This collection of real-life stories and discipleship reflections invites us to become fully alive in God’s redemptive story—to give faith a fighting chance in our lives, to see new possibilities, to trust the heart of our Choreographer, to learn new dance steps after brokenness, and to dance with missional faithfulness all the way to a strong finish.

From gritty mission fields to tender family moments to childlike surrender, each story reminds us that faith is not the absence of struggle—it is the courage to trust God’s lead through it. Sometimes that courage means discovering beauty in the dark nights of the soul and grace in the most unexpected places.

More than a book of stories, this is a guide for the soul. Each chapter closes with a prayer, discipleship reflection questions, and practical challenges designed to help readers take the next faithful step in their own journey.

Whether you are thriving in your faith or wrestling to hold on in a complicated world, Dancing With the Manatees offers a fresh perspective on what it means to step out of the boat, follow Jesus into unknown waters, and discover that the dance of faith was never meant to be safe—it was meant to be sacred… even when it’s clumsy. A holy pas de deux with a masterful Choreographer.

Available in multiple formats:

• Audio Book
• Paperback
• Hardcover
• Kindle eBook

The post Dancing With The Manatees: A Family Parable appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.

The 2025 State of the Bible report from American Bible Society digs deep into how Americans understand their identity—and the findings are powerful. The study shows a strong connection between regular Bible engagement and a strong sense of personal identity. In fact, 69% of daily Bible readers report a strong identity, the highest among all groups surveyed.

Why? Because Scripture consistently answers the core identity questions: Who am I? What matters to me? What do I believe?

The article highlights 14 key truths the Bible teaches about our identity—beginning with being created in God’s image, crowned with dignity, and wonderfully made. But Scripture also tells the truth about our condition: we are sinful and unclean on our own. Yet God meets that reality with love, redemption, and transformation.

Through Christ, believers become new creations, children of God, members of Christ’s body, and God’s workmanship—made to love Him, reflect His likeness, and make His name known in the world. Identity in Scripture is always tied to the character and work of God.

The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, the more clearly we understand who we really are.

Read the full article here.

The post What Does the Bible Say About Identity? appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.

For over 30 years, Breakaway Outreach has been enriching the lives of young people through diverse mentoring contexts — including churches, schools, neighborhoods, recovery programs, juvenile detention centers, youth chaplaincy services, sports coaching, re-entry and aftercare ministries, orphan and foster care, domestic violence outreach, and more.

In this handbook you will find a treasure trove of wisdom gleaned from the experiences of hundreds of our volunteers over the past two and a half decades.

Mentoring Chapters

1. Introduction: Mentoring Matters
2. The Role of a Mentor
3. Biblical Examples of Mentoring
4. Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid
5. Getting the Mentoring Relationship Off to a Good Start
6. Sample Match Icebreaker: Getting to Know Each Other
7. Give the Young Person a Voice and Choice
8. 100 Activity Ideas for Mentors and Mentees
9. 30 Conversation Starters for Mentors and Mentees
10. Faith-Based Mentoring (for Discipleship)
11. 100 “Make-a-Difference” Quotes(to keep you motivated!)

Download

Research consistently reveals the long-term positive effects of mentoring.

• Increased high school graduation rates
• Lower high school dropout rates
• Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices
• Better attitude about school
• Higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
• Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence
• Improved behavior, both at home and at school
• Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers
• Improved interpersonal skills
• Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use

(MENTOR, 2009; Cavell, DuBois, Karcher, Keller, and Rhodes, 2009)

Mentoring has also been linked in studies to social-emotional development benefits, improvements in youth perceptions of parental relationships, and better prospects for moving on to higher education. Mentoring can help youth as they go through challenging life transitions, including dealing with stressful changes at home or transitioning to adulthood. Close, healthy, supportive relationships between mentors and mentees that last for a significant portion of time (i.e., more than one year) are central to success. Without this, mentoring programs run the risk of harming young people who are paired with mentors ill-equipped to meet the mentees’ needs. Specifically, relationships with mentors that last less than three months; where there is irregular and inconsistent contact; where there is a disconnect between the personalities, interests, and expectations of the mentors and mentees; where mentors are unprepared and lack skills to relate to youth; and where there is no emotional bond between the mentor and mentee have been found to be harmful to youth (Jekielek et al., 2002; Rhodes & DuBois, 2006). “The Mentor Toolbox” can help you, or your volunteers, become more equipped to go the distance in your mentoring efforts.

The post The Mentor Toolbox: A Handbook for Mentoring Youth appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.