Published in Youth Worker Journal- Date: TBD
Review:
Evangephobia Curriculum and Devotional
Simply Youth Ministry
Group Publishing, 2011, 120 pp., $29.99 Curriculum, $8.99 Devotional, Group.com
Finding the tools to help youth workers talk about evangelism, the sharing of the good news of Jesus, is not an easy task, yet the curriculum Evangephobia and the related devotional assist youth workers in reclaiming evangelism in youth ministry.
Evangephobia is a four-session curriculum addressing evangelism by Greg Stier from Dare2Share Ministries. With lessons covering the fears, motivation, the steps and benefits of evangelism for youth, this product includes a DVD with four 5-6 minute lessons, a CD containing discussion guides, many resources and other tools for using the curriculum in a youth ministry. I cannot think of a good youth curriculum on the market that covers evangelism like this one. It would be very useful to any youth ministry desiring to address this important topic with their youth. With relevant, easy to follow topics, the curriculum addresses the key issues related to evangelism. Short, clear, helpful and relevant DVD clips utilize scripture, story and personal examples. Tools for leaders, promotional material and discussion guides allow this product to be used in a variety of youth ministry settings and could be used in almost any youth ministry program with relative ease. One lesson is not likely to fill more than 30 to 45 minutes of a program, however, and may not be as effective with junior high youth. It would be a great choice for any youth ministry looking to cover evangelism in a relevant way with their youth in a manageable time frame or for youth ministries looking for a short small group curriculum.
An additional product, a devotional containing 30 devotionals for youth on evangelism, can be used in conjunction or separate from the curriculum. It would work well with small groups or with youth who are seen as leaders. It is very simple to follow and is not time consuming. Most youth would be able to use the devotional with ease, but it would be more effective in conjunction with the curriculum product.
As a whole, this product would be especially helpful for evangelical churches seeking a quality curriculum on evangelism. I would not recommend this product for churches that do not emphasize an evangelical approach to salvation, such as some mainline churches. Additionally, this product may not work well in settings where many youth do not have a clear conversion story to share. I would gladly use this product in any ministry setting professing a theology consistent with the curriculum.
Rev. Marcus J Carlson has worked with children and youth for over 13 years and is a spiritual director. He current serves as Associate Pastor at Bethel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, CO. (marcusjcarlson.com).