Acts 14:1-18

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Bradley Blaylock explores the role of apologetics in youth ministry—not just as content, but as a teaching posture. He outlines approaches to help leaders raise apologetic issues naturally, equipping students to think biblically about their faith. Bradley serves as a Professor of Theological Studies at Highlands College in Birmingham, AL. He and his wife live in Birmingham with their adorable children. Bradley is a PhD student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary studying the Philosophy of Religion. Two Simple Shifts for Teaching Apologetics in Youth Ministry by Bradley Bl...

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Isaiah Marshall, Josh Hussung, Danny Kwon, and Becca Heck wrestle with how to teach holiness without drifting into guilt, shame, or moralism. Grounded in Scripture, the conversation reframes holiness not as behavior modification, but as a joyful, relational response to the gospel. The hosts explore how youth ministries can unintentionally slip into legalism, how to speak about sin without leaving students feeling hopeless, and how relational discipleship creates space for grace, confession, and growth. With honesty, humor, and pastoral wisdom, this episode offers youth leaders practical ways to model holiness anchored in Christ’s finished work, not performance. Scripture & Themes ReferencedLeviticus 11:44 – “Be holy, for I am holy”1 Peter 1:16 – Holiness as a call rooted in God’s characterIsaiah 6 – God’s holiness and moral perfectionMatthew 5–7 (Sermon on the Mount) – Holiness of heart, not just behavior1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Responding differently to the idle, weak, and discouragedRelational Discipleship – Walking with students over time, not managing behaviorGospel-Centered Holiness – Living from acceptance, not for acceptanceBiggie Size Your Grace in the Pursuit of Holiness by Andy CornettDiscipling Teenagers in the Meaning of the Law by Chelsea Kingston Erickson
Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts.Watch the episode on Youtube!Register for Rooted 2026 in Nashville. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

In this workshop from the 2024 Rooted Conference, Jennifer Kvamme equips youth leaders to respond wisely and faithfully to the difficult questions students often ask. She addresses three common questions and presents a four-principle framework for navigating challenging conversations with grace and clarity.Jennifer has served in youth ministry at Centennial Church in Forest Lake, MN, for 20 years. She’s the author of More to the Story: Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships. She and her husband, Greg, have three children.Resources:More to the Story Deep Answers to Real Questions on Attraction, Identity, and Relationships by Jennifer KvammeWhen Your Teenager Has Doubts and Questions by Kyle BjergaEncouragement for Parents: When Kids Ask Tough Questions  by Steve EatmonAnswering Our Teenagers’ Hard Questions About Culture by RootedFollow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts

In this episode of Youth Ministry Unscripted, Josh, Danny, Isaiah, and Becca dive into the often-overlooked legacy of Black Christians in church history. As Black History Month invites the church to celebrate diversity in God’s kingdom, the hosts explore why many faithful Black voices remain hidden from mainstream narratives—and what youth pastors can do about it. From early church fathers in North Africa to the American civil rights era, this conversation challenges us to broaden our understanding of church history and elevate voices that have long been sidelined. Listeners will walk away encouraged to disciple their students with a deeper awareness of the global, multicultural body of Christ—and equipped with practical ideas for building more inclusive youth ministries.  Resources and MentionsTalking to Your White Kids About Black History Month - Rooted MinistryRelational Discipleship in the Black Church - Rooted Ministry  Richard Allen – Founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) ChurchLemuel Haynes – First ordained African American minister in the U.S.Howard Thurman – Theologian and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr.Fannie Lou Hamer – Voting rights activist and devout ChristianJames Cone – Father of Black Liberation Theology; The Cross and the Lynching TreeThe Edmondson Center (at RTS Atlanta) – Recommended by Becca for their year-long certificate program on church history and theology (directed by Karen & Carl Ellis)Bus Ride to Justice – Isaiah’s experiential trip with students to key civil rights locations (Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma, Tuskegee)Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates!Follow and subscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates andSubscribe to Youth Ministry Unscripted wherever you listen to podcasts