A Life that Counts – 10 ready-to-use meetings
£8.99 (Approx)
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Overview
What does it say on the tin?
Stumbling on Internet porn sites. Being bullied at school. Sex. Boredom. Peer pressure. Money (or lack of it). Image. Parent trouble.’ These are just some of the issues and baggage your average teenager brings with them to youth group. How can you begin to help them deal with it all?
How can you help them meet God through it all, and build a life that counts? Steve Adams has collected, tried and tested ten creative and imaginative meeting outlines that do just that. These Youthwork ready-to-use meeting guides come complete with games, activities, discussion starters, time estimates, bible passages and a CD-ROM with photocopiable worksheets.’
What do you get and how?
The resource is a 49-page book with a CD-ROM containing a pdf of worksheets to print off and hand out. There are 10 sessions covering life after a big Christian event, boredom, creativity, debt, escapism, guidance, internet porn, relationships, sex, and violence. Each session is estimated to last between 60-85 minutes.
Available from Authentic Media.
Who is it for?
The cover says the book is for 11-16 year olds although the introduction says it is for 13-18 year olds. The reality is that different sessions are more suitable to different ages, perhaps 13-16 being the ideal target age. It is aimed at Christian young people who want to live out their faith practically and to think through how their faith impacts their daily decisions.
Cost?
£8.99
Review
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What is the overall quality of material presentation?
This is a well thought out resource and is very easy to understand and to use. It uses the familiar style of ‘ready-to-use meeting guides' that have been a regular feature in the Youthwork magazine for many years. All the sessions have appeared previously in this magazine.
How clear are its aims and outcomes?
Each session stands on its own but can be run as a series of 10 sessions. The overall purpose is to help young people explore some key issues and apply their faith to their daily experiences. Each session starts with a short explanation of its aims and objectives.
How accessible are the leader's notes?
The notes are simple to follow and make clear any preparation that needs to be done for each session.
Who could lead it?
This can be led by anyone who wants to invest in young people and help them explore how faith can affect daily lifestyle choices.
How helpful are the participants' resources?
The resource comes with a CD-ROM which has a pdf document of one handout for each of the 10 sessions. These are simple in design, lacking in graphics but this does mean that the handouts will date more slowly.
How good is any digital material?
The CD-ROM is basic and just includes a pdf document of all the handouts and a copy of Adobe Reader, which is required to access the handouts.
How much prep will I have to do?
Very little. The sessions are designed to be used ‘as is'. The leader will need to spend some time aquainting themselves with each session and there are some materials which need to be gathered, including the odd video clip.
Is there website support? Links?
No
Is it dated?
No
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How well does it encourage interaction with the group?
The sessions expect group participation and discussion throughout.
How well does it cater for a variety of both learning and delivery styles?
The sessions are varied and have a good pace. They explore the issues from various angles so that most people will be able to connect with them.
How adaptable is it to my situation?
The sessions are adaptable, depending on the leader's experience, but will work fine straight from the book.
How well does it encourage people to work together in applying the material?
There is an expectation of exploring together throughout.
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How much of the material is Bible-based?
Every session is based around a Bible passage or passages. They explore contemporary issues from a biblical perspective.
How well is the biblical material presented and used?
The material is relevant and well connected to the topics. The material is easy to use and will help the young people understand it.
How well does it apply biblical material to everyday life?
The biblical material is presented in the context of everyday issues so applies well.
Is there a particular theological perspective?
The sessions are mainstream biblical teaching.
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How well does it inspire people towards whole-life discipleship?
The sessions help young people to realise that God can impact every area of life and so will help them to grow in their discipleship.
How well does it encourage and enable people to grow in their faith?
The young people will grow in their faith as they discover how much God is interested in them. The session on guidance is particularly helpful in equipping them with skills to seek God for direction in their lives.
How well does it stretch faith and vision of God and his purposes?
The sessions are issue based but stretch the participants' faith by seeing God in everything.
How well does it connect with real life issues?
This is what it is designed to do and the authors achieve this goal well.
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How well does it encourage personal evangelism?
This is not a topic expressly covered in this book.
How well does it encourage local or network-based community involvement?
The sessions encourage discussion and mutual support within the group, and occasionally, outside also.
How well does it connect with global issues?
The issues covered will equip the young people to be better at living for God in the world they live in.
How well does it encourage global mission?
This is not an area given specific focus.