UNDERESTIMATED

I was told about this by Brett Ullman the other day and it is a fantastic watch for anyone in Youth Ministry. Sorry, to anyone outside of Canada as you will not be able to watch the whole episode on the CBC Doc Zone site.

Sext up KIDS exposes how growing up in a hyper-sexualized culture hurts our kids. Teens and pre-teens show and tell what they are doing and why they are doing it.   Experts reveal startling new research, tracking how the pressure to be sexy is changing teen and sexual behavior in alarming ways, as “anal becomes the new oral.” Parents and educators struggle to help kids navigate puberty in a world where the line between pop culture and porn culture is increasingly blurred. For every parent who thinks, “that’s not my son or daughter,” Sext up KIDS

I also like that there are links to all the resources on the website as well by clicking on the resource tab under the view box. The full video is 45 minutes and I would love to hear your feedback on whether, or not you see this in today’s culture, or if you think it is an exaggeration of what is going on in the lives of the teenagers we work with.

CBC – Doc Zone – Episode – Sext Up Kids.

A great free resource from Youth Ministry 360 on writing curriculum for teenagers.

A Short (And FREE) Guide To Writing Bible Study For Teenagers | Youth Ministry 360.

Amazing article on leadership and delegation.

Understand your unique calling.

Jethro saw something very important. That while Moses could perhaps do many things well, he had a unique calling where he alone added significant value. He exhorted Moses, saying:

Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do” (vv. 18:9, 20)

Moses needed to offload those things that others could do, so he could focus on those things that only he could do. The same is true for you. Where is it that you add value—something that you are uniquely called and qualified to do? How can you delegate the rest?

What the Bible Says About Leadership and Delegation | Michael Hyatt.

Both Marvel and DC Comics are leading into the summer with major relationship story lines.

Marvel Announces Landmark X-Men Marriage [Spoilers] – Comic Vine.

Have you ever used comics and their larger story lines as illustrations in your curriculum?

Here is a look at one of the latest story lines running through two of the X-books on shelves now. It is a look at the question of morality and free will.

Morality is largely shaped by parents. Children imitate their parents and gain their morality from the morality of their parents. If parents try to teach their child one thing, but do another, the child will more likely copy the actual behavior of its parents…people who behave according to their morals will have strong consciences and will feel bad even if their transgression is a minor one, while people with low morality can easily commit an atrocity and not feel bad. However, attitudes and behaviors change with experiences and disagreements with others. Morals also change when your behavior goes against them.

via Genesis: Mutantkind’s Next Great Savior, Or The Next Apocalypse? – Comic Vine.

Do you take a digital sabbath? How do you monitor your digital use?
A great article from Youth Ministry Media.

Should You Take a Digital Sabbath? – Youth Ministry Media | Youth Ministry Media.

Free e-book By Mark Oestreicher “A Beautiful Mess.”

A Beautiful Mess features insights on the issues and opportunities facing youth workers, including the trend toward longevity in ministry, the power of smaller churches, the work of the Holy Spirit, the rewards of authentic relational ministry, the need for integration instead of isolation, and the centrality of faith and humility.

via FREE! A Beautiful Mess | Everyday Youth Ministry.

A great article for Parents. I love the concept they run with through this article.

If output is greater than input you suffer.

This week, make a deposit into each account. Get yourself in a position where you can replenish yourself. Here are some ideas:

Do something you love to do. It will replenish you emotionally.

Spend some time alone with God. It will replenish you spiritually.

Hang out with a friend or family member who gives you life…you know, the kind of person that always makes you better when you’re around them? It will replenish you relationally.

Go for a walk, a run, a bike ride or do something physically rewarding, and then go to bed early. Shoot for eight hours of sleep at least one night (trade off the kids with someone if you need to). It will replenish you physically.

Bankrupt Parents « Orange Parents.

via Bankrupt Parents « Orange Parents.

How do you maintain a healthy balance between ministry and family?

A Beautiful Mess! | Junior High Ministry.