It’s not easy losing a parent. Or dealing with depression. Or facing an addiction. It’s hard and painful and brutal.

But it doesn’t have to be lonely.

Christians should never have to face trials on their own, especially teenagers. Those around them—their Christian brothers and sisters—should rise up and support them.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ”

(Galatians 6:2).

Although it isn’t easy going through trials, it’s also tough being on the outside and trying to help teenagers in your ministry who are suffering.

You don’t know what to do. You’re worried about hurting their feelings or stepping on their toes or saying the exact wrong thing.

Of course you care—you love them! It isn’t that you don’t want to help—it’s just that you don’t know how.

Group’s Emergency Response Handbook for Youth Ministry will help you come alongside those in your youth group who are facing tough times. From care and counseling tips, to practical ideas for your group, to what to say and what not to say, this book offers insight after insight into how to care for the hurting in your youth group.

Of course, it’d be great if you never had to pick up this book! But the reality is that everyone faces tough times—including the teenagers and families in your youth ministry. And they need your help.

So when someone you love is going through the pain of parents divorcing, dealing with an eating disorder, or considering suicide…it’s time to pick up this guide. Use the Table of Contents to find the specific hurt you’re concerned about, and then flip to that section.

Once there, you’ll find a real-life narrative—a story from someone who’s been there. Sometimes they’re inspiring, and you’ll read how the support and love of a youth group sustained someone through a hard time. Other times they’re disappointing and tell stories of people left alone during tragedy or rejected during trial. Either way, these stories will move you, and they’ll show you the importance of devoted youth ministers.

Each section also includes care and counseling tips that will give you practical ideas for reaching out in love. From listening to youth, to mediating in arguments, to intentional reminiscing, these ideas will help you effectively support the hurting people in your small group.

Next, you’ll find group tips for your whole youth group. These practical ideas will help your entire group support the hurting member during his or her trial.

And finally, you’ll find an invaluable section on what to say and what not to say to your friend. The words we use can help or hurt a student more than we know. This section will help you avoid the hurtful comments and use the helpful ones.

You’ll also find useful boxes in each section that offer Scripture help, guidelines for referring your student to a professional counselor, and additional resources, such as books and Web sites, that you can use as you support your hurting teenager. This book is your guide for help in a crisis, but it doesn’t take the place of legal or medical advice. You may need to seek professional help or the advice of your pastor in some situations.

Our prayer for this book is that it will help you help a student during a difficult time.

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us”

(2 Corinthians 1:4).