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Jen Bradbury on Youth Ministry
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Jen Bradbury
Dec 17 · 5 min read

How to brainstorm with teens

Over the Christmas holiday, I've got an entire day blocked out in my schedule in order to figure out our ministry's spring calendar. The dates of our major events (like retreats) were announced months ago, but things like trip meetings and events...

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#service projects #social events #youth ministry management #student leadership #graduating seniors #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Dec 16 · 5 min read

Stuff You Can Use: Noah Discussion Part 2

N Oah

This fall, my high school youth ministry watched and discussed clips from the movie, "Noah". Despite the fact that this movie angered plenty of Christians, I found it invaluable for sparking conversation about a story that we oftentimes ...

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#Stuff You Can Use #discussion #movies #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Dec 15 · 5 min read

The beauty of book clubs

About four years ago, my student leaders suggested our youth ministry begin hosting book clubs. They wanted a time outside of our regular youth ministry gatherings to come together and discuss interesting books.

As someone who loves to read, I...

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#refugee #discussion #Leaders #student leadership #youth ministry #books #faith formation

Jen Bradbury
Dec 12 · 5 min read

Review: Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt

Filed in Book Review and Book Review

Packing Light

As someone who both loves to travel and to write, I was excited to read Allison Vesterfelt's Packing Light: Thoughts on living life with less baggage.

Despite taking me a while to get into, I ended up thoroughly enjoying this book. In it,...

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#books #travel #identity #vocation #Jesus gap #writing #brave

Jen Bradbury
Dec 11 · 5 min read

The 1st question you should ask in small groups

On Sunday mornings, we utilize small group discussions as part of our large group teaching in our high school ministry.

Currently, we're in the midst of a series called “Jesus' Family Tree”. It's our way of talking about the characters in the...

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#small group #Advent #discussion #pregnancy #Jesus #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Dec 10 · 5 min read

What constitutes a good question?

Small groups are only as good as the questions asked in them. If that's the case, then what exactly constitutes a good question?

Good questions...

1. Are open-ended. They cannot be answered with yes or no. This is important because when given the...

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#small group #discussion #Leaders #youth ministry #faith formation

Jen Bradbury
Dec 09 · 5 min read

The key to leading a good small group discussion

As a youth worker, I've attended and led my fair share of small group Bible studies. Some have been really good and others have simply tanked.  More often than not, the ones that have tanked are the ones in which the leader fails to ask...

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#small group #discussion #scripture #introvert #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Dec 08 · 5 min read

5 things youth ministries can learn about mission trips from WestJet

Until last year, I'd never heard of WestJet. Then, on a vacation to Canada, we had an enjoyable experience flying WestJet. Six months later, I, along with millions of others, was captivated by WestJet's Christmas miracle video. This video featured...

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#justice #travel #Missions #youth ministry

Jen Bradbury
Dec 05 · 5 min read

Babies, Mobiles, and Hope

While in Rwanda for our international missions trip, we went shopping at an artisans' market.

While there, I couldn't take my eyes off the crib mobiles.

Eventually I confessed as much to my husband. He assured me that even though we did not yet...

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#Rwanda #miscarriage #hope #Jesus #Jesus gap #Prayer #pregnancy

Jen Bradbury
Dec 03 · 5 min read

4 Reasons to Take Sunday Off

In a recent meeting, my senior pastor reminded our staff that the church is supposed to be countercultural. One way we can be countercultural is by helping people slow down and linger.

One way to do that, in turn, especially in a youth ministry...

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#Sabbath #burnout #youth ministry

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Latest Posts

  • How to brainstorm with teens
  • Stuff You Can Use: Noah Discussion Part 2
  • The beauty of book clubs
  • Review: Packing Light by Allison Vesterfelt
  • The 1st question you should ask in small groups
  • What constitutes a good question?
  • The key to leading a good small group discussion
  • 5 things youth ministries can learn about mission trips from WestJet
  • Babies, Mobiles, and Hope
  • 4 Reasons to Take Sunday Off

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