Quick Backdrop:This is a second devo in what we're calling a one-chapter wonder series—diving quickly and deeply into a one-chapter book of the Bible. (Click here for the first devo.) This gives us a...

We have a good friend, who, for years, has had a passion for youth ministry. He started as a lay leader, then became a paid leader. He knew this was his calling, and those of us who knew him concurred. He loves...

Statistics don't lie: A huge percentage of teens will leave the church after high school. Alektor is a three-part DVD series that will help prepare students for that transition, so it doesn't happen to the...

This game is a challenging group-builder that is perfect for a retreat or large event. Here's how to play:Give two groups an equal-sized stack of books, and provide each group a pair of bookends. Each...

All you need for this game is a stack of paper plates (the cheaper the better). Give each teen 2 or 3 plates and challenge the students to create their own paper figures by folding the plates (if you have sciss...

P.S."Through Christ, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God" (Heb. 13:15).In those days when people still wrote letters, they often would attach a post script (P.S.) after their signat...

"In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you" (Matt. 7:12).A few months ago, it was announced that Hostess would cease production of the Twinkie—a golden, cream-filled sponge cake that pe...

"Give to anyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you" (Matt. 5:42).Some years ago, Robert Fulgham penned a marvelous best-selling book Everything I Need to Know I Learne...

"Therefore, let us go on toward perfection..." (Heb. 6:1).It has been said, "You can't go home again." Others point out that we can't live in the past and move forward at the same time. Both statement...

Quick BackdropHere's an idea. Let's start with Scripture and let the Word do the teaching. No intro of an issue. No creative opener. Just a little backdrop info, and then we dive into the Word.You may have noti...