Friday Review (11/21/25)
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
It’s Here: Gen-Z Revival Hits Campuses This Fall, by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra (The Gospel Coalition)
Over the last couple of years, perhaps you’ve heard the stories of revival here and there—Asbury, the Salt Company, and various college ministries across the country. Statistics also sounded promising—from England to the United States, more young people report making a personal commitment to Jesus and attending church.
The Pipeline Problem Starts Earlier Than You Think, from Growing Young Disciples
The church needs to look for gospel loving men and women earlier than its current approach. The ministry that receives the least resources should receive a greater investment. Because the future pastors and evangelists and elders are already there. Glue on their fingers. Pizza on their hoodies. Listening and watching.
Biblical & Theological Studies
What Do Fire and Water Tell Us About Creation?, by Tyler R. Wittman (Crossway)
The doctrine of creation therefore gives us unique insight into life, the universe, and everything because it speaks about the Creator. Two brief illustrations help illustrate theology’s consideration of creation: What does theology say about fire and water?
Knowing Jesus Should Make Us Better Stewards of Creation, by Sam Allberry (The Gospel Coalition)
We can’t be consistent worshipers of Jesus if we’re indifferent to the health of the physical environment that belongs to him. How you treat something that belongs to someone else says a lot about how you regard that person. We can’t say, “It’s only the environment—it doesn’t matter” if, in fact, the planet belongs to the One we claim to love above all else.
Cultural Reflection & Contextualization
Holy Leisure in an Age of Hollow Rest, by Cara Ray (Gospel-Centered Discipleship)
The problem is that we enjoy the little hits of dopamine our phones provide, while the algorithmic undertow sucks us in with a constant diet of both trivial and critical content. The system is designed to capture our attention and affection, but by the time we put the phone away, we often feel more anxious, unsatisfied, and disgusted.
Pastoral Ministry
Tempted to be Exceptional in Ministry, by Barnabas Piper
Two facts define every one of us as pastors: we are called by God to be a certain kind of man in a certain kind of ministry (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1) and we are limited by our capacities. In order to be elite by the world’s standards we generally need to set aside some aspect of our call and apply what capacity we do have to things that aren’t primary in God’s sight.
Preaching That Connects: Why Delivery Matters More Than You Think, by David Van Bebber (For the Church)
Elements of delivery—emphasis, rate, volume, tone, and non-verbal cues—reveal the pastor’s heart and are essential to an impactful sermon. These concepts can, however, be overlooked because a pastor doesn’t want to appear all show and no substance. What, then, are some faithful reasons for considering improvements in delivery?
Are You Still Gospel-Centered?, by Jared Wilson (Desiring God)
As leaders grow up and gain experience, ideology shifts and theology develops — inevitably. But it’s become apparent, at least to me, that many of the currently gospel-un-centered guys never really embraced the substantial ideas of the gospel-centered paradigm in the first place. What they’d found, perhaps, was a marketing scheme that appealed to their disillusionment and desires.
Family & Parents
The Gift of Present Parenting, by Anna Joy Snuggs (Rooted)
As parents, we have to practice the power of presence with our children. Most importantly, we need to look to Jesus to show us how.
How to Provoke Your Children to Anger, by Ben Hicks (Proclaim & Defend)
If there is one thing that concerned the apostle Paul most about our parenting, it’s that we would drive our children to anger. How do we do that? By being angry ourselves, by being hypocrites, or by having inconsistent or unreasonable standards.
From YPT this week
ep.119: Teaching a Christmas/Advent Series & How Many Retreats Are Too Many
In this episode, Mike and John discuss how they handled Advent/Christmas in their teaching calendars, and then answer a question about how many camps/retreats is too many.
How to Teach the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Theologically, by Mike McGarry
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a beloved story in Scripture, but are we teaching it as a moralism (don’t be like the older brother) or as a message about the Father’s grace?