Why do teens hear biblical truth week after week and still seem to walk away unchanged? It might not be your teaching—it might be their brains. In this episode, we break down five surprising (and sometimes hilarious) facts about how the teenage brain works—and how understanding it can change the way you disciple students.

We cover:

• Why teens struggle with decision-making

• Why emotions often overpower logic

• Why risk-taking is wired into their brains

• What identity has to do with it all

• How to structure ministry around how teens actually learn

Plus, some true stories involving apples in AC units, freeze-out competitions, and the one video that made us go viral on TikTok.

Whether you’re a youth pastor, parent, or student leader—this episode will challenge the way you view your role in shaping the next generation.

👥 Join the FREE Youth Ministry Mastermind CommunityWhat if the biggest threats to your youth ministry aren’t moral failures or headline scandals… but subtle, slow compromises that go unnoticed?In this episode, we flip the script. Instead of talking about how to grow your youth ministry, we expose five quiet killers that could be eroding the foundation of your student ministry right now—without you even realizing it.From prioritizing entertainment over discipleship, to neglecting parents, to avoiding the full Gospel—these are the mistakes we’ve seen (and sometimes made). But more importantly, we show you how to recognize them—and reverse them.Whether you're a veteran youth pastor or just getting started, this episode will challenge you, encourage you, and help you build something that lasts far beyond your weekly programming.
0:00 Why Most Youth Ministries Have a SUBTLE Demise4:33 Are You Prioritizing ENTERTAINMENT Over Discipleship?7:43 Could Your Youth Ministry SURVIVE Without You?11:39 Are You OVER-EMPHASIZING Programs?14:56 Are You NEGLECTING Parents?20:30 Are You Preaching the WHOLE Gospel?

What if Jesus applied for a youth pastor job at your church? Would He make it through the first year… or get called into an emergency elders’ meeting?In this episode, we wrestle with a bold, uncomfortable question: Would the very things that made Jesus a great leader be the same reasons He’d get fired in today’s church? Based on the provocative blog post and book “Firing Jesus” by Greg Stier, we unpack four reasons Jesus’ ministry model might not survive in modern youth ministry—and what that says about us.👀 Get ready to rethink prayer, leadership, outreach, and discipleship through the lens of the radical way of Christ.💬 Leave a comment: Would your church fire Jesus? Would YOU? Be honest🎯 Sign up for the 10K in May Gospel Challenge👉 www.edgeclub.org/10k🧰 Free kits. Real conversations. Lives changed.👥 Join the FREE Youth Ministry Mastermind Communityhttps://www.skool.com/beyondtheyouthroom/about0:00 Jesus the Radical1:55 Take the 10k in May Challenge4:52 Acting Sketchy in a CVS...For the Gospel7:58 Praying Too Much12:02 Bringing in the Wrong Crowd15:53 Critiquing the Sermon20:09 Playing Favorites#YouthMinistry #FiringJesus #10KinMay #GospelAdvancing #TeenDiscipleship #GregStier #ChurchCulture #JesusWouldBeFired.

Looking to grow your student ministry? Struggling to get students to buy in? Want proven strategies to help your students engage in the Great Commission? In this podcast episode, Keith and Ryne share simple challenges you can implement to light a fire under your youth ministry!Want a place to start? Take the 10K in May Challenge Wanting more resources to grow your youth ministry? Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨

👉 ⁠Take the 10K in May Challenge 👈⁠

Keith and Ryne share their best practices for keeping upperclassmen involved in youth ministry!

⁠🚨🚨 Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨🚨

👉 Take the 10K in May Challenge 👈Keith and Ryne share their best practices for keeping upperclassmen involved in youth ministry!🚨🚨 Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨🚨

⁠👉 Take the 10K in May Challenge 👈⁠

Keith and Ryne discuss how you can train your students to disciple their peers!

🚨🚨 Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨🚨

Keith and Ryne share their pro-tips and pitfalls of using Artificial intelligence in Youth Ministry!🚨🚨 Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨🚨

Keith and Ryne share their best practices for staying encouraged and focused in youth ministry when attendance drops!🚨🚨 Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨🚨

Keith and Ryne share four warning signs on the youth ministry dashboard that you need to monitor and be aware of!🚨🚨 Join our FREE community designed to encourage, resource, and equip youth leaders to train their students to live out the great commission 🚨🚨