Youth Ministry Unscripted: The Rooted Youth Ministry Podcast

Rooted Ministry
  • 4.7 (43)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

Rooted Youth Ministry aims to advance gospel centered youth ministry by equipping and empowering youth ministers and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Youth Ministry Unscripted is a real, honest, and raw part of the Rooted Family of Podcasts which also includes The Rooted Parent Podcast, The Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Ask Alice, and Thanos to Theos. For more grace filled, gospel-centered, Bible saturated resources be sure to visit www.rootedministry.com.

  1. 20h ago

    Three Ways to Tell a Bible Story with Jared Kennedy

    The differences between an adult Sunday school class and one for kids are quite striking. A class for toddlers and preschoolers is rarely organized around the logic of a Bible passage, or even a lesson outline. Instead, lessons are structured by the classroom schedule and environment—by a basic routine and activity centers that are designed for play, music, the Bible story, and other games or crafts. How do we prepare children’s lessons that are Christ-centered, biblically faithful, engaging for kids, and oriented towards the distinct ways that kids learn? This workshop will help you learn how to do just that. Jared Kennedy serves as an editor for The Gospel Coalition. He is also co-founder of Gospel-Centered Family and the author of books for children and families like Faith-Builder Catechism (New Growth Press, 2023), Keeping Your Children’s Ministry on Mission (Crossway, 2022), and The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible (New Growth, 2017). He, his wife Megan, and their three daughters live in Louisville, Kentucky, where they attend Sojourn Church Midtown. Announcing Rooted Children’s Ministry Curriculum: Why and How to Use 'Gospel Basics' Building a Scope and Sequence for Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry and Parents by Tara Davis and Cameron Cole Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates.  Register for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  2. Aug 18

    ‘God with You’: A Devotional Journey Through the Bible with Students

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah and Danny are joined by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson, two of the editors of the new, 52-Week devotional titled “God With You.” They discuss why and how this year-long devotional was written, what the hopes are for the devotional, how churches, youth ministries, and even parents might use this devotional, and the overall importance of theological depth in youth ministry and for teenagers.    Leading Students to Live by Faith Alone - Rooted Ministry Your Family Devotional Doesn't Have to be Pretty - Rooted Ministry Engage Teens with the Whole Bible by Anna Meade Harris and Chelsea Kingston Erickson for The Gospel Coalition Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, October 22-24. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  3. Aug 11

    Cultural Apologetics for Teenagers Today with Skyler Flowers

    Cultural waves are constantly changing — now more rapidly than ever. The messages teenagers hear and absorb from every screen and relationship in their lives shapes them at a fundamental level. They learn what to laugh at, who and how to love, and what’s worth weeping over and celebrating from messages both subtle and overt. Ministering in this context requires youth ministers and parents to carefully critique and connect these messages to their fulfillment in Jesus—in other words, we need to do cultural apologetics. In this workshop, we will explore the need for cultural apologetics and how it can be practiced in big and small ways in your ministry today. Skyler Reed Flowers (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary) is the program director for The Carson Center for Theological Renewal and cohort director for all TGC cohorts. He serves as an elder at Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Mississippi and is working toward his Ph.D. in systematic theology at the University of Aberdeen. He served as an editor for The Gospel After Christendom. He is married to Brianna, and they have three kids. Cultural Narratives and Youth Ministry by Kendal Conner Three Truths for Parents and Children in a Changing Cultural Climate by Joey Turner Youth Pastor, Your Students Need Apologetics by Bradley Blaylock Acts 17:22-31 Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  4. Aug 4

    Protecting Your Soul During Ministry Planning Season

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, and Isaiah discuss the unique pressures youth workers face during ministry planning season. From comparing your ministry to others to feeling the constant need to do more, they explore how leaders can build healthy, sustainable ministry rhythms that prioritize faithfulness over busyness. Together, they offer practical encouragement for protecting your soul while preparing for a new ministry year. Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout I’m Tired! A Look At The Spiritual Discipline Of Biblical Rest Essential Practices of Good Youth Ministry Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  5. Jul 28

    Helping Teenagers Connect Body Image Struggles to God’s Word

    Walking with a teenager through body image struggles is a powerful discipleship opportunity, but oftentimes, it is hard to know how to connect it to God’s Word. How do we offer hope and comfort when we hear teenagers‘ cries of despair, anger, anxiety, or self-hatred about their bodies? This workshop will explore how the Bible’s storyline of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration speaks to body image concerns. Using this framework, we will connect teenagers to why God made them, what happened to our relationship with our bodies in the Fall, how Christ redeems our thoughts about our bodies, and what restoration looks like. Together, we will see how the weightiness of body image struggles provides an opportunity to display the power of God’s Word and the beauty of the gospel. Resources: Body Image & Eating Disorders in Your Child - Rooted Ministry Body Image and God’s Word: Offering Hope, Comfort, and Truth to Teens - Rooted Ministry Body Image In the Image of God - Rooted Ministry Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  6. Jul 21

    Transitioning From Summer to Fall

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Rebecca, Josh, and Danny discuss the summer-to-fall youth ministry transition as well as topics such as breaks for volunteers, finding rest and vacation time for youth ministry leaders, and end-of-summer youth group activities. They conclude with a discussion about being an outdoor person or beach person and how it might relate to their youth ministry programs.  Summer’s Breaking Potential for Youth Pastors Letter to a Youth Worker Experiencing Burnout Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts Join us for the Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville, Oct. 22nd to 24th. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  7. Jul 14

    Planted to Persevere: Why the Gospel Roots Youth in the Church for Life with Justin Wong

    In an age in which many young people drift from the church after high school, the call to intentional church membership is not optional—it’s a gospel imperative. This workshop will explore how the good news of Jesus not only saves but also plants youth deeply in the life of the local church for a lifetime of growth and mission. We’ll unpack biblical foundations for membership, confront common cultural and generational obstacles, and equip leaders to guide students toward committed, covenantal belonging. By rooting our next generation in the gospel and the local body, we shape a trajectory of perseverance, maturity, and kingdom impact that extends far beyond their teenage years. Resources: Ask Rooted: How Do You Incorporate Teenagers Into Corporate Worship? The Necessity of Intergenerational Integration for Discipling Teenagers - Rooted Ministry The Multi-Directional Blessings of Intergenerational Integration - Rooted Ministry Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates  Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

  8. Jul 7

    Building a Youth Ministry Year with Purpose

    In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Isaiah Marshall discuss how to build a youth ministry year with purpose rather than simply filling a calendar with events. The conversation explores intentional planning, discipleship priorities, common mistakes leaders make during planning season, and practical ways to create a ministry year that helps students grow in their faith and walk with Jesus. Youth Ministry Nuts and Bolts, Revised and Updated: Organizing, Leading, and Managing Your Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties) by Duffy Robbins Planning Your Annual Calendar in Youth and Family Ministry by Renee Imbesi Follow the YMU podcast and download it wherever you find your podcasts. Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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Rooted Youth Ministry aims to advance gospel centered youth ministry by equipping and empowering youth ministers and parents to faithfully disciple students toward lifelong faith in Jesus Christ. Youth Ministry Unscripted is a real, honest, and raw part of the Rooted Family of Podcasts which also includes The Rooted Parent Podcast, The Asian American Youth Ministry Roundtable, Ask Alice, and Thanos to Theos. For more grace filled, gospel-centered, Bible saturated resources be sure to visit www.rootedministry.com.

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