Resources

As a part of a series that draws connections between Growing Young and Seven Practices, we look at how Growing Young's Empathy Today connects to 7 Practices Warmth, Challenge and Grace and Engaged Parents

It is no secret that young people today are anxious. One out of three teens wrestles with anxiety to some extent, a statistic that has increased significantly in the last decade. This conversation starter is designed to help youth leaders open up a conversation about anxiety and how our faith and our faithful community can support and show God's love to those who may be struggling.

Many teens spend time interacting with friends over the internet, and that can lead to feeling nervous our unsure about face to face interactions. In the same way, they may not feel like youth ministry is a place where they can be honest and share their thoughts and feelings. This activity helps you to practice having healthy discussions about their lives and feelings within the Christian community that can offer both Law and Gospel with a sense of warmth, challenge, and grace.

In each of this five-part Bible study series on play, participants will grow in God’s Word around the topic of play and gain a foundation for how God views play. Participants and leaders will also identify the essence of play and develop a stronger sense of their own unique needs and experiences associated with play and connecting with God through play.

Empathy isn’t often something the digital landscape often offers. As young people spend more and more time on technology, this can be an important space for them to learn to both share the Gospel and show compassion. Here are three ways your Youth Ministry can help develop empathy for others as they share the love of Jesus.