ym360 The Magazine | Bible Study Resources and Training | Winter/Spring/Summer 2015

SMALL GROUPS: NOT THE TIME FOR SECOND SERMONS

Winter/Spring/Summer 2015 | Issue 4

INTRODUCING: The ym360 All-Access Bundle | INCLUDED INSIDE: New Product Releases

HOW TO KEEPYOUR SMALLGROUP FROM

FIZZLING

// THE MAGAZINE // // THE MAGAZINE //

THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF SMALL GROUPS

THE REALITIES OF BUILDING A SMALL GROUP CULTURE

The Challenges And Opportunities Of Teaching In Small Group

PAGE 9

The Realities of Building a Small Group Culture

A Note from ym360 First, it’s such a privilege to work with our team to craft this magazine for you. We’re so passion-ate about training and equipping you to lead students closer to Christ. This is just one of the many ways we get to do that. But it’s a way we really enjoy. We hope you enjoy it too.

The content portion of this edition of ym360 The Magazine shines the spotlight on small groups. If your church incorporates small groups in your ministry philosophy, you’re going to find a lot of good content here to challenge and equip you. If your church doesn’t incorporate small groups, you’ll still find yourself challenged by what our writers have to say (especially Heather’s article about trying to start a small group ministry in her church).

And, as always, in the resource section of the magazine, you’ll find that we continue to pro-duce transformative Bible study, discipleship, and training resources that will enable you to grow your students’ faith. There’s something here for everyone. And we’re always here if

you have any questions.

Finally, don’t forget to check out our friends in the Networking section in the back. These are good folks doing good ministry.

On behalf of the ym360 Team, we hope you enjoy and are equipped by this edition of the ym360 Magazine.

God Bless,Andy BlanksPublisher, youthministry360

OUR PROMISE TO YOU: Content MattersLike you, we desire to see your teens transformed by growing closer to Christ. When it comes to Bible Studies and Resources, we promise to always be about deep, Biblical content, never forgetting the call God has put on our lives to make Him and His ways known.

Happy Youth MinistersWe work hard to exceed your expectations. If you’re not completely satisfied with a ym360 purchase, we promise to do all we can to make it right.

Here For YouBottom line: we’re here for you. We promise to always be available. No need is too small.

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Here When You Need Us: youthministry360.com | Call: 888.969.6360 Here When You Need Us: youthministry360.com | Call: 888.969.6360

1 2CONTENTS CONTENTS

Small Group: Not The Time For “Second Sermons”

PAGE 12

How To Keep Your Small Groups From Fizzling

TRAINING + TOOLSTrends and Culture ....................................... 3A Plan for Leading Students Closer to Christ ... 6Youth Worker Sound Off ................................ 8Free Discipleship Framework ....................... 11

RESOURCES, CURRICULUM, AND MOREThe Thread ................................................... 4ym360’s new year-long curriculumym360’s All-Access Bundle .......................... 7DNow/Retreat Weekends ............................ 13Ongoing Bible Studies ............................ 15-16Bundles (best value!) ................................. 17Devotionals, Books for Teens ................... 18-20More Resources ......................................... 21

NETWORKING PARTNERS AND FRIENDS OF OURS .................... 22-30

Compassion International // your group can make

a difference

Shocco Springs // retreat and conference center

Planet Wisdom // student conferences

YouthWorks // domestic missions

Simply Youth Ministry // resources

Student Life // summer camps

Youth Specialties // youth worker training

Servant Life // global missions

Here When You Need Us: youthministry360.com | Call: 888.969.6360

WHAT’S INSIDE:

PAGE 14

WINTER/SPRING Product Catalog

1 2CONTENTS CONTENTS

IS BARBIE ON THE WAY OUT? The iconic doll may finally be seeing an end to its cultural omnipresence. Business Insid-er recently called Barbie obso-lete. And according to Forbes, Barbie’s sales have dropped 14%, and sales are down for the third straight quarter. Is it just a slump? Some think so. But others believe Barbie may, after more than 50 years, Barbie may very well be on the outs, with the doll failing to remain relevant in a new gen-eration of adolescent girls.

Source: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/21/barbie-is-out-monster-high-is-in.html

E-CIGARETTE USE TRIPLES AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of electronic cigarettes by high school students tripled in the last two years. While only about 4.5% of high school students used e-cigarettes regularly in 2013, nearly 12% of high-school kids and 3% of middle schoolers had tried them at least once.

Cigarette use among teens has been cut in half since 2000, falling from a high of 28% of high school stu-dents in 2000 to 12.7% of high schoolers in 2013. But research shows that teenagers are experimenting with a variety of tobacco products beyond cigarettes (cigars, hookahs, chewing tobacco, etc.). Nearly 23% of high-school students use some sort of tobacco product.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/11/13/e-cigarettes-high-school-kids/18965465/

Sexualized Body Image Has Negative Effect on Adolescent Girls Middle-school girls who value sex ap-peal differ from their peers in troubling ways, according to new research from The University of Texas at Austin. The study found that 10- to 15-year-old girls with higher levels of “internalized sexu-alization” earned lower grades in school and scored lower on standardized tests of academic achievement than their peers. The study defined “internalized sexualization” as the belief that it’s im-portant to be sexually attractive.

Source: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2014/10/29/body-image-adolescent-girls/

TREND WATCH:

KAMCORDAn app designed to allow gamers to record mini-movies of their gaming progress is being used by teenagers to do so much more. And it’s one of the newest apps teenagers are using to create community. Over 25 million videos have been created by an audience almost entirely made up of teenagers. Teens are using video games as virtual chat rooms, inviting friends to play, then recording their interactions and conversations as they happen real time in the game. It’s yet another example of how teenagers create virtual space in which to express themselves and pursue relationship.

Source: https://gigaom.com/2014/10/31/game-face-how-teens-use-mobile-game-videos-to-rein-vent-machinima/

3 TRENDS & CULTURE

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The Challenges And Opportunities Of Teaching In Small Group By Andy Blanks

For most of the last 14 years or so, I’ve been teaching the Bible to teenagers in a small group environment. And even when I’ve had a group as large as 15-20, I still taught it as a small group, putting a ton of emphasis on interaction and guided study. I’ve found that there are some real advantages to teaching in small groups. But there are some challenges, as well.

Here is a list of what I think are the key challenges and opportunities to teaching teenagers the Bible in a small group setting.

CHALLENGES• You Can’t Hide—If you’re not prepared, it

will show. You might say the same is true in teaching in large groups. But there is so much more interaction in small group. In a small group, mistakes and a lack of preparation can often be magnified.

• Dependent On Participation—In large groups, you can just do your thing. You don’t rely on interaction. (Which, granted, is a pretty crummy way to think about teaching, but it’s true.) Maybe you lecture for 20 minutes or so (or more) and the discussion and application happens in breakouts. No such luxury in small groups. In small groups, you’re much more dependent on your students engaging.

• Balance—It’s easier for one or two students to dominate a discussion in small group. (Of course, it’s just as easy for YOU to dominate the discussion, as well, which is not great either!) You have to fight a little harder for balance.

• Numbers Matter—In a large group, if you have a handful of students who aren’t “tracking” with you for any reason, you can still do a pretty good job of teaching the rest of the group. In a

small group, if 2 out of 5, or 4 out of 10 kids are out in left field, it’s going to affect how you teach.

OPPORTUNITIES• Prime Opportunity For Interaction—This may

be the number one opportunity teaching the Bible in small groups presents. My goal in small group is to spend most of my energy on interactive teaching and personal application.

• Uniquely Relational—You can couch lessons in very personal terms, because you have strong relationships with the students.

• Focus On Individuals—You can work-in what specific students might be dealing with. If it comes up that a subject is affecting a student personally, in the course of the lesson you can actually carve out some space to focus on how the Scripture you’re studying affects him or her in the moment.

• More Opportunity For Ownership From Students—Small groups are a better environment for prayer. They’re a better environment for students to read aloud. They’re a better environment for personalized application. A better environment for tough discussions. And so on, and so on . . . It’s just a better environment for spiritual growth in general.

There is certainly a place for large groups in your youth ministry. And small groups definitely present some unique challenges. However, I think this list shows they also present some tremendous opportunities. And the opportunities, at least in my book, far outweigh the challenges.

Andy Blanks is the co-founder and Publisher for youthministry360.

Church & Ministry/Ministry Resources/Youth Ministry

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You want to lead students to be more like Christ.

In a word, you want them to become disciples. The question is, how do

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That’s where Disciple comes in.

Disciple: The Ordinary Person’s Guide To Discipling Teenagers, written

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In Disciple, you’ll find Dr. Jackson discussing a variety of foundational

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• Why teenagers compartmentalize their lives and what this

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• The DNA of discipleship.

• The core discipleship practices essential for disciples and

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A youthministry Essentials book from

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5 FEATURE

As a youth worker, you want to lead students to be more like Christ. In a word, you want them to become disciples. The question is, how do you go about doing it?DISCIPLE: The Ordinary Person’s Guide To Discipling Teenagers is a practical, down-to-earth guide for leading teenagers to pursue Christ.

In Disciple, you’ll find a variety of foundational concepts and practices, including:

• How youth culture is impacting how teenagers view the world around them.

• Why teenagers compartmentalize their lives and what this means for their faith.

• The DNA of discipleship. • The core discipleship practices essential for disciples and

disciple-makers alike. • The need for discipleship to happen in the home and the church. • An assortment of discipleship truths and resources.

Get serious about disciple-making in your ministry with DISCIPLE.youthministry360.com/disciple

“ I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a complete and yet concise resource for discipleship of teenagers.”

Doug BischoffFirst Baptist Houston

“I believe all those serving in student ministry in any capacity should pick up a copy of this book and follow the principles so clearly laid out by Dr. Allen Jackson.”

Brian MillsExecutive Teaching/Ministries PastorEnglewood Baptist Church

“ The core mission of the church is to make disciples who make disciples for the glory of God. An increasing number of youth pastors join Jared Osborne in saying, “We want to change the scoreboard in student ministry from, ‘how many are here?’ to ‘how many are reproducing?’” Dr. Jackson’s new book will show such leaders how to move forward.”

Richard Ross, Ph.D.Professor of student ministry, Southwestern Seminary

Church & Ministry/Ministry Resources/Youth Ministry

ISBN 10: 1935832409

ISBN 13: 9781935832409

You want to lead students to be more like Christ.

In a word, you want them to become disciples. The question is, how do

you go about doing it?

That’s where Disciple comes in.

Disciple: The Ordinary Person’s Guide To Discipling Teenagers, written

by one of the leading voices in youth ministry, Dr. Allen Jackson, is a

practical, down-to-earth guide for leading teenagers to pursue Christ.

In Disciple, you’ll find Dr. Jackson discussing a variety of foundational

concepts and practices, including:

• How youth culture is impacting how teenagers view the world

around them.

• Why teenagers compartmentalize their lives and what this

means for their faith.

• The DNA of discipleship.

• The core discipleship practices essential for disciples and

disciple-makers alike.

• The need for discipleship to happen in the home and the church.

• An assortment of discipleship truths and resources.

No matter if you’re a veteran or a newbie, Disciple will help

challenge and equip you to get serious about disciplemaking.

A youthministry Essentials book from

youthministry360.com

Dr. Allen Jackson is one of the most trusted names in

youth ministry. Since 1994, Allen has been a “youth

minister to youth ministers” at New Orleans Baptist

Theological Seminary. He is the founder and director

of the Youth Ministry Institute, has published exten-

sively in youth ministry circles, and is a sought after

speaker and teacher.

9 781935 832409

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YOUTHWORKERSOUNDOFF

1. What’s your favorite thing about small groups?

My absolute favorite thing about small groups is that you and your students can go deeper. There is more space for them to wrestle with their faith and ask hard questions. This happens because relationships can be built in a small group setting a little easier. – Leneita Fix, Missions and Training Coordinator BowDown

Church/ Co-Founder FrontLIne Urban Resources

2. What do you find to be the biggest challenge in teaching teenagers in small groups?

I would say the biggest challenge in small groups is just how easy it is to get off topic. You can come to the end of your time and think, “Did we accomplish anything here today?” Although it’s hard, you have to manage questions and diversions well. It doesn’t mean we don’t allow students to ask questions. It means we have to watch for the types of rabbit trails students desire to take. Are they asking questions that help them get closer to Jesus or are they just trying to take the group where they want it to go? – Leneita

3. What’s the one truth or tip you’ve learned about running small groups that you’d pass along to other youth workers?

Don’t ever use a group leader who isn’t capable of leading the group in a way that fits your vision for your ministry. In small group ministry we always need more leaders, but we can’t give into the temptation to fill those needs with warm bodies and ignore whether they have the ability to lead or not. – Andrew Johnson. High School Pastor. Cottage Hill Baptist Church

Small groups are a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to build a relationship with students and investing often requires patience

(thank goodness people have been patient with me in my pro-cess!). I’ve had to remember that every small group is different. And every member in the small group is different. It’s OK to lead different groups and different students, differently! As simple as it is, praying for individual students on a regular basis and asking the Lord to lead you as you lead them—that’s a difference maker. – Heather Bishop, High School Ministry Associate, Shades

Mountain Baptist Church

4. How have you seen small groups enable your stu-dents to really grow closer to Christ?

Meaningful adult relationships have been the biggest way I’ve seen students grow closer to Christ. As they build those rela-tionships, they open up about their struggles and questions. Small groups provide organic relationships with mentors who can guide students in their walk with the Lord.– Andrew

They become places where students can ask the hardest questions and really look into their relationship with Jesus. They can challenge and pray and share their fears and doubts. They come to really learn what it means to belong to Christ.– Leneita I’ve seen students grow in their knowledge of God’s Word, strengthen their communication with God through prayer, will-ingly submit themselves to a community who will hold them ac-countable, and look for ways to share the Gospel with their lost friends. We see students relying on the Lord to stretch them-selves in their faithfulness. We have seen students feel safe, loved, and known through these groups.– Heather

Join 2,200 Youth Groups Just Like Yours Using These Studies Every Week

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8YOUTH WORKER SOUND OFF

I have to confess something: My church doesn’t have small groups. Before I came here a year ago, I assumed every healthy church did, especially a large church such as mine.

But small groups aren’t the only benchmark of a successful ministry. My church has fantastic Sunday morning programs for children and teenagers, as well as other programmed events. Yet, as our staff evaluates where our congregation is and where it needs to go, we all agree that we need more community. We recognize that community happens when a large church feels like a small one. Therefore, small groups feel like a natural answer.

As we attempt to build small group culture, we’ve encountered some obstacles that have helped us learn and grow. Here are a few realities that we’ve faced:

1. The vision for small groups needs to be pitched well.

When I invite someone to be a part of a “small group” in a culture where there are none, why do I expect them to understand immediately what that is? Small group culture varies from church to church, so even if they’ve been a part of a small group in the past, it is very important that we clarify our small group culture. How this plays out will vary from church to church, but work with leadership to look at your culture and find a natural way for small groups to fit in.

2. People may not know how to fit “more church” into their lives.

The patterns of church attendance are very different that what they were 10 years ago. Less Americans are attending church than ever before, for less time than they ever have before. Sadly,

the value of church attendance is less important in our collective lives than ever before. What role does church play if the average church-goer only attends once or twice a month?

The answer to that question (if there is one) is more complex than we can cover in this article. However, before you start anything else in your church, you must talk about this with the people helping you spearhead this project. You have to be aware of the place that church takes in the lives of your students and their families, and then discuss where you want to go and how small groups will achieve that.

For us, it may mean that we plug community in another way. Or it means that small groups look different for us than the traditional model I was taught. And that brings us to:

3. You must be willing to fail at things.When our family pastor said this to me two weeks ago, I freaked out. No one likes to fail, especially a Type-A, anxious-thriving person like me. But as you work out any new programming, especially a program built on the personal culture of your church, you must be willing to fail at it. We’ve discovered this well as we have tried out a traditional model of small groups and have failed at it.

But as we look towards the future: a future that we hope is thriving with a communal and authentic faith, we stay positive. After all, the vision is the most important part of the work.

Heather Campbell is a youth director at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis. Heather is passionate about middle school students, the STL Cardinals, and her one-eyed cat, Iris. Heather blogs at heatherleacampbell.me.

THE REALITIES OF BUILDING A SMALL GROUP CULTURE By Heather Campbell

9 FEATURE

SMALL GROUP: NOT THE TIME FOR “SECOND SERMONS” By Benjamin Kerns

Last year I had the privilege of going to a national ministry conference to hear a world-class communicator. They did exactly what one would expect from a world-class communicator at a big time conference. They were powerful, articulate, and convicting. As the communicator was wrapping up their talk, my mind was spinning and my heart was churning as I wrestled with my thoughts, and with God.

But before I could get too far down the road in processing this thing God was doing in me, the worship leader got up and performed what I like to call the “second sermon.” Obviously God did something big in this person’s heart as well, and this individual used his opportunity with the mic to share his conviction. This seems all well and good, but it actually derailed the thing that God was doing in me.

Instead of letting the message stand alone, and allow space for me to reflect and the Holy Spirit to move and direct me, I had a tour guide attempt to do all the work for me.

What I heard was a second treatment of the communicator’s talk passed through the filter of the worship leader. This isn’t exactly what I came for.

As much as I hate when “second sermon” happens to me, as a youth worker, and specifically as a small group leader, I’m afraid that the bulk of how I lead is using “second sermon,” one of the most comfortable, and yet counterproductive, tools in a small group leader’s box.

Small groups are utilized a lot of different ways across the church landscape. Many churches use their small groups as break out groups following a large group time of learning. If

this is your model, I want to speak to you today. In this model, small groups are intended to make sure the students have grasped what they just learned and know how to apply it. And yet, in these groups, “second sermons” crop up all the time.

I’m guilty of this, every one of my small group leaders are guilty of this, and I know that you’re guilty of this from time to time. We jump in and take over the conversation. We think we’re filling the silence, correcting theology, or passing on conviction, but I’d like to push back a little bit, and suggest that in some cases, we may very well be short circuiting the work of the Holy Spirit.

what would it look like if you saw the purpose of small groups not as the place to confirm your personal thoughts and convictions, but as the work space for students to truly process what the Holy Spirit is doing in them?

There are few space in our students’ lives where they can actually process the deeper issues and concerns of their lives, especially in the context of their faith. Small groups are a gift to them, and should be treated as such. Hearing what is actually in their minds and hearts is a treat that nobody really gets access to. And when we fall back on the “second sermon,” we communicate that we really aren’t interested in what is going in their hearts and minds.

Just say no to “second sermons.”

Benjamin Kerns is the Pastor to Children and Students at Marin Covenant Church. Ben is an avid blogger at averageyouthministry.com, and is a frequent contributor to the ym360 Blog and ym360 curriculum projects. His first book with ym360, From the Pen to the Palace, released in 2015.

10FEATURE

The process by which teenagers grow to become more like Christ looks a little different from church to church, doesn’t it? There are some similarities, of course. Some common elements you’d expect to find. But, the actual nuts and bolts of how this happens looks a little different. But, we all want the same outcome. We all want to see students grow in their faith. We want them to become authentic Christ-followers. In a word, we want them to become disciples.

But what does a disciple look like? How would you define the end goal?

The great thing is that we don’t have to try to pull this answer out of mid-air. The Bible has a lot to say about this.

A few years ago, we did a fun exercise. We read through the Bible looking for descriptions of disci-ples. We wanted to see the picture Scripture painted of what a Christ-follower looked like. As we compiled verses and passages, some common characteristics began to emerge. And as we distilled them further, we landed on six specific characteristics, or traits that all disciples have.

Over the years we’ve taught them in workshops and in small groups, both with teenagers and adults alike. And these traits have helped us in our own lives think about our growth as Christ-followers.

And because we think they’re a really helpful way to think about what we want our students to become, we want to share them with you, too.

We’ve put together a short PDF that passes along these six discipleship traits and challenges you to consider how to implement them in your ministry.

Our hope is that you can utilize this picture to see your grow closer to Christ, becoming more authentic followers as a result.

To download your FREE copy of The Six (Biblical) Discipleship Traits, simply go to the following URL: https://youthministry360.com/6-discipleship-traits

A Free Discipleship Framework For Your Youth Ministry

The Fizzle. We’ve all been there. What starts out as a strong small group hits a few bumps in the road. Sometimes these little “bumps” begin to add up. And next thing you know, what was a meaningful gathering turns into drudgery. You’ve fizzled.

And if you’ve been there, it’s no fun.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are things we can do to fight the fizzle.

Help Teenagers Define The Group’s PurposeIt’s important for you to know the purpose of your time in small group. But it’s equally important for students to know this. It’s a great idea to help each individual express in his or her own words what they would like to get out of their time in the group. Ask students, “How do you want to be different as result of spending time in this group setting?” or “What changes do you want to see made in your life as a result of your involvement in this group?”

Keep Your Purpose Out FrontAs a leader, keeping your group’s purpose or vision out front is key in not only motivating participation, but for keeping the group on track. Make it a point a few times a month to simply remind the group why it is you’re meeting.

The cool thing about defining a purpose is that you can use it to periodically provide a “check up” for your groups’ overall health. Maybe a couple of times a year you can ask, “Are we still acting in line with our purpose? And if not, what do we need to change to get back on track?” If you don’t articulate a purpose, it’s hard to measure effectiveness.

Intentional Communication Is KeyPoor, or inconsistent communication from a leader will kill a group. Here are three principles for communication that keep a small group thriving: • Communicate Consistently To The Group: Don’t create hoops for your group members (or their

parents) to jump through to get the information they need. Find the method or methods for communication that work and use them the same way each week.

• Information Is Important . . . : Give students and parents only the essential info, and do it far enough in advance so they can take action.

• . . . But Inspiration Is Vital: If the only thing you communicate to group members is information, you lose. Information is WAY more important in creating a healthy small group.

• Strategic Communication to Individuals: Communicating info to the entire group is important. But personal, individual touch points are vital to a healthy group dynamic. Make it a point to reach out to individual group members between group meetings.

Does it take more intentionality on your part to fight the fizzle? Of course. But you’ll find that after a few weeks of making these changes, it will become a part of who you are. You won’t even think about it.

Andy Blanks is the co-founder and Publisher for youthministry360.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR SMALL GROUPS FROM FIZZLING By Andy Blanks

12FEATURE

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15 THE YM360 RESOURCE CATALOG

ONGOING CURRICULUM

Vivid: A 6-Lesson Study On The Book Of James

Do your students’ lives reflect their beliefs? Vivid will challenge

your students to evaluate their faith and their actions, to identify where

the two don’t match up.

6 Lessons download || 49.99physical || 69.99

Proof: A 6-Lesson Study On The Book Of John

“Who is Jesus?” Proof teaches students who Christ is and what it

truly means to be known by Him through studying the life of Christ.

6 Lessons download || 49.99 physical || 69.99

Focus: A 6-Lesson Study On The Book Of Colossians

Using Paul’s words in Colossians, Focus challenges students to live their lives in a way that reflects a single-minded devotion to Christ.


Reach: A 6-Lesson Study On The Book Of Psalms

Teach Reach to show your students what an active and dynamic

relationship with God looks like.


Live Different: What The Bible Says About Sex And Holiness

Today’s teenager lives in a hyper-sexualized culture. Live Different

teaches students God’s intent for sex, how God views sex outside of this

intent, and God’s call to live a life of holiness in a sexually immoral world.


The Least Of These: God, Poverty, and You

No matter where you go in this world, you’ll find poverty and

suffering. Many ask, “Why would God allow suffering?” The Least Of These helps your students answer

this question, and discover their role in helping the poor.


Engage: Impacting A Hostile World

The world your students live in is almost universally opposed to the

basic principles of God’s Kingdom. So, do students immerse themselves in culture? Do they flee from it? Engage

challenges your students with a call to impact the world around them in the

name of Christ.


The Gospel: What It Is and How It Changes Us

Regardless of where your students are spiritually, here’s your chance to teach them exactly what the Gospel is and

how it impacts their lives.

4 Lessons download || 24.99

THESE BIBLE STUDIES ARE GREAT FOR SUNDAY, MID-WEEK, LARGE OR SMALL GROUPS. WITH UP TO 36 WEEKS AVAILABLE, THESE MAKE A

GREAT OPTION FOR YOUR UPCOMING TEACHING CALENDAR!

See samples & lesson overviews at:

youthministry360.com/store

AS YOU ENGAGE IN THE FAITHFUL TEACHING OF THE BIBLE, WE GUARANTEE:/// Deep, transformative Bible study lessons

that are accurate and true /// Easy-to-teach lessons for you and

your teachers/// Creative and relevant lessons for teens

/// Customizable content for giving you control as you need it

/// Unparalleled support for you as a valued friend and customer


MORE CURRICULUM

IF YOU’RE LOOKING TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BUDGET, THESE ARE FOR YOU. WE’VE TAKEN SOME OF OUR MOST POPULAR RESOURCE OPTIONS AND BUNDLED THEM UP AT A GREAT VALUE FOR YOU. ENJOY!

ym360 Book Study Bundle

Includes: Vivid and Proof12 lessons

retail || 139.98 download || 74.99physical || 99.99

The Gospel Bundle

Includes The Gospel Study, elements: Salvation, elements: Evangelism10 lessons

retail || 64.97download || 59.00

ym360 Edge Bundle

Includes: Live Different, The Least Of These, and Engage12 lessons

retail || 149.97download || 79.99 physical || 109.97

ym360 Book Study Trio

Includes: Vivid, Proof, and Focus18 lessons

retail || 209.97 download || 111.99 physical || 139.40

ym360 Bible Study Super Pack Includes: Vivid, Proof, Live Different, The Least Of These, and Engage24 lessons


ym360 36-Week Bible Study Bundle Includes: Vivid, Proof, Focus, Reach, Live Different, The Least of These, and Engage36 lessons


New: First Steps For New Christ Followers (10 Pack)A must have on hand at all times. Grab a case and stock up!

retail || 99.00Your case price || 79.90 Call for extra large orders!

The 7 Best Practices For Teaching Teens The Bible (10 or 20 Pack)Perfect for your volunteer leaders; get a copy for them all.

retail || (10 copies) 129.90 (20) 259.80

Your case price || (10 copies) 89.90 (20) 159.80Call for extra large orders!

(NT) and (OT) Encounters, Student Devotionals (10 Pack)These 4-week devotionals are great daily Bible study.

Retail || 79.90Your case price || 59.90Call for extra large orders!

Grab your bund les and save today @ you thmin i s t r y360 .com/s to re !

Free Shipping! All $99+ orders!


BUDGET-FRIENDLY BUNDLES

(NT) and (OT) Encounters, Student Devotionals (10 Pack)These 4-week devotionals are great daily Bible study.

Retail || 79.90Your case price || 59.90Call for extra large orders!

HELP YOUR TEENS ENGAGE WITH GOD IN HIS WORD WITH THESE POWERFUL DEVOTIONALS. EASY-TO USE, CREATIVE, DEVELOPEDWITH YOUR TEENS IN MIND!

Free Shipping! All $99+ orders!

(Extra)Ordinary FINALLY, A 365-DAY DEVOTIONAL JOURNAL YOUR STUDENTS WILL ACTUALLY READ.

(Extra)Ordinary isn’t like other year-long devotional journals. There are three different sections so teens can choose where they want to pick up each day based on how they feel. (Extra)Ordinary features the following sections:

• Ordinary Times: Over 100 image-driven devotions perfect for everyday life.• Crazy Times: 10-day, issue specific devotions for when life gets crazy. • Holiday Times: Special devotions for Lent, Advent/Christmas, even their Birthday!

(Extra)Ordinary . . . the devotional book you’ll keep coming back to again and again.

1-9 copies || 19.9910+ copies|| 17.99 Ummm. That’s only .05 per day!Call for extra large orders!

New: First Steps For New Christ Followers

Perfect for new believers, intro to discipleship, and those still young in their faith.4 weeks

1-9 copies || 9.9910+ copies || 7.99Call for extra large orders!

(OT) Encounters

Journey through the lives of some of the Old Testament’s most interesting people. Includes a key truth and guided application for each day!4 weeks


(NT) Encounters

Journey through the lives of some of the New Testament’s most interesting people. Includes a key truth and guided application for each day!4 weeks


See more books fo r s tuden ts @ you thmin i s t r y360 .com/s to re !

NEXT: Growing A Faith That Lasts

A 4-week interactive journal helping teenagers take ownership of growing deeper in their faith.



DEVOTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Students don’t start (Extra)Ordinary at the beginning and end at the end. They can choose where they want to read each day based on how they feel. There are three different sections:

• Ordinary Times: Over 100 image-driven devotions perfect for everyday life. • Crazy Times: 24, issue specific collections of devotions for when life gets crazy. • Holiday Times: Special devotions for Lent, Advent/Christmas, even their Birthday!

(EXTRA)ORDINARY is an amazing devotional because of its unique design. You won’t find another 365-day devotion quite like it.

FinallyA 365-DAY DEVOTION YOUR STUDENTS WILL ACTUALLY KEEP UP WITH

SEE PG. 18 FOR DETAILS OR VISIT ORDER AND VIEW SAMPLES AT

YOUTHMINISTRY360.COM/EXTRAORDINARY

(EXTRA)ORDINARY. . . the devotional book your students will keep coming back to again and again.

BONUS FEATURE: Download a FREE (optional) 4-lesson Bible study guide and mentor teens along the way.

Currently used in 1,500+ youth groups, this is one of the best new believer resources you’ll find!

See pg. 18 For Pricing

See Samples and Get Your Copies @ youthministry360.com/new

Help New Believers Thrive In Their Faith

This interactive devotional journal helps new believers understand what it means to be “new”, what it means to see God in

a “new” way, and what it means to live out the call to follow Christ.

NEW is prefect for new believers, intro to discipleshippurposes, and those young in their faith.

Works Great With “Next: Growing A Faith

That Lasts.”See NEXT On Back Cover

Don’t Miss This Incredible Resource


MORE RESOURCES! 100+ ADDITIONAL YOUTH MINISTRY RESOURCES

100+ RESOURCESOur store has 100+ resources to help you with parent ministry, games, video illustrations, student leadership teams, and much more! Check them all out at youthministry360.com/store.

Get your resources fo r t he Fa l l : you thmin i s t r y360 .com/s to re | Ca l l : 888 .969 .6360

You Can Do Excellent Parent Ministry – WE CAN HELP!

GET STARTED TODAY: youthministry360.com/parent-ministry

“I haven’t a found a better or more effective resource to come alongside you to help families in your church succeed.”

Dr. Jim Burns | President, Homeword Center For Youth and Family

See all our resources at: youthministry360.com/store

22NETWORK PARTNERS SECTION

NetworkingHelping You Connect To Awesome

Organizations and Resources

We love highlighting people and organizations doing awesome things in youth ministry. Our hope is to connect you with organizations, movements, or causes that can serve you as you minister to your students.

Learn more about our friends on these next few pages. Visit their websites, give em’ a call, and tell em’ ym360 sent you their way!

Bible Study Resources

Training

Community

Networkingis

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THE ULTIMATE 4-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL SMALL GROUP CURRICULUM IS NEW & IMPROVED WITH A 100% RE-WRITE!

Since its launch 5 years ago, LIVE Curriculum has empowered thousands of youth workers to do what

they do best—infl uence students toward a deeper everyday faith. And now it’s time for a renewed focus.

� ere is a fresh awakening in today’s youth ministry, fueled by an urgent question: “How can I lead my

students into an all-in relationship with Jesus?”

[email protected]

M E E T T H E N E W L I V E H I G H S C H O O L

PROVEN APPROACH. L IFE-CHANGING NEW FOCUS.

ACCESS EVERYTHING EASILY ONLINE!

• Explore lessons in-depth and customize.

• Set a schedule for your small group leaders.

• Upload your own content.

1 4 4 J E S U S -C E N T E R E D L E S S ON S

COVERING ALL 4 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL!

144 JESUS-CENTERED LESSONS


FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO GET STARTED, GIVE MATTY A CALL!

GET STARTED WITH A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL!

VISIT LIVE.SIMPLYYOUTHMINISTRY.COM TO START YOUR FREE 30-DAY TRIAL!

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THE ULTIMATE 4-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL SMALL GROUP CURRICULUM IS NEW & IMPROVED WITH A 100% RE-WRITE!

Since its launch 5 years ago, LIVE Curriculum has empowered thousands of youth workers to do what

they do best—infl uence students toward a deeper everyday faith. And now it’s time for a renewed focus.

� ere is a fresh awakening in today’s youth ministry, fueled by an urgent question: “How can I lead my

students into an all-in relationship with Jesus?”

[email protected]

M E E T T H E N E W L I V E H I G H S C H O O L

PROVEN APPROACH. L IFE-CHANGING NEW FOCUS.

ACCESS EVERYTHING EASILY ONLINE!

• Explore lessons in-depth and customize.

• Set a schedule for your small group leaders.

• Upload your own content.

1 4 4 J E S U S -C E N T E R E D L E S S ON S


144 JESUS-CENTERED LESSONS


FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO GET STARTED, GIVE MATTY A CALL!

GET STARTED WITH A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL!

VISIT LIVE.SIMPLYYOUTHMINISTRY.COM TO START YOUR FREE 30-DAY TRIAL!

PRACTICAL & AFFORDABLE TRAINING FOR YOUR WHOLE TEAMTRAINING FOR YOUR WHOLE TEAM

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Introducing “NEXT,” the 4-week devotional journal that helps challenge and equip your students to take ownership of growing deeper in their faith.

What If There Were a Resource to Help Your Students Take Ownership of Their Faith?Well, Now There Is.

“NEXT” will teach your students. . . • Why it’s important to

own their faith

• What their life’s purpose has to do with God’s mission

• How to build spiritual habits that last a lifetime

• How to use the influence they already have for Christ.

See pg. 18 for detailsOrder and view samples at youthministry360.com/next

The Perfect Follow-Up To

“NEW: First Steps For Christ-Followers.”

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ••••••••••••••

Works Great With “New: First Steps For Christ-Followers.”See NEW On Page 20

INTRODUCING: The ym360 All-Access Bundle | INCLUDED INSIDE: New Product Releases

ym360 The Magazine | Bible Study Resources and Training | Winter/Spring/Summer 2015

Documents

Transcript of ym360 The Magazine | Bible Study Resources and Training | Winter/Spring/Summer 2015