Middle School Ministry Podcast

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

The Heart Attack Rule!What would you do if you were suddenly taken out of your ministry? What would your leaders and ministry do if you were suddenly taken out?An emergency will come your way at some point. Be it family, medical, accident or other, something will happen when you'll need to bail out.Quickly.Like I had to do a few weeks ago. Listen to hear what happened and what I did. Then download my "Heart Attack Document" to start thinking about what you might do in that situation.Who could replace you in a heartbeat?How are you training leaders right now to operate without you?What are the important tasks you take on from week to week?How can you give away leadership NOW to make the Heart Attack experience less of a hit?You know what makes doing this worthwhile? Hearing that it's helpful to you guys and gals! Let me know how you like the podcast below!Mentioned on the podcast:Share the New Sunday Morning Squirrels Recap ShowJosh Griffin's Worship Lesson on DYMThe Heart Attack DocumentGot 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 quick breakdown of our middle school ministry service. I hope it's helpful for you!Games:Mix and MeetWhere's the Ball?Songs:Good Good FatherBurn Like a StarBible Study:Main Idea: God is faithful, even when our life is hard.Scripture: Psalm 117:1-2Mini Case Study Examples:Chad’s dad lost his job. His mom still works, but they have a lot less money for fun stuff like eating out and buying video games. Chad is getting tired of eating at home and is sad he can’t go to his friends birthday because they can’t afford the tickets to the theme park. Last night he prayed and thanked God that they have food to eat and a roof over their heads.Jill wants to be really popular on Instagram. She posts two to three times a day and always makes sure she puts a bible verse in her story and on her feed. She’s still not getting a ton of likes, however, and wonders if God really cares that this is making her feel lonely.Song to Listen:Praise Before My BreakthroughResources:More than Dodgeball: Episode 2Creative Teaching Methods with Mark O on Youth HacksTalking Squirrels on Social:FacebookInstagramTwitterEmail

One Month Trial of Download Youth Ministry Gold MembershipAre you swamped for time in your ministry?Do you wish your church would pay for you to have an intern?What if you could get back hours of preparation and planning in your week?That's what the DYM Gold Membership is all about!If you've ever used any of the Download Youth Ministry resources, you already know they offer trench-tested youth ministry products that are designed to help you and save you time!The Gold Membership is a game changer!Try for 1 Free Month!DYM Gold Members save 35% on already affordable DYM Store prices--EVERY DAY. But that’s not all! Free trial Members also receive $5 in DYM Store Credit to spend on any of the thousands of resources available at downloadyouthministry.com! DYM Members also have unlimited access to DYM Apps designed specifically to help you win with students, parents, and leaders: Sidekick™, DYM Newsletter Builder™, and DYM Leader Training Library™.What are you waiting for?I use the Gold Membership and it helps me minister to my middle school students better.If you want to see what it's like, click the link and try it out for free!Time-saving, game-changing, fantastic resources!See you next week!

I met Jeff Selph at the DYM 100 three years ago. We sat and talked because we were at a trampoline place and A) I had just gotten out of my cast for my broken leg, so jumping wasn't really the best for me and B) Jeff used to be a bigger dude, so jumping wasn't really the best for him.That friendship has been really good for me (and for him I hope!) the last few years. He came to speak at our middle school retreat and these are some thoughts we had after things had wrapped up.Bonus points for a cute girl voice towards the end.Speaking to all middle schoolers versus a "normal" youth groupUsing sarcasm, but sparinglyTaking leadership principles from smaller churches and scaling them up, rather than the other way aroundSpending time with the difficult kids, rather than the best and the brightestThanks Jeff! You're a rockstar and my kids loved hearing from you!Mentioned on the podcast:Go find Jeff on Social Media. He's a cool dude.InstagramTwitterGot a middle school ministry question?Email talkingsquirrelspodcast@gmail.comNeed student ministry resources?Check out www.downloadyouthministry.com.It's how Jeff and I met and it'll save you a ton of time during the week.Social Media:InstagramTwitterFacebook

Sometimes students are at youth group, but they have no interest in BEING there.That may look like sitting off in a corner by themselves.Or maybe it looks like crocodile tears.I've seen both.What do you do when you have a student who would rather be ANYWHERE else than your program? Well, I've got some thoughts, but I'd love to hear your suggests as well! Scroll down to find my email. Shoot me a message. I'd love to hear from you!Train your students and your leaders to look for the lonersBe ok when a student doesn't want to fully participateEncouraging versus demanding participationKnow when it's time to call and have them picked upYou know what makes doing this worthwhile? Hearing that it's helpful to you guys and gals! Let me know how you like the podcast below!Mentioned on the podcast:Write a Review Please!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

This middle school pastor struggles with pride.I want to be upfront, be seen, and be an important part of the church body.But pride can really do damage to a ministry, a church, and the people who go there.In this episode, I talk about how I fight my pride and offer some suggestions on how you can too.God doesn't need us. He uses us anyways.Someday somebody will take over for you and the church will be just fine.Remembering the unnamed faithful in the Bible.We can do great harm from a point of pride than from a point of humility.Thanks guys and gals, you're fantastic listeners!Mentioned on the podcast:Write a Review Please! It's for my pride ;-)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