivate and train your teens for outreach
Equip your teens to engage their friends in intentional spiritual conversations

ePods Bundle

Save with this ePods bundle!

Blind Faith
Is the Christian faith a blind faith or a reasoned faith?

This stand-alone, video-based resource delves into faith and reasoning, exploring some of the evidences for God found around us and within us. Teens will role play how to share these evidences with their friends.

Each [e]PODS Resource includes a 7-10 minute video and a discussion-driven group curriculum with:

An icebreaker activity
ALT-ernative Discussion Questions
Music/Media Option

God's Word
Is the Bible just a bunch of myths or is it truly the inspired Word of God?

This stand-alone, video-based resource explores some of the internal and external evidences for the inspiration of Scripture, including archeology, prophecy, science and the continuity of the Bible story across centuries of writers. It will challenge your teens to take the Bible seriously and share its message with their friends who don't know Jesus.

Each [e]PODS Resource includes a 7-10 minute video and a discussion-driven group curriculum with:

An icebreaker activity
ALT-ernative Discussion Questions
Music/Media Option

Trusting Jesus
What is "trusting Jesus" really all about? Many teens call themselves Christians because they were born into a Christian family, not because they've made a conscious choice to trust in Jesus.

This stand-alone, video-based resource explores what "trusting" really entails, and the promises in God's Word regarding what happens when someone puts their trust in Jesus. Teens will learn about their position in Christ and be challenged to share this amazing Good News with their friends.

Each [e]PODS Resource includes a 7-10 minute video and a discussion-driven group curriculum with:

An icebreaker activity
ALT-ernative Discussion Questions
Music/Media Option

Shift

Whether you have a full-blown family ministry in place or you're just getting started, Shift gives you a practical, workable plan that equips parents to be faith influencers in their homes--and you won't have to reconfigure your entire ministry to make it happen! Shift gets you in gear with tools that make better use of seven rites of passage your church is most likely already celebrating...already marking as families move through their faith journey together.

The birth of a baby, faith commitment, preparing for adolescence, commitment to purity, passage to adulthood, high school graduation, and life in Christ.

As you tap into the natural patterns of child development and family, you'll motivate parents when they're most open to shaping their children's faith. Shift puts family discipleship at church and at home on one simple, common path. One home at a time, you can move a fledgling family ministry effort to one that's firing on all 6 cylinders! This is a family ministry approach that's attainable and sustainable.

Brian Haynes is the associate pastor overseeing spiritual formation at Kingsland Baptist Church in Katy, Texas. He is the creator of the Legacy Milestones strategy that inseparably links church and home to equip the generations. Brian earned a Doctor of Ministry for his work in discipleship and family ministry. Learn more about Brian and the Legacy Milestones at legacymilestones.com.

99 Thoughts for Youth Workers

Youth workers always need three things: prayer, ideas and inspiration. And maybe a case of Red Bull. In this easy-to-read book, author and high school pastor Josh Griffin sifts through years of little sleep working in the trenches of youth ministry to share personal reflections on youth ministry. The result is a resource packed with practical advice and useable ideas on every page that will help make your work simpler and your ministry more successful. Get the caffeine fix of your choice and step into Josh's world.

Over the past couple of years Josh has been journaling his youth ministry learnings in his Moleskine and on his blog. The good, the bad and the ugly - this is a collection of those thoughts.

NOTE: There are actually 113 thoughts in this book, not 99. We just thought that 99 Thoughts was a more clever title than 113 Thoughts for Youth Workers. But hey, you like freebies, right?

Sections cover:

Vision & Leadership
Programs & People
Small Groups & Events
Everyday Ministry

Josh Griffin is the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California and been on staff there since 2004. Don't let his rugged good looks fool you, he's a youth pastor not a model (though if you see him in person be sure to check out his calves). Get the book now and then join him for daily thoughts about youth ministry at www.morethandodgeball.com