Middle School Ministry Podcast

Only a few days left to try the DYM Gold Membership for a month!Check it out for free for one whole month!Sunday Morning Squirrels:We don't have a lot of students show up on Easter. It's totally a culture thing with our church. They come with their whole family, go to service, and then go do something as a family. Because of this, we have "The Easter Rule" given to us by our pastor: If we know we're going to have a very small number of students, we spend exactly one hour prepping for Sunday and then do other things that week.I give you, a Sunday Morning that I spent about an hour and a half prepping for.Countdown Video:Kids Scared of the Easter BunnyGames:Peter, Cotton, TailIt's a Rock, Paper Scissors game versus the screen. Students have to choose a space in the room that has a sign labeled "Peter, Cotton, or Tail" and if they match the screen they are out! But if it lands on "Peter Cottontail", the last group to go gets back in!Easter Egg Hunt 3!I honestly didn't know there were Easter Egg Hunts 1 and 2. But this game was fun! We had students write their guess on whiteboards. The one closest got a point!The one who was most wrong got a Cascarón smashed on their head!Songs:Burn Like a StarDeath was ArrestedBible Study:Main Idea:Because Jesus is alive, we can have new life!Scripture:John 20Resources:Download Sidekick for Free!Talking Squirrels on Social:FacebookInstagramTwitterEmail

DYM has really shaped my ministry over the last six years. Going out to southern California has been a huge blessing to me and helped me become a better youth pastor.I hope you might consider checking out Download Youth Ministry, not because it's a great store with great resources, but because it's also a great community of youth pastors who seek to speak into the lives of youth workers.There's a ton of stuff you should check out on the website. But more than that, you should get into the community. It's cup filling and helpful.DYM has some fantastic games you can use with your group right now!The website also has lots of teaching resources, videos, and training.The Facebook community is well worth your time to invest, ask opinions, and get better.Plus, share this episode, get a chance to win $20 store credit! Not bad.Thanks for listening! See you next week.Mentioned on the podcast: Become a DYM Gold member for 1 month for FREE Got 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:Week two in our easter series! I had a volunteer teach for me and it was nice to sit back and listen. But I also need to get better about planning that out in advance!Want to try Sidekick and the other perks of a DYM Gold Membership?Check it out for free for one whole month!Countdown Video:Worst FriendsGames:Wheel of ChallengesGive everyone a clothespin to put on their shirt, have students pairs off and spin the sidekick wheel. They have to perform what it lands on. Winner gets the clothespin. Everyone finds a new partner, spin again. After a while, the students with the most clothespins are the winners.With 1, 2, 3:The pair picks who will be the number picker. Then both students count to 3 and then say either 1, 2, or 3. If they say the same number, the picker wins. If not, the other student wins.Name That LogoPixelated logos appear on the screen. First student to name the Logo gets a point!Songs:Good Good FatherLet It Be KnownBible Study:Main Idea:The cross is our symbol of hope.Scripture:John 18 and 19 Resources:Download Sidekick for Free! Talking Squirrels on Social:FacebookInstagramTwitterEmail

Look out helicopter parents, here come the lawn mowers!That really doesn't sound all that threatening does it...Still, we're in a new phase of parenting. Parents aren't just swooping in to fix the problems their kids are facing (helicoptering if you will), rather they are making sure their students face no difficulty whatsoever and clearing the way for them before they even get there (or, mowing down the obstacles).How do we minister to these parents AND their students? That's what I talk about in today's episode.Addressing reasonable requestsShepherding both the parents and their studentsKnowing when to say noHelping students learn to step up and take responsibilityThanks for listening! See you next week.Mentioned on the podcast: Become a DYM Gold member for 1 month for FREE Got 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:Getting ready for Easter with a new series: New Life! We broke down communion and celebrated birthdays!Want to try Sidekick and the other perks of a DYM Gold Membership?Check it out for free for one whole month!Countdown Video:AFV Amusement ParksGames:Did They Peep It?Birthday Bash - We got all March birthdays up on stage. Then we gave out party blowers and put party hats on a table. First person/team to successfully knock the hat off the table wins! We did two rounds with the winners facing off in the end.Songs:AlivePraise Before My BreakthroughBible Study:Main Idea:Communion reminds us of Jesus' sacrifice.Scripture:Luke 22:14-19Matthew 26:27-29Resources:Games and the Element of FunDYM Webshow on VolunteersBible Project - TrinitySt Patrick's Bad Analogies - CAUTION BEFORE YOU SHOW THIS TO YOUR STUDENTS!Talking Squirrels on Social:FacebookInstagramTwitterEmail

Click here to sign-up for this amazing conference!The 2019 Youth Leader Summit at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference will be an incredible three days of teaching, worship & fun. Our goals are simple: encourage, equip and refresh. Join the conversation on Facebook. Not only will you and your team get some of the most practical youth ministry training available, but you will worship, plan and play together. We intentionally under-program the summit so you can block out time with your team to plan your calendars, dream together or take a walk on the beautiful shoreline of Long Beach Island. Register for the May 22-24 ConferenceWhy should you join us?This event is designed by youth workers for youth workers. We believe this summit will be a benefit for you and your ministry, and we know that we will benefit from you and your ministry experiences. Who can join us?All youth ministry staff, leaders and spouses. How much does it cost?The cost is based on the number of people per room.$150 for one person in the room$75 for the second person$75 for the third personCheck out the website and register

I love my wife. She's a rockstar!She's also super busy and not a volunteer in my ministry. A lot of ministers have wives who support their ministry from inside it. Our relationship is different in that Bekah supports me from outside. We talk about how a spouse can support their minister partner while not being on the inside of the ministry. She's really smart and awesome. You should listen and get to know her!Bekah is a rockstar who does a lot of work out stuff. Links below!We overcommunicate at our house. Sometimes we do this better than other times.Support each other's endeavors is really important to us both, but we often need reminders of that.Ministry can totally happen without your spouse volunteering in it!Thanks for listening! See you next week.Mentioned on the podcast: Become a DYM Gold member for 1 month for FREEGold's Amp AppBekah's InstagramGot 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:A Sunday running around like crazy because of my own kids, but still an awesome Sunday. I'm really glad I've been investing in adult leaders to be around. It makes such a huge difference!Want to try Sidekick and the other perks of a DYM Gold Membership?Check it out for free for one whole month!Countdown Video:Bull Mastiff CompetesGames:LettersThe Most Common SenseShare this episode on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and I'll send this game your way! Make sure you tag Talking Squirrels so I know you shared it!Songs:Burn Like a StarGood Good FatherBible Study:Main Idea:When we doubt, we should pray for faith!Scripture:Mark 9:14-29Mini Case Study Examples:Susan's grandad is in the hospital. Her parents say he won't have very long to live if this surgery doesn't work. Susan is sad that her granddad is sick and prays that God will heal him. She also prays that, if he dies, God will help her understand His greater plan.Tom wants a dog, but his dad is allergic to pet hair. He prays that his dad won't be allergic to dogs anymore so he can finally have the dog he's always wanted.Song to Listen To:Give Me FaithResources:Youth Ministry Lab - Games and the Element of FunTalking Squirrels on Social:FacebookInstagramTwitterEmail

Cartoon pajamas. Lunch boxes for Bible covers. Stuffed animals coming on retreat.Middle school students are still kids in a lot of ways.And if your program is separated out from the high school one, then you'll notice it more than if everyone was combined.What should you do with this information? Are there things you need to consider? Here are some quick observations.How can you take advantage of middle school students still being kids?When is it a good time for potty humor?When students face grown up hurts, how can you help them cope?Who is going to be able to walk the fine line with them from kid to teen?Thanks for listening! See you next week.Mentioned on the podcast:Sunday Morning SquirrelsYouth Hacks Interview with Mark O on Creative TeachingJeff SelphBecome a DYM Gold member for 1 month for FREEGot 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:Another great Sunday with middle school students! More talking about PRAISE and learning from mini-case studies. It was a good day!Countdown Video:Kid Snippets - BreakfastGames:Pair BreakersFlorida ManSongs:Let It Be KnownGive Me FaithBible Study:Main Idea: The Good News about Jesus is worth sharing!Scripture: Jeremiah 20:7-13Mini Case Study Examples:Mary wants to tell her friends about Jesus. She’d love to invite them to church as a start. But she’s worried what they’ll say about her if she lets them know she’s a Christian. Maybe she’ll tell them next week. Maybe. Derrick’s cousins don’t go to church. He’s pretty sure it’s because their family doesn’t believe in God. He’s talked to his dad about it before. His dad says it’s because his brother, Derrick’s uncle, never really connected to Jesus. Derrick starts memorizing Bible verses he can share with his cousins the next time they hang out.Song to Listen To:Burn Like a StarResources:Fifteen Minutes with Frank: Episode 91Creative Teaching Methods with Mark O on Youth HacksTalking Squirrels on Social:FacebookInstagramTwitterEmail