Fourfivesix.org: Great Ideas For Your Preteen Ministry

This is the final episode! Instead of 4, 5, or 6 minutes, this grand finale a little longer! We are slowing down with this one and taking time to close out this entire podcast! Imagine gathering around the campfire with Sean, Dayna, Makenna, Chris, Jaime, and Patrick as they look back over their many years of doing preteen ministry together and recording episodes of this podcast. Closure is so important with preteens, and today, we're going to have some of our closure as we put a big ol' bow on the great ideas podcast.

We're almost to the end of this podcast. From the beginning, the goal was 456 episodes. 9.5 years later, we've made it! Just like anything we do in ministry, it's might be easy to just hit publish on the last episode and simply move on to the next task. BUT TODAY, Sean encourages us to pause for a moment at the end of anything we accomplish for God's Kingdom. And in the pause, take time to reflect and rejoice BEFORE rushing on to the next thing. God is good. Let's pause to celebrate what he's doing in our lives and ministries each time we finish a small or big project.

Explore the power of plodding—taking small, consistent steps to achieve large, daunting goals. In today's episode, Sean highlights the importance of steady effort in ministry.

Today on the podcast, Sean dives into the crucial topic of staying off the pedestal in ministry. Reflecting on the dangers and temptations of being placed on a pedestal, Sean shares personal experiences and valuable insights from scripture, including Matthew 23:8-12 and 1 Timothy 1:15. He discusses how unrealistic expectations can harm both leaders and their congregations, particularly impressionable preteens. Sean offers practical advice on how to stay grounded, remain relatable, and lead with humility, emphasizing the importance of servanthood in effective ministry. Join us for this heartfelt and honest conversation on "Great Ideas for Preteen Ministry."

On today's episode, Hunter Bennett of 3Circle Church in Fairhope, Alabama shares a concept his team is working on which helps them to understand the preteens at his church, specifically the behaviors exhibited at the end of midweek services: mental coins.

Today, Sean talks with Yancy about the importance of being CURIOUS. Ministry leaders who aren't seeking answers to questions they don't know the answers to aren't prepared only to repeat what they've done yesterday.

Today, Sean shares one of his favorite ways of warming up a preteen group - FOOD. But not just any food - food that inspires conversation, creativity, and community! Hear three examples of this concept, and start dreaming of more...

Sean talks once again with Michael Pritchard, creator of ChickenAndWafflesPodcast.com. Michael talks about a free tool that you can use to equip parents to help THEM engage preteens in Bible reading!

Imagine a year-long program for your oldest preteens, full of special events, discipleship discussions, and serving opportunity! On today's episode, Dan Huffman discusses his amazing year-long 5th grade discipleship program on today's episode! Check out the program right here: NPV 5th Grade Discipleship | The Compass Church    

Sean talks with Michael Pritchard about his podcast FOR PRETEENS called "Chicken and Waffles." Michael has a passion for preteens to read the Bible for themselves and ask two questions: a "chicken" question and a "waffle" question.

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.