Youth Ministry Resources Hub

Before we get into the youth ministry resources guide, we want to recommend our 12-day Colossians Bible study: The Preeminence of Christ.

Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry Resources

Let’s get into the resources guide on youth ministry…

What is the Purpose of Youth Ministry?

As always, we must look to the Bible as our guide in youth ministry. Paul’s words in Colossians 1 are the mission call of Snowbird, and they are just as helpful for those of us in local church ministry as well:

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Colossians 1:28–29

The goal of a Gospel-centered youth ministry is to point students toward Jesus Christ and walk alongside them as they grow in their faith.

Student pastors, our role in student ministry is to raise up teenagers into maturing disciples of Christ. The middle and high-school students under our care are young, but they need to quickly take hold of their own spiritual growth.

If mark number one of a healthy youth ministry is solid teaching, then mark number two is a culture of discipling.

Deepak Reju, Capitol Hill Baptist Church

The Gospel is at the heart of every faith youth ministry. Both solid teaching and discipleship must be grounded in the truths of the Gospel. Salvation, sanctification, and life-long faithfulness are enabled by the Gospel. Look at these 5 results the Gospel Coalition shared of Gospel-centered youth ministries:

1. It drives students to Jesus.
2. It provides eternal perspective.
3. It teaches God’s Word.
4. It encourages missions and service.
5. It provides hope, assurance, and an understanding of identity.

Principles of a Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry

• How to Disciple Students in Your Youth Ministry – 
• 12 Tips for First-Time Youth Pastors –
• 5 Essentials for Faithful Youth Pastors – 

Cultural Issues & Apologetics in Youth Ministry

• Gender & the Bible – 
• Biblical Aspects of Masculinity –
• Social Media & Parenting (part 1) – 
• Social Media & Parenting (part 2) –
• What Does the Bible Say About Creation? – 

Godly Leadership Principles for Student Pastors

• 5 Things Joshua Teaches Us About Ministry Leadership –
• How to Leverage Your Leadership Capacity – 
• Effective Leadership in Student Ministry –
• Leadership Starts With Prayer – 
• A Good Shepherd Keeps His Sheep –

Worship in Youth Ministry

• Biblical Worship – 
• Worship in Youth Ministry –

Youth Ministry & the Local Church

• Why Do I Need the Church? – 
• The Best Thing in 34 Years of Youth Ministry – 
• Why People Think Youth Ministry is a Joke – 
• Is Ecclessiology Really Important for Youth Ministry? – 
• Navigating Conflict in Youth Ministry – 

Partnering With Parents

• Biblical Parenting Resources Hub
• Family Discipleship – 
• Family Milestones & Parent-Child Discipleship –
• Bible Study & Family Discipleship (Tips for Dads) – 

Bible Study & Prayer

• Bible Study Tips for Students – 
• Personal Discipleship –
• What Makes the Bible So Powerful for Christians – 

Expositional Bible Teaching

• Preaching the Gospel in a Postmodern World – 
• Preaching to the Heart of Your Students –
• Tailgate Theology (Sermon Prep) – 
• We Preach Christ – 
• 4 Convictions of Biblical Preaching in Youth Ministry – 
• Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth in Youth Ministry – 
• Errors to Avoid When Preaching to Students –
• How to Teach the Bible to Teens – 

Doctrine

• Who is the Devil? – 
• Can You Lose Your Salvation? – 
• Core Doctrines Your Students Need to Know – 
• The Discipline of the Lord in the Life of a Christian – 

Ministry for Girls

• Eve’s Failure & What We Can Learn From It – 
• Identity for Girls – 

Ministry for Guys

• Discipline: A Calling for Every Man – 
• Basics of Biblical Manhood – 
• A Biblical Theology of Work – 

Practical Guidance for Students

• How to Fight Doubt – 
• Christian Excellence in an Age of Systemic Mediocrity – 

Counseling

• Dealing With Tough Situations in Youth Ministry – 
• How to Help Your Students Fight Against Pornography – Beyond accountability.

Hard Questions & Practical Ministry Advice

• Hard Questions in Youth Ministry (panel discussion) –
• 9 Tought Questions for Student Pastors (panel discussion) – 
• 8 Issues Every Youth Pastor Faces (panel discussion) – 
• Keys to Effective Student Events – 

Missions & Evangelism

• Engaging Your Students in the Work of Evangelism – 
• How to Share the Gospel With Muslims – 
• Don’t Lose Heart Weary Saint – 
• The Power & Clarity of God’s Word –
• Intro to Islam – What do Muslims believe God, Jesus, and the Bible?
• Hospitality in the Middle East, Africa, and Tennessee – 

Gospel-Centered Resources for Your Teens

We host over 11,000 campers every year at our camp and conference location in North Carolina. The teenagers of today’s generation are facing large hurdles coming from every direction. Jesus and his Word offer the wisdom you need to equip your children to grow in godliness. Here are some resources designed specifically for students, that will be a helpful aid in conversation.

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Youth Ministry Books, Articles, & Bible Studies

This is a list of recommended books and biblical parenting resources from our Snowbird teachers to help encourage your habit of learning. We encourage you to read critically and evaluate every book through the lens of the Bible.

• The Things Concerning Himself – Snowbird Advent Bible Study
• 25 Advent Passages to Read with Your Family Every Christmas
• 6 Books on Expository Preaching, Teaching, and Shepherding
• Youth Ministry Goals at Capitol Hill Baptist Church – Deepak Reju wrote this simple and straightforward memo to church members about their re-launch of the student ministry vision—and he does a great job staying focused on the main things.