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

by Andy Stanley, Stuart Hall, Louie Giglio (Foreword)

The Seven Checkpoints for Student Leaders is more than a book; it is a ministry plan. It goes far beyond the "how to" of youth ministry and provides youth ministers, youth works, and parents with the content that students need to equip them for 'life beyond youth group." The material in this book and the companion book The Seven Checkpoints Student Journal reveals what Stanley calls "the irreducible minimum"--the essential principles upon which an entire youth ministry can be built. Stanley and Hall offer some unorthodox but very sensible approaches to planning and maintaining a youth group over a long period of time with a specific goal in mind. The book outlines a strategy for effectively teaching students over the course of their time in school, and this new updated edition is what every leader needs to keep up with the ever-changing challenges students face. Stanley and Hall identify seven "checkpoints" that are the most important and critical issues facing 1. Authentic Faith 2. Spiritual Disciplines 3. Moral Boundaries (this section deals primarily with issues of sexual purity and dating) 4. Healthy Friendships 5. Wise Choices 6. Ultimate Authority 7. Others FirstPractical application, biblical principles, and realistic approaches for facing modern challenges facilitate teaching for busy youth leaders that will make an impact for eternity.

Genres: Young Adult, Leadership, Christian

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2011

About the author

Andy Stanley is the senior pastor of North Point Community Church, Buckhead Church, and Browns Bridge Community Church. He also founded North Point Ministries, which is a worldwide Christian organization.

Reviews

[Loyd Harp · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some great concepts in this book that I think every youth worker needs to consider. The most obvious one is having an overarching teaching/curriculum plan that spans across the 7 years you might have young people in your care. I don't use the same 7 checkpoints he advocates, but I am grateful for the framework. This book is clearly American and written for American readers (whether Stanley realises it or not) and many of the specific points will strike some English readers as odd, but I wouldn't let that put you off reading the book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Shirley Shiflet · Rating 3 out of 5]

The overall concept of this book is beautiful, the checkpoints themselves aren’t my favorite. But a very useful tool overall!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing & practical book on discipleship. honestly, a must read for anyone who leads or parents MS or HS — especially if you are in ministry.

[Konni Atencio · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the mother of teens and as a youth coordinator, I find this book to be an excellent tool. The seven checkpoints get right to the heart of the solid messages teens need to hear about making wise decisions, good friends, etc.. I truly appreciate Stanley's positive approach in showing youth kids what God says "yes" to instead of focusing on more rules and more things not to do. His idea is that we guide kids through God's perfect plan for their lives and show them why that plan is better than the one the world bombards them with. These seven principals are well thought out, and this well-written book offers an organized, thoughtful guide to giving kids a solid foundation on which to build their lives and their faith.

[John Bechtold · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Nathan Hartley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good principles to think about and apply to your ministry. Especially when it comes to intentionally define your targets for success. However, a great deal of the content basically focuses on behavior modification rather than Jesus. All in all it's a good read if you enjoy arguing with what you're reading.

[Grief · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to grow as a teenager, who works with teenagers, or is struggling to teach teenagers.