Friday Review (11/7/25)

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

From Spiritual Childcare to True Partnership: Empowering Parents and Student Ministers, by Zac Workun (Lifeway Research)

Youth pastors, you’re not event planners or youth entertainment managers. You are shepherds. Parents are friends and allies. And students are the next generation, now.

Why Older Christians Belong in Youth Ministry, from Growing Young Disciples

Don’t assume the older saints can’t connect. Bad knees and loud games? Sure. Names they might forget by the second week? Maybe. But they hold a treasure chest of truth that your young people desperately need to see lived out.

Youth Worship: Formative or De-Formative?, by Walt Mueller (CPYU)

I really believe that we need to be thinking long and hard about everything we are doing as we bring our students together for worship. Are we seeing worship as formative for them, or is it in reality de-formative.. . perhaps without us even knowing it?

Biblical & Theological Studies

Stranger Things of the Old Testament: The Nephilim, by Brian Aucker (byFaith)

Every parent or grandparent knows the shrieks of terror and delight emanating from preschool children as we chase our beloved little ones and shout, “I’m gonna eat you.” From antiquity, Bible readers have pondered the interpretation of one such group of stranger things, “the Nephilim” (Genesis 6:4).

Why Baptism Must Precede Membership and the Table, by Nate Akin (9Marks)

And as under the Old Covenant, so under the New: salvation precedes identification which precedes the celebratory meal. We declare our greater and more lasting deliverance through baptism into church membership, which is then reaffirmed by a regular meal that celebrates God’s past, present, and future grace.

Cultural Reflection & Contextualization

Sports, Sunday Mornings, and the Meaning of ‘Neglect’, by Jonny Reid (Desiring God)

How can those of us who love sports — whether we’re pastors, parents, or athletes — consider carefully how to make faithful, godly, and wise decisions about sports on Sunday mornings?

Pastoral Ministry

The Tragedy of Artificially Intelligent Pastors, by Erik Raymond (The Gospel Coalition)

I think it’s important for us to have some core categories settled, especially as AI’s accessibility and perceived utility continue to expand. Core convictions keep us steady; they calibrate and counsel. This is helpful as technology speeds ahead with cries for efficiency, threatening to drown out your conscience.

Beyond Roles: The Power of Counseling Couples with the One Another Commands, by David and Krista Dunham (Biblical Counseling Coalition)

When counseling married couples, biblical counselors tend to focus heavily on Scripture passages that strictly pertain to marital roles. These roles are biblical and significant, but when they become the primary focus, they risk distorting power, overlooking deeper heart issues, and even fueling unhealthy relational dynamics. Scripture shows us God’s fuller vision for marriage through the “one another” commands.

Family & Parents

Be Careful, Little Eyes What You See: 5 Ways to Help Our Kids Process Social Media Violence, by Kirsten Black (Gospel-Centered Discipleship)

As parents, what is both our calling and our responsibility as we shepherd our kids through the ever-growing culture of accessible violence via social media? How do we help our kids process these things? As I consider my own children and how to engage with them in this battle, five things come to mind.

Don’t Wait for Tragedy Before You Talk to Your Kids About Death, by Alyson Punzi (The Gospel Coalition)

Our children know that our world is broken. And if we want to teach the whole witness of Scripture and speak precisely about the gospel, we’re going to have to talk about death with the children in our homes and churches.

From YPT this week

ep.117: Gospel-Shaped Sanctification & Student Leadership

How can we encourage youth to grow in Christ while avoiding the pitfalls of both legalism and antinomianism. Also, should we allow teenagers to teach at youth group?

Iconic Imitation: The Attributes and the Fruit of the Spirit, by Mike McGarry

When we become more like Jesus, we are growing the “fruit of the Spirit.” These are nothing short of what it means to bear God’s image well.