resources for effective youth ministry

    In our resource for Children's Ministry - "About the Children's Department", we spoke about the value of holding a book fair in your church . . . this is something that is equally valuable to do with resources for teens.  It is important that we help teens take responsibility for their own spiritual growth and one way we can encourage them in this area is to provide excellent resources they will want to read on their own.  There is a wealth of fabulous books - non fiction and fiction alike - and music that will challenge our teens to develop a closer walk with God.  We have reviewed several of the many resources available specifically for teens and would like to encourage you to encourage them to make use of them.

The Way Home Author - Wayne Watson Publisher - Howard Publishing

     Wayne Watson has been known for many years as one of Christian Music's favorites - part of the reason is that the lyrics of his songs are ones we all can relate to and have been truly touched by.  In this devotional, Wayne shares stories about his songs and messages to help us apply them to our own lives!

Favorite Features:

• 25 studies on lyrics from favorite songs
• each devotional includes the lyrics from one of his songs
• each devotional includes personal reflection questions
• each devotional includes a life response for application
• each devotional includes a scripture passage/verse

     I recommend this devotional for anyone - they will be challenged, encouraged and touched by both the lyrics to the songs and by the devotional studies.  Extremely well done Wayne and Howard Publishing!
 

     There are several important things we want our teens to make a part of their lives - Bible study, service, active participation in a solid youth group, sharing their faith, making choices based on the absolutes of God's truth and learning to develop a prayer life.  This resource is designed to help teens develop an "active, real and exciting prayer life that really works"!

Favorite Features:

• spiral bound for ease of use
• introduction that effectively explains "the plan"
• explains prayer terms
• 30 prayer journal entries to last 30 days
• each entry covers a specific topic
• each entry includes Scripture verses
• each entry includes areas to write or journal your prayers
• each entry ends with a commitment and prayer challenge

     If our teens are able to learn how to develop a real and exciting prayer life as a teen, it will help them throughout their life.  I highly recommend this resource for all teens.  extremely well done Lloyd, Chuck and Harvest House!
 

Extreme Faith - Live to Believe Authors - Neil T. Anderson & Dave Park Publisher - Harvest House Publishing

     One of the most important things we can do for our teens is to help them learn to develop a devotional life of their own with Jesus.  There are many excellent youth devotionals and this one, "Extreme Faith" is definitely one of them.

Favorite Features:

• how to use this book section has excellent helpful information
• topics covered include:
• God's view of you
• how you view yourself
• discovering God's grace
• learning to trust God
• the battle for the mind
• believing the truth
• power in your ministry
• direct access to God
• 40 days of devotions
• each day's devotion begins with scripture verses
• each day's devotion ends with a "lie to reject" and "the truth to accept"
• each devotion includes a "prayer for today"
• each section ends with additional verses to read, one to memorize and an area to journal your reflection on what you are learning
• end of book includes 12 extra days of scripture to read and reflect on
• "Who Am I" resource in back of book
• "40 Daily Scripture Readings for Luke" in the back of the book

     It is so vital that teens (and all of us) understand our identity in Christ . . . if we don't we will never grow to our fullest or experience the joy God has for us.  This book is an excellent and valuable tool to help teens learn this important lesson.  I highly recommend "Extreme Faith".  Very well done Neil, Dave and Harvest House!
 

Soul 2 Soul Author - Christopher L. Coppernol & 80 top CCM Artists Publisher - Word Publishing

     There are significant differences between secular music artists and christian music artists . . . not only in the message of the music, but also in the message of their lives.  Just as none of us are perfect in the way we live our lives, Christian music artists are not perfect either - they just are people who want to serve and glorify God through music and by using the talents God has given them.  I find this book both interesting and encouraging as many of our CCM Artists share life stories of how God has used them and worked in their lives.

Favorite Features:

• candid interviews with many top artists - give a real insight into their lives
• 10 areas of questions - each extremely interesting and revealing
• 14 ministries listed in back which various artists have been involved with - we can too

     I found these life stories ran the whole gambit with me - some were very touching, some were humorous, some were challenging, some were convicting - all conveyed the message that these "famous" artists are really just real people - like you and I - who sincerely want to serve and glorify God.  Those of us not in the music field need to hold the ones who are up in prayer.  I highly recommend this book for youth and adults as it will touch, encourage and challenge us all.  Extremely well done Christopher, all the CCM artists and Word Publishing!

What's With the Dudes At The Door? Authors - Kevin Johnson & James White Publisher - Bethany House Publishers

     Knowing what we believe is vital to our survival and growth and while that statement sounds like a "no-brainer" it would be rather shocking to find out how many of us really do NOT know what we believe.  This makes it difficult for us to grow and it also puts us on very shaky ground when the inevitable happens - someone from a cult comes knocking on our door and gives us their beliefs - and some of them sound pretty convincing.  When this happens and our teens run into a cult we want them to be sure of what they believe and know what the Bible really says because while people caught in cults can be very nice, their message is anything but harmless.

Favorite Features:

• written in a way teens will understand and enjoy reading
• covers very serious information completely and with solid Biblical grounding
• each chapter ends with "Think About This Stuff" - questions to review the information in the chapter, challenge you to really think about it and be sure of what you do believe
• strongly emphasizes the importance of really knowing what you believe - "Your faith needs to be clear and strong"
• solidly teaches that cults are deadly and are nothing to mess around with
• defines what a cult is
• explains the four main tactics cults utilize to confuse and recruit Christians
• teaches truth of Who God is and includes Bible proofs for:
• there is One God Who has always been God
• the Trinity
• the deity of Christ
• the Holy Spirit
• only Jesus saves
• what the Bible says about Itself
• explains what major cults believe and what the Bible says about these beliefs
• explains how cults err in their plans for salvation
• cautions how cults make their own bible or re-interpret the Bible by twisting and changing passages
• "Quickie Cult Catalog" excellent information
• chapter on "How to Avoid Being Swallowed Whole by a Cult" has excellent vital information
• chapter on "Don't Make Like A Beanbag" excellent information on how to respond to cults

     I highly recommend this book for all teens - and adults as well.  It is SO vital that we know what we believe and are able to spot and deal with cults.  This book clearly teaches both!  Extremely well done Kevin, James and Bethany House Publishing!

Cosmic Christmas Author - Max Lucid Based on a Story by - David Lambent Illustrator - Greg Dearth Publisher - Word Publishing

     This unique and interesting look at the Christmas story is one that will both encourage and challenge the reader.  All of us are familiar with the Christmas story, but in this book Max gives us a larger picture of what could have been the "unseen" part of the story.

Favorite Features:

• extremely well written
• interesting presentation of what may also have been part of the Christmas story
• told from Gabriel's perspective
• "Afterword" at the end of the story provides scripture references for accurate parts of the story and talks about the parts that are fiction

     This book is extremely well written and gives us a new perspective on a familiar, yet wonderful old story.  I recommend it as both an extremely interesting read as well as a resource that with some creative work would make an interesting and unique play for a youth group to present at church or in the community.  Extremely well done Max, David, Greg and Word Publishing!
 

Mary Did You Know? Author - Mark Lowry Publisher - J. Countryman/Word

     Many youth groups have kids who either were or would be part of the group except they and their parents are serving as missionaries in another country.  I was talking with my kid's youth pastor the other day and he mentioned that he was looking for books he could send to the teen MK's from our church.  When I got home I thought about this book.  "Mary Did You Know?" is built around the question Mark wrote a song from where he wondered if Mary really knew who Jesus really was.

Favorite Features:

• includes the CD of the song
• small, gift book walks through Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection
• verses, stories and poems make for a lovely gift book
• includes a card to sign

     This book would make a lovely gift for anyone, but especially for a teen MK.  Have all the kids in the youth group sign the card and send it with a note to open when they receive it - rather than wait so the book and CD can be enjoyed throughout the Christmas season.  I have loved this song from the first time I heard it.  I truly like that it does not leave Jesus just a little baby in the manger, but shows Him as "the Great I Am".  I highly recommend this book.  Very nicely done Mark & J. Countryman!
 

Tilly Author - Frank Peretti Publisher - Crossway Books

This novel has an extremely important message of Christ's love and forgiveness. "Tilly" dramatizes the truth of how our lives can be burdened by sin and how the guilt can be almost overwhelming.  It also strongly communicates how Christ's love and forgiveness changes everything.

Favorite Features:

• important message, well presented
• easy reading - only 126 pages

     The message of Christ's love and forgiveness and the freedom that brings is solidly woven throughout this story.  If you identify with this specific situation - abortion - or if you identify with guilt from some other situation you have faced, the message applies to us all.  I highly recommend this book.  Well done Frank and Crossway!

The Experiment Author - Todd Temple Publisher - Zondervan Publishing

     Many of our teens wear the WWJD wrist bands, but do they stop and think about what it really means or is it a "Christian fad"?  This novel tells the story of two teens who take a challenge for two weeks to do only the things Jesus would do and the results and difficulties that decision has on their lives.

Favorite Features:

• strong message
• teens should be able to identify with the characters

     I highly recommend this book for teens.  It is well written, believable and the message it  contains is for all of us.  Very nicely done Todd and Zondervan Publishing!

Waiting for True Love & Other Tales of Purity, Patience and Faithfulness Compiled and Rewritten by - Julia Duin Illustrator - Diana Magnuson Publisher - Lion/Chariot House

     This unique book is composed of six stories from around the world that teach virtues - purity, patience, integrity, sacrifice, love, generosity and faithfulness.

Favorite Features:

• six stories with six very important lessons to learn
• beautiful, colorful illustrations
• each story lends itself extremely well to serve as a starting point for important discussions between parent and teen

     I highly recommend this book and encourage parents to read it first.  Then after your teen reads each story, talk together about the symbolism in each story the virtues taught and how they apply to your teen's life.  Very well done Julia, Diana and Lion.

Day's of Deception - The Pinkerton Lady Chronicles Author - Lee Roddy Publisher - Chariot/Victor Publishing

     I really believe it is important to provide quality moral building and reinforcing reading materials for youth and adults as well otherwise it is far too easy to get caught up in "romance novels" that undermine our values.  This novel blends suspense, adventure, a murder mystery, romance and lessons about forgiveness in a historical fiction set at the end of the civil war.

Favorite Features:

• well written historical fiction
• characters are believable & interesting
• enjoyable, exciting story
• teaches about forgiveness

     I recommend this book for youth and adults.  It is a series you can feel confident in recommending to others and will enjoy yourself.  Nicely done Lee and Victor!

Heart of Allegiance - Portraits of Destiny Authors - Jake and Luke Thoene Publisher - Thomas Nelson Publishers

     I love the premise of this book!  Twins separated while infants - one raised in a wealthy English Family and the other in France by his "grandmother" who loves him dearly.  It is not until the "grandmother" is dying 25 years later that she tells the one brother she is not really his grandmother.  The year is 1805, each brother is unaware of the existence of the other - until they come face to face in battle - one fighting for England the other for France!

Favorite Features:

• very well written historical fiction
• characters are real, believable and interesting
• story brings tragedy, suspense, love, excitement together for a very enjoyable read
• teaches the forgiveness of God and that He can be trusted

     I found this book very enjoyable to read and am looking forward to the next book in this series!  I recommend this book as excellent quality reading material for teens and adults.  I love how it blends all the components for an excellent novel and includes aspects to challenge and encourage our own walk with God.  Very well done Jake, Luke and Thomas Nelson Publishing!

Deliver Us From Evil - In the Shadow of the Mountain Author - Clint Kelly Publisher - Bethany House Publishers

     I have always loved history - it is what really happened.  I have also always enjoyed reading historical fiction - this book is amazing.  It is well written . . . so much so you will not want to put it down . . . as you read about Armenian refugees in Turkey during World War I.  I did not know about the Armenian genocide during WWI where 2 million Armenians - fully one-half to three-fourths were annihilated in eight years.  I did not know Armenians are direct decedents of Noah and are called, "The People of the Book" so even though the characters in this novel are fictional the historic setting is real and I learned much through this amazing book.

Favorite Features:

• extremely well written historical fiction
• characters are believable and interesting
• this book is as difficult to put down as it is difficult to read about the hideous things people can do to each other
• I really like how it shows that even midst the worst circumstances God is still with us

     I highly recommend this book.  Not only will you find it to be gripping reading, but you will also learn about history and be encouraged by God's faithfulness.  Extremely well done Clint and Bethany House Publishing!

 

Table of Contents




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About The Youth Department - Volumn 1, Edition 2

Copyright © Lynda Freeman
Last Updated Oct. 20, 1998
Web Page by Lynda Freeman
Send an e-mail to Lynda at lynda.freeman@usa.net

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