Friday Review (9/26/25)

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

Don’t Assume Biblically Literate Students Are Doing Fine, by Ashley Gibson (The Gospel Coalition)

Youth leaders aren’t mind readers. Even so, we ought to be looking beyond surface-level signs of spiritual health. A student’s biblical literacy or the appearance of living in a Christian home doesn’t necessarily reflect the state of his or her heart.

Kids Discipling Kids: The Integration of Youth and Children’s Ministries by Allyn Bock (Rooted)

For many of the youth in our church, volunteering in the children’s ministry is a rite of passage. Once they graduate fifth grade, their time as students in our children’s ministry ends. Many want to turn around and serve. This rich blessing caused our church to consider: how can we help our kids disciple younger kids?

Train the Saints (Part 2), from Growing Young Disciples

And you deserve more than burnout. You deserve the joy of seeing others grow, the relief of shared responsibility, and the fruit that comes when ministry is built on God’s design rather than human determination. The question isn’t whether you have time to train your volunteers. The question is whether you can afford not to.

Biblical & Theological Studies

10 Mistakes I Made Navigating Theological Differences, by Winnie Mughogho (The Gospel Coalition Africa)

University opened my eyes to a wide range of teachings, and with that came many discussions of what then we should follow. In hindsight, I see where I made mistakes in engaging with people of different theological leanings. Below are ten of those.

The State of Theology: 2025, by Ligonier and Lifeway Research

What do Americans in 2025 believe about God, the Bible, and salvation? Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research partnered to find out. (note: you can search by age and religious affiliation to see what evangelical GenZ’ers believe)

Cultural Reflection & Contextualization

Understanding Your Hindu Neighbor, by C. Matthews (byFaith)

If you are a follower of Jesus living in the U.S., you probably cross paths with someone who identifies as Hindu. You may want to take steps of genuine friendship toward them but feel unsure how to do so. You may also want to share the good news of Jesus but worry about offending anyone because of what seem to be substantial cultural and religious differences.

Pastoral Ministry

3 Preaching Rules, by T.M. Suffield (Nuakh)

These are my first ports of call for assessing my own or someone else’s preaching. There is lots more that could be said and fed back on, but this is the centre of what I think we should be aiming for in our preaching.

You Want to Be a Pastor?, by Steven Lee (Desiring God)

Though I would not yet call myself a seasoned pastor, I’m no longer bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. The early idealism has been replaced by reality. I’ve weathered storms, endured conflict, and navigated seasons of upheaval and turmoil. So, if I could go back and talk to my younger self, or talk to a younger man like you, I would offer the following exhortations.

Preaching and Perspicuity, by Jon Beeson (The Bee Hive)

Preachers, are you tempted to imperspicuity in your preaching? Do you unnecessarily drop your knowledge of the original languages in your sermon? Instead of giving your congregation tools to clarify scripture, do you prove your own intellect?

Family & Parents

How to Help Your Child Lament, by Alyson Punzi (Crossway)

There are many ways we can help our children navigate loss, and one of the graces we can give our children in their pain is lament. Lament helps them find comfort and hope in the God who made them, saved them, and always hears them.

Research on How Parents Can Support Teens’ Mental Health, by Barna

Experts say that teenagers and young adults are experiencing a crisis of mental health. Gen Z is coming of age in a uniquely stressful and emotionally complex time—and the numbers bear it out: Gen Z is more likely to report negative mental health outcomes than any other generation. 

The One Anothers Start at Home, by Jacob Crouch (Aliens and Pilgrims)

The “one anothers” start at home. Turn to your wife, and forgive her. Bear with your husband. Pray for one another. Let your light shine in your home, and let that flow into a serious commitment to the one another commandments within your local church.

From YPT this week

ep.111: Risky Youth Ministry & Ministry to Students with Disabilities

In this podcast, Mike & John talk about a theology of safety and risk, and how that feeds into students’ faith development. They also respond to a listener question about ministering to students with disabilities.

How to Run an Effective Parent Meeting, by Cole McCartney

What are the different types of parents meetings that youth workers should have, and how do we plan and lead them well?