Free Youth Ministry Ideas

Crack –A-Grin:
Dear Pastor,
My mother is very religious. She goes to church every week to play bingo even if she has a cold.
Yours Truly, Annette, 9, Albany

Hot Topix:




“Abortion” – A topic that most parents and youth leader fail to discuss beyond the typical, “It’s wrong.” Or “It’s killing a baby.” Teens do not understand exactly what it is, the consequences of choosing this route, and so forth. Our teens are being raised to think that having an abortion “gets rid of their problem” because many want to have sex but none of the consequences. The majority of, if not all, the info they get comes from their friends and the media, not sources they should be taking life advice from.
Also, they need to understand that there are more serious and damaging consequences than getting pregnant or an Std. For instance, they are giving a piece of themselves away to that person they can never get back and that will be a factor in their subsequent also relationships/marriage. The video which I have provide a link to is proof of this lack of knowledge, feeling of no choice, lack of compassion, and the increasing problem.
Research the stats on teen pregnancy beyond what you will find in this week’s stats-o-the-week section and you will see the urgency. But don’t only address the problem (abortion); also address the behavior that leads to considering abortion. You will also want to bring up how it will affect their relationship with Christ.



Stat-O-The-Week:
The following stats came from www.grtl.org/statsandpolls.asp:

• ¾ of those having abortions say that having a baby would interfere with work, school, or other responsibility.
• Georgia has one of the 10 highest abortion rates in the U.S.
• 13 % of all U.S. births are to teens, of which 78% are unmarried
• 78% of women having abortions report a religious affiliation
• Abortion rates are highest among women 20-30 yr old, unmarried, white, w/ at least a h.s. diploma

Free Resources:



1. Connect: Real Relationships In A World Of Isolation
Pick this book up asap! Jonathon McKee has highlighted the most important aspect of youth ministry: Connecting with teens one-on-one. In an effort to educate and encourage youth leaders, volunteer and paid, McKee elaborates on the effect having youth leaders connect one-on-one with teens has on youth ministries and he does a great job. This is one you will be emailing and texting your fellow youth leaders about.
2. YouthWorker Journal
This bimonthly magazine highlights the latest youth culture trends, reviews for film, audio, and books, as well as very informative articles. This magazine rates number 2 on my top 5 ym magazines.
3. Movie Night w/ The Blindside:
Set up your classroom to look like the inside of a movie theatre by making up some posters, having someone take up tickets, and a refreshment bar. Use Ziploc baggies to bag up candies, chips, or cookies and of course have plenty of sodas and bags of popcorn. Allow each student to get one bag of popcorn, one bag of candy, and one soda pop. If you have a laptop and a projector use them to make the experience even better. Also make up flyers for your teens to hand out to their friends. This is a great outreach experience. Plan on having a short 10 minute talk after the movie where you discuss the Christian lessons in the film and of course share the gospel.

Encouragement For The Road:
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Fight the Sterotype

Fight the Sterotype

Speaking Press Release

Free Youth Ministry Ideas

Crack-a-Grin:
“Acting Up In Church”
One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle.
Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.
Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation,
"Pray for me! Pray for me!"
Hot Topix:



“Evolution vs Creation”


With the 200th Anniversary of Darwin’s birth bearing down upon America, the debate over whether Evolution or Creation is correct is the hottest topic in the science and religion communities. Sadly, many people have made a decision to believe in evolution without first getting both sides of the story.
We youth leaders have a heavy burden to provide our students with just that, BOTH sides of the story. We know which side will win but if we want them to not only believe but to know why they believe, we will lay out the evidence for both. So take your class on a journey to discover the truth together. Don’t start freaking out and thinking, “Well I don’t have all the answers!” Begin studying and use the resources at the end of this section to aid in your research, as they are reputable sites. And remember….you don’t have to know all the answers…..just where to find them.
Recently I picked up a copy of “The Charles Darwin Bible” for a few bucks at my local Life way store and Christians everywhere should have at least one copy in your personal library and a few to hand out to those who doubt God because of Darwin’s theories. It is the New Testament but it has the basics of the theory of evolution, Darwin’s beliefs, and common “contradictions” to the Bible throughout its pages.
If you have read my column regularly then you know how much I believe in having regular discussions to learn where your students are on any given topic. This is definitely a discussion topic. Spend 2-3 meeting periods on it and plan on using the first night to allow your teens to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences with the class and you. Then use the 2nd (and 3rd if you need it) to share both sides of the story. NOW is the time to give your students a clear understanding of this debate so they are prepared to share their faith. And as soon as you can, take your class to The Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky. It is a must see destination for everyone!

Resources:
A. The Case For Christ video (also comes in book form)
B. www.leestrobel.com
C. www.answersingenesis.com
D. www.creationmuseum.org

Stat-O-The-Week:


40% of Americans believe in evolution according to a 2005 John D. Miller Michigan State University statistic published on www.data360.com .



Free Resources:

A. The Rebelution – More than likely you have heard about and potentially read Alex and Brett Harris’s The Rebelution. They have added to their website, www.therebelution.com, articles from a variety of the most respected Christian leaders and will soon be adding video and audio files. All of us should encourage oiur teens to join the rebelution. Buy a copy of the book for each of your students and if you don’t have it in the budget host a fundraiser. It is a must read and it will help give them the courage they need to discover God’s plan for their life.
B. Lifelinepro.com – This isn’t a fancy website but the group uses everyday comedy to bring to life some of the most common struggles we all face. They have ten free ~30 second clips to listen to. Use them as an opening for your youth meetings to grab your teen’s attention. If you are really thrilled with their material order a cd chocked full of them!
C. Parenting Today’s Teens – Founder and Host Mark Gregston gives one minute daily tips throughout the week for parenting teens and on the weekend produces a ~ 30 minute program. Mark and his wife also founded a boarding school and counseling center for struggling teens known as Heartlight Ministries. While the site is geared towards parents, there is plenty of good advice for us youth leaders. You can also use the information you gather from Mark to pass along to the parents of your students. Visit his site at www.parentingtodaysteens.com to listen online, read articles, or You can also download his podcast episodes from iTunes.

Encouragement For The Road:

Rejoice in hope, endure in tribulation, and persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12

Free Youth Ministry Ideas

Welcome back my fellow Youth Leaders! I have many free youth ministry ideas and resources this week. Make sure you leave your comments and share your ideas. If you would like to be a guest writer let me know and we'll see what we can do.

Crack-a-Grin: "My Dad's Job" - Three boys are in the schoolyard bragging about their fathers. The 1st boy says, "My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem and they give him $50.00 for it. The second boy says, "That's nothing! My dad scribbles a few words on paper and calls it a song, and they give him $100.00 for it! Little Johnny says, "I got you both beat! My dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a sermon and it takes eight people to collect all the money!"



Hot Topix: "The Dreadful D and Breaking The Cycle" -



It is unfortunate but roughly 50% of married couples, christian or not, end up divorced. This is in part due to our country's loosening morals which is teaching teens and adults that marriage is an issue to take lightly. Our students are being taught through their parents, their friends, and the media the ideas of sexting, casual sex, watching media that contains sexual scenes that depict two people (opposite or same sex) engaging in inappropriate sinful behavior.
Our kids are under the impression that lust is the same as love and that if you are "in love" then it is ok to go ahead and have sex. Our teens are not being taught to respect themselves and their bodies and they do not understand God's plan and purpose of relationships and marriage. So as youth leaders we have a heavy burden weighing on us because in most cases it is only through us that they will hear and understand God prefect plan.
This is a topic that warrants at least two class periods one in which I suggest having an open discussion on marriage (include same-sex), dating, pregnancy, courting, purity, and so forth. Make sure you guide the students in discussing the benefits and pitfalls of each topic.
Use the second class period to clearly lay out Gods plan and what the bible says on all issues you guys have touched on in your discussion. Challenge your teens to swim against the current and to make the hard decisions. If you want to you can add a third class period where you divide up the boys and girls to discuss how they should treat the opposite sex and more personal issues that are focused on their gender.
Don't be afraid to challenge your students and don't shy away from this tough subject.
Stat-o-the-Week "39% of children born today are born to unwed mothers. In the 1960's the rate was only 5%, according to Freddy Scott while on Christian Radio Magazine in March of 2010.

Free Resources: "Free, Free, Free" -
A. Lesson/Illustration: "Without spiritual fuel we become stranded Christians"
B. Christian Radio Magazine - A great program for teens and adults alike! They cover all sorts of relevant topics for all Christians. Visit them at www.christianradiomagazine.com where you can listen, as well as read a devotion or use their free bible study tools.
C. Answers In Genesis - This website is a tool that should be in every Christians favorites list. It is a great site to send doubting teens to or those who simply want to learn answers to common questions brought up by believers and atheists. You will find devotions, mini-sodes that touch on relevant topics in an entertaining way, read hilarious cartoons or their free e-newsletter, resources to use in the classroom, and so much more. The bottom line is that it's a great site to find answers on creation. Visit them at www.answersingenesis.com .

A Glimpse of God's Word: "I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel, "and I hate a man's covering himself with violence as well as his garment," says the Lord Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith. Malachi 2:16

Free Youth Ministry Ideas

Free Youth Ministry Ideas

Crack-a-Grin
A Sure Cure: Three pastors in the south were having lunch in a diner. One said, "You know, since summer started I have had trouble with bats in my loft and attic at church. I've tried everything..noise..spray...cats...nothing seems to scare them away." Another said, "Yeah, me too. I've got hundreds living in the belfry and and in the narthex attic. I've even had the place fumigated, and they won't go away." The third said, "I've baptized all mine, and made them members of the church....Haven't seen one back since."

Hot Topix
Most teens have a cell phone now days and the age at which one gets their first phone is getting younger and younger. I am 31 and I remember when my mum got her first cell phone. It was a top of the line.........BAG PHONE! I know you're smiling right now. Back then all you could do with a phone was place a phone call and this was in 93-94. I got my first phone during my first year of college in 98 and it was more for emergency than anything.
Today however, kids are getting a cell phone as young as twelve. Parents are not teaching their kids phone etiquette or requiring them to be responsible. Because of the lack of etiquette and boundaries set by the parents, tweens and teens are participating in risky and sinful behavior. Sexting is common among teens and can vary from a seductive pose with clothes on to full frontal nudity to sexual acts.
Teens do not understand that this behavior brands them among their peers and can create big problems down the road. Once a text is sent, a copy on the SIM card can be found even after deleting photo. Now days, employers are visiting applicant's Facebook and MySpace pages and many a potential employee has been skipped over because of their elicit pages.
Parents are good at sticking their heads in the sand and telling themselves that their child would never participate in such acts. The majority of times, that parents kids are the ones participating. As Youth Leaders, it is our responsibility to teach parents and teens about such hot topics and bridge the gap between the two generations. Research the subject and hold a discussion for your teens allowing them to share their thoughts and you to provide God's take on the subject.
Hold a meeting for the parents. Begin by asking them what sexting is and ask what safeguards they have put in place to deter there teens from participating. Come prepared with copies of a list of potential boundaries. Remind them that their kids may not like it now but they will thank them when they are older. LG, a cell phone manufacturer, is making a point to inform and teach parents about this topic, have them visit www.LGTextEd.com for the information.

Stat-o-the-Week
73% of American teens who are connected to the Internet, use Social Networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace. A significant increase from the 2006 stat of 55%.

Free Resources
A. The Doug and Jon Show - www.thedougandjonshow.com; This website aims to reach teens and young adults with the gospel through humor. They have cartoon short videos, videos which they star in, a blog, and much more where they grapple with the question that matters most, "Is there a God?". The duo don't mind making fools of themselves, which your teens will enjoy.

B. Textmarks.com - With texting the most common form of communication now days among teens, this free service will allow you to send out mass messages about upcoming topics, special events, and so forth.

Scripture
"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being always ready for a defense to everyone who asks of you an account concerning the hope which is in you."

My Life
What stresses you out the most regarding your youth ministry?
a. Disruptive teens
b. Preparing my lessons
c. Recruiting volunteers
d. Getting the church to see the youth ministry as an important part of the churches program
** Send your answers to youthministrylite@yahoo.com with your choice in the subject line. Then check back next week for the results!

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