ESSENTIAL #5: Student Leadership Resources

Developing a student leadership team and creating ways for students to serve builds ownership and helps them become participants instead of spectators. Providing leadership training and opportunities to lead helps create a student-centered culture and multiplies your leadership.

CHECK THIS OUT:

Here are 9 GREAT RESOURCES to help you and your students…

3 BOOKS FOR STUDENTS:

Youth Pastors are always looking for good resources to use and adapt for the their students. Here are 3 great books that I have used many times with multiple student leadership teams in a variety of contexts.

PRO TIP: Buy your Student Leaders a book to read together each year.

99 Thoughts for Student Leaders

•QUICK HITTING TIPS

•SHORT SECTIONS

• TOPICAL CATEGORIES

•GOOD DISCUSSION STARTER

CLICK OR TAP HERE

Help, I’m a Student Leader

•CHAPTER BOOK WITH GREAT TOPICS

•WRITTEN TO STUDENTS

•YOUTH GROUP BASED LEADERSHIP

•READ IT WITH YOUR STUDENTS

CLICK OR TAP HERE

Habitudes Vol #1

•IMAGE DRIVEN LEADERSHIP LESSONS

•QUICK THOUGHT PROVOKING IDEAS

•IMAGE, PRINCIPLE, STORY, BIBLE, APPLICATION QUESTIONS

•READ TOGETHER OR TEACH IT

CLICK OR TAP HERE

3 TRAINING MATERIALS:

Finding good, biblically based, well done student leadership training materials can be challenging. Here are 3 training books that I have taught many times which are super helpful to customize, teach, and use with your team.

PRO TIP: Many youth ministries get students serving, but forget to have an intentional plan for leadership skill development. Planning out your content and choosing effective training materials is critical to student success.

Jesus on Leadership

•7 PRINCIPLES OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP

•DETAILED LESSON PLANS

•LEADER GUIDE & STUDENT WORKBOOK

•SPIRITUAL GIFTS & PROFILES

CLICK OR TAP HERE

SL Training Manual

•COMPLETE STUDENT LEADERSHIP PLAN & LESSONS IN ONE BOOK

•OLDER ARTWORK/STYLE BUT AMAZING CONTENT & TOOLS

•CREATE A STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM FROM SCRATCH OR ENHANCE ONE

•TRUSTED YOUTH MIN EXPERTS WITH WORKSHEETS, TIPS, TOOLS, IDEAS

CLICK OR TAP HERE

Leadership Reborn

•10 LEADERS FROM THE BIBLE

•EASILY READ, CRAFT, & TEACH A TOPICAL CHAPTER WITH 5 MAIN POINTS

•STORIES, ILLUSTRATIONS, QUOTES

•GREAT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

CLICK OR TAP HERE

2 CURRICULUM IDEAS:

Are you looking for Student Leadership curriculum to teach your whole youth group or use with your whole student leadership team? Here are some trusted resources to use from Group Publishing and Download Youth Ministry.

PRO TIP: Build Student Leadership content into the yearly scope & sequence of your ministry.

Student Leadership Curriculum

•GROUP PUBLISHING’S LIVE CURR

•LEADERSHIP BUNDLE (60 LESSONS)

•TAILORED FOR: HIGH SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL, VOLUNTEERS

•ADD IT TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, GET IT SEPARATELY, OR TRY THE FREE TRIAL

CLICK OR TAP HERE

Download Youth Ministry

•USER CREATED CONTENT FILTERED FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP

•INDIVIDUAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP LESSONS BASED ON TOPICS

•BIG VARIETY, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

•USE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION OR GET IT SEPARATELY

CLICK OR TAP HERE

1 TRAINING EVENT:

Looking for an event for your student leaders or another voice to train and invest in them? Check out these conferences, programs, and events from Student Leadership University.

PRO TIP: Getting students out of town and outside of their comfort zone can be a great way to help them develop as leaders. Try doing a retreat, leadership weekend, or training conference.

Student Leadership Programs

•CONFERENCES FOR STUDENTS

•SUMMER INTENSIVE PROGRAMS

•4-YEAR SCOPE & TRAINING

•LIFT TOUR: YOUTH EVENT

CLICK OR TAP HERE

---

Check Out the PODCAST!

TAP or CLICK HERE to PLAY

---

NOTE: All of these student leadership tools are merely provided as a resource and should be vetted by each ministry and adapted for your ministry context. They do not represent LEAD222, but have been carefully selected as top resources for youth ministry. (Images © GROUP, DYM, SLU)

Author: Larry Ely • Original Post: January 2026