A deep understanding of their baptismal faith is critical for youth in today’s changing world. Jesus’ death and resurrection must be central as teens experience new learning, expanding freedom, struggle and doubt. Healthy youth ministry instills in youth the desire to understand and study God’s living Word. Personal and group Bible study helps provide a lens through which to process and understand the huge amount of information to process each day. Youth ministry should encourage teens to prioritize regular worship, Scripture reading, prayer, and receiving the Lord’s Supper faithfully. God uses His Means of Grace to equip youth to faithfully live in busy and confusing times. The Youth Ministry Teaching End Goals are designed to move youth from Confirmation towards a deep understanding of their faith which will guide them as lifelong learners. The Teaching End Goals are not comprehensive, nor do they seek to limit what youth should learn in youth ministry. They are a solid starting point for setting a deep foundation for youth to apply God’s Word to the ever-increasing complex baptized life.

For You

  • How can you model regular Scripture reading, worship, and prayer for teens in your life?
  • How can you help remind teens of their baptismal identity?

For Youth Ministry Leadership

  • How does your youth ministry build on what is taught in the Confirmation process?
  • How does youth ministry empower teens to be self-directed learners and resource teens to bring faith into everyday life?
  • Look at the Youth Ministry Teaching End Goals provided in this magazine. Which of these areas do you teach well? Which could use additional focus?

For Congregational Leadership

  • Does your congregation have a comprehensive educational plan and goals for young people from Baptism to graduation from high school? How often do you review such a plan?
  • Do you resource parents and other youth ministry leaders to communicate God’s truths to young people? Do you train parents and others to access additional resources when immediate answers to questions may be unknown?
  • How does your congregation record a teen’s worship attendance? How do you follow up with teens who haven’t been in worship?