JCISONLINE – Resources for Tween and Preteen Ministry

When it comes to your tween and the youth, you want them to study the bible. One thing that I always struggle with when it comes to students is the balance between knowledge and connection with Jesus. I often wonder what is it like for a teenager when it comes to bible study. When do they feel like they should read their bible? What do they read? Why do they read it? I believe if we can answer some of these questions then we can begin to present some compelling illustration to youth about reading God’s word.

What I learned:

A small group leader asked their teenagers when do they read the bible. Most of them said when they felt bad. They look to God’s word for encouragement and strength in times that they are feeling guilty, hurt, or alone. All of these are compelling reasons and I was excited to hear about youth that were going to God’s word when they felt a need. But it made me wonder, how do you compel students to go to God’s word before hurt, pain, or sin? How do you encourage them to draw close to Jesus, before they go through struggles.

Is it true that we all go to the bible when we hurt? I know in my life, my most intense worship and connection with Jesus, has happened in the midst of struggle. These students know that Christ is with them in their time of pain and struggle.

But….

Are we teaching God’s word in a way that students understand it’s impact on a daily, weekly, monthly basis? Are we modeling for our students a consistent connection with Christ? Are we consistently in God’s word?

About a week ago, J-Pat, my boss and our Student Pastor, showed me a DVD of David Platt, author of Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream(affiliate link), going completely through Psalm 119. It was quite a feat and a statement. But what was amazing to me wasn’t so much DP and his massive memorization skills, it was instead the passion with which the writer spoke about the word of God. Here’s a sample from that text:

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
(Psalm 119:33-40 ESV)

I was instantly convicted by the words, not from the mouth of an incredible bible teacher, but instead the words of the author expressing the need of the precepts of God the Father in his life.

Challenge:

Teach God’s word with conviction. Preach a Savior who willingly gave Himself as a sacrifice for an unworthy world, because of His great love for His Father and His brothers and sisters. I pray that in my life I would teach and know God’s word in a way that challenges others to know Christ more through His teaching.

In what ways can we teach our students about God’s word in a way that they fall in love with it and thirst for it?