Recommended Resource Difference Course for Youth Groups  (free download!)

This is a discipleship resource for youth groups available as a free download,  I have a physical copy all contained in a sleek looking black fabric drawstring bag.  Inside this resource you get a host guide with all the notes, one copy of the ‘Difference book’ (a participant journal/guide), a flyer for the resource, and a prayer card.

I got my copy as a free gift at the annual National Youth Ministry Weekend.  But, I havent been paid to write this recommendation – I do genuinely think this is a good new resource for youth groups.  Plus it has the bonus of a free training session for leaders hosting it and I am all for free training to add confidence and boost skills of those doing youthwork!  And they have created a version for schools, prisons, adults and youth groups so it is so versatile.

The course is put together by the Reconciling Leaders Network (RLN), who are a registered charity committed to mobilising a generation to live out their calling as peacemakers and reconcilers, for a just and flourishing society.

The youth groups resource is easily adaptable to a compact 35 min session, or a 60 min session, or is customisable to your own length – you can pick and choose which activities and content you’d like to use – and it tells you in the host book how long each activity is likely to take allowing you to build your session. You can use everything in the host guide for the longer session or pickand choose your own elements. (see the photo on the right which is from the leaders guide showing the ‘practising forgiveness session’.)

Each of the sessions have creative activities which link in with the theme and help bring it to life for those who learn by doing not just listening. There are also videos, Bible stories (there are mutiple (2-3) of these for each session so you can choose one that works best with your group, reflective activities, and a prayer you can read out to close.  There are QR codes which can take you to the video clips and audio clips. The sessions always help young people get thinking about how to apply the theme to their ownlives, and get them to think of one thing they are taking away from the session.

The participant guide is brightly coloured inside with key words, quotes, and activities to engage young people. (See the three photos inserted near here which are all from the paticipant guide!) This handbook/guide would work fabulously for young people who are visual learners and who like to follow along and read for themselves. It also gives them a keepsake they can take home and re-read at any point.

Each session is very well planned and contains excellent content – it would take hours and hours to put a session together from scratch to reach the same caliber! Save yourself the effort and use this resource instead!

Heres what Reconciling Leaders Network says about it’s Difference resource,   “In a world that is messy, hurting and divided, Difference is a free, seven-session resource that equips young people with skills to cross divides, navigate disagreement, practise forgiveness and pursue a just and flourishing world as they seek to follow Jesus.”

Once you’ve completed the essential training, you’ll get access to all of the materials you need to host the course. The ‘Resources’ section includes digital downloads of the host guide, participant guide, slide decks and session films, as well as a link to purchase physical copies of the guide. The training is offered online via a 20 minute anytime course on your own or live on Zoom (as an interactive 2h course withother participants) & is designed to equip youth leaders & fill them with confidence to host the material. Both training and the resource pack is free to download – so it’s a win win.

Live training
If you’d prefer to join a live training session, they occasionally run group sessions on Zoom to train Difference hosts across all courses types. This call will last for about two hours, and will include taking part in a sample session of the course.

These resources have been developed in collaboration with youth work experts and educators and piloted with youth groups across different communities and church denominations. Church youth groups can tailor Difference to their contexts and the specific needs of young people.

Difference for Youth Groups has seven sessions:

• Intro
• Big picture
• Crossing Divdes
• Navigating disagreement
• Pursuing justice
• Practising forgiveness
• Belonging together.

All sessions include: films, bible, reflection, discussion and interactive exercises.

Difference offers three formational habits that can transform everyday relationships. These habits draw on the wisdom of expert peacemakers and Jesus’ encounters in the Gospels. The habits are Be curious, Be present, and Re-imagine, the habits are designed to equip young people with key skills to take their faith further.

Great news is if you also do work in schools there is also two schools versions (obviously less in your face faith content – but still themes with a Christian ethos) a primary school version for children and a secondary school version for teenagers/pre teens.

Difference for Secondary Schools – In a conflicted and divided world, Difference is a free, six-session resource that equips students with skills to cross divides, navigate disagreement and build welcoming school communities.

Difference for Primary Schools – Difference for Primary Schools is now live!  It’s a free suite of resources to help your school navigate an increasingly complex world, inspired by Jesus to embrace difference and champion a culture of hope and empathy.

You can get your free copy of the youth groups one here:  https://difference.rln.global/youth-groups/