Listen to what some middle schoolers have to say about you…

Thanks for loving students
- Justin

There are times in life when suddenly or abruptly we realize what God is saying. There are also times when we slowly realize what God is saying. Similarly, they each coincide with us and God. However, it is the “us” part of this equation that has the lack-luster consistency.

As I sit and think about all the “things” in “my” life that are frustrating, hard, difficult, missing, broken…yada yada. I see a guy in front of me who was told recently, by his wife of 20 years, that she was done and that she was moving back home and taking the kids with her. I also think about those in the High Peak and Waldo Canyon fires that lost homes. These are true hardships and “my” struggle is “me”! I am my biggest obstacle in my relationship with Jesus.

STEP 1: Gain “Perspective”
STEP 2: Recognize “You” are the Issue
STEP 3: Slowly become Others-Centered
STEP 4: Live Palms-Up…Releasing Everything

This seems, dare I say, simple. Yet, this is exactly what we have to do daily! This is picking-up and carrying our cross!

*ALERT SPORTS ANALOGY! Have you ever heard, “There is always someone better, more prepared, more athletic than you!” Like-wise there is always someone with more heart ache, deeper pain, and seemingly less hope.

Thanks for loving students
- Justin

In my days of youth ministry I primarily spent my days with the “less” mature junior highers! On a side note and contrary to popular belief junior highers are not the less mature ones…they are actually mature beyond their years. Yeah they don’t care about showering, but that is the beauty of it they don’t care what people think and that is why I loved them. Anyways back to small group tips! Here are 3 tips that you can implement during your next small group gathering!

1) Don’t Lead! Often times as leaders we feel so inclined to make sure the entire night gets done. Meaning we want to check off all of our boxes prayer, sharing, discussion, come to Jesus moments, worship, etc. However, sometimes the best learning that can be done is be stepping back and see who your leaders are! It may take a week or 10, and no i’m not suggesting you stop your normal small group rhythm. What i’m saying is you can learn a lot about your students during that 90 minute small group session by simply not leading. For example…do they respect you (if they do they will in-time look to you to see if you are going to start the “schedule”).

2) Share! Students respond to truth, and will respond to you if you give them tidbits of truth about yourself. Yes this means being vulnerable! Students see them selves as adults, which we all know they are not, but treating them as adults by telling them about yourself and things you, your family, your work are struggling with or seeing God do will gain you considerable “klout” with all of them. IThe main reason I bring this up is do to the fact that we often “pepare” stories to share, and often times they are super safe! Get of of the box and challenge yourself to be vulnerable…I’m pretty sure your asking your students to be vulnerable also! No?
*Obviously, their is a fine line here when sharing about yourself, and we are assuming you understand that line. Be smart not stupid!

3) Breathe! It is easy to walk into small group, as the leader, wearing the stresses of your day and personal life. However, I challenge you to always compose yourself before you walk into the room or home that your small group takes place. The first 5 seconds of your interactions with your students each night will set the tone for the entire night. They can see the eye rolling that happens (for whatever reason job, finances, rough day) when you walk through the door and look to the host parent or co-leader. Once they see that…its game over for the night maybe even a month! Just breathe and take a second to prepare spiritually to help these kids tonight. BREAKING NEWS…its okay to cancel, let your co-leader lead, just play games, have ice cream if you need a break take a break. You will do far more harm by pushing through your personal life in front of your students. Some days we all just need a break and that is ok. *If you feel you don’t have the ability to take a break you are wrong…just cancel! Its like a hurt quarterback…they do no good if they can run!

4) Use LIVE Curriculum! I know shameful plug…but to be honest this is a game changer and will help you do the above three tips with ease! Your prep time will be cut in half if not more, you will be able to discuss the lessons online with the other small group leaders before “small group night” arrives. You can schedule everything for the next 4 years, or you can schedule simple for the next by asking your leaders what each groups students is wanting to discuss. Not to mention…its available on your phone or tablet making you look cool and if all else fails you can simple play Angry Birds until its closing time!

Thanks for loving students
- Justin

Here’s the reality of youth ministry: Gray often is the dominant color, differing opinions abound, and the way forward isn’t always clear or certain. But just like a wise sage, Two Sides: Finding What Fits Your Ministry will help you through the journey of discovering the right, best answers for your ministry.

You’ll gain insights from veteran youth workers who have wrestled with these debatable gray areas. For example, should we write our own curriculum, or used pre-written material? Should small groups be separated by gender, or combined into co-ed groups? Should I be accountable for regular office hours, or follow an adaptable schedule because of youth ministry’s crazy hours?

In these and other areas, no answer is right or wrong—the “correct” answer is the one that best fits your specific setting. This book will engage you in considering both sides of the matter, thinking through some important questions, and then determining your own side of the issue.

Download includes:

• PDF file
• .epub file for iPad
• .mobi file for Kindle

Darren Sutton has served in youth ministry for over 20 years. He has a passion for students and the adults who influence them. Darren and his wife, Katie, co-founded Millennial Influence and produce a weekly podcast reaching parents of teenagers. They currently serve a student ministry in Corpus Christi, Texas. Darren is the paid staff youth pastor—Katie is the unpaid, unsung hero of the ministry!

Contributing authors include: Andy Blanks, Danette Matty, Jana Snyder, Jason Lamb, Katie Sutton, Kevin Mahaffy Jr., Leneita Fix, Liz Simmonds, Mike Hammer, and Phil Bell

Thanks for loving students
- Justin

GROUP Magazine is looking to feature your youth room Do It Yourself ideas! Have you created your own stage, lighting, coffee bar, pulpit, or any other creative idea that you would want to share with Youth Ministry Nation. Oh and did I mention that GROUP Magazine will pay you $50 if they feature your DIY idea in the magazine! Boom goes the dynamite!

Email Scott Firestone, Associate Editor of GROUP Magazine, the below items to EARN $50!

1. Title Your Idea
2. Simple Step-by-Step Instructions (including total cost)
3. Picture of Your Finished Product
4. Don’t Forget Your Name!

Here is the first installment of the NEW GROUP Magazine DIY Section!

Thanks for loving students
- Justin

Quick snapshot of the infamous “Triple Jump”

Watch the Gorilla Man in event #2 of the 2012 Simply Olympics!

The triple jump (sometimes referred to as the hop, step and jump or, incorrectly, the hop, skip and jump) is a track and field sport, similar to the long jump, but involving a “hop, bound and jump” routine, whereby the competitor runs down the track and performs a hop, a bound and then a jump into the sand pit.

The triple jump has its origins in the Ancient Olympics and has been a modern Olympics event since the Games’ inception in 1896.

Watch the Gorilla Man in event #2 of the 2012 Simply Olympics!

Thanks foe loving students
- Justin

P.S. Thanks Wikipedia!

Every year we create a theme around our 404040 Sale! As the Olympics are nearing and we are super excited. We had to create a pre-olympic Olympics competition…starring the one and only Gorilla Man! When we were filming is was about 908 degrees outside, hence the sweat on the back of our infamous Gorilla man.

Click Here to DOWNLOAD 40 FREE Backgrounds

We shot the video at a local high school and happened to meet the Girls High School Hurdles State Champion for the state of Colorado. Thus we challenged her to a race and because the gorilla and I were so embarrassed we have decided not to air that video. Actually, for some reason it didn’t get recorded…lame I know pheww! But you can check out our real race below…fyi I’m the Unibrow’d Russsian Guy! VICTORY!

Click Here to See ALL 40% Off Items

Thanks for loving students
- Justin