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01 :: Developing Positive Teens
02 :: Summer Shortcut
02 :: Zone Updates & Articles
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Developing Positive Teens
By Paul Evans and Al Millergren, Ph.D.
1. Display Your Own Positive Side.
The first step in helping your teen to become more positive is to take a self-evaluation. Think about recent conversations and actions. If you were your teen would you consider yourself a positive person? Do you point out the positive more than the negative? Do you see the good inside others, or do you think the worst until it is proven otherwise?
Read Philippians 4:8-9. List the qualities on a sheet of paper that Paul encourages us to think about. Use those attitudes as a filter for the way you speak and react.
2. Set Positive Expectations.
Negatives from every angle bombard teens, no wonder they seem sour sometimes. We expect our children to clean their rooms and take out the trash, why not expect them to be positive? When they arrive home from school, work, or play set a general rule that commits them to share something positive before something negative, and you do the same.
3. Exhibit Positive Praise.
Someone suggested the best way to get rid of a minister is to pat him on the back. He will work himself to death to keep receiving the accolades. Think about it. Don’t we respond to praise better than criticism? Praise works the same for our teens as it does for us.
Give praise in the form of two “L’s”: liberally and lavishly. Flood your child’s spirit with the good things you see in him or her. Be excessive with praise, and stingy with faults.
4. Instill Positive Success.
Let’s face it, every teen cannot be the captain of the football team, carry a 4.0 grade point average, and have a string of peers demanding a date. Unfortunately, many teens feel that they have to live up to those expectations.
Define “success” for your family. Let your teens know that a high grade point is wonderful, but determining their God granted purpose is more critical. Let them know you care about sports if they do, but you care more about their souls.
Blessings!
Paul and Al
Zone members: Get all ten ways…
http://www.teenlifeministries.com/site.php/arti/read/developing_positive_teens/
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02 :: Shortcut Your Youth Ministry
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The ZONE from Teen Life has been called the “Ultimate Youth Ministry Shortcut.” Here’s how the Zone can help you this Summer…
Class – since you need more time with the teens. Select your lesson from the Zone a week early. Block time for review and customizing for your group. http://tinyurl.com/27tlkd
Devotionals – Head to the devotional section and print out a few to have in your bible. As the day closes out on your trips or adventures, you’ll have some thoughts handy that will involve the group. http://tinyurl.com/6s7yag
Email quiet times – Unfortunately all the teens will not be involved. You can email quiet times to the group and include them. http://tinyurl.com/23es49
Personal Growth – Don’t overlook yourself. Make sure once a month you block out time for a “Dawn Till Dusk” personal reflection retreat. http://tinyurl.com/2faxo9
Games – if you find yourself with some extra time this summer – which may not be possible – grab a quick game for the group. http://tinyurl.com/6yyns9
Forms – lost your medical release forms or trips checklists? No problem. http://tinyurl.com/2zzkbn
Movie night – Don’t just watch a movie. Have a discussion based on it. Here are some movie matching discussion guides. http://tinyurl.com/2a6b2t
The Word – Get your teens in the Word. Copy, paste and email the daily Bible reading schedule to your group once a month. http://tinyurl.com/5jxnky
Whew! That’s the short list. There are a TON more shortcuts for your ministry in The Zone… So USE them!
(If you are not a member. http://www.teenlifeministries.com/thezone/ )
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03 :: Zone Updates and Articles
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You must be logged in to your ZONE account to view/download the following…
http://www.teenlifeministries.com/site.php/user/login_form/
Links to all the updates are available directly from the homepage:
Hearing God – lesson series Zone members click here to download this week's bible lesson with outline, powerpoint, handout and discussion guide. http://tinyurl.com/2z8btu
Keys for Overcoming Failure - I really hate to fail at anything but over the years I have realized that many failures lead to success…
Stay Spiritually Healthy - One of the hardest things to do as a youth minister is to stay spiritually strong while you are training…
Trust in God - Help students understand the power of trust in God and how they can apply it.
Freedom to Worship - As you mark this day of freedom, let me encourage you to celebrate the freedom we have to worship God how…
3 Keys for a Great Relationship - Communication. Appreciation. Sacrifice.
Let Your Little Light Shine - Let Your Little Light Shine Purpose: To teach teens how important it is for them to let others see Jesus living…
"I have noticed a huge difference in our group since joining The Zone. They talk about how they love the classes, the handouts, and the PowerPoint. Because of the training I'm getting I understand the teens better and have been able to reach out to them more effectively. Thanks for the great work. Keep it up!" Member 4 Life, John Amos, Florida Youth Minister
Check out the Zone: http://www.teenlifeministries.com/thezone/
Have a BLESSED day!
Paul and Al
About Teen Life’s Youth Ministry Maximizer
For more information and archived issues, visit http://www.teenlifeministries.com
Teen Life’s Youth Ministry MAXimizer is published by Teen Life Ministries, LLC. and written by Paul Evans and Al Millergren, Ph.D.
Attention editors and publishers! Teen Life’s Youth Ministry MAXimizer issues can be republished. Republished issues MUST include attribution of the author(s) and the following short paragraph:
This article is brought to you by Teen Life’s Youth Ministry MAXimizer a free weekly youth ministry newsletter from Teen Life Ministries offering the latest thoughts and insights for youth ministry. http://www.TeenLifeMinistries.com
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