It's Just A Phase So Don't Miss It

by Kristen Ivy, Reggie Joiner

It's Just A Phase So Don't Miss It: Why Every Life Stage Of a Kid Matters and At Least 13 Things Your Church Should Do About It

This book is an overview of the life phases of kids and students, their needs and development in each phase and what parents and leaders can do to invest in kids at each phase. The culmination of years of research, Reggie Joiner and Kristen Ivy submit a comprehensive plan in guiding a generation through life amidst present realities.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Personal Development

249 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. While it was a lot to digest, the graphics included in the book help make the heavy information more clear. This book provides relevant information about how kids learn at each phase of their lives and how the church can engage them at every phase. Highly recommend to anyone in ministry, not just kids and youth pastors. A must-read for anyone who is investing in the life of someone younger!

[Pietta Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful overview of each child's 'phases' and how to meet each child where they are at in each stage and encourage them in their faith journey.

[Dustin Tramel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great training resource for churches and parents for understanding the phases of physical and spiritual development of youth. Also, the content is helpful for churches who want to increase collaboration and effectiveness in their ministry to younger generations. I will be using this as a regular reference for training my staff. Quick read, creative visual layout with helpful charts and graphs. Wish it had more in the area of practical application.

[Todd Mckeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those that I will use the research and stats often in my own teaching. I will also make sure all of my lead volunteers have as well for a resource as it does a great job explaining each phase a student goes through, along with incredible visuals in the book.

I truly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick read and enormous gift for childrens ministry and parenting

[Candice Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much good stuff in there! The book can be used as a quick resource or a thorough guide. It's easy to read, and relevant for someone working with any age group on the birth-18 year old spectrum.

[Drew Fajen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristen Ivy and Reggie Joiner offer and enforce a meaningful truth throughout this book-- kids mature and go through phases, these phases are an important part of their development, so we as adults should honor, respect, and support our kids in and through these phases. We can do this by understanding each unique phase and responding to each unique phase. This book is educational and empowering. As a youth worker, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand and help kids. This book is phenomenal.

[L Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

For people who weren't education or child life specialist majors in college, the Phase project is one of the most helpful things available to volunteers, Bible class teachers and parents. This is the initial overview of the project and why it is important. The nitty gritty about the specific ages and grade levels are provided in the other books and materials. If we understand what phase a child is in, we can be much more intentional and effective in the way we relate and present God, Christ, and the Bible to them.

[Tim Ogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent source. Simple and innovative.

It’s Just A Phase So Don’t Miss It offers constructive structure to invest our time and effort in the next generation with good stewardship of time.

Most importantly, IJAPSDMI provides unity in loving young people built upon the solid structure of Jesus Christ.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep coming back to this project because the information compiled is consistent and incredibly useful. The research matches the heart of the matter for 'It's Just a Phase' and that is a rare occurrence. Anyone leading in Children/Family/Youth Ministries should have this on their shelf at arm's reach.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been on the shelf too long. I have started and stopped a few times. But I am happy to finish it….only to realize that it should be forever open on my desk to remind me of the best way to help and influence kids at every phase of life.

[J Q · Rating 5 out of 5]

[5/5 stars]

[Michael Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every parent and youth worker needs to pick this book up and reference it often.

[Dustin Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for anyone wanting to understand how to minister to the next generation. This resource is especially helpful for leaders of the next generation.

[Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorful book, little research.

[Tim Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! A must for any church leadership team.

[Katie Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good information, but not super deep.

[Sydney Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that really simplifies the needs and heart of kids/youths. Helpful and consice graphics, and a powerful tool for anyone in kid/student ministry.

[Joel Fairclough-Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. A must read for any youth and kids pastor/worker. Brilliant for helping streamlining ministry to keep the most important thing, the most important thing.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an easy read and full of fantastic information about how kids learn, what we should focus on in different life stages as we teach them in Sunday school!

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and helpful approach to doing Christian education which focus on the phase in life students are in at their various ages. Their interests, needs and perspectives keep changing and teachers need to be aware of what phase the student is in.

[Rob Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joiner, the founder of Orange, along with Kristen Ivy, lays out a strategy for employing Orange strategies to age-specific groups of children. Grouping children into Pre-K, Elementary, Middle School, and High School, the authors discuss how each group focuses on certain aspects of God, self, and others. As am introduction to Orange thinking, the focus of the book is how to use the most leverage in any given phase of child development in order to help children make good decisions, have significant relationships, and foster a deeper faith. The principles within the book are sound, and when coupled with Orange curriculum (naturally) will help a youth/children's ministry be organized and strategic.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read both for parents and those who minister to children in any capacity. It is a brilliant introduction into children's ministry and explains various life-stages, developmental patterns, and how to most effectively reach kids for Christ. The book is layed out in a very easy to read and engaging format which makes it a quick, enjoyable read. Recommended.

[Ray Hausler · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much great information and research. I wanted to tweet something from every page. A must have for youth workers.

[Nick Defore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a training resource all children and youth workers should be equipped with. Clear, to the point, easy to get through, and great visuals to help summarize.

[Brandi Alvine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful resource. Will lend this book out to our volunteers.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how this breaks down what kids need in each stage, and the graphic design is the best you'll ever see in either a parenting book or a Christian living book.

[Alston Causey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible thesis for anyone with influence on the next generation.

A few highlights:

The most strategic thing you can do to influence the next generation is to help parents win with their own kids.

You can't influence someone you don't know. Kids don't learn from people they don't like.

Think about how access, connection, and pressure has changed since you were in 5th grade.

You can't champion a better future for kids unless you consistently challenge the priorities of adults.

What happens in 4th grade is just as important as what happens in Big Church.

When you influence a kids current behavior, you only help them respond to their present circumstance. But when you influence a kid's motive you set them up to win in future circumstances.

The ultimate motive is love.

When it comes to leading the next generation, spiritual growth means helping kids mature in their ability to relate to God.

A better future for kids means: smarter decisions, stronger relationships and deeper faith.

3 core values: Love God, Love Others, Love Me

Middle schoolers will use their smart phone more in one week than they will attend your church in one year.