YTH COLLECTIVE

Brett reminded us that we were created to crave—yet only Jesus can satisfy. True fulfillment doesn’t come from popularity, relationships, or success, but from pursuing God’s ways with everything we’ve got. When we hunger and thirst for righteousness, our identity and purpose are finally complete in Him.

In this special episode, Seth speaks directly to parents about the real influence social media has on today’s teens. Acknowledging both its positives and its dangers, he urges parents to be active participants in guiding their kids’ online lives rather than handing over unrestricted access. Seth shares personal reflections on his own decision to step away from social media for his mental health and family, while also pointing to research showing its links to anxiety, comparison, and exposure to harmful content. Grounded in scripture like Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2, he reminds listeners to help their teens set their minds on what is true and life-giving. To do that, Seth offers practical steps: use monitoring tools, set healthy boundaries, teach discernment, model wise habits, and replace screen time with spiritual practices and family connection. His message is clear—parents are not alone, but they are called to courageously lead at home, shaping the next generation to be rooted in faith and resilience in a digital age.

Ellie shared “Blessed to be Broken” – Embracing Brokenness from Matthew 5:4. She reminded us that mourning isn’t just about loss—it’s about being broken over our own sin and the world’s brokenness. True repentance leads to God’s comfort, and He promises to meet us in our lowest places with love, grace, and new purpose.

In his message, Seth Phipps reminds students that while fun and community are important, the deeper goal of “Together Sundays” is unity. Drawing from Psalm 133, John 17, and 1 Corinthians 12, he highlights that God designed His people to live with one mission and one purpose—together. Seth challenges both middle and high school students to break down barriers, whether age, background, or interests, and to actively create a culture of belonging. Middle schoolers are encouraged to bring energy without immaturity, while high schoolers are called to lead by making younger students feel valued and included. Ultimately, Seth emphasizes that true unity goes beyond simply “getting along”—it means supporting, encouraging, and walking alongside one another as the body of Christ, both inside the ministry and out in their schools.

In his message “Humility Over Hype” from the series “Fix Your Face”, Seth Phipps challenged students to look beyond the excitement and approval the world calls “hype” and instead pursue humility as Jesus taught in the Beatitudes. Using Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” he explained that true joy comes not from popularity, success, or self-made hype, but from recognizing our dependence on God and living with a humble heart. Seth contrasted pride, which says “I’ve got this,” with humility, which admits “I need You, God,” and reminded students that God gives grace to the humble. He closed with practical steps to stay hungry for humility—praying daily for dependence, giving credit to God and others, serving in secret, and practicing gratitude—asking the key question: Who’s really getting the glory in your life—you or God?

Colby Hawkins reminded us that the way we live really matters. From Micah 6:8, he shared that God calls us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him—choosing actions, loves, and daily steps that reflect Jesus in every situation.

In the final week of the At The Movies series, Seth Phipps shared a message titled “The Mocking Jay Mindset”, using The Hunger Games to illustrate how Christians are called to transformation instead of conformity. Teaching from Romans 12:2, he explained that culture pressures us to fit in, but conforming always leads to compromise, while renewing our minds in Christ brings real change from the inside out. Seth described the three layers of our thinking—our worldview, daily thoughts, and inner voice—and emphasized that when God transforms even our deepest layer, it shapes everything else. Like Katniss Everdeen, who showed courage in the face of fear, believers are called to live boldly, knowing that courage cancels compromise. True courage isn’t the absence of fear but choosing what’s right despite it, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we can stand apart from the world and live with hope and freedom.

Seth revisited Avengers: Endgame alongside John 15:13 to highlight the themes of sacrifice and redemption. Just as Tony Stark gave his life to restore what was broken, Jesus willingly laid down His life to bring us back to God. Seth reminded students that redemption isn’t just a big Bible word—it’s personal, a story of second chances that God writes in our lives. He encouraged them to live out sacrificial love, celebrate redemption in others, and walk boldly in faith knowing Jesus’ sacrifice has already secured their freedom.

In “Living For The End,” Seth draws from Avengers: Endgame and John 15:13 to show that true love always involves sacrifice. Just as Tony Stark gave his life to save others, Jesus willingly laid down His life to redeem and restore us. Redemption isn’t just a church word—it’s personal, a story of second chances that God writes in each of our lives. Seth challenged students to live with courage, extend grace to others, and remember that real love may cost something, but it points people to Jesus and eternity.

In Deeper On The Deal, Seth builds on Wednesday’s At The Movies message by grounding students in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old is gone, the new is here.” He reminds them that following Jesus doesn’t just “clean us up” temporarily—He makes us brand new. Seth contrasts the world’s labels (grades, popularity, failures) with the gospel’s truth: loved, forgiven, chosen, and a child of God. Using The Lion King again, he points to Simba’s turning point—when he finally remembers who he is and runs toward his true calling. In the same way, students are encouraged to stop living stuck in their past mistakes or the enemy’s lies, and instead step boldly into the future God has prepared for them. Seth closes by challenging everyone to let go of what’s behind and run forward in their identity as new creations in Christ.