4 Tips for Leveraging Science Minds in Student Ministry
I've felt bad at science for a LONG time. I've been confused by science for an even LONGER time. Can you relate? It started with my parents' reaction to my 8th grade report card. I was a kid who rarely tried my hardest in school but still came out with As and Bs in...
2022-2023 Scope & Cycle Resources
What if you had a 3-year plan for what you teach, when you teach it, and how often you’ll repeat timeless truth?
3 Things to Remember When Talking About Freedom to Middle and High Schoolers
If you have spent any time with middle or high school students you know one thing is true. Freedom matters to them. Often, they want more freedom or become overwhelmed with the freedom they do have. The truth is that many middle and high school students can be...
How to Grow Your Faith Outside of Programming
As much as I wish students would clear their calendars and see weekly youth ministry programming as a not-to-be-missed part of their week, it just isn’t. And that’s okay, because attendance is one thing. But it isn’t EVERYTHING. (Can someone please tell that person...
Leaving and Starting Well in Your Next Ministry
I just bought two boxes of Little Debbies Christmas Tree cupcakes last week (if you know, you know). Promptly after getting home, I put them in the cookbook cabinet where I hide food I don’t want my kids to see (don’t judge). This means a few things . . . Yes, I hoard...
A Safe Place for Every Race
Deep inside every person is a desire to be welcomed and wanted. Many communities across the United States are rapidly diversifying and youth pastors need tools to create spaces where youth of all races are welcomed and wanted. This may seem daunting, but it’s doable...
Activating the Power of Curriculum in Your Small Church
My absolute favorite line in a youth pastor job description is the line that sounds something like . . . “and other duties as assigned.” If you are serving in a smaller church, I know you started making a mental list when you read that. Your list probably includes:...
How to Use XP3 Curriculum in a Combined Environment
In student ministry, one of the most important filters that everything can be run through is, “What is most helpful for the faith development of the students I’m working with?” Think about it. Everything from strategy, teaching, programming structure, or small group...
Engaging Every Parent Everywhere
We as youth ministry leaders care about the faith and future of the next generation. To properly invest in our students, we know we must engage all parents everywhere. That includes not just the parents in our ministry, but the ones in our community as well. That’s...
It’s Here! Meet The All New 2021-2022 XP3 Scope & Cycle
In addition to fresh series titles and new content for the new year, you may have noticed there are some more upgrades on this year’s scope! Here’s a quick tour!
Why Hybrid Ministry is the Future
Most churches will say hybrid means offering both an online and an in-person option for watching a weekly message. But if we stop there, our idea of “hybrid church” is no more hybrid than gluing a polaroid camera, an alarm clock, and a notepad to a landline phone and calling it a smartphone. It just doesn’t work that way.
Everyday Faith: A New Devotional Strategy For Students
We’re excited to announce the release of the new Faith Skills Experience Kit, helping students develop an everyday kind of faith.