FourFiveSix.org: Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry

On today's episode, Sean discusses the importance of leaders communicating expectations to preteens. Preteens ARE listening for what is expected from them, since they have limited life experience and don't know what they should expect from themselves.

On today's episode, Sean talks with Rob Quinn about a simple game that preteens love, and which can be adapted and modified in many ways: Riverbank!

Does a tug-a-war exist in your mind between fun and Scriptural as you plan your services? Today on the podcast, Sean talks about a different way to view this tension which often exists in preteen ministry planning sessions.

Today on the podcast, we hear from the FEARLESS Angela Yracheta, who took preteens on a Mission Trip to Poland! Angela shares why this was, in fact, a GREAT IDEA.

Thanks to J12's Gregg Johnson for inspiring today's great idea (which is really just a word): MORE. Preteens are ready for more...are we inviting/challenging them to MORE? Sean talks about how your ministry can give preteens "MORE" opportunities.

Rachel Hatt from Mustang UMC introduces us to a superfun event idea, the Foam Party. Many preteens love a good water-themed event - here's something to take your next water event to the next level: FOAM!

Have you ever thought about how we tend to take a snapshot of a person and then forever think about that person in that way?

Today on the podcast, Sean explores what it would mean to switch our thinking from snapshot mode to VIDEO mode, and the benefits of it. By looking at Jesus' examples in relating to Zacchaeus and Bartimaus, we see that just having a view of preteens as growing actually helps them to grow!

Ladies and Gentlemen: REstart your engines!

In ministry, there is a lot of restarting: programs in the fall, planning for camp, weekly service planning. Just when you've finished something, it seems there's something to restart!

All of this "restarting" can wear on a person, especially given the spiritual dimension of our work. Today Sean talks with Joni Lum from Riverside, California. Joni shares some encouragement for those who are tired of restarting. Don't give up; restart the engines!

Do you ever have doubts...I mean questions...about the topic you're teaching on? Do those unanswered questions ever trip you up as a teacher? Today on the podcast, Sean addresses this issue and offers a tension-filled solution.

Lifeway research recently examined the top predictors of spiritual health among young adults: #4 on the list is that they primarily listened to Christian music as a kid! On today's podcast Sean talks about introducing preteens to God-honoring music during the impressionable preteen years, when many kids are starting to take ownership of their musical tastes!

Peabod, recording artist from Seattle, joins Sean on the today's podcast. Thank you, Peabod, for providing all of the background tracks for today's podcast. You can find out more about Peabod at PeabodRaps.com.