Forged In Faith

You just finished a fun, well-planned activity. The youth were engaged. They laughed, worked together, maybe even sweated a little. Then someone says, “Alright, that’s it for tonight!” and everyone heads for the door. Opportunity lost. Why? Because the real growth often happens after the activity—when you pause to ask, “What did that mean?” That’s…

You planned the activity. You sent the text reminders. Everyone shows up. And then… about ten minutes in, the energy dips. A few teens lose interest. Some drift to the edges. Others ask when it ends. What went wrong? Chances are, your activity lacked structure. Teenagers (even the hyper ones) thrive on purpose and momentum.…

Have you ever looked around a youth activity and seen: That’s not apathy. That’s a signal. And most of the time, it means the activity isn’t connecting. Why do youth check out? The fix? Don’t plan activities to keep them busy. Plan activities that mean something. Example: When youth are part of a bigger purpose,…

Games aren’t bad. But games without purpose? That’s a missed opportunity. We’ve all seen it: An activity night filled with meaningless competition, mindless running around, or chaotic energy that ends in sugar and a rushed spiritual thought. Everyone’s tired… but no one’s changed. The first question to ask is: Why are we doing this? If…

Basketball. It’s the go-to activity in church gyms across the country. Easy to set up, familiar, and “guaranteed fun,” right? Not so fast. While sports like basketball or soccer can have their place, they’re often defaulted to without intention, and that’s where problems begin. Here’s why it might not be the best choice: 1. It…

It’s become a tradition in many youth programs: cookies after class, candy for participation, a treat table to keep things “fun.” But what if that well-meaning bowl of Skittles is doing more harm than good? This isn’t about health (though we could talk about that too). This is about purpose. 🎯 What Are We Rewarding?…

We often confuse these two words: You can entertain someone with a TikTok. You engage them with a calling, a challenge, or a purpose. In youth activities, the difference matters. Because entertained youth leave empty. Engaged youth leave changed. When you plan an activity, ask yourself: Entertainment might fill a room. Engagement fills souls. What…

There’s a quiet myth that’s crept into many youth programs: that activities need to be fun, light, and entertaining—or teens won’t come. It’s false. And worse, it’s short-changing our youth. Because here’s the truth: youth aren’t showing up for a party. Deep down, they’re looking for identity, connection, and purpose. They’re hungry for truth, challenge,…