Middle School Ministry Podcast

Life means that sometimes sad stuff is going to happen. This week Ronald and Michelle talk about some recent tragedies they have both faced, how they've handled them with their students, and how modeling mourning is good for the students we all spend time with.Do you try to hide when your sad or share with your students?How can you model mourning for your middle school group?Who has experienced loss recently in your group? Have you checked in on them?When do you let others around you know about your loss?Mentioned on the podcast: Grieving a Friend - One-off talk on griefDYM Community Facebook GroupGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

Sunday Morning Squirrels:I've been sick the last few days. This morning I took cough medicine to help me get through the day. Turns out, it was NOT non-drowsy. I've been loopy all morning and gave what I think was my best middle school talk yet. I don't think these things are related, but they might be.Oh well!Another day in middle school ministry!Countdown Video:Vintage Jesus 04The last vintage Jesus video (that I'm area of!) was played this week. It's a little slow, but my students still got it. I'm hoping we can have some inside jokes with these lines. "What in the name of ME is going on in here?" is still my favorite.Games:Two of a KindInstead of a competition all play game, this week we just did a mixer. I honestly loved this one because students kept finding new pairs of people to do the easy task with! A great game to get students together with new people!Total RecallThis game was tough! It worked out for us though, because we brought up all of our January birthday students to play, so there were a lot on stage. I recommend this game, but make sure to give students a point for each of the three questions they get right for each video. Points are free so give them out!Songs:Burn like a StarCornerstoneBible Study:This was the last week of "TWELVE", our study on the disciples of Jesus. This week we looked at when the disciples argued about being the best in the Kingdom. Jesus rebuked them (like multiple times, as we showed in our study) and told them that in order to lead, they must serve! We then told students to focus on using their desires to live for God!Main Idea:Following Jesus means making His desires ours!Scripture:Matthew 20:21-28Mark 9:33-34Matthew 16:24-26Resources:One month free Sidekick and DYM Gold Member Access: Click here!

Sunday Morning Squirrels:Now we find a rythym! With two weeks under our belt, it's beginning to feel like a good time to get back to ministry! I love these students and the challenge they give us each week!Countdown Video:Vintage Jesus 02Since we're talking about Jesus, we wanted to show some misconceptions about Jesus. This was the second video we showed and it was hilarious. These videos are old, but they hold up!Games:ArrowsDo you REALLY want your crew to get stumped? Have them play this brainy Arrow game! It's a really thought cruncher. We played as a large group with arrows printed off and put on the walls so people could choose their answer. Those who survived came up to play...Finger PantsThis was a funny game, forcing students to think about simple objects with a different name. It went really well!Songs:Death was ArrestedGive Me FaithBible Study:This was the second week of a series called "Twelve" which focuses on Jesus calling some of His disciples. This time we looked at Matthew (or Levi's) calling out of being a tax collector and into the life of a disciple of Jesus! When he decided to follow Jesus, he threw a party for his very worldly friends, and the Pharisees had a problem with that. How do we react when someone who doesn't look/act/think like us turns to Christ?Main Idea:Rejoice when sinners turn to Jesus!Scripture:Luke 5:27-32Resources:One month free Sidekick and DYM Gold Member Access: Click here!

Hello 2020! I've already written you down wrong every day of this new decade...Michelle and Ronald talk about the big things they are getting ready for in 2020 and what it means for their ministry to middle school students! From teaching series to the next big trip, Spring is here and so are the students! Let's go!How far in advance do you begin signing up for your next big retreat?Who needs to know what series are coming up and when they'll be?What is your overall theme for the Spring? Is it important to have one?What big meetings/seminars/parent support events do you have coming up?Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Community Facebook GroupGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

Just kidding. There aren't many hot takes. But Michelle and Ronald talk about what they're doing during their break over the Christmas and New Year holiday!What do you do with any natural breaks from "normal" programming?How far do you try to plan ahead?What helps you choose what to talk about in youth group?Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Community Facebook GroupGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

Sunday Morning Squirrels:Woohoo! Taking a break is nice, but getting back into the swing of things is great! I'm glad we're back into the rhythm of Sunday mornings! We're starting off 2020 with a new series and some new ideas! Can't wait to share them with you! Countdown Video:Vintage Jesus 01Since we're talking about Jesus, we wanted to show some misconceptions about Jesus. These videos are old, but they hold up!Games:1 Arm, 2 Arm, NoneThis is an easy game to make in Sidekick, a great tool from DYM. Students either put up one arm, two arms, or none. The screen chooses one of those options and if they match the screen, they are out! Once we got down to two students, we played...This Plus This Equals ThisThis was a really creative game we had students play with whiteboards up on stage. It's fun to learn what your students THINK they know!Songs:Burn Like a StarGood Good FatherBible Study:This was the first week of a new series called "Twelve" which is Jesus calling some of His disciples. This week we focused on Nathaniel. It was a great lesson challenging students to see Jesus correctly so that we will see others, life events, and ourselves correctly too!Main Idea:When I see Jesus right, I'll see everything right too!Scripture:John 1:43-51Resources:One month free Sidekick and DYM Gold Member Access: Click here!

Good-bye Christmas and 2019!Happy New Year!From Michelle and Ronald, we want to wish you a blessed 2020 as you continue to minister to middle school students and show them the love of Jesus!

Merry Christmas everybody!From Michelle and Ronald, we hope you have a wonderful Christmas and remember that in the middle of all of the chaos of ministering to Junior High and Middle School students, you would enjoy that God has given you this wonderful job to these wonderful pre-teens.Merry Christmas!

Sunday Morning Squirrels:We didn't meet today! What a weird feeling. But it really helps our students, our parents, and our volunteers get a break. Oh. And me too. Do you take any kind of break over the holidays for your program? Reach out and let us know!

The BEST gathering for youth ministry workers all year long. Michelle got to go. Ronald didn't. So to cure his FOMO, they talk about all of her experiences.Stick with ministry. Don't give up. Stay the course!Get to know youth ministers and make relationships so conference feel like reunions!Learn everything you can. Even from people who don't think like you.Women rock at ministry.Mentioned on the podcast: DYM Community Facebook GroupGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.comDo you listen to the Podcast? Consider leaving a review of the podcast!Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook