The Seven Checkpoints for Student Leaders: Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know

I wish someone would have had me read this book my first week in full time student ministry. This is a must for anyone serving in student ministry and I am SO thankful I read it!

There is nothing quite like this book out there.... this is both practical & Christ-Biblio central! Our youth leaders love that there is a 3-4 yr plan for both Junior High & High School ministry, specific examples, and a focus on students learning God's word, developing relationships & growing closer to God through Christ.

A great starter, I felt the need to add the following checkpoints:8. Transforming Gospel Key Thought - The Risen Jesus is a Saving King Key Question - Can our students explain the gospel, and do their lives show hearts tender towards the commands of Jesus? Key Verse - Acts 17:30-319. Empowered Mission Key Thought - We are disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus Key Question - Do our students know what it means to be a disciple and how to spiritually reproduce? Key Verse - Matthew 28:18-2010. Global Thinking Key Thought - We are blessed to be a blessing. Key Question - Do our students accept the call to bring the Gospel to the world? Key Verse - Genesis 12:2-3

I purchased Andy Stanley's Seven Checkpoints to use for my Teen Sunday School class. From what I understand, these lessons were developed to prepare youth for life after high school. The lessons are geared toward grounding youth (I say youth, but the lessons apply to all of us) firmly in Christ so they can stand strong when they head out into the "real world". We are just about through the first Checkpoint, which is Authentic Faith verses Circumstantial faith, and I love it. I also ordered the Kindle version of the the accompaniment book which has deepened my understanding of the lessons. This a very excellent study. Very basic but so necessary to our spiritual growth.

The advertising is a bit off on this book. It reads like this book is to use with students. Truly it's for the leader to read and learn a specific principle and format in leadership of students. A whole student ministry group would need to read it together and decide this is the format they ALL want to use. Think team. Not just one person doing it solo.A great book but understand what you are buying.

Great book!

This book challenges leaders to think about the core things that need to be woven into students lives so that they can remain faithful to God throughout their lives. Then once you have developed this list, build your teaching and programs around it so that these principles are worked into the thinking and lives of your students. It is a great book for any student leader to use for developing the lives of their students.

Really liked this book, felt it made lots of good points. Totally agreed with author regarding the young people today and what is lacking in their maturity as a Christian. Would have like to have seen a link to materials to use in teaching the checkpoints in order to save time planning lessons.

Excellent and informative

There are several reasons for this book to be highly recommended:-easy read-clear principles, concepts, questions and Scripture verses that support each "Checkpoint"-the focus is on discipleship, and faith that sticks beyond high school and college-the focus is on spiritual growth, Bible knowledge and application of that knowledge-relevant information for today's youth - chapters on sexuality, spiritual disciplines, friendships, etc-Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall have loads of experience in youth ministry-gospel driven book, that is, the authors believe that the indicative of God's grace should infuse how we live (the imperative) (see Rom 12:1-2 "In view of God's mercy...). Since we are God's beloved children we should live as God's children. Some books come across as "do this, then get God", but not this book, which is good since the latter option is not Biblical.-lots of practical wisdom and illustrations - one thing that sticks out in mind, is in regard to moral boundaries. In talking about "How far can I go?" in dating, the authors rightly say that this question is unBiblical. Instead the question should be (a) How far should I go, according to Scripture? and even more so (b) How far will I want the woman I spend the rest of my life with to have gone with the person she dated right before meeting me? The latter question is such a wise one that 99% of youth are not thinking about, but should be.In summary, this is a great book with lots of great stuff for youth leaders and parents.