The themes of the retreats offered in One-Day Retreats for Junior High Youth are Christian community, freshman survival, peacemaking, peer pressure, self-esteem, and sexuality.

This collection contains ideas for two overnight retreats and four one-day retreats. The themes of the overnight retreats are self-esteem and being true to oneself; the themes of the other four retreats are Confirmation, discipleship, the Triduum, and leadership development.

Thirty-eight strategies to tap into young adolescents' tactile and intellectual creativity to help them learn about and grow in faith and spirituality are contained in this guide. Strategies are organized into three sections: activities for personal reflection, self-disclosure, and affirmation; active strategies for learning and reviewing material; and ideas for prayer and reflection that engage young teens at different levels.

Family Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens is a collection of twenty-two strategies that focus on family life and parent-teen relationships. The collection includes ideas for prayer, service, communication, sharing faith, and having fun. The strategies are grouped into three categories: strategies for gatherings of families, strategies for individual families at home, and strategies for young teens in peer-group settings.

Holiday and Seasonal Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens is a collection of twenty-seven strategies to help young adolescents mark significant times in the liturgical and secular calendars. The collection includes prayer ideas, service projects, social and learning activities, and outreach strategies.

Justice and Service Ideas for Ministry with Young Teens is a collection of twenty-one strategies for short- and long-term service projects, outreach activities, learning exercises, and discussion starters all aimed at helping young teens understand the social impact of our culture and make a difference in their world. The strategies continually challenge the young people to live out the Gospel mandate and the Church's call to serve others and build a just society, one person at a time.

"Each chapter includes these features: an overview of the character, scripture passages related to the character, Breakthrough! articles that pertain to the character, a list of similarities between young adolescents and the biblical figure, biblical quotes that point to God's presence n the character's story, [and] a 'Getting to know the biblical character' activity (or activities) that explores who the biblical character is and makes connections between his or her relationship with God and the young people's own life experience"--Back cover.

Discussions about the Sabbath often center around moralistic laws and arguments over whether a person should be able to play cards or purchase liquor on Sundays. In this volume, popular author Walter Brueggemann writes that the Sabbath is not simply about keeping rules but rather about becoming a whole person and restoring a whole society. Importantly, Brueggemann speaks to a 24/7 society of consumption, a society in which we live to achieve, accomplish, perform, and possess. We want more, own more, use more, eat more, and drink more. Keeping the Sabbath allows us to break this restless cycle and focus on what is truly important: God, other people, all life. Brueggemann offers a transformative vision of the wholeness God intends, giving world-weary Christians a glimpse of a more fulfilling and simpler life through Sabbath observance.

Catholic school leaders and teachers will love this book! It has everything-absolutely everything-they want and need to know about prayer in school. Sr. Kathleen is a veteran teacher and it's clear that she has "been there and done that" with great joy and enthusiasm. But she knows that not every teacher feels secure about praying with a class, even though they know it's important and realize that parents entrust them with this responsibility. And she also realizes that certain Catholic prayer forms are a mystery to them. On the other hand, there are those who feel very comfortable teaching prayer but are looking for fresh ideas.

Youth ministry is an essential part of most evangelical churches. And yet, there is a surprising lack of resources written specifically for youth workers focused on viewing all aspects of youth ministry through a gospel-focused lens. Featuring contributions from a host of experienced youth workers from a wide variety of churches, this how-to manual offers guidance related to every facet of youth ministry, from planning short-term mission trips to working with parents. Theologically rooted yet eminently practical, this handbook will equip youth leaders to effectively shepherd the young people under their care—training them to live faithfully in their homes, churches, and schools.