Friday Review (10/24/25)
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
The Missing Piece in Youth Ministry, by Greg Stier
By the time a teenager graduates from your youth ministry, can they articulate the Gospel in a clear and compelling way, and are they actively sharing it with their peers? If not, something essential is missing in your youth ministry strategy — and it’s a big something.
Teenagers and Sports: A Living Letter Being Read By All, by Isaiah Marshall (Rooted)
Deep down, many of us wrestled with it: the pull to blend in, to fit in, and to avoid standing out as “too religious.” Many of the students we serve are wrestling with this same tension in their schools and maybe especially on their sports teams. Here’s the advice I encourage you to give student athletes you disciple.
Biblical & Theological Studies
Understanding Your Muslim Neighbor, by Hamid Hatami (by Faith)
The question is not whether God has brought the nations to us, but whether we will be faithful stewards of the gospel. The harvest is right here where we live — in the classroom, at work, and across the street in our neighborhoods. Let’s take courage, open our doors in Christ’s name, and share the only hope of salvation: Jesus our Lord.
If You Had Written the Bible, by Tim Challies
Have you ever thought about what the Bible would be like if you had been in charge of writing or editing it? Whatever you would do, I am quite certain you would end up with something that would bear far more resemblance to a systematic theology text than the Bible we hold in our hands today.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Social Media Pushes Pornography on Children Within Minutes, Report Finds, by Jonathan Van Maren (The Bridgehead)
Social media is now one of the primary pipelines to porn addiction for both children and young adults. Global Witness, a campaign organization that investigates the impact of Big Tech on human rights, recently conducted a number of tests to determine how quickly children could access pornography on social media platforms.
Students Un-Coupling From the Trans Train, by Stephen McAlpine
This break with natural law is why there has been less acceptance of trans ideology in the wider community (think sports fairness) than of that other great Sexular Age issue – gay rights. While I also believe that same-sex practices break God’s natural law boundaries, they seem less obvious to those uninitiated with God’s good design for sex in the Bible.
Assisted Suicide Will Wash Us Away, by Tim Smith (Sacramentality)
The legislation for assisted suicide unleashes a pity which only looks at today and has no regard for tomorrow. It is potent in destruction but weak in healing, strong enough to allow a man to die but lacking the strength to help him live. We cannot allow this pity to become our master.
Pastoral Ministry
7 Principles for an Honest Church Leader, by Barnabas Piper
It doesn’t matter the size or polity of your church, you cannot have a healthy leadership culture (or church culture) without having an honest leadership culture. Without honesty there is no trust. Without trust there is no relationship, no togetherness, and no risk taking.
Family & Parents
The Worst Kind of Parenting Advice, by Rebekah Matt (Great and Noble Tasks)
I know how tempting it is to believe that there’s a formula you can follow in order to achieve a particular result with your child. There are always people—both Christians and non-Christians, in real life and online—who are eagerly waiting to tell you why their way is best, and the result you’ll get if you follow their advice.
5 Ways to Pray with Your Kids During the Day (That Aren’t at Dinnertime), by Kristen Wetherell (Crossway)
But if we’re being honest, praying outside of mealtimes doesn’t come naturally to us. Our schedules demand a faster pace than a prayerful spirit can match; our wiggly kids don’t sit still for long; and did we mention that prayer is hard work?
From YPT this week
ep.115: Youth Ministry Failures & How to Not Be a Know-it-All
In this episode, Mike and John reflect on what they’ve learned from some of their failures as youth pastors, then they brilliantly answer a listener question about how to not be a know-it-all.
Pursuing Joyful Partnership With Your Senior Pastor, by Mike McGarry
What are some helpful principles to build a healthy relationship with your senior pastor, and what can you do when there’s tension?