A complete discipleship system for leading intentional preteen and youth ministry

Discipleship In Action

5 Essential Tips for Preteen Ministry Discipleship​

Nurturing Preteens in Their Spiritual Growth

Explore these five actionable tips to guide preteen students through their spiritual journey in your ministry. From building foundational relationships to addressing challenging truths, discover how you can make a lasting impact on your students’ faith.

Tip 1: Establishing Strong Relationships as the Foundation

Learn the importance of building trust and connection with preteen students to create a suitable environment for fostering discipleship. Discover how understanding their interests and challenges can lay the groundwork for effective mentorship and spiritual guidance.

Tip 2: Reinforcing Biblical Foundations Through Engaging Methods

Discover creative ways to reinforce foundational biblical truths among preteen students. From interactive games to group discussions, find engaging methods to help preteens see the relevance of Scripture in their daily lives.

Tip 3: Cultivating Open Dialogue and Curiosity

Encourage a culture of curiosity and questioning within your preteen ministry, fostering an environment where students feel empowered to explore their faith. Learn how to navigate tricky questions with honesty and humility, strengthening their spiritual journey.

Tip 4: Leading by Example in Christ-like Living

Understand the influence of your actions and attitudes as a leader in preteen ministry. Discover how modeling Christ-like behavior can inspire and guide preteen students in their faith walk, leaving a lasting impression on their spiritual development.

Tip 5: Addressing Complex Concepts with Clarity and Compassion

Address challenging truths with clarity and compassion to help preteens navigate the transition from concrete to abstract thinking. Learn how to break down complex concepts into digestible lessons, empowering preteens to wrestle with more profound theological ideas.

Making a Lasting Impact in Preteen Ministry Discipleship

Embrace the journey of disciplining preteen students with patience, dedication, and faith. Your investment in their spiritual growth lays the foundation for a lifelong commitment to Christ, shaping their faith journey for years.

Try Deep Discipleship Preteens

Deep Discipleship Preteens is a complete curriculum and system with everything you need for ministry to 4th–6th grade students.

  • Biblical truth that goes beyond stories.
  • Lessons that help adult volunteers move from classroom management to relational mentors.
  • Tools that equip parents to guide their children into adolescents.
  • Biblical truth that goes beyond stories.
  • Lessons that help adult volunteers move from classroom management to relational mentors.
  • Tools that equip parents to guide their children into adolescents.

Doug Franklin

Doug Franklin is the president of LeaderTreks, an innovative leadership development organization focusing on students and youth workers. Doug and his wife, Angie, live in West Chicago, Illinois. They don’t have any kids, but they have 2 dogs that think they are children. Diesel and Penelope are Weimaraners who never leave their side. Doug grew up in Illinois and graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in Christian Education. He started in youth ministry as a adult volunteer, leading a small group of junior high boys. The experience shaped the way Doug thinks about youth ministry and how students learn. After spending six years as a volunteer, Doug become the full-time high school youth pastor at a church in Wheaton, Illinois. He served as a youth pastor for 12 years in various churches. As Doug thought about what was really working in youth ministry, he came to the conclusion that everything becomes more effective when students lead. So in 1994, Doug started LeaderTreks to partner with youth workers to help them develop their students as leaders. In 2003 LeaderTreks added leadership training for youth workers. It started with five youth workers coming to LeaderTreks for intense training and grew into LeaderTreks’ Refuel Retreats. Doug understands that being a youth worker requires us to lead students, adult volunteers, parents, and church leaders. He wants to help youth workers lead well and to see them become more effective for the purpose of helping students love God.

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