Forward thinking: how our changing world will affect your youth work

The world is changing fast around us. And, because we’re youth workers, we’re in front of the curve right? Maybe. Futurist author and speaker Patrick Dixon explains what the world will look like in the coming decades, and why your youth ministry – as ever - has a key part to play.

False intimacy: talking about porn with teenagers

We know the worrying statistics: teenagers in your youth group are regularly accessing internet pornography. Dr William Struthers explores why this cultural epidemic is so damaging, and provides a practical resource to discuss the issue with young people.

Instant God

In a culture of instant communication, anything less than a tangible high speed connection with God can be challenging for today’s young disciples. Revd Greg Downes unpacks five areas we need to teach into if teenagers are to fully understand the reality of a life-long connection with God.

100 best websites for your youth ministry

You won’t find this anywhere else! Youth work veteran and web expert John Allan provides a run-down of the hundred most useful websites to resource you in your youth work. Simple. But brilliant.

Digital etiquette

A teenager’s online world has its own rules – many of which can strike us as alarmingly detached from acceptable off-line behaviour. Youthwork’s journalist Phoebe Thompson examines the internet code of honour, and offers some practical suggestions for your engagement with teens online.

RESOURCES

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #1

Facebook, by Jenny Baker.

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #2

Gaming, by Jason Gardner.

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #3

The Smart Phone, by Jamie Cutteridge.

ADAPTABLE MEETING GUIDE #4

Twitter, by Krish Kandiah.

READY-TO-USE MOVIE

Movie-based discussion resource by Tom Wade.

READY-TO-USE YOUTUBE DISCUSSION

YouTube-based discussion resource by Jamie Cutteridge.

READY-TO-USE WORSHIP

YouTube worship resource by Sean Skinner.

READY-TO-USE GAMES AND ICEBREAKERS

Jimmy Young provides some internet based games.

HOW TO: BRING YOUR WEBSITE UP TO DATE

Kevin Bennet offers practical guidance on refreshing your website.

HOW TO: CREATE AN E-SAFETY POLICY

A summary of some key pointers to help you think through your own social media policy.

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