It is particularly humbling to think about the Bible as God’s Word. The God of the universe, capable of thundering the eternal message throughout the heavens or painting a clear message of love on the clouds, chose instead to use a medium as human as the local newspaper to share His message of salvation and grace with you and me.
And it is just because God chose to use such a common expression of communication that the Bible has the potential to meet our very personal needs. It speaks to us right where we live.
Five Ways to Enrich Teen Bible Study
- Show Respect! The Bible is God’s story. Teach teens that the, Bible is not just any book. Talk about it being special.
- Read large sections! When people tell-a story, they want you to hear the whole thing. Take time to read larger portions, and take time to read the context. Watch the complete story unfold in a grand way. Then specific applications make sense.
- Be creative! Try some of these methods with your group.
- The Biographical Method. Use your Bible to discover a particular person in Scripture. Research all the verses about that person and study his or her life and growth in faith.
- The Devotional Method. Pick a portion of your Bible to study, and prayerfully think about it until the Holy Spirit shows you a way to apply it to your life.
- The Inductive Method. Let the text be your guide. Try not to read anything into the text, and see what themes and questions naturally come to you in the text.
- The Issue-centered approach. This works particularly well with teens. Find a text or chapter of the Bible that deals with a specific issue (e.g.. Forgiveness - Ps 32; God’s love John 4:9; Worship and praise - Heb 13:15, etc.).
- Start! Nothing happens unless you begin. Encourage teens to start. It doesn’t take long to hear God’s message.
- Share! Don’t study all alone. Teens need relationships, models, and a chance to express themselves. (See: Small Groups)
From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry
© 2000 John Hancock Center for Youth&Family Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.
