Friday Review (10/16/26)
Each week we compile a list of helpful articles from other sites, in a variety of categories, for youth workers to read, reflect on, and/or discuss with parents and volunteers. If you have any articles you’d like to suggest, we’d love for you to share those in the Youth Pastor Theologian Facebook group. That’s a great way to bring them to our attention and to discuss them with like-minded youth workers! (Inclusion in this list does not imply complete agreement with the publishing source, but we have found these articles to be beneficial.)
Youth Ministry
4 Ways to Empower Your Student Leaders, Eric Foshee (YM360)
As students begin to take on leadership roles, part of the growth process is that we keep asking them the important questions and give them real opportunities to lead. In this blog, we’ll look at four different ways to empower your students and truly give away leadership to them.
Teach Students the Whole Christ From the Whole Bible, Sam Rapp (Rooted)
The beautiful tapestry of the Bible presents a comprehensive Christ—a fully formed savior who not only saves us from sin, but unites us to himself in his resurrection, thereby defeating the power of sin and death and giving us hope for the life to come.
Biblical & Theological Studies
Prayers feeling stale? Mine, too, Corella Roberts (A Life Overseas)
And I had a choice: either carry on with what I knew to be a shallow, mediocre prayer life or dig in, change some habits, and plead with Jesus to give me a heart for prayer.
4 Questions to Ask When Counting the Cost of Following Jesus, Osbert B. Wei (For The Church)
So, how do you know if you have counted the cost of following Jesus? According to Luke 14:33, the big question to answer is this: Are you willing to give up everything for Jesus?
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Thoughts On A Public Execution, Jaacob Crouch (Aliens and Pilgrims)
A public execution. The first time in the United States since 1936...It has generated widespread criticism from Christians and non-Christians alike. Christian nationalism is the buzzword of the hour. Even the Pope has spoken out against it, calling it an attack on human dignity. But what is the Christian response?
It’s Not All the Phones, Aaron M. Renn (Aaron Renn)
"It’s popular today to say, “It’s the phones, stupid!” to explain a range of social dynamics ranging from teenage depression to the birth dearth to the shrinking number of friends people have today…But while it seems likely smart phones and social media have played a role in some of these, I’ve been skeptical of the overly reductionistic focus on phones.
Pastoral Ministry
What Conversion Looks Like in Messy People (Like Me), Mez McConnell (9Marks)
Mez McConnell points out that the fruit of conversion looks different in everyone’s life, particularly for those who come out of difficult, or “messy,” backgrounds.
Leadership and Service in Christ’s Church, Dennis Johnson (Ligonier)
Leaders motivate, recruit, train, and deploy all the members of the body, each with his or her own gifting from God’s Spirit, to engage in ministries of speaking, of discipling, and of mercy.
Family & Parents
Not Everyone Will Like You, Rebekah Hannah (New Growth Press)
No matter how your family came about, little humans (or maybe not so little anymore) tend to be one of the main ways God teaches parents about unconditional love.
Christian Dodgers Player Alex Call Calls Out MLB Over ‘Soft Porn’ Ads During Playoff Games, Jesse T. Jackson (ChurchLeaders)
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call is calling on Major League Baseball and television networks to stop airing what he describes as “soft porn” advertisements during postseason games. Call said parents should not have to worry about exposing their children to sexually suggestive content while watching America’s pastime.
From YPT this week
ep.148: Parachurch, Church Kids vs. Outreach, and Ministry Philosophy Conflicts, YPT Podcast
Today's episode features three listener questions with a common thread... questions from a parachurch youth worker who wants to partner with the local church, a youth pastor who's wondering whether church kids should receive more pastoral care and support than those who aren't from your church.
How (and why) I’m Teaching Ecclesiastes in Youth Group Kyle Kennicott (YPT)
The language of Ecclesiastes can help students grapple with the truth that life is deeply frustrating, so we can help them to find meaning, satisfaction, and hope in God.
