Insight

Bible study methods for youth leaders - the eBook

Three previous 'Insight' articles with bonus material, compiled into a free pdf eBook.

Download Bible Study Methods for Youth Leaders and keep these resources at your fingertips.

It's written especially for volunteer youth leaders and small group bible study leaders who, in my view, are the 'unsung heroes' of Christian youth ministry around the world. However, I hope there's something here for everyone who has a passion for discipling young people to know more of Jesus.

Bible study methods for youth ministry - encounters

The third and final article on creative bible study methods for youth ministry.

In the first two articles That's a good question and Fresh expressions I highlighted several bible study methods and eight creative ideas to engage young people in exploring the bible together.

In this final article I've added three more methods for those who want to dig deeper in their understanding of God and their Christian experience.

ENCOUNTER BIBLE STUDY

The goal is to help each young person discover, 'What does this passage mean to ME?' In this kind of bible study the method of sharing is different from the usual 'everyone jumps right in' discussion, allowing the quieter member of the group more time to reflect. Use only a small group of verses which can be remembered easily.

Step 1 Write your own translation.
Ask each young person to write out their own translation of the passage. Ask them to write as they would say it, or imagine they are writing a letter, or email, or text to a friend. Make it clear and keep it simple. (HINT: Try to put into your own words each of the key words and phrases before you write out your translation).

Bible study methods for youth ministry - fresh expressions

The second of three articles on creative bible study methods for youth ministry.

SYMBOL STUDY

This is a very effective method of introducing young people to bible study. Ask a member of the group to read the chosen bible passage aloud. Everyone then takes a sheet of paper and writes the five symbols down the left hand side. After quietly reading through the Bible passage again, each person writes (next to the appropriate symbol) what they think the passage is saying.

After 10 minutes of individual work, encourage the group to share their findings together. Where individuals have questions, encourage group discussion to try to find out the answers together. Take a few minutes to summarise what you have discovered and close with a prayer to act on anything learned.

• ARROW POINTING UP Write something theses verses tell us about Jesus/God
• ARROW POINTING DOWN Write something these verses tell us about human nature
• A LIGHT BULB Write down any new discovery you have made reading these verses
• AN EXCLAMATION MARK! Write down the most exciting verse in your opinion and why
• A QUESTION MARK? Write anything you don't understand or want to ask about
• ARROW POINTING TO SIDE Write down something these verses say we should do

The symbol method is a tool used to explore the bible together in small groups and encourage the participation of all. It can be used with parables, psalms and many sections of the epistles. Examples of passages you could use are: Psalm 104, Psalm 107, Psalm 139, Romans 8:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-16, Colossians 1:15-23, Colossians 3:1-17, 1 Peter 1:3-16, 1 John 1:1-7.

Bible study methods for youth ministry - that's a good question!

The first of three articles on creative bible study methods for youth ministry.

As Christians, how can we make sense of our world, our relationships and our faith without some knowledge and understanding of the Bible? Well, I guess we can't! Finding ways to help young people explore, understand and apply scripture should be high on our 'to do' list in Christian youth work.

So we organise, creative, stimulating and engaging opportunities to explore God's word together as a group. Hmm. Easier said than done. In this series of articles I want to share some simple ideas and creative bible study methods I've found helpful.

Over the years I've tried to read widely and adapt ideas to work with different church youth groups. I'm indebted to friends and colleagues who have given me new ideas and inspiration in times of need! What follows is a compilation of ideas that have worked for me. But first, three key values for studying the bible with young people.