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positive youth development
By jesusismyhashtag June 23, 2019June 26, 2019 Understanding Youth Development

Positive Youth Development & Youth Ministry

What exactly is positive youth development?  And, why exactly does it matter when working with young people?  What do young people need to be successful throughout their adolescent years?  How do we help young people acquire the skills necessary to transition to adulthood? It’s hard to believe, but almost 23 years ago I

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Meet Deb

Hi. I'm Deb Schroeder. Click my Start Here link to find out who I am and why I felt led to create Jesusismyhashtag.com!

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Encouraging volunteers in youth ministry, moms of tween and teen girls, and young women. #speaker #hopewriters #youthministry #followerofjesus

Instagram post 2198052400341608468_13068375640 Every time I read this verse it is a reminder (sometimes gentle and other times rather convicting) where my 1st focus truly should be. 
Today I will be praying that our young people's hearts are given to Jesus and that they have the strength to do that daily, hourly, minute by minute.  And, I will also be praying that for myself and for you.

#jesusismyhahstag #4Hisglory #positiveyouthdevelopment #youthministry #youthmin #youthnministryvolunteers #momsoftweensandteens #Godfirst
Instagram post 2196929696210315800_13068375640 Flannels, Flapjacks and a reindeer! @sunnybrook_wired
Instagram post 2191824907612867112_13068375640 #citywidechristmas @sunnybrook_wired @sunnybrook_thebranch @sunnybrookcc
Instagram post 2190851793021072136_13068375640 In youth ministry we have the opportunity to see young people at their best and also at their worst. 
As a youth ministry volunteer, we have to lead with grace.  That doesn't mean we excuse poor behavior, quite the opposite.  We gently remind youth of our expectations, our desires for them to be the best version of themselves, and their abilities to change their behaviors and attitudes.  And, then we give them grace.  We give them a fresh start.

The truth in youth ministry...sometimes they need grace weekly, daily, or even hourly.  And, if we are being honest with ourselves, as adults we sometimes need that too.  When we connect our own need for grace while we serve youth, it truly makes it easier to offer the same.

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #positiveyouthdevelopment #youthministry #youthmin #youthministryvolunteers #givethemgrace
Instagram post 2190851792594438327_13068375640 In youth ministry we have the opportunity to see young people at their best and also at their worst. 
As a youth ministry volunteer, we have to lead with grace. That doesn't mean we excuse poor behavior, quite the opposite. We gently remind youth of our expectations, our desires for them to be the best version of themselves, and their abilities to change their behaviors and attitudes. And, then we give them grace. We give them a fresh start.
The truth in youth ministry...sometimes they need grace weekly, daily, or even hourly. And, if we are being honest with ourselves, as adults we sometimes need that too. When we connect our own need for grace while we serve youth, it truly makes it easier to offer the same.  #jesusismyhashtag #4hisglory #positiveyourhdevelopment #youthministry #youthministryvolunteers #youthmin #givethemgrace
Instagram post 2186502777336564294_13068375640 My favorite part of this verse is the 3 words...guard your heart.  What we see, hear and do affects our heart.  Whom we choose to surround ourselves with also impacts us.  With quite a few, okay a lot, more years of life experiences than youth, I know what it means to guard my heart. 
When we talk with young people about guarding their hearts, it is not enough to simply share Proverbs 4:23 with youth because it doesn't tell them how to do that.  We must also share verses 24-27. 
Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.  Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.  Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  Do not turn to the right or left; keep your foot from evil.  Proverbs 4:24-27

It is in these latter verses, that the discussion will open up.  It is where young people will be challenged as they look at themselves and their own behaviors.  And, if we are honest with ourselves, it is also where we are challenged as adults.  Remember to tell young people that you too are a work in progress and have to guard your heart daily as well.  They don't need us to be perfect, just real.

#Jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #youthministry #youthministryvolunteers #positiveyouthdevelopment #momoftweensandteens #scripture
Instagram post 2185310662103658914_13068375640 This week, Thanksgiving week, has me thinking.  I am so incredibly thankful for my relationship with the Lord.  It needs more attention and more intimacy.  But, I cannot imagine my life without God.  And, I am thankful I do not have to. 
Several bible verses have carried me through different seasons of my life.  This made me ask myself:  What bible verse would I want to place on a young person's heart?  What would I want them to commit to memory so they can recite it when the enemy whispers otherwise?

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #youthministryvolunteers #youthministry #positiveyouthdevelopment #scripture
Instagram post 2181843916637971966_13068375640 Ninety minutes.  Fourteen 6th grade girls.  Two wagons.  And, two leaders. 
Tonight our church youth groups participated in different service projects throughout the city.

When we brainstormed several weeks ago what our service project would be, it was amazing to see the heart our group of girls had and how they desperately wanted to make an impact.  They wanted to do something active.  They wanted to leave the church to serve.  And they wanted what they did to really matter. 
We walked several blocks collecting canned goods for the Gospel Mission.  Currently, their food pantry is extremely low and there is growing need.  I was so proud of the girls as they spoke clearly and passionately to the houses they visited.  They were gracious and were thrilled with any and all donations they received. 
Tonight,  I was reminded that if we want young people to really connect with Jesus and to know what it means to be like Him, we need to engage them in meaningful service.  They need the opportunity to serve, love like Jesus did, and grow in faith. 
Thank you Jesus for showing me the hearts of these beautiful girls!  And, thank you for entrusting them into my care. 
#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #positiveyouthdevelopment #servingothers #youthminsitry #youthministryvolunteers #youthmin #foodpantry #valuingyouth #youthcanmakeanimpact #handsandfeetofjesus
Instagram post 2172636451607378012_13068375640 Teaching young people to be themselves and who they are actually starts with us--the adult. 
As a youth ministry volunteer, leader, coach, etc. young people are looking at us and watching us. They can figure out pretty quickly if we are being authentic, being ourselves.  #jesusismyhashtag #4hisglory #youthministry #youthministryvolunteer #positiveyouthdevelopment
Instagram post 2171957863576872875_13068375640 Our young people are trying to figure out who they are and who they will become. They are faced with challenges in terms of who the world tells them they are.
In the youth ministry field, we spend countless hours praying young people find their identity in the Lord, not the world.

Teaching young people the truth that we have to make God greater, most important, first in our lives can be hard. After all, youth often look to us to see if we are living that same truth. What's more, we are teaching them that as we become less we are allowing God the spotlight, the glory.

Can you imagine how confusing that has to be for a young person who is still figuring out their identity and often times desperate to be seen in these preteen and teen years.

Do you remember what it was like when you were a tween/teen? Were you confident in your identity? Did you want to be recognized and be given words of praise? Did you see out affirmation in who you were?

As we work with young people, each interaction is an opportunity to show God by how we speak, listen, encourage and guide.

Pray with me today that our young people learn what it means to make God more and ourselves less.

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #youthmin #youthministry #youthministryvolunteers #positiveyouthdeveloipment #identityinChrist
Instagram post 2171227681873259005_13068375640 Oh Wednesday I am so glad you are here!  You see, Wednesday means Wired!  And Wired means I get to serve with our middle school ministry at church.  I have the most amazing co-leader and a great group of 6th grade girls. 
This excitement and joy on Wednesday nights is a gentle reminder that God called me to serve young people.  To be honest, sometimes serving youth is hard.  Getting young people to open up, to be real, to focus on God and the Word, and to disconnect from the world can be challenging. 
But, I look at it this way...young people need caring adults who are willing to show up.  Youth don't need us to be perfect.  They don't need us to have all the answers.  They just need us to love them.  And, that is something I can do as a follower of Christ...LOVE!

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #wiredforGod #youthmin #youthministryvolunteers #youthpastor #positiveyouthdevelopment #youthministry #wednesdaynightchurch #calledtoserve
Instagram post 2170431049737057551_13068375640 This past summer, my family and I vacationed in the Black Hills.  One of my favorite places we went was Art Alley in Rapid City.  Sounds kinda strange that of all the things we did, this was a favorite of mine.  But I couldn't wait to see it because it took me back to when I worked with youth in corrections back in Texas.  You see, they were some of the most talented artists.  And, the artwork in Art Alley reminded me of this simple truth: young people need a place to express themselves.

Maybe that place is in their own home with their family.  Maybe it is at school in a club.  Maybe it is with their friends.  Maybe it is at youth group.  Wherever that place is, young people need to feel safe so they can share their own thoughts, ideas and God's gifts. 
When I walked through Art Alley, it told stories that I would never know.  But, it reminded me that all people..including young people..have a story to tell and need a place to do that.  Be that person, be that place.

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #art #artalley #positiveyouthdevelopment #youthministry #youthmin #youthministryvolunteers #youthpastor #youngpeoplerock #advancingyouthdevelopment #momsoftweensandteens
Instagram post 2169788771427394932_13068375640 This sums up our role in youth ministry perfectly.  We are called to this mission field to help the young people in our lives fill their hearts with Christ.  Our mission is to bring the message of the Lord to them.  And, when our young people have chosen that, we walk along side them as they allow Jesus into all they say and do. 
#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #remodelingourlives #youthmin #youthministry #youthministryvolunteers #positiveyouthdevelopment #advancingyouthdevelopment #momsoftweensandteens
Instagram post 2167005381983958054_13068375640 Today I helped pass out candy to the middle school students at lunch.  They got so excited about getting one piece of candy.  It reminded me of a simple truth about young people:  they are growing up, but they still want to be a kid at times.

This year may be my tween's last year trick-or-treating.  I can't help it, but sometimes I still see my kids little like this in my heart.  I have such good memories of nights like this one.

That said, if a tween or teen shows up at your door to trick-or-treat, give them candy and a smile.  Remember, a part of them still wants to be a kid.  Let's not take that from them.

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #positiveyouthdevelopment #momsoftweensandteens #youthmin #youthministryvolunteers #youthministry
Instagram post 2161337774396671477_13068375640 This post will be a little different than what I normally post in this community.  But, here goes... Today is my first birthday I am celebrating without my dad.  It hid me hard today how much I miss him.  I miss his voice and his laugh.  I miss him teasing me as he wished me a happy birthday.  And, I miss our profession of "I love you" when we would get off the phone or leave each other. 
Tonight I am going to spend the evening with my youth group.  As I thought about that this afternoon, I realized there really isn't a better way to honor my dad.  You see, he loved seeing young people follow Jesus.  He loved connecting with youth.  He loved serving.

And, that is exactly what I am going to do.  I am going to be serving God's children tonight.  There is no better way to celebrate my birthday than to be serving!  Thank you, sweet Jesus.

Isn't it amazing how when we follow God, our focus is truly on Him and not on ourselves!?! #jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #youthmin #youthministry #youthministryvolunteers #youthdevelopment #servingothers #momsoftweensandteens
Instagram post 2160466403102969004_13068375640 Last week we did an activity in our middle school youth group that let them identify events/things in their life. Then they identified them as positive or hard/sad.  They also identified how God showed up and was with them or grew them. They could also be honest and share that they didn’t feel God’s presence. 
Here’s the reality....what I saw on these sheets made me ache for the girls in my group. Some things they have faced or are facing was similar to my experience in middle school. Yet those things that were similar seemed larger because information and social media is ever present in our young people’s lives. And then there were things listed that were not similar from my experience. 
So please join me in praying for our youth. Pray that they know truth is from God. Pray that they have caring parents and adults in their lives that carry them through rough times and celebrate joy with them. Pray God sends friends...real friends grounded in a shared faith.  Pray that they feel God’s presence.  May God restore their soul. 
#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglort #youthmin #youthministry #positiveyouthdevelopment #youthministryvolunteers #momsoftweensandteens #prayingforyouth #prayingforyoungpeople
Instagram post 2159358566074361919_13068375640 This is my reality and I cannot help but imagine it is the reality of many families out there.  We are very busy in certain seasons of life.  It's during these times I know I feel overwhelmed, tired and ready to breathe.  While God has traveled with me throughout the busy times, I still long for quiet and a slow pace to really refocus my thoughts, my heart and my energy. 
It's funny, but as we enter November, we are nearing Winter.  Winter is so often associated with death, but, for me, in many ways that means life.  It means time and being refreshed and revived. 
How are you feeling right now?  Are you making time to slow down?  To refocus?  Reconnect?  And, are you making sure you fill your cup so you can continue to serve others?

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #momsoftweensandteens #youthmin #youthministry #youthministryvolunteers #remodelingourlives
Instagram post 2157730368501641383_13068375640 For the past several days, I subbed in one of our public high schools in town.  I could fill pages about the students, laughter and even heartbreak. But today I was stopped in my tracks at 3 little words. “You’re a Christian.” I was helping a student in an intensive study hall. He didn’t want to work. He just wanted to sit. God’s gift of compassion overtook me and joined my incredibly stubborn streak. I was going to connect with this kid and I was going to get him to work. He didn’t know that’s was what was rising up in me. But I did. And, more importantly God did. 
After lots of attempts and my bold move just to move my chair right next to him, he finally got out a worksheet to do. And, so we began. 
He was still hesitating to get completely engaged, but I persisted. I told him I knew he could do the sheet.  I said I knew he was smarter than he wanted to let on. And I said, I was going to help him because I wanted him to find one positive thing and focus on that. 
Eventually, after answering questions about myself and my family, he said...”You’re a Christian.” And the door opened and his demeanor changed. 
God used me in that moment.  He used the gifts he placed in me. He even used my stubbornness that can lead me astray for His will.

You don’t know how, when or where God will use you to help young people succeed. You don’t need to. Your role is to simply be yourself and serve as yourself. Let God do the rest. 
#jesusismyhashtag #4hisglory #youthministry #youthmin #youthministryvolunteers #momsoftweensandteens #positiveyouthdevelopment #advancingyouthdevelopment
Instagram post 2151585542281574871_13068375640 About this time of the fall every year, I start feeling tired from all the nightly activities and several weekends in a row of sports. So what's my game plan?

#jesusismyhashtag #4Hisglory #familytime #thisisreallife #parentingtweensandteens #parenting #momsoftweensandteens #positiveyouthdevelopment
Instagram post 2150927948135017604_13068375640 Our lives are busy with activities, commitments, work, etc.  I think of God our Heavenly Father who is always present for us and waiting for us to come to Him.  He is the ultimate model of a good and loving Father.  So, my challenge to you, AND to myself, is to be better at being PRESENT. 
#jesusismyhashtag #remodelingourlives #momsoftweensandteens #4Hisglory #positiveyouthdevelopment #youthministryvolunteers
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