What Should Impact Your Content

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype of buying the next big curriculum package.  Promises of better content with incredible quality tell us, “Students will love this!”  While that’s true for some it’s not for all.

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Packaging is only one factor when it comes to your content.  You need to know what impacts your content because it will impact the outcome.  Before you decide what content to purchase make sure you know:

YOUR AUDIENCE

In youth ministry you are trying to reach teens; however, you need to get more specific.  Certain topics, analogies and examples will fall short if they are not relevant to your demographic and culture.

Get to know your audience by understanding:

• What takes up their time

• What takes up their money

• What owns their attention

Get to know their families and schools.  Understand the identity of your community and you’ll know what content will work.

YOUR STRUCTURE

Not every youth ministry needs to look or function in the same way.  Some content is only designed for certain paradigms.  You need to answer the question:

“What does my ministry look like?”

In other words:

• What components affect your ministry?

• Do you have small groups?

• If there is a large group program is it interactive?  

• Are teens sitting in circles, at tables or in rows?  

When you understand the structure of your group then you’ll know what you can use and how to use it.

YOUR VOICE

Youth ministry is like storytelling.  Not only are you sharing the story of Christ but your own.  Even if your content is outsourced it should have a piece of your voice.

To make your ministry personal it should include the voices of the people who are a part of it.  Look at equipping and training other adults (and even teens) to speak Truth into the lives of the teens.

Have teens participate in drama, testimonies or a creative element that gives your ministry personality.  It will attract both teens inside and outside your church.

YOUR LIMITATIONS

If your budget and space were infinite then so would your ability to reach teens.  Unfortunately, there is only so much you can and cannot do.  Instead of pushing against the limitations, embrace them.

• Outsource curriculum if you do not have time. (More on outsourcing HERE)

• If money is tight borrow from other youth ministers.

• If there is a lack of volunteer support simplify what it is you want to do.

Quality isn’t always linked to quantity.  It’s trusting that God has given you everything you need to reach teens and share the Good News.

What you teach is important.  How you teach it is just as important.  Make sure you are taking into consideration what impacts the quality of your content.  When Truth is delivered effectively it will take your ministry to a new level.