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Happy Almost End Of Summer!
School is in full swing here in Alabama., which means you are busy planning, have planned, or are tearing your hair out to get a plan for this fall. If you need help with even the idea of planning, you can grab my book Prepared For Impact to help you out.
Don’t forget my new book The Disciple Project Outreach Manual is out if you’re looking to get your kids dialed into what it means to follow Jesus.
Lastly, my new sermon series Masterpiece could change your kids minds about who they to who Christ made them to be. Don’t let your kids go back to school not knowing they are God’s masterpiece.
Without further adieu, welcome to the Back To School Edition of the Youth Ministry Round Up.
PS: There’s a few freebies at the bottom 🙂
Moving Kids Up In Ministry Idea
Upgrade Weekend
Kids are moving up, hence getting an upgrade. Why not have an upgrade weekend for welcoming in new middle schoolers, new freshmen, etc.
Theme
This weekend could be where you ask students to upgrade/trade in their average for God’s best. Kids can also upgrade their passion from average to fire, their bible reading from none to there times a week etc. Give kids a chance to trade in their old and bring in the new.
Game
Have a scavenger hunt where you give teams of kids an item they must “upgrade”. Give students a couple of hours to go house to house and ask for something bigger or better than what they have been given.
The items they bring back they must be able to keep. I have heard that some kids have come back with cars, etc.
Give Aways
You could have Upgrade giveaways such as gift cards/Visa cards so kids can upgrade their clothing, supplies, etc.
Articles
Back To School Big Focus: Start With The End In Mind
A Back To School Talk From Jesus
Back To School Youth Group Lesson: Priorities
Five Over The Top Back To School Ideas
8 Back To School Ideas Not Spelled P-A-R-T-Y
Videos
If you’re crazy enough to do it, you might as well be prepared
Share This With Your Parents and You’ll Be A Hero
I love this video because it’s from a student. Good ideas.
Great to show at your first parents meeting or a pre-service starter.
Back To School Glow Night
This video is too long to show in youth, but maybe you could run it before service or just enjoy it yourself.
Podcast Episodes
The Benefit of Partnering With Local Schools
Transitioning from Summer Youth Ministry to You Ministry
Ideas For Launching A Young Adult Ministry
Resources
Free Back To School Lesson: Pack Your Bags
Free Lesson from new series Masterpiece : Masterpiece or Master Mess?