Faith Beyond Youth Group: Five Ways to Form Character and Cultivate Lifelong Discipleship - Hardcover

by Kara Powell (Author), Jen Bradbury (Author), Brad M. Griffin (Author)

Most typical youth ministries today produce nice, obedient kids who behave themselves--and then leave the church and the faith. Even those who remain struggle to extend their own faith beyond youth group. They seem like "good kids," but their lives and decisions outside youth group aren't oriented towards Jesus. Clearly that is not our goal. So what are we doing wrong? And how can we better serve the unique needs of the most anxious, adaptive, and diverse generation in history?

If you're tired of youth ministry that fails to change lives, it's time to change youth ministry. Building on two decades of the Fuller Youth Institute's work and incorporating extensive new research and interviews, Faith Beyond Youth Group identifies the reasons youth ministry often fails both short-term and long-term, and offers five ways adult youth leaders can cultivate character for a lifetime of growing closer to Jesus rather than drifting away. It shows leaders how to cultivate trust, model growth, teach for transformation, practice together, and make meaning so that the teenagers can become adults who hold fast to the truth 24/7 and boldly live out a robust faith in a watching world.

Back Jacket

This book is for all youth ministry leaders regardless of the size or context of their ministry. It's not a one-size-fits-all approach; it's an approach that values and esteems every young person entrusted to you by God. This book is hope-filled and provides a way forward for discipling young people in these rapidly changing times.--Christine Caine, founder of A21 and Propel Women

"Rooted in research and data, Faith Beyond Youth Group reimagines what youth ministry can look like if our goal isn't behavior management but rather character formation. There is wisdom here for every church that cares about the next generation."--Skye Jethani, author of What If Jesus Was Serious? and cohost of The Holy Post podcast

"I want teenagers to experience vitality and a glorious partnership with Jesus in his redemptive work in the world. Faith Beyond Youth Group provides rails to run on with research, theological insight, and plenty of practical ideas, bringing to life what some might wrongly think of as a rusty relic of the past."--Mark Oestreicher, founder and partner, The Youth Cartel

"A game-changing resource for anyone in youth ministry. If you're a youth worker who wants to significantly impact young people's spiritual development, this book is a must-have resource."--Christina Lamas, executive director, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

"This book had me at the title. It's what we all want, hope, and pray for--faith that matters long after our games, teaching, camps, and programs are over. Even better, the book delivers a clear and hopeful compass to reorient youth ministry toward what matters most."--Doug Fields, youth pastor and president of DownloadYouthMinistry.com

Author Biography

Kara Powell, PhD, is Chief of Leadership Formation and Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary and coauthor of 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager.
Jen Bradbury is Content Director for Fuller Youth Institute, a volunteer youth pastor, and author of The Jesus Gap: What Teens Actually Believe About Jesus.
Brad M. Griffin is Senior Director of Content and Research for the Fuller Youth Institute, a youth pastor, and coauthor of 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager.