Well…this deal is pretty stinking awesome, but we do acknowledge that Tim Tebow, your new years day nap, and the announcement of the iPad3 and iPad4 releasing in 2012 are all probably a little more awesome!
*However, you can outfit 1 small group with this 2011 best-selling student book for less than $50!

*offer expires at 11:59pm on 01.12.12

Jason Ostrander, the national youth director for Alliance Youth, is in the process of writing a new 99 Thoughts book titled “99 Questions Jesus Asked”. We thought it would be fun to check in with Jason every few weeks to see how he is doing at writing his first book! In our first post, “Book Writing 101 W/ Jason Ostrander” we interviewed Jason, asking him what the premise of his book was…if you missed it click here to catch up.

This time Jason thought he would send us some pictures of his desk as a visual into his writing process.

CLICK HERE to Check Out the entire 99 Thoughts series, which is on SALE RIGHT NOW!

Meet Jacqueline Pierre and her book “Totally Infatuated“!

A public speaker and (self-proclaimed) golf team captain, Jacqueline Pierre has shared with more than 20,000 students about the transmission of the English Bible, a subject especially near and dear to her heart. Her family owns one of the largest collections of rare manuscripts and early-edition Bibles in private hands. This collection, the VanKampen Collection, is housed at the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida, where Jacqueline lives with her parents, Scott and Karla, and her older brother, Robert. *You can catch her on tour with Christ In Youth in 2012

About “Totally Infatuated“:

Jacqueline Pierre is a teenager who understands what it means to discover a fresh perspective on the Bible. Her life has been transformed through her obsession with God’s Word. She’s your guide for this journey through the pages of Scripture, as she reveals why she’s totally infatuated with God’s Word.

Scripture speaks to your life–

A while back we began working with Jason Ostrander, the national youth director for Alliance Youth, on a new 99 Thoughts book titled “99 Questions Jesus Asked”. We thought it would be fun to check in with Jason every few weeks to see how he is doing at writing his first book! SO…we asked Jason a few questions about why he wanted to write “99 Questions Jesus Asked”…

SimplyInsider: “Why do you want to write ’99 Questions Jesus Asked’?”

Jason: “Following suit with other books within the 99 family, this book endeavors to broaden our understanding of the unique “question-and-answer” style of teaching which Jesus implemented some 2000 years ago.

SimplyInsider: “Will you be able to keep it to 99 Questions?”

Jason: “Haha! Jesus posed well over 300 questions to his disciples as well as others around him (and that is only what we have recorded in the gospels)…so it will be a task!”

SimplyInsider: “Can you give us a Sneak Peek of one of the 99 Questions?”

Jason: “HECK YEAH!! Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29) There are many opinions in this world as to who Jesus really was. Some say he was a very good man, others say he was a prophet, still others say he was the Messiah, but Jesus is only concerned with one perspective….yours! In proclaiming Jesus as the Christ, Peter was making a statement of belief that was stronger than any opinion. In fact it was such a profound belief that he would give his entire life to answering this question. Who do you believe Jesus to be? And how will that change your life?”

SimplyInsider: “Thanks for your time…keep working hard and we will check-in with you again soon!”

Jason: “Thanks and will do!”

CLICK HERE to Check Out the entire 99 Thoughts series, which is on SALE RIGHT NOW!

Merry Christmas from the Simply Youth Ministry & Group Mission Trips teams!
*See below for some sweet Christmas FREEBIES!

Want 10 sweet FREEBIES? Click Here.

JUST PUBLISHED…like 5 seconds ago…INTRODUCING “The Hot Seat” by Johnny Scott!

Don’t settle for ordinary discussions as you and your students travel to your next mission trip, hang out during a weekend retreat, or simply kick back after a midweek service. Put students on the spot and reap the rewards of fun, unexpected conversations with Hot Seat: “In the Moment” Discussions, Games, and Activities to Get Your Teenagers Talking.

Use these creative games to get to know your students on a deeper level. Bring them out of their shell. Draw them into conversations that will break down walls and kindle authenticity, honesty, and stronger friendships. Turn your shared time into the most exciting part of the adventure.

Filled with imaginative activities, games, and discussion topics, this book will help you have fun as you spend time with your students. You’ll learn a lot about them, but they’ll also discover amusing things about you!

The real fun begins the instant you leave the church parking lot or the moment the official agenda ends. Use this dynamic resource to engage your teenagers in conversations about who they are, who they dream of becoming, the challenges they face, and what they value most in life.

Johnny Scott is the Program Director of Christ In Youth’s Believe Tour. When not on the road at a Believe conference or playing with the worship band Foundation Red, Johnny can be found at home playing Scrabble with his wife Jennifer, or wrestling with his three boys, Riley, Aiden, and Finnley. Johnny and his family live in Joplin, Missouri.

Click Here to Buy Now!

The phrase “a penny for your thoughts” originated in the 1500s and was in John Heywood’s 1546 collection of proverbs. To many of us that means nothing, but in more recent memory it was the title of one episode of “The Twilight Zone.” If you still don’t have a clue what I’m talking about then just think about this…one thought only cost 1 cent in the 1500s thus today due to inflation they cost 3 cents. A far better deal for those that have a lot of thoughts!

In other words YOU can get 990 thoughts for .03 cents per thought at SimplyYouthMinistry.com. Thoughts are from Josh Griffin, Johnny Scott, Reza Zadeh, Neely McQueen, and more!

CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW!

Everyone has “that kid”, and to be honest I was “that kid” to my teachers and youth pastor! Once I stuck a “rock”, more like a pebble in my ear just to see how far it would go…needless to say it went pretty far, and the doctor took my allowance for like a whole year! I did many things but I never got my head stuck in a chair as this student did!

MORAL OF THE STORY: Your students will always surprise YOU!

Thanks for loving students!
Team SYM & Blogger Guy

Group Mission Trips is accepting applications for their 2012 Summer Staff Team! They’re looking for college aged individuals who are ministry and mission minded and hard working to fill a variety of roles for both Workcamps and Week of Hope. If you or someone you know is interested in a rewarding summer job that pays well, CLICK HERE!

Here’s what some of Summer Staff said about their experience this past summer:

“Summer staff is absolutely the best job ever. It has allowed me to serve God in amazing ways, and while serving Him I get to see others and myself grow in His amazing love. Summer staff has taught me a lot of things leadership, patience, and other life skills, but most importantly it has taught me in so many ways how to be a better servant of others and for Christ.” ~Austin Greco

“Summer Staff gave me opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in Christian ministry, to practice godly leadership, and to deepen my relationship with the Lord. I was incredibly blessed by my summer with Group, by my Red-Shirt partner, by the fantastic people I was able to meet and serve, and by the many lives that were changed through the camps!” ~Christine Musgrove

“Summer Staff has pushed my boundaries as a leader and as a follower of Christ. The relationships God blessed me with this summer have challenged my faith and caused me to count down the days until next summer!” ~Cat Willms

“Summer Staff is an indescribable experience that has the ability to breathe new air into your life. You have to work absurdly hard, but you quickly learn that God works even harder!” ~Hailey Schroeder

If you have questions, feel free to email
Stacie at SWindel@GroupMissionTrips.com.