YOUTH

MINISTER
GUIDEBOOK

WELCOME

Table of Contents

Dear Youth Minister,

Getting Started 3
Resources and Trainings 4-5
Abortion Facts 6
Fetal Development 7
Defending Life 8-9
Interest Meeting 10
Events 11
Sign Up and Attendance Sheets
12
Legal Rights 13-14
Student Testimonies 15

Contact Us
9900 Courthouse Rd.
Spotsylvania,VA 22553
540-834-4600
info@studentsforlife.org
www.studentsforlife.org

Students for Life of America is a non-profit

organization dedicated to assisting and training
pro-life students across America. Our mission
is to identify, educate, and equip pro-life
students to abolish abortion in our lifetime.
Our team has created this Youth Minister
Guidebook as a starting point and resource
for you, a youth minister who can lead young
people to stand for Life. Our goal is to help
you equip pro-life students in your church to
start sharing the pro-life message at their high
school and in their community. This guidebook
will give you a practical starting point, and help
you to develop a vision for what to accomplish
with the youth in your community.
Please know that our full-time team at SFLA is
here to help you every step of the way as you
begin to abolish abortion.
Since abortion became legal in 1973, over 56
million babies have been killed. That is onefourth of our generation lost. This is our battle
and, with your help, we will abolish abortion in
our lifetime.

Students For Life |

For Life,
Kristan J. Hawkins
President

GETTING STARTED
Why Abortion Matters to the Church
Your role as a youth minister or pastor is to guide young people in developing a biblical
worldview and ultimately lead them to a relationship with God. With our society in a moral
decline, your role to encourage and train young people to live a righteous lifestyle is more
important than ever. By addressing life issues, like abortion, you are teaching students to confront the greatest injustice of their time and respond not only correctly, but Biblically. More
than that, the pro-life movement acts as a gateway to the gospel by starting a
conversation with young people that otherwise would have been rejected. It also rejuventates
the faith of those who have grown complacent and ineffective.
With many on our team having been involved with the pro-life movement for over 10 years,
we have seen countless youth come to a saving faith because they were first approached with
the pro-life message. The pro-life movement opens the door to the gospel because it begs the
question, Where does this value and equality we are fighting for come from? Through this,
we are making way for the seed of the gospel to be planted in peoples hearts. Abortion is
not just a political issue, it is an opportunity for the gospel to transform the hearts of young
people, creating a relationship on which we can sow righteous and just thinking.
Not only is the pro-life movement helping bring people into the kingdom, but countless
numbers of youth are rejuvenated in their existing walk with Christ by hearing and sharing
the pro-life message. When resistant youth hear this message and see that it has strong merits, it opens their minds to reconsider other issues as well, such as Gods involvement in their
life. This is an opportunity for young people to get right with God, renew their thinking, and
practice walking out their Christian faith in service and love for the least of these. For those
who were complacent in their faith, the pro-life movement acts to re-engage young people to
become a part of something greater than themselves, as they become the hands and feet of
Jesus to mothers and children in need. The young people of todays culture need to
understand the proper and loving way to act out their faith and share the love of God,
without being judgemental or uncaring.

Students For Life |

The injustice of abortion is only one part of developing a solid and biblical worldview, but it
is arguabely one of the most important, preparing the way for people to hear the good news
of the gospel and activating those who have lost interest in their faith. We need young men
and women to stand up for their faith and reach out to the lost and hurting, espeically those
targeted or hurt by abortion.

GETTING STARTED
Start the Conversation

Take a few youth meetings to present on abortion and

look for students who respond well to the message. We
have specifically added sections in this book to help you
with your presentation (See pages 7-9 for Talking Points.)
Inform your students about recent abortion statistics
nationwide and in your own community. Challenge students to become involved in pro-life activism by stressing the negative effects abortion has on women and
ultimately society as a whole.

Find Pro-Life Students

After your presentations on abortion, look for

students who respond to the message and are looking
for more ways to get involved. Challenge students to
start pro-life clubs at their schools and start impacting
their area of influence. Take down the information of
students who would like to be more active and plan a
follow-up meeting.

Plan a Meeting with Interested Students

Choose a time and date that most students can attend.

Take the time to talk to students about their ideas.
Allow students to brainstorm and troubleshoot about
starting clubs at their schools. Use this opportunity to
address any problems they might have with starting the
group. Please contact your SFLA Regional Coordinator
for help with starting the clubs at
info@studentsforlife.org.

Use Social Networks

Start a Facebook group for your youth group. This

is a free and quick way to connect with people who
may be interested in getting involved. Post images and
graphics from pro-life organizations to continue to
educate your youth group about abortion. Highlight
success stories about what your students are
accomplishing at their schools

Offer to be Faculty/Adult Adviser

If you are a campus minister at a school, offer to act as

faculty adviser for the club. If the group is
homeschooled, you can act as an adult adviser to help
facilitate events and provide leadership.

Talk with Administration or

Church Leadership

If you are affliated with a school, set up a meeting with

the school principal, vice principal, and/or dean of
students to discuss the policies regarding school clubs
and activities. Bring an interested student who is
prepared to present some ideas and expectations for
the pro-life group.
If you work for a church, bring the idea to your church
leadership and ask for support. Ask to put information
in bulletins or make announcements about pro-life
events your youth group will be attending.

Students For Life |

4

RESOURCES & TRAINING

Becoming more involved in the pro-life movement and being a new club can
feel overwhelming for your students. We want to make it as easy as possible
for them to become active pro-life leaders at their schools and in the
community, so that they can impact their generation. SFLA has a number of
free trainings and resources to help educate and equip high school students to
become effective pro-life activists! Share this information at the first interest
meeting so your students learn how they can be equipped!
But in y
our hear
Trainings
ts ho
the Lord
as holy, a nor Christ
Apologetics: Dialoguing about Abortion and other Controversial p
lway
repared t
o make a s being
Topics
def
anyone w
Pro-Life Activism
ho asks y ense to
o
reason fo
Developing Your Leaders
r the hop u for a
e that is
you; yet d
How to Talk about Abstinence
in
o it with
gentlenes
Embracing the Controversary of Abortion
and resp
s
ect. 1 Pe
Recruiting and Retaining Members
ter 3:15
Planning Your Year
Planned Parenthoods Abortion Business

Topic Cards

We have topic cards for all of the tough questions! Students can request any number of
the topic cards to hand out at events and counter demonstrations, use for tabling, and
distribute throughout schools. Email SFLA at info@studentsforlife.org to order as
many as needed.

What about the Life and Health of the Mother?

What about Rape and Incest?
What does Planned Parenthood have Planned for You?
Dispelling the Myths about Safe Sex
Does Overpopulation Justify Abortion?
Has Legal Abortion Really Helped Women?
Should Abortion Remain Legal even if a Fetus can Feel Pain?
What about Fetal Abnormalities?
Is this Alive? (Fetal Development)

Event-in-a-Box

Students For Life |

Each month during the school year(August-May), SFLA releases an Event-in-a-box. They
are announced in an easy-to-access blogpost at highschool.studentsforlife.org/
events-in-a-box. Each blog will explain what is in the box and how to use it. Each box
contains an easy to use event centered around a theme. For example last year the month
of September was titled Chalk it Up. Inside the box was 1 list of sidewalk sayings, 1 box
of sidwalk chalk, and 25 postcards to hand out. The blog post explained how to use each
of the items in the box. This is a great, easy way to reach your school!

RESOURCES & TRAINING

Download, Customize, and Print Flyers for your Events!

SFLA offers a number of flyers that groups can customize and print to fit their
needs.Visit highschool.studentsforlife.org/flyers and click on the flyers for a
higher resolution and print-quality image.

Get One-on-One Support from your SFLA Team!

Students for Life of America has an expert team of professionals to help students,
wherever you live! We are here to help students by offering one-on-one support
for their group. Check out our team page to find the SFLA team member nearest
you: highschool.studentsforlife.org/where-our-team-is-located.

SFLAs Thaddeus Stevens Leadership Fellowship

The Thaddeus Stevens Fellowship has been developed to raise the next generation of pro-life
leaders. We want to help high school students become the best leaders and activists in their
schools and, ultimately, in their communities! The Fellowship trains high school student pro-life
activists to be leaders at their schools (and beyond) and helps network those student leaders with
their counterparts in the national pro-life movement to help further develop their skills.

Let no o
ne de
your yout spise you for
h,
believers but set the
speech, in an example in
c
faith, in p onduct, in love, in
urity.1 T
imothy 4
:12

Students For Life |

For more information on the

Thaddeus Stevens Fellowship, visit
highschool.studentsforlife.org/stevens-leadership-fellowship/.

ABORTION FACTS
Take a few meetings and use your presentation or sermon time to talk about
abortion. Ask each person to answer the question, Why are you pro-life?
You can use the talking points, abortion facts, and statistics below to help you
start the conversation with your students.
Abortion Statistics

As many as 3300 pre-born children are aborted every day, in total 1.1 million per year
Nearly one in four pregnancies end in abortion
50% of women now seeking abortion have had at least one previous abortion
The U.S. abortion rate is among the highest of developed countries
About 51% of abortions are performed on women less than 25 years of age
Approximately 1/3 of American women have had an abortion by 45
Abortion disproportionately affects black and hispanic women
Abortions can legally be preformed in all three trimesters of pregnancy

Risks of Abortion

Medical Complication:
Heavy bleeding
Infection
Incomplete abortion
Sepsis
Anethesia
Damage to the cervix
Scarring of the uterine lining
Uterine perforation
Damage to internal organs
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Endometriosis
Death

Emotional Complications:
Eating disorders
Relationship problems
Guilt
Depression
Flashbacks of abortion
Suicidal thoughts
Alcohol and drug abuse

Higher Risk of:

Breast cancer
Cervival cancer
Ovarian cancer
Liver cancer
Placenta previa
Ectopic pregnancy
Premature birth

Sources can be found at www.guttmacher.org and abolishabortion.com/basic-pro-life-info

Students For Life |

Your youth group should have a basic

knowledge of abortion facts nationwide and
in your community. Be sure to also research
your city and state abortion rates.

FETAL DEVELOPMENT
Another topic to discuss during your presentation is fetal development. Knowing about
fetal development is an important part of the pro-life cause. By understanding the preborn childs development, we have a better understanding of the reality of abortion. The
pre-born child is not simply a lump of tissue. By helping your students understand fetal
developement, they can successful answer the question, When does life begin?
First Trimester

22 Days (3 weeks): Heart begins to beat.

28 Days (4 weeks): Arms and legs are budding.
6 weeks: Skeleton is formed; brain coordinates movement of muscles and organs. Brainwaves are
detectable by 6 weeks and 2 days.
8 1/2 weeks: Eyelids and palms of hands are senstive to touch.
9 weeks: Child will bend fingers around an object placed in the palm; thumb sucking occurs.
10 weeks: Body is sensitive to touch; child squints; swallows, furrows brow, and frowns. Unique
fingerprints appear and fingernails begin growing.
12 weeks: Child can kick, turn feet, curl and fan toes, make a fist, move thumbs, bend wrists, turn head,
open mouth, and press lips tightly together.

Second Trimester

4 months: Movement in the womb can be felt by the mother.

5 months: Sleeping habits appear; a slammed door will provoke activity; child responds to sounds in
frequencies too high or low for adults to hear.
6 months: Lungs produce surfactant, which is neccessary for breathing. Babies born at this age have
survived.

Third Trimester

7 months: Eyelids open and close, eyes look around; hears and recognizes mothers voice. By this point,
the child can do somersaults.
9 months: Child triggers labor and birth occurs. By this point, the brain has nearly all the neurons it will
ever have.
*Women can have abortions up to and through the 9th month of pregnancy in many states*

Sources can be found at www.EHD.org and www.babycenter.com

Students For Life |

For you formed my inward

parts; you knitted me together
in my mothers womb.
1 praise you, for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:13-14

DEFENDING LIFE
When does life begin? When does life end? What is the value of a human life? Pro-lifers are
constantly challenged to defend and explain their positions. Student pro-life activists should study
common challenges and responses, and they should regularly practice discussion and debate. Share
this in your presentation so that each member of your youth group is prepared with simple, logical answers to difficult questions. More information and help can be found at highschool.studentsforlife.org.
One of the quickest ways to sum up a pro-life position is:

Abortion kills a human being, and I believe all human beings are equal.
This is a short, powerful statement that gets us directly to the root of the debate. If we are defending this view,
we must show 3 things:
1. Abortion kills a human being.
2. All human beings are equally valuable.
3. The reasons for having an abortion are not acceptable reasons to kill a human being.

Step 1 Abortion Kills A Human Being

This is a scientific fact.You can find neutral scientific sources to cite this statement at studentsforlife.org
or any college text book. The development of a new human organism begins at conception. Pre-born human
beings are extremely young, extremely small, and extremely undeveloped; but they are still human beings.

Step 2 All Human Beings Are Equal

This statement resounds particularly well with this young generation.Virtually everyone agrees born human
beings should all be treated equally in respect to their fundamental rights. From toddlers to senior citizens,
from the valedictorian to the high school dropout, from the handicapped to the athletic, from dark skin to light
skin, from men to women: despite all their differences, we all agree that all these human beings have equal value
and worth. No one is better than anyone else.
Again, we want to note that this is despite these peoples many, many differences. We may have different levels
of intelligence and mental abilities, different levels of awareness, different levels of athletic and physical abilities,
different levels of awareness and desires, etc. But virtually everyone still agrees that these functional differences
make no difference when it comes to our value because we are all human beings with equal worth. A Christian
or a Jew might believe this is because we are all made in the image of God.

Step 3 The Reasons For Abortion Are Not Reasons To Kill A Human Being

There are many reasons cited for supporting abortion. The world is overpopulated; Children shouldnt be
born into an abusive family; Women shouldnt be forced to have children in poverty; Women have a right
to privacy and their own body; etc. Whether these statements are actually true is not important if these
would not be acceptable reasons to kill a born human being.

Students For Life |

This means that pre-born human beings, despite their many fundamental differences from born human beings,
are equal, too.

DEFENDING LIFE
The easiest way to express this to others is to use an example of a born human to be killed for these
reasons. For example, would killing toddlers be an acceptable way of combating overpopulation (if it
exists?) Of course not! And most supporters of abortion would agree. Thus, if we propose this question
to abortion supporters who cite overpopulation, and they answer no, we know their real reasons for
supporting abortion are that they do not believe pre-born human beings are equal to born human beings.
Proceed to step 2.
Lets try another one. Is it acceptable to allow the killing of toddlers if it is done within the privacy of a
persons home or a doctors office? Again, the answer is no. If the pre-born truly are equal in value to a
toddler (or any other human being), privacy is still not an acceptable reason to allow them to be killed.
In short, being pro-life is the only way to consistently be pro-human equality. If it is wrong to kill a
toddler, it is also wrong to kill a pre-born human being.

The SLED Test

Another common tool used in abortion dialogue is the SLED test. The only differences bewteen the
embyro, which can legally be killed, and the adult human, which can not, are size, level of development,
environment, and degree of dependency. Not one of these qualities are a defining human trait that would
give or take away rights of any human. Think of the acronym SLED as a helpful reminder of these
non-essential differences:
Size: True, embryos are smaller than newborns and adults, but why is that relevant? Do we really want
to say that large people are more human than small ones? Men are generally larger than women, but that
doesnt mean that they deserve more rights. Size doesnt equal value.
Level of development: True, embryos and fetuses are less developed than the adults theyll one day
become. But again, why is this relevant? Four year-old girls are less developed than 14 year-old ones. Should
older children have more rights than their younger siblings? Some people say that self-awareness makes
one human. But if that is true, newborns do not qualify as valuable human beings. Six-week old infants lack
the immediate capacity for performing human mental functions, as do the reversibly comatose, the sleeping,
and those with Alzheimers Disease.
Environment: Where you are has no bearing on who you are. Does your value change when you cross
the street or roll over in bed? If not, how can a journey of eight inches down the birth-canal suddenly
change the essential nature of the unborn from non-human to human? If the unborn are not already human, merely changing their location cant make them valuable.

In short, its far more reasonable to argue that although humans differ immensely with respect to talents,
accomplishments, and degrees of development, they are nonetheless equal because they share a common
human nature. (Source can be found at www.prolifetraining.com)

Students For Life |

Degree of Dependency: If viability makes us human, then all those who depend on insulin or kidney
medication are not valuable and we may kill them. Conjoined twins who share blood type and bodily
systems also have no right to life.

10

INTEREST MEETING
Now that you have presented on abortion at your youth meetings, have an interest meeting
for students who would like to get more involved.
Be sure to choose a time and place that is convenient for the students. If you can provide
pizza or desserts, it will entice more students to attend. Make a flyer that is simple and clear,
stating the date, time, and location of the interest meeting, your contact information, and that
will you will providing dinner or desserts! Hang up your flyers with ample time for students
to plan for it. Also, post the information on social media and send text messages to all the
students in your youth group to inform them about the meeting.
Encourage Passionate Students to Start Pro-Life Club at Their Schools

Public, private, or homeschool, every high school needs to hear the pro-life message. If you have students
who arepassionate about the pro-life cause, encourage them to engage their student body and make a difference. If they are exicted but timid, be a source of encouragement and leadership for them.

Tell Students to Contact Students for Life of America

We have everything your youth need to start a successful and thriving group at their high school or in their
homeschool community. Make sure they contact us at info@studentsforlife.org for our free resources
and support. We want to partner with you and help activate your young people to stand for Life!

Help Students with Group Organization

Offer to advise or act as an adult leader for their club. Although the club should be driven by their passion,
students often need practical help in leading meetings and organizing events. Regularly check in on them to
make sure they are not overwhelmed or discouraged.

Share Their Success Stories

If you know a high school or homeschool student group that has hosted an awesome event or made an
impact at their school, tell us! We love to share student success stories to inspire other students. Every
month, SFLA selects one high school pro-life group to recognize as Group of the Month. The group has a
blog published on our website, as well as national recognition on our email listserv, which reaches thousands
of students and supporters.

Students For Life |

11

EVENTS
Once your youth group is familiar with abortion, it is important to build on that knowledge
by actively engaging them in pro-life events. Here are a few event ideas that you can
encourage your students to do at their school or that you can host as a youth group. They
are simple, easy, and effective, which will help build excitment and momentum. Make sure to
make copies of the sign up sheet on page 13, this is an easy way to get the information of
others who are interested in joining your group.
Flyering Campaign

Post flyers around your community or school on a specific theme, such as, basic abortion statistics, fetal
development, or Planned Parenthoods abortion business.Visit highschool.studentforlife.org/flyers for
pre-made, downloadable flyers you can use! Be sure to add the groups contact information at the bottom.

Host an Apologetics Training

Ask your SFLA Regional Coordinator or a local pro-life leader to come and teach the students in your
youth group dialoguing skills. It is crucial that your members are comfortable talking to other students
about abortion and that they feel prepared to answer the hard questions.

Create a When Does Life Begin? Display

Use a bulletin board, hang a large sheet of paper, or set up a table with a tri-fold board in a high
foot-traffic area. Draw a line representing fetal development and fill in descriptions of the babys growth in
the appropriate places. Have a person standing with the display at all times. Ask people to mark the stage
where they think life begins. Based on their answer, your members can start a dialogue about the humanity
of the pre-born.

Prayer Vigil/Memorial Service at Local Abortion Facility

Pick a date and time that is convenient for the majority of your youth group. Drive to the nearest abortion
facility and spend a set amount of time in prayer or silent reflection.You can also hold life affirming and
loving signs. Be sure to have pregnancy resource information available for women who might approach
your group looking for life-affirming help.

Chalking

Find public sidewalks and write life-affirming messages on them! This is a fun and creative way to get
students active. Be sure to write contact information for your local pregnancy center or
post-abortive recovery counseling centers.

Call your local Pregnancy Resource Center and ask if you can bring a group of students for a
volunteer day. This can include yard work, office duties, or babysitting.

Students For Life |

Volunteer at your Local Pregnancy Resource Center

12

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

SIGN UP/ATTENDANCE SHEET

Email

School Year

LEGAL RIGHTS
As your students become more involved they may run into some legal issues. As the pro-life student
movement has grown, discrimination by public school administrations has become more frequent.
Students trying to start a club or host events as an active club are constantly being censored by their
principals, teachers, and other school officials.
Bottom Line: If your students attend a public school, administration cannot censor them
or place higher standards on them in any way.
This includes:
Denying acceptance of a pro-life club on any grounds, including but not limited to:
Its too offensive
Its religious
It will disrupt the learning environment
Forcing a pro-life group to be a committee in a religious or
conservative club, instead of its own independent club.
Making a pro-life club undergo more approval requirements than
other clubs.
Prohibiting a pro-life club from participating in the same activities as other clubs, including:
Flyering
Tabling
Literature distribution
Hosting speaker
Fundraising
Restricting a pro-life club from accessing student activities funds that are available to other
student groups.

If students you know are facing any of the above

situations, or you suspect they are being
discriminated against, contact
Students for Life of America
immediately at legalhelp@studentsforlife.org.
We have legal counsel readily available for
students to ensure first amendment rights at
public schools.

Students For Life |

manded you?
Have I not com
urageous. Do
Be strong and co
d, and do not be
e
n
te
h
ig
fr
e
b
t
o
n
Lord your God
e
th
r
fo
,
d
ye
a
m
dis
rever you go.
is with you whe
Joshua 1:9

14

LEGAL RIGHTS
If you have students who are experiencing
discrimination, please tell them to follow the directions
below:

Be watch
ful, stand
firm in the
faith... be
strong. Let
all that yo
do be don
u
e in love.
1 Corinthia
ns 15:13

Document Everything

Keep logs of every conversation they have with their school

officials concerning the club. Include the date, who was
present, and the outcome of the meeting.
Keep any emails sent to them from your administration
concerning your club.
Photocopy all documents they turn into the
administration.

Always Attend Meetings with

Administration in Pairs

They should take a fellow member or the adviser, but

always have at least two people representing the club
in every meeting.
If they do not have someone to attend the meetings with
them, reschedule.

Remember, if your students are

experiencing
discrimination from
public school officials, contact
Students for Life of America
immediately at
legalhelp@studentsforlife.org.

Ask for the Denial in Writing

Whether it is for starting the club, hosting an event, or

flyering, have the administration give their denial in writing.
This can be a letter or an email. They can send them a letter
or email asking for permission once again and place a time
constraint on the reply. For example:

Dear Mr. Smith,

Students For Life |

I have recently inquired about starting a Students for Life club at Jones High School. After some research, I believe
it is well within my first amendment rights to start and facilitate a pro-life club at our public school. Please reply in
writing to grant or deny our clubs ability to function as an official student group at Jones High School by August
1st at 3pm. If no reply is given by this date, it will be considered a denial.Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
John Doe

15

STUDENT TESTIMONIES
We are grateful for your willingness to help us educate and equip high school
and homeschool students in the Pro-Life Generation. Please, contact us if you
need help or would like us to send a representative to speak at your youth
group at info@studentsforlife.org
Here are a few testimnonies from high school students that we have helped
since the launch of our SFLA High School and Homeschool outreach.
Sam B. - Conneticut

Learning how to better plan my year, coordinate members of my group, how to be a better apologist
and activist has helped me in all aspects of my pro-life activism. I learned much from other students,
and have a great support community to refer to if I need advice or help on my groups activism.

Gabriel V. - Ohio

Students for Life of America has taught me so much and pushed me to always live to bring about a
culture of life at my high school, in my community, and in my city.

Kaitlynn W. - Arizona

Students for Life of America has helped me get a realistic glimpse into the movement which I hope
to eventually work in and it has given me the training, knowledge, and connections I need to really be
able to make a difference in my community.

Adam G. - Alabama

My SFLA Regional Coordinator has been by my side through my walk with starting my group. She
has helped me a lot!

Students For Life |

Truly, I say to y
ou, as you
did it to one of
the least
of these my bro
thers,you
did it to me.
Matthew 25:40

16

Students for Life of America

OFFERS
FREE TRAINING to your high school group!
WE CAN TRAIN YOUR GROUP IN ANY OF
THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
Pro-Life Activism
Apologetics: Dialoguing about Abortion
Developing Your Leaders
Embracing the Controversy of Abortion
How to Talk about Abstinence
Fundraising for your Group
Recruiting and Retaining Members
Planning Your Year
Planned Parenthoods Abortion Business

AND MORE!
Email us at info@studentsforlife.org or contact your Regional
Coordinator to request a FREE training from SFLA!