Basic principles of bible study with teenagers.

OVERVIEW

Adolescents are relational.

Generally, no other age group needs friendship as a basis for learning. Bible study with teenagers should begin with getting to know them. They respond to adults who are interested in their world, care about them, and take time to find out about their interests and needs. They join groups brought together effectively by leaders. Adolescents learn most readily from friends. Therefore, become one of their friends.

Any good education begins where the learner is and leads to the broader world.

Start with what interests a particular group of young people-be it music, making money, relations with the opposite sex, or Bible study. Respond to interests and needs. Then, challenge them to think about deeper and broader issues.

Young people often feel self-doubt about their intelligence.

The aim of a good teacher is to make his or her students feel smart. Youth want to understand the world and the cosmos and the Bible. Provide broad outlines in simple, memorable words and phrases. Drill, review, and affirm. Be sensitive and creative in making sure no one is left out or feeling dumb:

I often use an early session to review the sixty-six books of the Bible. I will, for a while, give a group the answer first; then ask the question-praising them and laughing as we go along. '39. How many books are in the Old Testament? That's right! Great!! What's 3 times 9? How many books are in the New Testament? 27. Terrific!!!' Then, I get everyone shouting, '5-12-5-5-12!' 'Fine, that's the outline of the Old Testament books.' Before long, everyone feels as if they know a lot about the Bible. It didn't take long. It wasn't boring. And they feel as if they learned more than they often do at school. They are not dumb!

Young people want to know the relevance of what they are asked to learn.

How does this affect my life now? So what? What difference does it make? Don't be impatient with such questions. They are forcing you as a teacher to contextualize the Word of God. This is good! The Bible assumes that faith and truth work-in all cultures and all situations.

One of the main things the Bible says to every young reader is, 'You have a choice! Whether you read the Bible or not, you're going to have to make decisions that will affect the rest of your life. Whether you care about God or not, nature has made you a creature of choice. Your choices affect you and those around you.' None of us can get away from this truth-and it's a challenge that actually appeals to young hearts if it is properly explained.

Youth like variety and hate boring routine.

Therefore, one's Bible study with young people should not only cover a variety of doctrines and topics, but also use different methods.

METHODS FOR BIBLICAL STUDY

Synthetic Method. This shows the panorama of the Bible or traces the main teaching or theme of a book. The drill illustrated above was working in this direction. This gives young people confidence in their general understanding.

Inductive Method. This approach divides a book into parts so that it can be studied using group discovery. This method sharpens skills for individual Bible study.

Character Study. This is a most important type of study for adolescents and younger kids. They are interested in real people and situations from a Divine perspective. This method is inspirational and challenging.

Topical Study. Youth are confronted by many personal and social issues to which the world gives them confusing answers. This format can follow a survey given to the group or questions they have previously composed. God's salvation and the way of Christ should definitely be clarified. They deserve to understand the basic principles of God's kingdom in the world.

Devotional Method. This is not necessarily a separate method, as all Bible study should be devotional and practical. But young people need help learning to meditate-for release of the pressure in their lives and in devotion to God. The Psalms are a good place to start. Help kids learn to wait on the Lord. This is difficult at any age, but especially in the impetuous years of a young person.

Dean Borgman and Anne Montague cCYS