A first time for everything
Whether you’re starting out again teaching SRE to the same year group as previous years, teaching SRE for the first time or somewhere in between, be encouraged that the privilege of SRE is that we have the opportunity to be alongside young people as they engage with the Bible.
Creation was never perfect
“In the beginning God made the world and everything perfect” is what I often hear people say when they recount the story of creation through salvation history. The problem with calling God’s creation perfect is that it invites us to think of God’s creation as pristine and static, as if it was completed and, well…perfect. But that is not what God made. God makes a creation that needs to be completed and fulfilled.
Small group tips: ‘The rule of thirds”
Does facilitating Friday night youth group discussion time feel like you’re trying to push a boulder up a hill? Many youth group leaders have fallen into the trap of focusing too much on one aspect of the group time. If this is you, then adopting the Rule of Thirds can be a significant help.
Artificial intelligence and ministry to young people
In the context of ministry, there’s almost no limit to the ways in which we might employ AI tools to assist us in our tasks. Yet this is an arena in which we need to do some thinking before we blindly use the tools at hand. So how do we wisely discern what is beneficial for us and for those we are ministering to when it comes to faithfully using AI for ministry purposes?
Should we add a new gospel bead?
Have you taught your kids how to share the good news with gospel beads? It’s a great way to equip young people to share their faith. It’s simple, memorable… and wearable.
In his new book, The Child in God’s Church (2025)Tim Beilharz makes the point that we are missing a bead.
Hannah More and radical discipleship
What does a radical disciple of Jesus look like? I think it looks like Hannah More, a woman who trusted in God’s providence, used her gifts, cared for the poor, taught children and fought for justice.
Fresh ideas for kids spots
With the start of a new year, here are some fresh ideas for kids spots in church gatherings. I encourage you to evaluate their suitability for your context based on your convictions about the purpose of that time.
Going the distance in youth ministry: Longevity, role and personal life.
Wondering how you might be able to keep going the distance in youth ministry? This is what Andy Stevenson has found helpful to keep him going for over 25 years in youth ministry!
Fostering a love of God in youth ministry
In this article, I want to parse out what I think are 2 (perhaps self-evident) essential aspects to loving God, and their implications for the kind of youth ministry we’ll do.
Questions students ask
Have the questions that kids and youth ask in the classroom or on a Friday night changed in the last 10 years?
After noticing the shift to questions around ethics in his schools ministry, Youthworks College graduate Tom Owen has worked to changed the scope and sequence of his school scripture units.
Read more to see the kinds of questions kids ask, and how we helpfully engage with these questions in God’s Word.
The three R’s of gospel-shaped discipline with kids
One of the biggest fears people have about serving in children’s ministry leadership roles is around behaviour management. What do you do when a child refuses to cooperate? What do you do when the group won’t settle down and listen?
Annemarie helps us understand that the gospel should be guiding not just what we share in teaching times, but also how we relate to children who misbehave, and provides 3 helpful guidelines that you can take into your interactions with misbehaving children.
DEEP DIVE | Guidance
Decision-making can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to significant life choices such as career, relationships, and ministry. Many Christians also face the challenge of seeking to make decisions that align with God's will, often seeking certainty through our "calling" from God.
To help navigate decision-making and drawing on guidance from God’s Word, Viv draws from Scripture to show how understanding our calling as God's children offers both security and freedom in decision-making.
Kids ministry tips to support children with disability
When you have children in your ministry who have a disability, it can be tricky trying to find ways to encourage involvement and participation, particularly if it’s met with any kind of resistance.
Here are 5 ways to help enable young people with disability to meaningfully participate in church ministries and services.
Is your ministry accessible?
A church is accessible when people aren’t required to advocate for their needs by special request or every Sunday. We want our churches to welcome all people, every week, no fuss required. Accessibility ensures that all people, no matter what their disability is, can enter without any barriers.
Read on to find out how to evaluate if your ministries are accessible and ensure that everyone knows they are welcome.
How to develop a leadership training plan
Are your children's and youth ministry leadership teams thriving in their roles, or could they benefit from a more structured approach to training?
Cam breaks down practical steps to equip your leaders with the right skills, from safe ministry practices to casting vision. Discover key strategies to ensure your leaders are growing as disciples while discipling the next generation. Whether your team is small or large, this guide will help you create a training plan that fits your context and empowers your leaders for long-term success.
The what and the how of spiritual formation
Many ministries have been devastated by the moral and spiritual failings of leaders, impacting the most vulnerable, including children and youth. This emphasises the need to invest in spiritually and emotionally healthy ministry workers, a priority at Youthworks College.
Discover how the New Testament presents a clear vision of spiritual formation and the transformation that God accomplishes through His grace, rather than our own efforts.
Exploring the Epistles with kids
Teaching Paul’s epistles, such as Colossians and Ephesians, to children may seem challenging. However, these letters offer rich opportunities for spiritual and moral development that are invaluable in a child’s faith journey. Here are some helpful ideas to help you engage children with God’s Word.
Contextual youth ministry
Mike Dicker travelled through Dubai, Cairo, Harare, and the Seychelles delivering training at churches, and teaching at various theological colleges on “Contextual Youth Ministry”. Be inspired as he shares an overview of a method for contextualising ministry and some of the surprising applications from various contexts.
Raising mission heat in kids ministry (Part 2)
In part two Cam explores some actionable strategies that you can try in your kids’ program to help raise the mission heat.
Raising mission heat in kids ministry (Part 1)
Discover how to raise the temperature for mission in your children’s ministry programs. Cam Harte shares five characteristics of kids that get mission.