Tim Keller’s Influence on Gospel-Centered Youth Ministry

I’ve been hesitant to write this article – because what can I say that hasn’t already been said about Tim Keller and his legacy? I never met him and didn’t know him personally. That means I can’t speak to his personal integrity and I can’t pretend he was a personal mentor. But his ministry did leave an indelible mark on me. 

Instead of offering another eulogy of the man, I’d like to highlight three specific contributions of particular benefit to youth pastor theologians around the world. After recommending these few resources, I’ve shared comments (with permission) from some of the members of YPT’s Facebook Group. 

RTS Lectures: Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World

This is a series of lectures from a course co-taught by Tim Keller and Edmund Clowney. I listened to this series on my iPod, carefully downloading and syncing episodes through iTunes University. Clowney’s book The Unfolding Mystery was the first Christ-centered book I remember reading, back in college. I started listening to these lectures because of Clowney, not Keller. After listening to these lectures I started devouring everything from Keller I could get my hands (and iPod) onto. 

Youth Pastor Theologian regularly encourages leaders to pursue gospel-centered youth ministry. Through my seminary program at GCTS I understood the scarlet-thread of the gospel throughout the Old and New Testaments, but this lecture series set a clear example for me about what it looks like from the pulpit. If you have heard about gospel-centered preaching but you’re still unsure what that actually means, then bookmark this page and listen to this course. 

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters

Obviously, I think it’s a wise decision to read everything Tim Keller wrote. But if I had to choose only one book for youth workers, it would be Counterfeit Gods. I realize this isn’t his most popular book, but I do think it’s the most relevant book for people in youth ministry. 

Counterfeit Gods explores the ways people seek fulfillment in all sorts of things - money, sex, power, etc - but do not find it. Only Christ can truly satisfy the cravings of the human soul. We can make ourselves content for a short time, but it’s never enduring. Worldly contentment is a vapor. Christ satisfies. 

As brilliant as Keller was, his writings are remarkably accessible. But still, they aren’t entirely accessible for teenagers. The Reason for God, The King’s Cross, The Prodigal God, Walking With God through Pain and Suffering and others are all books that will benefit every youth worker who want to make disciples. His books Preaching and Center Church will help you develop good pastoral skills. But even still, I think Counterfeit Gods is the most immediately applicable to youth. 

Reason for God? Belief in an Age of Skepticism (Q&A with Tim Keller at Columbia University)

This video from the Veritas Forum displays Keller’s humility, intelligence, and winsomeness while fielding difficult and incisive questions. He is honest and direct about Christianity while refusing to “take the bait” on leading questions. This video is worth carefully watching and studying, rather than listening to it while you work on other stuff on your computer. 

(editor’s note: this article features Amazon Affiliate links that provide a small financial benefit for YPT, which we use to provide resources for youth workers. Thank you for this easy way to support YPT.)

Why YPT Readers are Thankful for Tim Keller

I found Tim Keller and his book the Reason for God my junior year of college. To this day it remains one of the most influential books I have ever read. His writing ministry, both of books and blogs, tremendously shaped my prayer life, my preaching, my missions and my theology. When it comes to student ministry he is my go to source for students who think “Christianity is for the weak and dumb”. Tim showed that the Gospel was for all even in the most diverse, educated, and wealthiest city in the world.
James Mauney
Student Pastor, Parkwood Baptist Church (Concord, NC)

After college and before I was serving at my current church, I was growing in my desire to faithfully preach the gospel. I picked up Keller's book "Preaching" at a bookstore. I would read it as I took the train to and from work. I continue to leverage the principles he lays down in the book: the centrality of the gospel, the use of systematic and biblical theology, and the need for a "deep, rich rich" life of prayer as the key to an effective public ministry. As a youth pastor, this has been key in helping develop in my students a worldview that is saturated with and shaped by God's grace in Christ. I thank God for Timothy Keller.

Story: One day several years ago I was walking home at night when I was surrounded by a group of men. They mugged me, went through my bag, and took my valuables- but they threw aside the Preaching book. I can remember being SO relieved that- though my wallet, phone, keys, and credit cards were gone – I still had my Tim Keller book!
Taylor Baird
Youth Pastor, Chinese Christian Fellowship Church (Wilmette, IL)

I first heard Tim preach when I was a graduate student at Wheaton College in 2015 when he happened to give the chapel message. Afterward, I listened to any Tim Keller sermon I could find. God used that to plant the seeds of ministry in my heart. Through his teaching I learned biblical theology, covenant theology, the law-gospel distinction, etc. Most importantly, I gained a deeper understanding of the gospel.
Michael Agapito
Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church of Mattoon (Mattoon, IL)

With his colorful use of illustrations and hard-hitting quotes that add punch to each one of his sermons, Pastor Tim Keller inspired me to craft messages that will speak deep to the souls of young people. But more importantly, Pastor Tim taught me that, as much as a sermon can be well-crafted and articulated, it is of no eternal value if Christ is not central and the good news is not preached. For these reasons, my life & ministry is forever indebted to the life, example, and teachings of Pastor Tim Keller.
Cliff Ethan Sim
Lighthouse Evangelism (Singapore)

My first encounter with Keller was through reading Meaning of Marriage as my wife and I were going through our pre-marital counseling, but I had no idea who I had stumbled upon in reading that book. In the past few years, he has no doubt been the biggest influence on how I understand and teach the Bible. In particular, over the last two years our student ministry has been slowly walking through the major stories of the Old Testament. Keller's Christ-connected, gospel-centered interpretations and applications of these passages have been incredibly helpful as I prepare and deliver these teachings. I've learned from Keller to hold up Christ, draw attention to His incomparable grace and love, and pray for the Spirit to draw students to a deeper comprehension of these things in such a way that their lives will be transformed. Thank you Tim Keller. What a gift to the church you were, and will continue to be through your lasting sermons, teachings, and publishings. 
Ryan Wood 
Student Minister, First Baptist Church Fort Payne (Fort Payne, IN)