by Guest Blogger Mike Haynes

Peer pressure is nothing new. For generations, it has influenced the choices and behavior of teenagers. But in today's hyperconnected world, that pressure is not only more persistent but also much harder to escape.
 
The constant buzz of social media creates an always-on environment where the need to conform feels never-ending. Cancel culture amplifies the fear of rejection, urging students to fit in at all costs. Fear of missing out (FOMO) can drive students to agree to things they know aren't right.
 
As youth leaders, we can't simply tell students to "be strong" or "make good choices." They need a deeper foundation—one rooted in the gospel—to view peer pressure through God's perspective.
 
Here's how to guide teenagers in navigating peer pressure in a way that is both biblical and genuinely transformative. ​

By guest blogger Dave Kahle

​Some recent surveys have indicated that the population of Christians in this country has gone from the majority to a size approaching a remnant.  It’s time for everyday Christians to break out of their reliance on the failed institutional church system and exert leadership in their lives.

Based on a study conducted by Arizona Christian University during 2020 – 2023, born again Christians deeply committed to practicing their faith fell from 88% to 46%. Worse yet, this study discovered that only 6% of professed Christians have a biblical worldview. Instead, most have a smorgasbord view of their faith, picking and choosing what they believe.

The trend is obvious.  Here’s another study that found similar results. ​

By guest blogger Mike Haynes
Every youth pastor knows the pressure of getting a sermon ready for Wednesday night. The countdown is on, and maybe the outline is set, but something feels off. Perhaps the message isn’t connecting to real-life situations, or you’re worried students will zone out five minutes into the talk.
The truth is, how we prepare our sermons shapes how students receive them. Unfortunately, there’s one significant mistake many youth pastors make—one that can leave students feeling disengaged, confused, or even indifferent to the gospel message.
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The #1 Mistake: Prioritizing Delivery Over Discipleship
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that a great sermon is all about:

by guest blogger Dave Kahle

​The world is filled with marketplace Christians who are content with a shallow Christian presence in their business, afraid of the consequences of a more visible, deeper approach.  But what if the benefits far outweighed any discomfort that might come from stepping out and more visibly embracing Christianity in the marketplace?  What if that which we would gain so far outweighs our small sense of temporary discomfort that we would look back on it down the road a bit and reflect, “I should have done that years ago.” 

I recently asked the people who are members of my X-I Community to articulate one benefit to intentionally moving their business and their careers to a more visible alignment with God. Their response?  Peace, purpose and a closer relationship with God. In this article, we’re going to look at the third of those responses:  A closer relationship with God.